The Divine Hymn: Atharvashirsha of the Goddess
The Divine Hymn: Atharvashirsha of the Goddess
The Gods Approach the Supreme Devi
All the divine beings gathered before the Goddess and humbly prayed, "O Mahadevi! Who are you? Please reveal your true nature to us."
The Goddess responded, "O Devas! I am the Supreme Consciousness. It is through me that the universe, consisting of both Purusha (the soul) and Prakriti (the material world), has come into existence. For those ignorant of my presence, the universe appears void, whereas for the enlightened, it is filled with my essence.
I am both blissful and beyond bliss, both knowledge and beyond knowledge. I am the Brahman that is to be known and also beyond the concept of Brahman itself."
This profound truth is also affirmed in the sacred Atharvaveda.
The Universal Manifestation of the Devi
"I am both the fivefold elements (Pancha Mahabhuta) in their combined form and their individual essence. The entire visible world is my manifestation. I am both the known (Veda) and the unknown (Aveda). I am Vidya (true knowledge) and Avidya (illusion).
I am both the manifested nature (Aja) and the unmanifested absolute (Anaja). I exist above, below, and in all directions.
I move through the universe as the Rudras and the Vasus. I traverse as the Adityas and the Vishwadevas. I sustain and nourish Mitra, Varuna, Indra, Agni, and the Ashwini Kumars. I uphold Soma, Pushan, Tvashta, and Bhaga.
I am the one who supports the mighty strides of Lord Vishnu, the cosmic functions of Lord Brahma, and the acts of creation led by the Prajapatis.
I uphold the sacrificial offerings, the yajnas performed with devotion, and the sacred wealth offered to the deities. I am the Supreme Empress of the cosmos, the giver of prosperity to my devotees, the embodiment of wisdom, and the foremost among all divine beings.
I am the one who manifests the Supreme Paramatma, the source and sustainer of all existence."
The Divine Upanishadic Revelation
Hearing this, the gods reverently bowed and said, "O Mahadevi! We bow to you with the highest devotion. You are the supreme force who guides even the greatest beings onto the path of righteousness. We humbly salute the benevolent and auspicious Goddess who is the essence of nature itself."
"We offer our respects to you, the one who embodies the Supreme Good. O Divine Mother, you are the radiant flame that burns away ignorance. We surrender at your feet and seek your divine shelter."
The Supreme Mother of the Universe
"O Mother! You are the one praised in the Vedas, the Vaishnavi Shakti, Skandamata, Saraswati, Aditi, the mother of the gods, and the daughter of Daksha. You are the destroyer of sins and the granter of auspiciousness.
We meditate upon Mahalakshmi, the Supreme Goddess, who grants all spiritual attainments. May she guide us towards divine wisdom and ultimate realization."
"O Daksha! Your daughter Aditi, after giving birth to divine beings, was glorified as the source of eternal nectar and divinity."
"The Primordial Vidya, the Supreme Knowledge, is thus revealed:
-
The essence of desire (Kama),
-
The cosmic womb (Yoni),
-
The Vajra (thunderbolt of consciousness),
-
The mystical sounds (H and S),
-
The breath of the cosmos (Vayu),
-
The clouds (Abhra),
-
Indra (the power of divine rulership),
-
The profound cave of wisdom,
-
The cosmic letters (S, K, L),
-
And the illusion (Maya)."
This is the eternal source of the Supreme Goddess—Adya, the primordial energy that pervades all of creation.
The Cosmic Power of the Mahavidya
"This Supreme Shakti is the Mother of the Universe. She wields the noose, the goad, the arrows, and the bow, and is worshiped as the great Mahavidya. One who truly realizes her divine nature transcends all sorrows.
O Supreme Goddess! We bow to you. O Divine Mother! Please protect us completely."
The Great Mother is also present in the forms of the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras, and the twelve Adityas. She exists as the all-pervading Vishwadevas, as well as the forces of darkness such as the Yatudhanas, Rakshasas, Asuras, Pisachas, Yakshas, and Siddhas.
She embodies the three Gunas—Sattva (purity), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (inertia). She manifests as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. She is the Prajapatis, Indra, and Manu. She is the cosmic time (Kala), the celestial bodies (Planets, Stars, and Constellations), and the forces that govern the universe.
She is the one who bestows liberation (Moksha) and material success (Bhoga). She is the Supreme Victory, the remover of all afflictions, the protector of devotees, and the embodiment of auspiciousness. We forever bow to this divine mother, the eternal source of all existence."
The Mantric Essence of the Goddess
"The seed mantra of the Goddess—‘Hreem’—is a divine sound that fulfills all desires. The sages of supreme wisdom, those who are absorbed in deep meditation, continuously contemplate this one-syllable sacred sound, realizing its boundless divine power."
The sacred Navarna Mantra:
-
Vashakti (Aim),
-
Maya (Hreem),
-
The divine desire (Kleem),
-
The manifestation of speech (Cha),
-
The radiance of the sun (Ma),
-
The hearing of the cosmos (U),
-
The cosmic sound (M),
-
The protector Narayana (A),
-
The breath of life (Yai),
-
And the essence of divine power (Vichche)."
This mantra bestows bliss and ultimate union with the Supreme Brahman upon the dedicated practitioner.
The Supreme Form of the Devi
"She dwells in the center of the lotus-heart, radiating like the rising sun, holding the noose and goad in her hands, showering blessings with her gestures of protection and grace. She is the three-eyed goddess, adorned in red garments, fulfilling the desires of her devotees.
O Supreme Goddess! You are the destroyer of the greatest fears, the remover of all distress, and the embodiment of boundless compassion. I bow to you with utmost reverence."
"The Supreme Devi is beyond comprehension even for Brahma and the highest sages. She is:
-
Agyeya (Unknowable),
-
Ananta (Infinite),
-
Alakshya (Invisible),
-
Aja (Unborn),
-
Eka (One and only),
-
Naika (Yet manifold in her manifestations)."
She is the Matrika (source of all letters and sounds), the foundation of wisdom, and the silent witness of the void. There is nothing beyond her—she is Durga, the supreme savior who rescues souls from the ocean of worldly existence.
The Ultimate Blessing of the Devi Upanishad
"One who recites this sacred hymn attains the merit of chanting all five Atharvashirshas. Without the knowledge of this scripture, even thousands of ritualistic chants will not lead to true accomplishment.
A practitioner should chant this mantra 108 times as a sacred observance. By merely reciting it ten times, all past sins are destroyed, and the divine grace of Mahadevi removes even the most challenging obstacles."
By reciting this Upanishad:
-
In the morning, one is freed from sins committed at night.
-
In the evening, one is cleansed of daytime misdeeds.
-
Reciting it at both times makes even the impure pure.
-
Chanting at midnight bestows Siddhi (divine speech & wisdom).
Thus concludes the Devi Upanishad, the essence of divine realization.
Click for Registration and learn more...
Comments
Post a Comment