Shakradi Stuti - Part 2

After she killed Mahishasura, Devas and Rishis were praising Devi.

When you can't even think about your most magnificent form, then how is it possible to describe you? Devas, Asuras, Manushyas—nobody can imagine your form or attempt to describe even a part of you. Your valour, which targets the Asuras, cannot be sufficiently described. Your heroic deeds during battles are indescribable.

You are the cause behind the whole universe. The universe sprang up from a small part of you. The universe consists of three gunas: Satwa, Rajas, and Tamas. Rajas is all the materials and powers that create. Satwa is all the materials and powers that sustain. Tamas is all the materials and powers that eliminate. All these three are parts of you. They all exist in you.

But there are also many undesirable things in the universe—attachment, unwanted desires. She is not affected by any of them, like how a lotus leaf holds water. You will see it there, but that water won't stick to the leaf.

Vishnu, Shiva—no one has understood you fully. This is not very complicated. You can say Shiva or Vishnu is Parabrahma or Paramatma, and Devi is their Maya Shakti. But that doesn't mean that they have understood her fully. A child is born from the father, but that doesn't mean that the father knows everything about the child.

You are the ashraya of everything—all beings, living and non-living, all objects, all forces, powers, deeds, and actions. They exist within you. If you withdraw your support, everything stops, everything collapses, and disappears.

You are Avyakrita. Now, this term has many meanings. Avyakrita means indescribable. You can only reveal yourself to us as and when you wish. Nobody can make it happen; it is absolutely at your will and pleasure. Avyakrita also means you cannot be harmed by anyone.

Vishnu has placed you on his chest, so you are Avyakrita. Surya's rays are coming out from every hair follicle of your body, so you are Avyakrita. You are the Prakriti that Sankhya Shastra talks about. Vedanta Shastra calls you Atmamaya and Anadi Avidya. Meemamsakas call you Shabdashakti. Shaivas call you Shiva Shakti. Vaishnavas call you Vishnumaya. Shaktas call you Mahamaya. Pauranikas call you Devi.

What happens in a yajna? A mantra is chanted, and some offering is made in Agni, which goes to the particular Devata for whom it is meant. Take Mrityunjaya Mantra, for example—Tryambakam. If you just say this mantra and offer something in Agni, it won't go to Shiva. You have to say Swaha at the end of the mantra; then only it will go. In the same way, if the offering is to go to the forefathers, then you should say Swadha. Swaha is meant for Devas, and Swadha is meant for Pitrus. These suffixes—Swaha, Swadha, Shroushar, Vashat, Voushat—they are all you. It is only when you are present in the yajna in the form of Swaha and Swadha that the nourishment and satisfaction of Devas and forefathers happen.

Here, the term Surataa is used to denote Devatas—सुरताः. Sura means Aishwarya. Those who have Aishwarya or rulership or lordship over the universe are Suras—Devas. Their state of rulership is called Surataa. Those who have Surataa are Surataaha.

She is Vidya. What is Vidya? That which gives freedom—सा विद्या या विमुक्तये. The techniques practiced by Munis who want to achieve complete freedom from all shackles, including that of having to take birth again and again, they practice Mahavrata.

What is this Mahavrata? It is through constant practice of this Mahavrata that they achieve the state of complete freedom, which is called Mukti or Moksha. Bhagawan Patanjali says—

Non-violence, honesty, not coveting somebody else's property, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha.

What is Aparigraha? देहयात्रानिर्वाहकातिरिक्त भोगसाधनधनाद्यनङ्गीकारः. Accepting only what is required for the sustenance of the body, denying everything else. These five, if practiced, will give you complete freedom eventually, irrespective of what caste you belong to, where you live, or what period you are living in—Treta Yuga, Dwapara Yuga, Kali Yuga—whenever. You will attain complete freedom—Mukti. Quite logical, isn't it?

Ahimsa—you are not creating enemies, so no one will follow you or take revenge on you. Honesty—if you are dishonest, some day or the other, you pay the price for it. Someone who is dishonest, some day or the other, his freedom of movement is restricted. Take the case of a servant: if you trust him, if he is honest, he has free access all over the home. But the moment you suspect that he is dishonest, then you restrict his access. Dishonesty can land people in prison, which is a complete loss of freedom.

Asteya means not stealing, not stealing somebody's property, somebody's rights. Brahmacharya, of course—when practiced, retention of Shukra Dhatu in the body nourishes Buddhi, intelligence, and thinking capacity, giving clarity about everything. When you accept only what is needed to sustain your body, then you don't have assets to worry about keeping them safe. Just practicing these five will make you more and more free day by day, making you absolutely free at the end. This is called Mahavrata. This Mahavrata is nothing but Devi Mahamaya. It is with her blessing alone that this Mahavrata can be successfully practiced.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi