Aum Ambikanathaya Namaha!

4

Durga's Promise

If one could but be privileged to see

The arched eyebrows, the rosy red lips,

The budding smile, the wet matted locks,

The milk-white sacred ash on the body of coral hue,

And the sweet lifted foot,

Even human birth on this earth would be desirable.

SAINT THIRUNAVUKKARASAR
 

Brahma was unhappy that Lord Shiva had reprimanded him for harboring sexual feelings for his own daughter, Sandhya, and consulted Daksha and his other sons about what should be done. Shiva’s lack of understanding about sexual feelings originated from the fact that he was a yogi and had no knowledge of women or passion. In order to make Shiva suffer the pangs of love, Brahma asked for help from Kama and his wife, Rati.

“Unless that primordial being Shiva indulges in sexual sport, creation will continue to be mediocre. In the case of Shiva, who is extremely detached, only Kama’s power can prevail.” Thus saying, Brahma requested Kama to try his wiles on Lord Shiva. He also created Vasanta, or spring, to be Kama’s permanent companion and thus aid him in his exploits. “O Kama, for the benefit of the world, please go and try to enchant Shiva. Wherever Shiva goes, follow him and shoot your arrows at him so that he will be inclined to take a wife. Over mountains or lakes, through forests or peaks, follow him wherever he goes and charm him. You alone have the power to do this. He is averse to women and is in full control of himself.”

Hearing these words of the Creator, Kama, accompanied by Vas-anta and the gentle malaya breeze, left for the harsh mountains, caves, and dales throughout which Shiva roamed. Wherever Kama went, the season changed. No longer did the cold winds blow against the icy fastness of the Himalayan regions. Instead, the gentle malaya breeze, fragrant with the perfume of a thousand flowers, swept the region. All the trees bloomed simultaneously as spring burst into a profusion of flowers, but Shiva was not beguiled; he was immersed in atmic bliss. Arrow after arrow sped from Kama’s sugarcane bow. Both he and Rati tried all their tricks. All living beings succumbed to their charms, but not Shiva. He alone was unaffected and did not even notice what was happening. Kama’s ego was squashed, and he returned dejectedly to Brahma.

“O Brahma! Listen to me. Though I tried my best to enchant Shiva, he remained unaffected. In complete control of his senses, he continued to remain in a state of samadhi (superconsciousness) despite all my efforts to shake him out of it. Wherever Shiva went, Rati and I followed him closely and darted arrow after arrow at him, but neither he nor his ganas (followers) were moved by them. Whenever he came out of samadhi, I placed many pairs of birds and animals before him, all engaged in mating games. He remained unmoved. Never did my arrow find a vulnerable point in him. Vasanta, who accompanied me, also did her best. He covered the mountain slopes with fragrant flowers and the lakes with lotuses. Seeing all this abundance of nature, even the sages fell prey to passion. Need I then speak about the state of ordinary mortals? But there was no wavering to be seen in the demeanor of Lord Shiva. He did not even evince anger at me. What could I do but return? I assure you that there is no one in the whole world who is capable of arousing lust in him. If you want him to marry, you will have to produce someone who is capable of arousing his love.” So saying, Kama returned to his abode followed by his wife, Rati, and his troupe of helpers.

Brahma was quite dejected at this news and did not know what to do. Brahma’s nature was rajasic, active and energetic, while Shiva’s was tamasic, passive and contemplative. In between stood Vishnu, the cosmic savior, totally sattvic, always interested in maintaining the cosmic order. He preserved the cosmic balance between the aggressiveness of the Creator, Brahma, and the regressiveness of the Destroyer, Rudra. Thus the three—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—represent shrishti, sthiti, and samhara, or creation, preservation, and destruction. Brahma realized that if Shiva became totally dispassionate about the world, the cosmic balance would be destroyed, since a certain amount of tension is always necessary to maintain the work of creation. Suddenly he thought of calling on Lord Vishnu, who was the primary cause of Brahma’s own creation. The moment he thought of him, Vishnu, the lotus-eyed one, four-armed and blue in color, appeared before him and smilingly asked what he wanted. Brahma repeated his tale of woe, that he had sent Kama to enchant Shiva and failed miserably.

Vishnu smiled at hearing this tale and said, “O Brahma! How is it that this delusion has befallen you? Do you not know that Shiva is the Mahayogi, free from all illusion, ever immersed in the bliss of the self? How could you ever think of making him fall prey to Kama’s wiles? O Brahma, if you really want Shiva to marry, then you will have to pray to Shiva himself. You know his Shakti is a part of him. Shakti is his feminine counterpart and is known as Shivaa. If that goddess takes on a human birth, she will definitely become his wife, for she is a part of him. Command your son Daksha to do penance and propitiate that goddess, and induce her to take birth as his daughter; then ask Daksha to give her to Shiva in marriage. Remember, at the time when all three of us came out of that formless Brahman, it was declared that Lakshmi would be my feminine counterpart, Saraswati yours, and Sati would be Shiva’s. Sadashiva incarnated himself as Rudra and came out of your brows. He is now residing in Kailasa awaiting the advent of Shivaa in the form of Sati, daughter of Daksha. Therefore make all preparations for her advent.” Thus saying, Lord Vishnu blessed Brahma and vanished from view.

As soon as Vishnu left, Brahma began to meditate on Shivaa, or Durga, the feminine counterpart of Shiva. The goddess is vidya and avidya, both knowledge and ignorance. She is nothing but the Supreme Brahman. Pleased with his penance, the goddess Durga appeared before Brahma. She was dark as night and had four divine arms, one of which carried the blue lotus and the other a sword. The third was raised in the mudra (mystic symbol made with the fingers) of blessing. Her eyes were dark and lustrous and gleamed like the pearls that adorned her disheveled tresses. The mystic third eye on her forehead was closed. She was as beautiful as the autumn moon, and the crescent moon bedecked her broad forehead. She was seated on a magnificent lion that gazed at her lovingly with its tawny eyes.

On seeing this wondrous apparition of the divine Shakti, Brahma, folded his palms and sang her praises: “Obeisance to Thee, O Goddess! You are the eternal energy of Brahman who has manifested herself in many forms. In the form of Lakshmi you have found a place beside Vishnu; in the form of the earth you hold everything within yourself. You are both action and nonaction; you are the cause of both creation and destruction. You are that primary energy of both movable and immovable objects, and capable of enchanting everyone. Though unmanifest, you are capable of taking on infinite manifestations. You are eternal time that holds the worlds in thrall.”

Hearing this hymn of Brahma’s, the goddess was pleased and asked him what he wanted from her. Brahma replied, “O goddess, the great God Shiva, who has manifested himself as Rudra through my forehead, is now residing in Kailasa. He performs penance all alone and refuses to take a wife. You are his eternal Shakti. He is the Lord of yoga and cannot be tempted by any woman. But as you know, the path of yoga, or restraint, has to be balanced by the path of bhoga, or pleasure. You alone in the entire world are capable of exciting Lord Shiva, as you enchanted Vishnu in your form as Lakshmi. O mother of the universe, I pray you to be born as Daksha’s daughter and bewitch the Lord, who is totally detached from worldly life. At the moment Daksha is performing penance with his mind directed to you. Be pleased to grant his wish that you should be born as his daughter, Sati.” The goddess agreed to his request and after blessing him, she vanished from view.

She appeared before Daksha, who was practicing penance on the seashore as directed by Brahma. Her beauty charmed Daksha and bowing low, he sang a hymn of praise to her. She was pleased by his devotion and asked him to choose a boon. Daksha said, “O mother of the universe! As you know, Rudra has incarnated himself as Shiva but so far has not taken a wife. You alone are capable of enacting this role, so kindly deign to be born as my daughter and become Shiva’s wife. This is the boon that I crave.”

Hearing these words the goddess replied, “O Daksha! You have spoken rightly. I’m the only fitting mate for Shiva. I am his beloved in every manifestation, so I shall incarnate myself as your daughter. Return to your abode and remain in prayer. Your wish will soon be fulfilled. But there is one condition, O Daksha. If at any time in the future you show disrespect to me or to Shiva, I shall withdraw into myself and cast off my body.” Thus saying, the goddess disappeared from Daksha’s view.

Prostrations to the robber chief, armed with quiver and arrows. Prostrations to the deceiving, elusive chief of marauders. Prostrations to the wandering, ever-evasive chief of forest thieves!

“SRI RUDRUM,” YAJUR VEDA

Prostrations to the chief of thieves, ever-alert in defense and eager to strike. Prostrations to the chief of dacoits (bandits), who moves about in the night carrying swords. Prostrations to the red-capped resident of the mountains, who steals our belongings.

“SRI RUDRUM,” YAJUR VEDA

Prostrations to you who are both seated and reclining. Prostrations to you who are both sleeping and awake. Prostrations to you who are in the static and the dynamic. Prostrations to you who are in both the chiefs and the assemblies.

“SRI RUDRUM,” YAJUR VEDA

Aum Namashivaya!