Sakti, when applicable on human beings, turn out to be a double-edged sword. The question now is: what makes Sakti strike divergent notes on different people — productive in case of some and self-defeating for others? This, despite the fact that sakti is available in equal proportion to all. Here comes into picture one’s unique mind-trend, which varies from person-to-person. It is this uniqueness of a being, which responds to sakti varied ways according as each mind is inherently made out.
How to ensure productive application of Sakti, overriding individualistic vulnerabilities, coming as they may with one’s unique nature, you may ask? The answer evidently lies in having exposure to the Sakti concept, which the imagery of Mother Goddess Durga so aptly displays.
Let us first begin with the name “Durga” itself. It means something available with great difficulties. What then is that force, personified as Durga, which cannot be accessed so easily? Here a look into the legend pertaining to the making of the Mother becomes imperative.
As the allegory runs, the Rakshas (Demons/devil) drove away the Devatas (the righteous people) from Devaloka, their place of abode. The Devatas then gathered and together called upon Lord Brahma, the God-personified for creation, and sought His help. Lord Brahma then led them all to Lord Vishnu, the God-personified assigned with the task to administer. Realising that enormous power is needed to counter the might of Rakshasas, Lord Vishnu in turn, led them all to Lord Shiva, the epitome of Sakti.
Lord Shiva asked all the Devatas to share their individual Tejas (Sakti or radiance). Accordingly, all the Devatas, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (another name for Shiva), pooled in their individual Sakti, which together turned into a huge fire. Out of that huge fire pool, came into being the all-powerful Mother Goddess Durga. The different Devatas offered their respective weapons for Mother’s use. She then took on and humbled all the demons. But mind it: She does not do it single-handed. She is assisted by many other Goddesses in Her mission, all of them originating from the mainframe of Durga herself, who, after completing their respective tasks, reverted back to their source-frame.
You may wonder: how comes the Devatas, the individually evolved beings, so particular about their righteous conduct, had to face the humiliation of being driven away by evil-forces from their homeland? Evidently, either the Devatas were not strong enough to match the might of demons, or else, there had to be something wrong in them, which brought them to such a pass. One possibility is that being overtaken by egotistic sense of being superior ones; they mistook themselves to be unassailable. And then, they were so engrossed in their individualistic pursuits that they missed their alert on the impending danger. Passionately engrossed in their individualistic pursuits, they probably would not have cared to remain true to their collective obligations either. The inevitable had to happen. The implication is that a Devata, though placed on a high pedestal, by oneself would not suffice to ensure his well-being unless the collective existence is well secured.
What comes out loud and clear from the story is that when the Devatas pooled in their individual energies, and put them together, turned into a mighty force. That very force is personified as Durga, which tamed the demons. It simply implies that it is only when we put in all acts together, both individually and collectively, that we could be at our best. Second, life does not move to one’s asking. We have to be well geared up to take on impending challenges if any, to ensure individualistic as well as collective well-being.
Even otherwise, let us not forget that we have to necessarily contend with disparate people all around, quite good in number, some of them even acting weird. Our plane of living, therefore, remains a fertile ground for arousal of conflicting interests. We, therefore, need to be prepared to take on danger inherent in the existential order itself, looming large over our head all the time. So, no matter how virtuous a person individually is, unless he remains live to existential needs, life may turn into a nightmare, both individually and collectively. Therefore, the callings of life need to be attended holistically. Definitely, the Devatas would have been caught unawares during one of their unguarded moments, which led to their humiliating defeat at the hands of the evil-forces.
The writer is an astrologer, vastu consultant and spiritual counsellor. Connect with him at Tel: 91-11-9818037273/9871037272 Email: bharatbhushanpadmadeo@gmail.com
