Why We Worship the Divine Mother

Can the grace of the divine mother really transform your life? If you have ever wondered about this question, here is a small story that I recently heard.

The Holy Mother Sarada Devi was in Benaras, where Swami Bramhananda (Rakhal) was also present. She sent him a message asking why he needed to worship the holy mother when he had access to the Upanishads and every other spiritual text written over centuries. He could practice “Aham Bhramasmi” and “Tat Vam Asi” to realize his true identity over time.

Swami Bramhananda replied, “Bramhagyani Chavi Kathi Maye Hathe,” or “The Keys to the knowledge of Brahman is in the hands of the divine mother.” Did he speak out of emotion or devotion because he loved his guru and the divine mother?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=vMGEudyQrvw%3Fstart%3D450

Thousands of years before Swami Bramhananda spoke these words, Vakambhrni, a rishika, described the power of feminine divinity by composing one of the finest Vak Sookta.

I am quoting from a beautiful article I found about Vakambhrini and the power of the Vak Sookta.

The Vak Sookta is pure splendor — a celebration of the splendor that what we truly are. As we read it, listen to it, we feel poetry has never climbed to greater heights, nor reached more profound depths.

For what Vak experiences is that she is the mother of the universe, with all its gods and humans and every created thing. Hers is the ultimate spiritual experience, which the Upanishads speak of as ‘aham brahmasmi’.

Here is a small section of the poetry.

Aham rashtri sangamani vasunam chikitushee prathama yajniyanam

Tam ma deva vyadadhuh puritra bhuristhatram bhooryavesayantim.

Maya so annamatti yo vipasyati yah praniti ya i srnotyuktam

Amantavo mam ta upa kshiyanti srudhi sruta sraddhivam te vadami.

Ahameva svayam idam vadami jushtam devebhir uta manushebhih

Yam kamaye tam tam ugram krnomi tam brahmanam tam rshim tam sumedham

Here is a translation of the same:

I am the ruling Queen, the amasser of treasures, full of wisdom, first of those who are worthy of worship. That me the Gods have installed in many places, with many homes to enter and abide in.

Through me alone, all eat the food that helps them see, breathe and hear the spoken word. He is not aware of me, yet he dwells in me alone. Listen, you who know! For, the words I speak to you deserve your trust.

It is I who announces the tidings that the gods and men alike rejoice to hear. The man I love, I make mighty in strength. I make him a priest, a sage, or a learned scholar, as I please.

My guru Om Swami shared a beautiful example of what divine grace looks like. Ravana spent thousands of years practicing severe austerities to win and rule Lanka. However, when Vibhishana came and surrendered to Rama, he simply smiled and crowned him the ruler.

My experience with the divine mother is exactly as described in the poem. I don’t know anything about Ma. I don’t remember the “Sahasranama” or any special Sadhana of Ma. I cannot even bear to call her by any other name but “Ma.” I don’t even feel tempted to learn the names because, for a child, a mother is the most beautiful person in the world and her love is the only thing that matters to the child. What other name can a child call his mother but Ma?

Yes, Ma gave me everything I could have wished for and more, but the greatest gift she gave me is she reminded me that I am her child. The logical, analytical, ambitious, and self-centered me became a child again.

Ma can give you anything you need, including Bramhagyana, but when the only thing you desire is Ma, you experience the waves of maternal bliss washing over you. Every other desire fades and then when you are satiated, she starts slowly teaching you. She holds your hand when you fumble, scolds you when play truant and miss school, and dances for joy at your success. She fervently prays that one day, the world calls her as your mother, because what can give a mother greater joy than the success of her children.

Image Credit: Neelanjan Sinha