In Chapter XIII of Matsya Purana, the Devi Sati’s various names are mentioned by which she was known at different places.
Visalaksi in Kasi; Lingadharini in Naimisaranya;
Lalita in Prayaga; Kamaksi in Gandhamadana hills; Kumuda at the Manasa lake;
Visvakaya in Ambara; Gomati in Gomanta; Kamacharini at the Mandar Hills;
Madoktata in the Chaitraratha forest; Jayanti in Hastinapura; Gauri in
Kanyakubja; Rambha on the Mount Malaya; Kirtiwati in Ekambhaka; Visva in
Visvesvara; Puruhuta in Puskara; Margadayini in Kedar; Nanda in the Himalayas;
Bhadrakarnika in Gokarna; Bhavani in Sthanesvara; Bilvapatrika in Bilval;
Madhavi in Srisaila; Bhadra in Bhadresvara; Jaya in Varahaksetra; Kamala in
Kamalalaya; Rudrani in Rudrakoti; Kali in Kalanjar hills; Kapila in Mahalinga;
Mukutesvari in Markota; Mahadevi on the banks of the Salagrami river; Jalapriya
in Sivalinga; Kumari in Mayapuri; Lalita in Santana; Utpalaksi in Sahasraksa;
Mahotpala in Kamalaksa; Mangala in Gangatirtha; Vimala in Purushottam;
Amoghaksi on the banks of the Vipasa river; Patala in Pundvardhana; Narayani in
Suparsva; Bhadrasundari in Vikuta; Vipula in Vipula; Kalyani in Malayachala;
Kotavi in Kotitirtha; Sugandha in Madhavavana; Trisandhya in Godasrama;
Ratipriya in Gangotri; Sivananda in Sivakunda; Nandini on the banks of the
Devika river; Rukmini in Dwarika; Radha in Vrindavana; Devaki in Mathura;
Paramesvari in Patala; Sita in Chitrakuta; Vinduvasini in Vindhyachala; Ekavira
in Sahyadiri; Chandrika in Harischandra; Ramana in Ramatirtha; Mrigavati on the
banks of the river Yamuna; MAHALAKSHMI in Karavira; Umadevi in Vinayaka; Aroga
in Vaidyanathan; Mahesvari in Mahakala; Abhaya in Usnatirtha; Amrita in the
caves of Vindhyachala; Mandavi in Mandvaya; Svaha in Mahesvara; Prachanda in
Chagalanda; Chandika in Amarakantaka; Vararoha in Somesvara; Pushkaravati in
Prabhasa; Devamata on the banks Paravara of the Sarasvati river; Mahabhaga in
Mahalaya; Pingalesvari in Payosni; Sinhika in Krita Saucha; Yasaskari in
Kartikeya; Lola in Utpalavarta; Subhadra at the confluence of the Ganges and
the Sone; Mata in Siddhapura; Laksmirangana in Bharatasrama; Visvmukhi in
Jalandhara; Tara in Kiskindha; Pusti in Devadaruvna; Medha in Kashmir; Bhima in
Himalaya; Pusti in Visvesvar; Sudhi in Kapalamochana; Mata in Kayavarahana;
Dhvani in Sankhodhar; Dhriti in Pindaraka; Kala on the banks of the river
Chandrabhag; Sivakarini on the Achodaka tank; Amrita in Vena; Urvasi in
Badarinarayana; Ausadhi in Uttarakuru; Kusodka in Kusadvipa; Manmatha in
Hemkuta; Satyavadini in Mukuta; Vandaniya in Asvatha; Nidhi in the town of
Kuvera; Gayatri in the Vedas; Parvati in Kailasa; Indrani in Devaloka;
Saraswati in the mouth of Brahma; Prabha in the disc of the Sun; Vaisnavi in
the Matrikshetra; Arundhati among the Pativratas; Tillottama among women; and
Brahmakala in the mind; and Sakti in all bodies.
The Chandi-mahatmya, which
celebrates the victories of this goddess over the Asuras, speaks of her under
the following names:
1.
Durga, when she received
the messengers of the Asuras. 2. Dasa-bhuja. ‘Ten-armed,’ when she destroyed
part of their army. 3. Sinha-vahini. ‘Riding on a lion’, when she fought with
the Asura general Rakta-vija. 4. Mahisha-mardini. ‘Destroyer of Mahisha,’ an
Asura in the form of a buffalo. 5. jagad-dhatri. ‘Fosterer of the world,’ when
she again defeated the Asura army. 6. Kali. ‘The black.’ She killed Rakta-vija.
7. Mukta-kesi. ‘With disheveled hair.’ Again defeats the Asuras. 8. Tara.
‘Star.’ She killed Sumbha. 9. Chhinna-mastaka. ‘Decapitated,’ the headless form
in which she killed Nisumbha. 10. Jagadgauri. ‘World’s fair one,’ as lauded by
the gods for her triumphs. The names which Devi obtains from her husband are: -
Babhravi (Babhru), Bhagavati, Isani, Iswari, Kalanjari, Kapalini, Kausiki,
Kirati, Maheswari, Mrida, Mridani, Rudrani, Sarvani, Siva, Tryambaki. From her
origin she is called Adri-ja and Giri-ja, ‘mountain-born’ [remember Himavat or
Daksha is her father; Him signifying mountain); Ku-ja, ‘earth-born;’ Daksha-ja,
‘sprung from Daksha.’ She is Kanya, ‘the virgin;’ Kanya-kumari, ‘the youthful
virgin;’ and Ambika, ‘the mother;’ Avara, ‘the youngest;’ Ananta and Nitya,
‘the everlasting;’ Arya, ‘the revered;’ Vijaya, ‘victorious;’ Riddhi, ‘the
rich;’ Sati, ‘virtuous;’ Dakshina, ‘right-handed;’ Pinga, ‘tawny, dark;’
Karburi, ‘spotted;’ Bhramari, ‘the bee;’ Kotari, ‘the naked;’ Karna-moti,
‘pearl-eared;’ Padma-lanchhana, ‘distinguished by a lotus;’ Sarva-mangala,
‘always auspicious;’ Sakam-bhari, ‘nourisher of herbs;’ Siva-duti, ‘Siva’s
messenger;’ Sinha-rathi, ‘riding on a lion.’ As addicted to austerities she is
Aparna and Katyayani. As Bhuta-nayaki she is chief or leader of the goblins,
and as Gana-nayaki, the leader of the Ganas. She is Kamakshi, ‘wanton-eyed;’
and Kamakhya, ‘called by the name of Kama, desire.’ Other names, most of them
applicable to her terrible forms, are Bhadrakali, Bhima-devi, Chamunda,
Maha-kali, Mahamari, Mahasuri, Matangi, Rajasi, ‘the fierce;’ and Rakta-danti,
‘red or bloody toothed.’
We have been showing time and
again that the One Absolute Formless God created a Manifest Power (Manifest
Self or Paramatma), which when desired that there be more worshippers of the
Absolute created a Light or Noor, that got divided into 14 Devatas or Manus
(progenitors of mankind), one of whom is a Devi. This can be proved time and
again through the Vedas, the Upanishads and also the Puranas.
It is this one Devi of the
scriptures, which was introduced everywhere. Based on her attributes, we gave
different names to her in different parts of the world. With time several myths
and legends got associated around her in each part of the country, so much so
that the legend spoken in one part was different from the legend known in
another. Some of the names by which the Devi was known in some parts got faded
in oblivion. But some other names got so much prominence that we started
considering them as a different devis. So there became a goddess of learning
separate from goddess of wealth and prosperity and many others. This is
unfortunate because by doing so, Hindus couldn’t fathom even a bit of the
Divine Creation Plan that was being told in the Divine Scriptures. When Saraswati
was being talked about, they thought her to be a Devi different from when
Parvati or Rudrani or Daksha-ja was being talked about. They forgot that there
was just one Devi in the Divine Creation Plan along with 13 Devas (overall 14
Devatas).
Tibetan Buddhism has talked extensively
about Devi, known as Tara. When you read the list of the various names of Devi,
given above, you will find that Tara is mentioned there as well. It is
unfortunate that we do not relate between the two. The same Devi was talked
about there as well but we have got accustomed to seeing these things through
the prisms of our respective religions so much that we see the same truths
described in other religions as different or farce whereas the truth is that
there is just one Divine Path that was being told in different times by
different avatars or Prophets and every time we digressed from the path, we
created a religion or sect of our own.
Just imagine, so many names
have been given to Devi in India alone. We are of the opinion that these Devatas
were introduced around the same time in all the major civilizations of the
world. What would be the number of names, if we were to find them on
international basis?
The fact that she is the same
female Devi among the fourteen can be known from the very nature of names above.
That one of her names is Devi itself proves it. Then she is called Mahadevi,
which shows her relationship with Mahadeva, which is another name for Siva or
Rudra or Vayu. She is also Rudrani, which confirms her relationship with Rudra
or Siva – also a Deva. She is also Devayani, also shows her relationship with
Deva. She is Daksha-Ja (sprung from Daksha) and Indrayani (daughter of IndraDeva),
which confirms that Indra and Daksha are same.
The Devi is said to be the
mother of eleven Devas having been married to the first of the Adityas, hence
she is called Lingadharini in Naimisaranya. She is one of the fourteen who were
responsible for creation of this world; hence she is known as Visvakaya in
Ambara. All fame is to her; hence she is called Kirtiwati in Ekambhaka. Her
father is known as Visvadeva and she is called Visva in Visvesvara. She is the
wife of Rudra and hence is called Rudrani in Rudrakoti. No Devi matches her
stature so she is known as Mahadevi on the banks of the Salagrami river. It is
through her that it is possible to reach God; hence she is referred to as
Narayani in Suparsva. She is one Devi along with the 13 Devas, and hence is
called Devaki in Mathura. She was the chief of the creations created by God,
hence is called Paramesvari in Patala. And that is why she is called Mahesvari
in Mahakala. She gave so many sacrifices in life and hence is called Svaha in
Mahesvara. She was the mother of eleven Devas hence is called Devamata on the
banks of Paravara of the Saraswati river and Mata in Siddha pura and
Kayavardhana. The Sakti that is related to her is evident in all things in the
world and hence she is called Visvamukhi in Jalandhara. She is one of the five
who constitute Life in our body and hence is called Dhvani in Sankhidhar. It is
she who is referred to as Gayatri in the Vedas. Owing to being the daughter of
Indra, she is called Indrani in Devaloka and Sakti in all bodies. All other
names given to her too confirm one or other of her virtues. The Devi is also
from Noor or Light that was created out of division from the One Noor created
by God. The Noor or Light of Devi kept descending in pure human bodies on
earth, at various times and in various places. This is exactly similar to the
Noor or Light of 13 Devas descending in pure human bodies on earth in various
places and times. Purpose was to show the One and Only Divine Path to reach
God; to know and understand what God wants from us; and, to show us the way and
lead us by creating an example.
It is inability to understand
the relationship between Devi and Devas that we get confused when Devi is
described as mother of Manu at one place and daughter of Manu at others.
Because 14 Devatas are actually the 14 Manus, which too we have been unable to
understand so far. It is they who have been described as Life, because all life
is due to them. Due to this reason, she is also called Jagan-mata (the mother
of the world). She is also the wife of Siva at some place and wife of Rudra at
other (Siva and Rudra are one and the same).
Vedas have described Devatas
as the rulers of our organs of action and senses. Brhad-aranyaka and Paingala
Upanishads confirm that they are 14 in numbers. The 14 Light or Noor of 14
Devatas kept descending in pure human bodies at different places and time.
Finally, when the Kaliyug had progressed to an extent and Evil (Darkness) had
begun to surmount Goodness (Light), all 14 came in succession and were called
Ahlulbayt – People of the House (of Manifest Self of God) by people known as
Muslims. Muslims revere the same 14 differently, Buddhists revere the 14
differently, Hindus revere the 14 differently, but the ultimate truth is that
the same Devatas were responsible for showing the path and it is they who are
being described at all places. We understood the path differently and labelled
it as different religions.
Prophet Mohammad too appears
to be confirming this when he says that it was his noor that was in Adam,
Ibrahim, Ismael and others and then came back to him. He not only took the names
of various Prophets but also of some people in the progeny of Ismael. Quran
confirms that Jesus too was from the same source when it talks of a spirit that
entered Isa at the time of his birth. Unfortunately, Christians believed in the
Holy Spirit but disjointed it with Paramatma (Supreme Spirit) of Hindus) and
Rooh (Spirit) of Quran. Prophet Mohammad also said that my noor was created
prior to all creations and that Ali and I are from the same Noor or Light. Moreover,
verse 33 of Chapter al-Ahzab in Quran when read with verses 77 to 79 of Chapter
al-Waqi-ah reveal that the creator Lord created a group of His chosen
representatives, thoroughly purified them, gave them His wisdom, and then
commissioned them to guide mankind, in every age and every clime, till
eternity. One after another the prophets of God came with divine guidance at
every stage of development in the human society; and in the end all 14
constituents of the Noor came in succession and were known as Ahlulbayt.
A passage in Vishnu Purana
further substantiates this view:
Devi Yoganidra, “the great illusory energy of Vishnu,
by whom, as utter ignorance, the whole world is beguilded,” was ordered by
Vishnu to incarnate her in the eighth conception of Devaki. Then said Vishnu to
her: “Kansa shall take you and hold you up to dash you against a stone; but you
shall escape from his grasp into the sky, where the hundred eyed Indra shall
meet you and do homage to you, through reverence forms, and shall bow before
you, and acknowledge you as his sister. Having slain Sumbha, Nisumbha, and
numerous other demons, you shall sanctify the earth in many places. Thou art
wealth, progeny, fame, patience, heaven and earth, fortitude, modesty,
nutrition, dawn, and every other female (form or property). They who address
you morning and afternoon with reverence and praise, and all they Arya, Durga,
Vedagarbha, Ambika, Bhadra, Bhadrakali, Kshemi or Kshemankari, shall receive
from bounty whatever they desire.”
If you notice, some of these
names are the same as those described in the names of Sati in the Matsya
Purana. This means that the same Devi, who was in noor or light state (hence
referred to as ‘the great illusory energy of Vishnu (the Manifest Self),
continued to move inside several of the illustrious women at various times and
finally took birth in the house of Mohammad and was known as Fatima, thus
becoming one of the 14 Ahlulbayt.
So next time when you remember
Lakshmi on Diwali, remember her not for the wealth and bounty that she may give
to you. If you do so, you will only be expecting certain material benefits from
a Devi who is responsible for everything, including our lives. Do not expect
her to come and purify the various parts of your house. Instead, pray that she
purifies the various parts inside your body. Strive to remain aloof from sins
and do good deeds so that the Devi (one from light) removes all darkness from
inside your body and unites your atma (self) with the Paramatma (Manifest
Self). If you are able to build this relationship and the relationship so built
lasts till soul departs from your body, you have attained Moksha or Salvation
and will dwell forever in bliss.
HAPPY DIWALI from MOHAMMAD ALVI
