Q&A with Swamiji .....142...Tantroktam Ratri Suktam Verse 7

[Guest guest]

Question from Jayadeva:

Verse 7 mentions the Night of Time, the Great Night and the Night

of Ignorance as the Goddess as the qualities of Nature (Nature is

also the Goddess). I understand this to be the three gunas. Could

you let me know if the understanding that I just outlined is

correct? and, if so, which Night is which guna? and could you give

help in understanding these names - how we might get a sense of the

qualities of "the Night of Time,the Great Night" and "the Night

of Ignorance?"

 

Swamiji's response :

 

"The Night of Time" creates the illusion of time and allows

perception, because we perceive in time.

"The Great Night" is the darkness which exposes the light.

"The Night of Ignorance" is the darkness which obscures the light.

 

Followup question from Jayadeva :

 

Are these associated with specific gunas in this verse?

 

Swamiji's respone :

 

Not necessarily. Of course, it is possible to relate every thing to

all three gunas at any point in time, but this Tantric Ratri Shukta

is more a description of Her various attributes for the purpose of

praising Her.

And then, who can praise Her? If the Lord of Existence is subject to

Her will, then what can I say about Her?