The Indian Concept of the Divine Mother by
Swami Sivananda
Since the dawn of
civilisation, when the primitive man lived in a matriarchal society, the
worship of the Divine Mother came into practice. Later on, as civilisation
progressed, the matriarchal pattern gradually faded out, and the father became
the head of the family unit, where he was treated as the man in authority and
to whom everyone looked for guidance and approval. Consequently, there was a
change in the concept of God as such; the Fatherhood of God was established.
But Mother worship persisted simultaneously, since this concept was
psychologically more appealing to the devotee, the mother being nearest in
filial affection to the child. Subsequently, a synthetic harmony between the
Motherhood and Fatherhood of God was developed by the Hindu religion; the
people worshipped Sita and Rama, or Radha and Krishna together.
The concept of the human mind
is based on relative experience. Subjective idealism, therefore, in its initial
stages, takes the aid of objective and relative analogies. God is neither
limited to abstract or concrete concepts. But it is easier to establish a
conscious relationship with the Providence in terms of benevolent fatherhood or
affectionate, kindly motherhood than by the concept of an unfathomable void.
God is devoid of qualities, in reality, but a relative superimposition of the
positive ideals of goodness and virtue is essential for self-culture and
spiritual progress of the aspirant.
Mother is very kind to her
child. You are more free with your mother than with anybody else. It is the
mother who protects you, nourishes you, consoles you, cheers you and nurses
you. She is your first preceptor. She sacrifices her all for the sake of her children.
In the spiritual field also, the aspirant has very intimate relationship with
the Divine Mother.
The Upasana or the worship of
the Universal Mother leads to the attainment of knowledge of the Self. The
Yaksha Prasna in Kenopanishad supports this view. Approach Her with an open
heart. Lay bare your mind with frankness and humility. Lay your thoughts be
pure and sublime. Become as simple as a child. Pulverise your individual
entity, the egoistic nature, cunningness, selfishness and crookedness. Make a
total, unreserved, ungrudging self-surrender to Her. Chant Her Mantras. Worship
Her with faith and devotion.
Intense Sadhana and worship
leads to the victory of the higher, divine forces over the lower, negative
qualities that find their expression in injustice, oppression, aggrandisement,
greed, selfishness, hatred and a host of other undivine forces that add to the
suffering of man.
Worship the Mother in all Her
manifestations. She is the creative aspect of the Absolute. She is symbolised
as Cosmic Energy. Energy is the physical ultimate of all forms of matter and
the sustaining force of the Spirit. Energy and Spirit are inseparable. They are
essentially one. The five elements and their combinations are the external
manifestations of the Mother. Intelligence, discrimination, psychic power and
will are Her internal manifestations. Humanity is Her visible form. Service of
humanity is, therefore, the worship of the Divine Mother.
Feel that the Mother sees
through your eyes, hears through your ears, and works through your hands. Feel
that the body, mind, Prana, intellect and all their functions are Her
manifestations. The one, universal life throbs in the heart of all. How can
there be any room for hatred and selfishness, when by hating another you are but
hating the Mother, when by being selfish to another you are but denying your
own self. Drive deep this consciousness within your heart. Always meditate and
practise this ideal of divine oneness.
Mother’s grace is boundless.
Her mercy is illimitable. She is pleased with a little purity of heart. Make a
definite and sincere attempt to obtain the grace Of the Mother. She will
transform your entire life, and bless you with the milk of divine wisdom,
spiritual insight and Kaivalya!
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