Narayana Maharshi described
Shri Krishna as that Supreme Power whom Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva, Rudra, Sesha Deva, Brahma and other Devas, Manus, Muniganas, Saraswati, Parvati, Ganga Devi, Lakshmi and all other Devis worship his feet always. Maharshi Narayana portrayed Shri Krishna who lifted Govardhana Giri by his little finger and saved Vraja bhumi from the wrath of Indra Deva; who lifted the whole Prithvi as she was sinking into the deep worlds under the huge pull of waters and saved her by his mere tusks; who was the naughty honey- bee seeking to tease the sweetness of the faces of ‘Gopanganas’; who by his mere fall of an eye-lash the Creator of the Universe Brahma would become a casuality; and who as a tortoise that bore the weight of Sesha Nag at the time of ‘Samudra Mathana’ like an elephant to a mosquito. Maharsh Narayana further depicted Devi Radha as the Prakriti, the secondary Prakriti is Lakshmi, the tertiary Prakriti is Saraswati, the fourth is Veda Mata Savitri, and the fifth Prakriti is Durga whose son is the unforgettable Ganesha.
In the Second Chapter of Brahma Vivarta Purana titled Prakriti Khanda, Narayana stated that Pancha Prakriti Devis viz.
- Ganesha’s mother Durga,
- Lakshmi,
- Saraswati,
- Savitri, and
- Radha
Maharshi Narayana illustrated Purusha and Prakriti are two Forms, the right and the left respectively and thus Prakriti also is Nitya / Eternal as much as of Purusha.
That is the Mula Prakriti Parameswari. On the insruction of Paramatma, five Rupas were authorised to perform Srishti.Bhagavati Durga is Shiva Swarupa, also called Narayani, Vishnumaya and Purna Brahma Swarupini, whose natural characteristics are to besow
- Yasha (Fame),
- Mangala (Propitiousness),
- Dharma (Virtue),
- Shri (Wealth),
- Sukha (pleasure),
- Moksha (Salvation) and
- Harsha (happiness).
Durga Names are
- Sidheswari,
- Siddhirupa,
- Siddhida,
- Siddhidaata,
- Eswari,
- Buddhi,
- Nidra,
- Kshudha,
- Pipaasaa,
- Chhaya,
- Tandra,
- Daya,
- Smriti,
- Jaati,
- Kshaanti,
- Bhraanti,
- Shaanti,
- Kaanti,
- Chetana,
- Tushti,
- Pushti,
- Lakshmi,
- Vruti, and
- Mataa .
- Prosperity,
- Charm,
- Restraint, and
- Superior Nature and
- Lobha,
- Moha,
- Kaama,
- Krodha,
- Mada and
- Ahamkara.
- ‘Maha Lakshmi’,
- ‘Swarga Lakshmi’,
- ‘Rajya Lakshmi’,
- ‘Griha Lakshmi’,
- ‘Dravya Lakshmi’,
- ‘Kirti Lakshmi’,
- ‘Vanijya Lakshmi’ and
- ‘Ashta Lakshmi’.
- ‘Buddhi’,
- ‘Vaani’,
- ‘Vidya’,
- ‘Kavitha’,
- ‘Medha’,
- Samsmarana Shakti,
- Kalpana Shakti,
- Bodha Swarupa,
- Nissandeha,
- Vichaara kaarini,
- Grandha kaarini,
- Sangeeta Sandhi,
- Taala Kaarini,
- Vishaya-Gyana
- Vaani Rupa,
- Vyakhya-Upadesha-Vaani- Pustaka
- Tapomayi and
- Siddhi Vidyaa Swarupa.
- the ‘Veda Maata’ or the Mother of Four Vedas,the ‘Utpanna Shakti’ or the Creator of Chhanada/ Vyakarana and other Vedangas, the ‘Sandhya Vandana’ and also the mother of Tantras.
- She is also the Dwija Rupa, Jagadrupa, Tapaswini, and Parama Shuddha Rupa. Tirthas look forward to secure her touch for attaining their ‘Shuddhi’ or purity and ‘Pavitrata’ or sanctity. Her Swarupa is of Shuddha Sphatika Mani and is the personification of ‘Satwa Guna’. Her natural trait is to bestow Moksha. The Fifth Prakriti Bhagavati Radha Devi is the ‘Adhishthaana Devata’of ‘Prema and ‘Praana’ or Love and Life.
- She is the most exalted of all the Devis.
- She is noted for her ‘Sundarata’ (Beauty and Charm), ‘Sadgunata’ (Good characteristics), and ‘Sowbhagyata’ (auspiciousness).
- She is called by several names like Paraavara, Saarabhuta, Paramaadya, Sanaatani, Paramaananda Rupa, Dhanya, Maanya and Pujya.
- She is Nityanikunjeswari and the Raasakreedaa’s Adhishtaatri, originated from ‘Rasamandali’. As the most significant and popular Devi of Goloka,
- she is well-known as Raaseswari and Surasika, Ahlaada-swarupini, Nirguna (devoid of the Three ‘Gunaas’), Nirlipta (devoid of worldly joys and attractions), Naraakaara (She has no physical Existence made of Pancha Bhutas) and Atma Swarupini of Shri Krishnaatma. Only Vidwan Purushas through Veda Vidhana could perceive her undisclosed Existence or Reality. Munindras and Surendra would never be able to realise what Radha is all about!
- She is stated to wear only Neela Vastras (Blue clothing) emerging from Agni Shuddhi or Purity of Fire.
- She is the daughter of Vrishabhanu Gopa. Prithvi is stated to have been purified with the touch of Radha’s feet! Yet Brahma and other Devas could not vision her! Prakriti Devi has several ‘Amshas’ (Alternative Forms), ‘Kalaas’ (Features), and ‘Kalaamshas’ (Alternative Features). For instance, Devi Ganga who purifies ‘Bhumandala’ has a water Form, originating from Bhagavan Shri Hari’s feet and is like the blistering Agni which turns the wood-like sins into ash. Mere touch, or better still take a bath or much better of consumption of ‘Ganga Jal’ would qualify human and other Beings for securing ‘Kaivalya’/ Salvation.
‘Tapaswis’/meditators and each and everybody to ennoble and purify their hearts and the Holy waters of the River are pure and clean. Bhagavan Narayana is especially fond of Devi Ganga.
Shri Tulasi is another principal ‘Amsha’ of Prakriti Devi with the natural tendency to adorn Vishnu’s feet. Any ‘Sankalpa’ (proposal), ‘Puja’ (worship) or ‘Tapasya’ (meditation) of Bhagavan assumes quicker response and is considered as the best, sacred and most propitious embellishment to Shri Hari. The sins of a worshipper are burnt off like wood by fire and the contact of Tulasi gladdens Narayana. In fact, worship of Govinda is stated to be incomplete without ‘Tulasi dalas’with double leaves. In Bharata Varsha, Devi Tulasi in Vriksha Form is reputed as Kalpa Vriksha or the one granting and fulfilling the desires of devotees. Also, to the residents of Bharata Varsha, Tulasi is a readily available boon and a ‘Traana’or Raksha / protection.
Another significant ‘Amsha’ of Prakriti Devi is Jaratkaaru or the mind-born daughter of Kasyapa Muni named Mansa Devi, who has the privilege of being the disciple of Bhagavan Shankara and is a highly learnt ‘Vidushi’of knowledge. Nageshwari is the sister of Nagaraja Sesha and is revered as ‘Naga Maata’ always worshipped by Nagaloka residents and is a Siddha Yogini whom Sri Hari is fond of and is a Vishnu Swarupini. She is the Adhishthaana Devata of all Mantras related to Sapras. Also, Nageswari is the Pativrata of Jaratkaaru Muni who was of the ‘Amsha’ of Shri Krishna.
One another of the prime ‘Amshas’ of Prakriti Devi is Devasena, one of the Matrikas, and is also named Bhagavati Shashthi whose principal responsibility is to protect and safeguard ‘Shishus’ (children); She is also a Tapaswini, Vishnu Bhakta and the wife of Kartikeya. In fact, she is the sixth ‘Amsha’of Prakriti Devi and is thus appropriately called Shashthi Devi. All devotees worship for excellent progeny and facile delivery of children; in fact on the sixth day of delivery, the mothers who had just delivered a child perform puja on the day and again on the twenty first day after delivey for the welfare of the newly born, since Devi Shashthi happened to be the twenty first among the Matrikas. Shashthi Devi is a personification of kindness with the duty of protecting children from any difficulty on account of water, earth, sky and household.
Mangala Chandi was materialised from the face of Prakriti Devi and is responsible for granting all boons involving propitiousness. She assumes benign nature at the time of Srishti but at the time of ‘Samhaara’ or destruction, she assumes anger and annoyance and hence her name as Mangala Chandi. She is worshipped on Mangal days or Tuesdays each week. She bestows male progeny, grand children, prosperity, fame, and all-round contentment. Once pleased by devotion, there is nothing that she would not award, yet once annoyed she would destroy the world in a second!
Maha Kaali emerged from Devi Prakriti’s eyes and at the time when two Raakshasas called Shumbha and Nishumbha were on the rampage damaging Virtue and the Virtuous, Devi Durga created Kaali from the former’s forehead, being half of Durga’s Shakti and courage. Devi Kaali’s radiance is comparable to crores of Suryas. Basically, she is a Yogeshwari and is an apex devotee of Bhagavan Shri Krishna; she has the might and courage of Shri Krishna and also has the complexion of Krishna too. If provoked, she could breathe out the entire ‘Brahmanda’ or the Universe. But, a kind Kaali Devi is more likely to grant boons of
- Dharma,
- Artha,
- Kaama and
- Moksha to the virtuous and the Upright.
Bhagavati Vasumdhara is of a prime ‘Amsha’of Prakriti Devi on whose benevolence the whole World stands on, with the well deserved descriptions like ‘Sarva Sasya Prasutika’ (the Creator of all Agricultural Activities), ‘Ratnaakara’, ‘Ratna garbha’, ‘Sarva Jeevana Pradaayani’, ‘Sarva Sampatti kaarini’, and ‘Sarvaadhaara’.
- Devi Swaha is the wife of Agni Deva without whose generosity no ‘havi’ could be dedicated to any Devata;
- Dakshina Devi is the wife of Yagna Deva without whose kindness all kinds of Karma Kandas become futile.
- Swadha Devi is the wife of Pitaras and the worship by Munis, Manus or Manavas becomes a waste if her name is not uttered while making any offerings.
- Devi Swasti is the wife of Vayu Deva and without her consent any exchange of blessings, give-and-takes etc. turn out to be a waste without her name being specially mentioned; in fact the whole World would eagerly await her utterances as many as possible.
- Devi Pushti is the wife of Bhagavan Ganesha and each and every human being has to invoke her since without her support and mercy, the whole humanity-be it a male or female-would become weak, feeble and pathetic.
- Devi Tushti is the wife of Ananta Deva without whose blessings, there would be no sense of ‘Samtushti’ or contentment and welfare.
- Devi Sampatti is the wife of Ishana Deva, and without grace, the whole World would have been a Place of Poverty and Misery.
- Kapila Maha Muni’s wife Devi Dhriti is welcomed by all the Lokas, since all the Beings in Bhagavan’s Srishti would have been bereft of Courage and intrepidity.
- Dharma Raja Yama’s wife Devi Kshama is an embodiment of clemency and forgiveness, lest the world would have been a hell to live in without mercy and the ‘milk of human kindness’; indeed, ‘to err is indeed human, but to forgive is divine’!
- Devi Rati is the ‘Adhishtaatri’ or the Presiding Deity of Love and Play and the wife of the illustrious Kama Deva and is welcomed by one and all for the reason that life would have been dry and without much reason to live, human beings would be considered as dry and dead!
- Devi Mukti is the wife of Satya who is the be-all and end-all of sensible human beings for their goal is Salvation or relief from the unending cycle of deaths and births.
- Saadhvi Devi Daya is the better half of Moha or extreme obsession, the anti-thesis of leniency and dis-possession.
- The ‘Sahadharmini’ of Punya is Devi Pratishtha without whom one’s very existence in life is a waste and purposeless.
- Sukarma’s wife is Kirti Devi noted for recognition and if a human being has no place in Society then again an aimless and sub-standard survival is dissipated.
- Devi Kriya is the wife of Udyog or Industry; indeed, nobody in life could afford to be completely inactive without performing any deeds!
- The wives of Susheela are Devis Shanti and Lajja and these two traits of Virtue are the ingredients of disciplined life; a human being devoid or short of these qualities is sub-human, shameless and disruptive in attitude.
- The famed wives of ‘Jnaana’ (embodiments of knowledge) are Devis Buddhi, Medha and Smriti, without whom existence tends to be a meaningless exercise.
- Adharma’s wife is Midhya whose physique was
- almost non-existent in Satya Yuga,
- somewhat recognisable in Treta Yuga,
- lean and thin in Dwapara Yuga
- but well built and solid in Kali Yuga;
- her trait is ‘Pragalbhata’or boasting and her brother is ‘Kapata’ or falsity who keeps on moving from house to house; this Devi is an antonym of Devi Dharma.
The above ‘Amshaas’of Prakriti Devi are indeed notable; but there are innumerable manifestations like
- Dharma’s wife Murti;
- Kaalagni or Yoga Nidra is Rudra’s wife;
- Kaal’s wives are ‘Sandhya’, ‘Raatri’ and ‘Din’(Early morning, Night and Day respectively);
- ‘Ksuhdha’ and ‘Pipaasa’ are the wives of ‘Lobha’;
- Prabha and Dahika are the wives of Teja;
- ara and Mrithu are the wives of Jwara;
- Vairaaga’s wives are Shraddha and Bhakti;
- Rohini is Chandra’s wife;
- Sangjna is the wife of Surya;
- Shatarupa is the wife of Manu;
- Shachi is the wife of Indra;
- Tara is the wife of Brihaspati;
- Arundati and Vasishtha;
- Ahalya and Gautami;
- Anasuya and Atri;
- Devahuti and Kardama;
- Prasuti and Daksha;
- Pitara’s ‘manasi kanya’or mind born daughter Menaka was the mother of Parvati.
- Lopamudra,
- Aahuti,
- Vindyavati who was the wife of Bali,
- the wives of Kubera, Varuna, Yama,
- Kunti,
- Damayanti,
- Yashoda,
- Draupadi,
- Shaivya,
- Devaki,
- Gandhaari,
- Satyavan’s wife Savitri,
- Radha Devi’s mother Kalavati’,
- Mandodsari, Kausalya,
- Subhadra,
- Kaikeyi,
- Revati,
- Satyabhama,
- Kaalindi,
- Lakshmana,
- Jambavati,
- Nagnajiti,
- Mitravinda,
- Rukmini, and
- Sita are all maifestations of Lakshmi Devi.
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