{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/db/bk09ch01.htm","path":"hin/db/bk09ch01.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk09ch01.htm","text":"THE NINTH BOOK\nChapter I\nOn the description of Prakriti\n1. S\u2019ri N\u00e2r\u00e2yana said :-- This (Highest) Prakriti is recognised as five-fold. When She is engaged in the work of Creation, She appears as :-- (1) Durg\u00e2, the Mother of Ganes\u2019a, (2) R\u00e2dh\u00e2, (3) Laksm\u00ee, (4) Sarasvat\u00ee and (5) S\u00e2vitr\u00ee.\n2-3. N\u00e2rada replied :-- O Thou, the best of J\u00f1\u00e2nins! Who is this Prakriti? (Whether She is of the nature of Intelligence or of matter?) Why did She manifest Herself and then again why did She reveal Herself in these five forms? And what are Her characteristics? Now Thou oughtest to describe the lives of all, the different modes of their worship, and the fruits that are accrued thereby. Please also inform me which Forms of them manifested themselves in which different places. Dost Thou please narrate to me all these.\n4-18. N\u00e2r\u00e2yana said :-- \u201cO Child! Who is there in this world that can describe fully the characteristics of Prakriti! However I will describe to you that much which I heard from my own father, Dharma. Hear. The prefix \u201cPra\u201d in the word Prakriti means exalted, superior, excellent; and the affix \u201cKriti\u201d denotes creation. So the Goddess, the Dev\u00ee Who is the most excellent in the work of creation is known as the Dev\u00ee Prakriti. To come closer :-- \u201cPra\u201d signifies the Sattva Guna, the most exalted quality, \u201cKri\u201d denotes the Rajo Guna and \u201cTi\u201d denotes the Tamo Guna. (The Sattva Guna is considered as the Highest as it is perfectly clear and free from any impurities whatsoever; the Rajo Guna is considered intermediate as it has this defect :-- that it spreads a veil over the reality of things, so as not to allow men to understand the True Reality, while the Tamo Guna is considered worst as it completely hides the Real Knowledge).\nSo when this Intelligence of the nature of Brahm\u00e2, beyond the three attributes, gets tinged with the above three Gunas and becomes omnipotent, then She is superior (Pradh\u00e2n\u00e2) in the work of creation. Hence She is styled as Prakriti.\nO Child N\u00e2rada! The state just preceding that of creation is denoted by \u201cPra\u201d; and \u201cKri\u201d signifies creation. So the Great Dev\u00ee that exists before creation is called Prakriti after creation. The Param\u00e2tm\u00e2 by His Yoga (i.e., M\u00e2y\u00e2 S\u2019akti, the Holy Ghost) divided Himself into two parts; the right side of which was male and the left side was the female Prakriti.\n(Note :-- The Holy Ghost is the principle of Conception and Emanation, Creation). So the Prakriti is of the nature of Brahm\u00e2. She is eternal. As the fire and its burning power are not different, so there is no separate distinction between \u00c2tman and His S\u2019akti, between Purusa and Prakriti. Therefore those that are foremost and the highest of the Yogis do not recognise any difference between a male and a female. All is Br\u00e2hman. He is everywhere as male and female forever. There is nothing in this world that can exist for a moment even without this Br\u00e2hman consisting of male and female. (i.e. they are Br\u00e2hman with M\u00e2y\u00e2 manifested). Out of the Will of S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna, to create the world Whose Will is all in all, came out at once the M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti, the Great Dev\u00ee \u00ces\u2019var\u00ee, (the Lady Controller of the Universe) Brahm\u00e2 with M\u00e2y\u00e2 in a state of equilibrium). By Her command came out five Forms of Her, either for the purpose of creation or for bestowing Favour and Grace to the Bhaktas (devotees). Durg\u00e2 the Mother of Ganes\u2019a, comes, as the first, the most auspicious, loved by S\u2019iva. She is N\u00e2r\u00e2yan\u00ee, Visnu M\u00e2y\u00e2, and of the nature of P\u00fbrna Brahm\u00e2 (the Supreme Brahm\u00e2). This eternal, all auspicious Dev\u00ee is the Presiding Deity of all the Devas and is, therefore, worshipped and praised by Brahm\u00e2 and the other Devas, Munis, and Manus. This Bhagavat\u00ee Durg\u00e2 Dev\u00ee, (when She gets pleased) destroys all the sorrows, pains and troubles of the Bhaktas that have taken Her refuge, and gives them Dharma, everlasting name and fame, all auspicious things and bliss and all the happiness, nay, the Final Liberation! She is the Greatest Refugeof these Bhaktas that come to Her wholly for protection and are in great distress, whom She saves from all their dangers and calamities. In fact, know this Durg\u00e2 Dev\u00ee as, verily, the Presiding Deity of the heart of Krisna and as His Highest S\u2019akti, of the nature of the Holy Fire and the Holy Light. She is Omnipotent and resides always with Krisna, the Great God. She is worshipped by all the Siddha Purusas (those that have attained success); the (eighteen) Siddhis all go to Her and when pleased She gives whatever Siddhis (success) that Her Bhaktas want.\n19-40. This Great Dev\u00ee is the intelligence, sleep, hunger, thirst, shadow, drowsiness, fatigue, kindness, memory, caste, forbearance, errors, peace, beauty, and consciousness, contentment, nourishment, prosperity, and fortitude. She is sung in the Vedas and in other S\u2019\u00e2stras\nas the Mah\u00e2 M\u00e2y\u00e2, of the nature of the Universe. In reality, She is the All-S\u2019akti of the Universe and She is the S\u2019akti of Krisna. All these qualities are also mentioned in the Vedas. What is mentioned here is a tithe merely, in comparison to that of the Vedas. She has infinite qualities. Now hear of other S\u2019aktis. The second S\u2019akti of the Param\u00e2tman is named Padm\u00e2 (Laksm\u00ee). She is of the nature of S\u2019uddha Sattva (Higher than Sattva Guna) and is Krisna\u2019s Presiding Deity of all wealth and prosperity. This very beautiful Laksmi Dev\u00ee is the complete master of the senses; She is of a very peaceful temper, of good mood and all-auspicious. She is free from greed, delusion, lust, anger, vanity and egoism. She is devoted to Her husband and to Her Bhaktas; Her words are very sweet and She is very dear to Her husband, indeed, the Life and Soul of Him. This Dev\u00ee is residing in all the grains and vegetables and so She is the Source of Life of all the beings. She is residing in Vaikuntha as Mah\u00e2 Laksm\u00ee, chaste and always in the service of Her husband. She is the Heavenly Laksm\u00ee, residing in the Heavens and the royal Laksm\u00ee in palaces and the Griha Laksm\u00ee in the several families of several householders. O N\u00e2rada! All the lovely beauty that you see in all the living beings and all the things, it is She; She is the glory and fame of those that have done good and pious works and it is She that is the prowess of the powerful kings. She is the trade of merchants, the mercy of the saints, engaged in doing good to others and the seed of dissensions in those sinful and vicious persons as approved of in the Vedas. She is worshipped by all, reverenced by all. Now I will describe to you about the third S\u2019akti of the Great God who is the Presiding Deity of knowledge, speech, intelligence, and learning. This third S\u2019akti is named Sarasvat\u00ee. She is all the learning of this endless Universe and She resides as medh\u00e2 (intelligence) in the hearts of all the human beings; She is the power in composing poetry; She is the memory and She is the great wit, light, splendour and inventive genius. She gives the power to understand the real meaning of the various difficult Siddh\u00e2nta works; She explains and makes us understand the difficult passages and She is the remover of all doubts and difficulties. She acts when we write books, when we argue and judge, when we sing songs of music; She is the time or measure in music; She holds balance and union in vocal and instrumental music. She is the Goddess of speech; She is the Presiding Deity in the knowledge of various subjects; in argumentations and disputations. In fact all the beings earn their livelihood by taking recourse to Her. She is peaceful and holds in Her hands V\u00een\u00e2 (lute) and books. Her nature is purely S\u00e2ttvic (S\u2019uddha Sattva), modest and very loving to S\u2019r\u00ee Hari. Her colour is white like ice-clad mountains, like that of the white sandal, like that of the Kunda flower, like that of the Moon, or white lotus. She always repeats\nthe name of Param\u00e2tm\u00e2 S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna while She turns Her bead composed of jewels. Her nature is ascetic; She is the bestower of the fruits of the ascetism of the ascetics; She is the Siddhi and Vidy\u00e2 of all; She grants always success to all. Were She not here, the whole host of Br\u00e2hmins would always remain speechless like the dead cluster of persons. What is recited in the Vedas as the Third Dev\u00ee is the Holy Word, The Third S\u2019akti, Sarasvat\u00ee. Thus I have described Her. Now hear the glories of the other Dev\u00ee in accordance with the Vedas. She is the mother of the four colours (castes), the origin of the (six) Ved\u00e2mgas (the limbs of the Vedas and all the Chhandas, the Seed of all the mantrams of Sandhy\u00e2 vandanam and the Root, the Seed of the Tantras; She Herself is versed in all the subjects. Herself an ascetic, She is the Tapas of the Br\u00e2hmins; She is the Tejas (Fire) and the caste of the Br\u00e2hmin caste and embodies in Herself all sorts of Samsk\u00e2ras (tendencies; inclinations); She is the Japam. Pure, known by the names of S\u00e2vitr\u00ee and G\u00e2yatr\u00ee, She resides always in the Brahm\u00e2 Loka (the Sphere of Brahm\u00e2) and is such as all the sacred places of pilgrimages want Her touch for their purification.\n41-47. Her colour is perfectly white like the pure crystal. She is purely S\u2019uddha Sattva, of the nature of the Highest Bliss; She is eternal and superior to all. She is of the nature of Para Brahm\u00e2 and is the bestower of Moksa. She is the Fiery S\u2019akti and the Presiding Deity of the Brahm\u00e2 Teja (the fiery spirit of Brahm\u00e2, and the Br\u00e2hmanas). The whole world is purified by the touch of Whose Feet, this S\u00e2vitr\u00ee Dev\u00ee is the Fourth S\u2019akti. O Child N\u00e2rada! Now I will describe to you about the Fifth S\u2019akti, the Dev\u00ee R\u00e2dhik\u00e2. Hear. She is the Presiding Deity of the five Pr\u00e2nas; She Herself is the Life of all; dearer than life even to S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna; and She is highly more beautiful and superior to all the other Prakriti Dev\u00ees. She dwells in everything; She is very proud of Her good fortune (Saubh\u00e2gyam); Her glory is infinite; and She is the wife, the left body, as it were, of S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna and She is not in any way inferior to Him, either in quality or in the Tejas (Fiery Spirit) or in any other thing. She is higher than the Highest; the Essence of all, infinitely superior, the First of all, Eternal, of the nature of the Highest Bliss, fortunate, highly respected, and worshipped by all. She is, the Presiding Dev\u00ee of the R\u00e2sa L\u00eel\u00e2 of S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna. From Her has sprung the R\u00e2sa mandalam and She is the Grace and the Ornament of the R\u00e2sa mandalam (the dance in a circle in R\u00e2sa).\n[Note :-- Extracts from a paper on Creation as explained by Hon\u2019ble Justice Sir G. Woodroffe.\nThe lecturer commenced by pointing out that an examination of any doctrine of creation reveals two fundamental concepts: Those of Being\n(Kutastha) and Becoming (Bhava); Changelessness and Change; the one and Many. The Brahm\u00e2n or Spirit in its own nature (Svarupa) is and never becomes. It is the evolutes derived from the Principle of Becoming (M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti) which constitute what is called Nature. The latter principle is essentially Movement. The world is displayed by consciousness (chit) in association with M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti in cosmic vibration (spandana). Recent Western hypotheses have made scientific \u201cmatter\u201d into M\u00e2y\u00e2 in the sense that it is but the varied appearances produced in our mind by vibration of and in the single substance ether. The doctrine of vibration (Spandana) is however in India an ancient inheritance. The whole world is born from the varied forms of the initial movement in M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti. The problem is how does such multiplicity exist without derogation to the essential unit of its efficient cause, the spirit? The lecturer then made a rapid survey of the S\u00e2nkhya philosophy on this point which assumes two real and independent principles of Being and Becoming which it calls Purusa and Prakriti and passed from this the easiest dualistic answer to the pure monism of S\u2019ankara which asserted that there was but one Principle of Being, the Sadvastu and M\u00e2y\u00e2, whether considered as a S\u2019akti of \u00ces\u2019vara or as the product of such S\u2019akti was Avastu or nothing. He then pointed out that the T\u00e2ntrik doctrine with which he dealt occupied a middle position between those two points of view. S\u2019iva in the Kul\u00e2rnava Tantra says \u201cSome desire Monism\u201d (Advaitav\u00e2da), others Dualism (Dvaitav\u00e2da). Such, however, know not My Truth which is neither Monism nor Dualism (Dvait\u00e2dvait\u00e2 Vivarjita). Tantra is not Dvaitav\u00e2da for it does not recognise Prakriti as an independent unconscious principle (Achit). It differs from S\u2019ankara\u2019s Advaitav\u00e2da in holding that Prakriti as a conscious principle of Becoming, that is as S\u2019akti, is not Avastu, though its displayed picture, the world is M\u00e2y\u00e2. It effects a synthesis of the S\u2019\u00e2nkhya dualism by the conversion of the twin principles of Purusa and Prakriti into the unity which is the Ardhan\u00e2r\u00ees\u2019vara S\u2019iva S\u2019akti.\nAs regards other matters it adopts the notions of the S\u00e2nkhya such as the concepts of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti with the three Gunas, vibration (spandana), evolution (Parin\u00e2ma) of the Vikritis and the order of emanation of the Tattvas. S\u2019akti which effects this exists and is Herself never unconscious (Achit) though It has the power to make the J\u00eeva think It is such. If this were understood one would not hear such nonsense as that the S\u2019\u00e2ktas (whose religion is one of the oldest in the world) worship material force or gross matter (Jada).\nThe lecturer then shortly explained the nature of S\u2019akti (S\u2019akti Tattva), a term which derived from the root \u201cS\u2019ak\u201d meant the Divine Power whereby the world was created, manifested and destroyed. In Tantra the power and the Lord who wields it (S\u2019aktim\u00e2n) are one and the same, S\u2019iva and S\u2019akti are one and the same, S\u2019iva is Brahm\u00e2n, S\u2019akti is Brahm\u00e2n. The first is the transcendent, the second the immanent aspect of the one Brahm\u00e2n, Who is both S\u2019iva and S\u2019akti. The Mother creates (K\u00e2rya-Vibh\u00e2vin\u00ee). The Father wills what She does (K\u00e2rya-Vibh\u00e2vaka). From their union creation comes. S\u2019akti is not like the diminutive female figure which is seen on the lap of some Indian images, to which is assigned the subordinate position which some persons consider a Hindu wife should occupy. She is not a handmaid of the Lord but the Lord Himself in Her aspect as Mother of the worlds. This S\u2019akti is both Nirguna and Saguna that is Chit S\u2019akti and M\u00e2y\u00e2 S\u2019akti.\nAfter this defining the nature of S\u2019akti by which the world was created, the lecturer commenced an account of its manifestation as the universe, following in the main the S\u2019\u00e2rad\u00e2 Tilaka written in the eleventh century by Laksman\u00e2ch\u00e2rya, the guru of the celebrated Kashmiran T\u00e2ntrik, Abhinava Gupta. The following is a very abbreviated summary of this, the main portion of the paper. The lecturer first referred to the Aghan\u00e2vasth\u00e2 state which was that Niskala S\u2019iva and touching upon the question why S\u2019iva became Sakala (associated with Kal\u00e2) and creative explained the term Kal\u00e2 and the theory of Adristasristi taught by the Tantra as by other S\u2019astras. The former is according to S\u00e2nkhya, M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti; according to Ved\u00e2nta, Avidy\u00e2 and according to the S\u2019iva Tantra, S\u2019akti. The latter is the doctrine that the impulse to creation is proximately caused by the Karma of the J\u00eevas. It is the seed of Karma which contains the germ of cosmic will to life. When Karma becomes ripe, there arises the state called \u00ceksana and other names indicative of creative desire and will. There then takes place a development which is peculiar to the Tantra called Sadris\u2019a Parin\u00e2ma, which is a kind of Vivartta. The development is only apparent for there is no real change in the \u00c2nandamaya Kosa. S\u2019akti which exists in Sakala S\u2019iva in a purely potential state is said to issue from Him. This is the first kinetic aspect of S\u2019akti in which Sattaguna is displayed. This is the Param\u00e2k\u00e2s\u00e2vasth\u00e2. N\u00e2da (sound, word) then appears. S\u2019akti becomes further kinetic through the enlivening of the Rajo Guna. This is the Aksar\u00e2vasth\u00e2. Then under the influence of Tamas, \u00cesvara becomes Ghanibh\u00fbta and what is called the Par\u00e2vindu. This is the Avyakt\u00e2vasth\u00e2. Thus the Supreme Vindu men call by different names, Mah\u00e2 Visnu, Brahm\u00e2 Pur\u00fbsa, or Dev\u00ee. It is compared to a grain of gram which under its sheath contains two seeds in undivided\nunion. These are S\u2019iva S\u2019akti and their encircling sheath is M\u00e2y\u00e2. This Vindu unfolds and displays itself, in the threefold aspect of Vindu, V\u00eeja, N\u00e2da; or S\u2019iva, S\u2019akti, and S\u2019iva S\u2019akti; the three S\u2019aktis of will, knowledge and action. This is the mysterious K\u00e2ma Kal\u00e2 which is the root of all Mantras. These seven :-- Sakala, S\u2019iva, S\u2019akti, N\u00e2da, Par\u00e2vindu, Vindu, V\u00eeja, N\u00e2da are all aspects of S\u2019akti which are the seven divisions of the Mantra Om and constitute what is called the creation of Par\u00e2 sound in the \u00ces\u2019vara creation.\nThe lecturer having explained the nature of these S\u2019aktis which formed part of the sound (S\u2019abda), Sadrisa Parin\u00e2ma, referred to the form or meaning (Artha) creation in the same development by the appearance of the six S\u2019ivas from S\u2019ambu to Brahm\u00e2 which were aggregate (Samasti) sound powers. It was he said, on the differentiation of the Par\u00e2vindu that there existed the completed causal S\u2019abda which is the Hidden Word. The causal body or Par\u00e2 S\u2019abda and Artha being complete, there then appeared the displayed word or S\u2019abd\u00e2rtha. This is a composite like the Greek Logos. The S\u2019abda Brahm\u00e2n or Brahm\u00e2n as cause of S\u2019abda is the Chaitanya in all beings. The S\u2019abd\u00e2rtha in the Vedantin N\u00e2mar\u00fbpa or world of name and form of this S\u2019abd\u00e2rtha the subtle and gross bodies are constituted, the S\u2019aktis of which are the Hiranyagarbha sound, called Madhyam\u00e2 and the Vir\u00e2t sound Vaikh\u00e2r\u00ee. By S\u2019abda is not meant merely physical sound which as a quality of atomic ether is evolved from T\u00e2masik Ahamk\u00e2ra.\nThe lecturer then pointed out that there had been Adrista Sristi up to the appearance of S\u2019akti and Vivartta development up to the completion of the \u201cword\u201d or causal sound. Then there takes place real evolution (Parin\u00e2ma) in which the Tattvas (or elements discovered as a result of psychological analysis of our worldly experience) are said to emanate according to the S\u00e2nkhya and not the Vedantic scheme, though there were some peculiarities in the Tantrik exposition which the lecturer noted. Finally Yogika Sristi was accepted in so far as it was the elements which in varied combinations made up the gross world.\nIn conclusion the lecturer pointed out that Indian S\u2019\u00e2stra was a mutually connected whole. Such peculiarities as existed in any particular S\u2019\u00e2stra were due to a variety of standpoints or purpose in view. The main point in this connection to be remembered was that the Tantra was practical S\u2019\u00e2dhan\u00e2 S\u2019\u00e2stra. Whilst S\u2019ankara dealt with the subject from the standpoint of J\u00f1\u00e2nak\u00e2nda, the Tantra treated it from the point of view of worship (Up\u00e2san\u00e2k\u00e2nda) the Tantrik doctrine is compounded of various elements some of which it shared with other S\u2019\u00e2stras, some of which are its own, the whole being set forth according to a method and terminology which is peculiar to itself.]\n48-70. She is the Lady of the R\u00e2sa L\u00eel\u00e2, the Foremost of the Jovial, humourous (witty) persons and dwells always in R\u00e2sa. Her abode is in Goloka and from Her have come out all the Gop\u00eek\u00e2s. R\u00e2sa \u2013 the circular dance of Krisna and the cow-herdesses of Vrind\u00e2vana. Her nature is the Highest Bliss, the Highest Contentment, and Excessive Joy; She transcends the three Sattva, Rajo and Tamo Gunas and is Nir\u00e2k\u00e2ra (without any particular form); but She dwells everywhere but unconnected with any. She is the soul of all. She is without any effort to do anything and void of Ahamk\u00e2ra. She assumes forms only to show Her favour to Her Bhaktas. The intelligent learned men (Pundits) read Her Mahim\u00e2 (glories) in meditating on Her according to the Vedas. The chief of the Devas and the Munis could never see Her; Her clothings are fire-proof and She is decorated with many ornaments all over Her body. Her body looks as if the crores of moons have risen all at once; She is the Giver of Bhakti (devotion) towards Krisna, services towards Krisna; and She bestows all wealth and prosperity. In Var\u00e2ha Kalpa, i.e., when the Var\u00e2ha incarnation took place, She incarnated Herself as the daughter of one Gopa (cow-herd), named Vrisabh\u00e2nu. And Earth was blessed by the touch of Her feet. She is such as Brahm\u00e2 and the other Devas could never perceive Her by any of their senses, yet everyone at Vrind\u00e2van saw Her very easily. She is the Gem amongst women. And when She is seen on the breast of Krisna, it seems that lightnings flash in the blue mass of clouds in the sky. In days gone by, Brahm\u00e2 practised several austerities for sixty thousand years to purify Himself by seeing the nails of Her toe; but far from seeing that, He could not have that even in his dreams. At last He succeeded in seeing Her at Vrind\u00e2vana and became blessed. O Child N\u00e2rada! This is the fifth Prakriti and She is denominated as R\u00e2dh\u00e2. Every female in every Universe is sprung from a part of S\u2019r\u00ee R\u00e2dh\u00e2 or part of a part. O N\u00e2rada! Thus I have described to you the five Highest Prakritis, Durg\u00e2 and others. Now I am going to describe those that are parts of these Prakritis. Hear. The Ganges, Gang\u00e2 has sprung from the lotus feet of Visnu; Her form is fluid-like; She is eternal. And She is the veritable burning fire to burn away the sins of the sinners. She is sweet to touch in taking baths and in drinking; She gives final liberation to the J\u00eevas, and leads easily to the Goloka abode. She is the holiest amongst the places of pilgrimage and is the first of the running rivers. She is the rows of pearls in the clotted hairs of Mah\u00e2deva\u2019s head and She is the Tapasy\u00e2 (asceticism) incarnate of the Tapasv\u00ees (ascetics) of the Bh\u00e2rata Varsa. This Ganges purifies the three worlds and is the part of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti; She shines like the Full Moon, is white like white lotus and like milk; She is pure S\u2019uddha Sattva, clear, free from any Ahamk\u00e2ra, chaste and\nbeloved of N\u00e2r\u00e2yana. The Tulas\u00ee Dev\u00ee is the consort of Visnu. She is the ornament of N\u00e2r\u00e2yana, and dwells always at the lotus feet of N\u00e2r\u00e2yana. By Her are performed all the acts of worship, all austerities, and all Sankalpas (resolves). She is the chief of all the flowers, holy and able to give merits (Punyam) to others. At Her sight and touch, Nirv\u00e2na can be obtained; and, were it not for Her, there could be no other fire in this Kali Yuga to burn the sins. She Herself is of the nature of Fire and at the touch of Whose lotus-feet, the earth is purified; all the T\u00eerthas desire to have Her sight and touch for purification and without Her all acts in this world become fruitless. She bestows Moksa (liberation) to those who want final liberation, grants all sorts of desires to several people, Who Herself is like a Kalpa Vriksa, Who is the Presiding Deity of all the trees in Bh\u00e2rata and Who has come here to grant satisfaction to the ladies of Bh\u00e2rata Varsa and She is considered very superior throughout all parts of India. This Tulas\u00ee Dev\u00ee is the chief factor of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti.\n71-95. Then comes the Manas\u00e2 Dev\u00ee, the daughter of Kas\u2019yapa. She is the dear disciple of S\u2019ankara and is therefore very learned in matters of S\u2019\u00e2stras. She is the daughter of Ananta Deva, the Lord of Snakes and is very much respected by all the N\u00e2gas. She Herself is very beautiful, the Lady of the N\u00e2gas, the mother of the N\u00e2gas and is carried by them. She is decorated with ornaments of the Snakes; She is respected by the N\u00e2gendras and She sleeps on the bed of Snakes. She is Siddha Yogin\u00ee, the devotee of Visnu and always ready in the worship of Visnu; She is the Tapas and the bestower of the fruits of Tapas. Herself an ascetic, She spent three lakh years (according to the Deva measure) and has become the foremost of the ascetics in Bh\u00e2ratvarsa. She is the Presiding Deity of all the mantras; Her whole body shines with Brahm\u00e2teja (the Holy Fire of Brahm\u00e2). Herself of the nature of Brahm\u00e2, She again meditates on Brahm\u00e2n. She is sprung from a part of S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna and the chaste wife of Jarat K\u00e2ru Muni, the mother of \u00c2stika, the great Muni; She is the part of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti. O Child N\u00e2rada! Now comes the S\u2019asth\u00ee Dev\u00ee, the Mother of Devasen\u00e2. She is the most superior amongst the Gaur\u00ee and the sixteen M\u00e2trik\u00e2s. This chaste woman is the giver of sons and grandsons in the three worlds and the nurse, the foster mother of all. She is the sixth part of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti and is hence known by the name of S\u2019asth\u00ee. She lives near to every child as an aged Yogin\u00ee. Her worship is everywhere prevalent in the twelve months Vais\u2019\u00e2kha, etc. When the child gets born, on the sixth day of Her worship is done in the lying-in-chamber and again on the 21st day (after twenty days have passed away) the most auspicious worshipful ceremony of Her is performed. The Munis bow down to Her with reverence and want to visit Her daily.\nShe protects all children always with a mother\u2019s affectionate heart. This S\u2019asth\u00ee Dev\u00ee is again the part of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti. Then appears the Dev\u00ee Mangala Chandik\u00e2. She goes from one house to another, on land or through water or in air, doing great good to them; She has come out of the face of the Prakriti Dev\u00ee and is doing always all sorts of good to this world. Her name is Mangala Chand\u00ee because She is all auspicious at the time of creation and assumes very furious angry appearance at the time of destruction. So the Pundits say. On every Tuesday in all the worlds Her worship is done; and She, when pleased, gives to women sons, grandsons, wealth, prosperity, fame and good of all sorts and grants all desires. This Mangala Chandi is again the part of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti. Now comes the lotus-eyed M\u00e2hes\u2019var\u00ee K\u00e2l\u00ee who when angry can destroy all this universe in a moment, who sprang from the forehead of the M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti, D\u00fbrg\u00e2 to slay the two demons S\u2019umbha and Nis\u2019umbha. She is the half-portion of D\u00fbrg\u00e2 and qualified like Her, fiery and energetic. The beauty and splendour of whose body make one think as if the millions of suns have arisen simultaneously. Who is the foremost of all the S\u2019aktis and is more powerful than any of them, Who grants success to all the persons, Who is superior to all and is of Yogic nature, Who is exceedingly devoted to Krisna and like Him fiery, well-qualified, and valorous, Whose body has become black by the constant meditation of S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna, Who can destroy in one breath this whole Brahm\u00e2nda, Who was engaged in fighting with the Daityas simply for sport and instruction to the people and Who, when pleased in worship can grant the four fruits Dharma, Artha, K\u00e2ma and Moksa. This K\u00e2l\u00ee is also the part of Prakriti. The Dev\u00ee Basundhar\u00e2 (Earth) is again the part of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti. Brahm\u00e2 and the other Devas, all the Muni mandalams (the spheres of Munis), fourteen Manus and all men sing hymns to Her. She is the support of all and filled with all sorts of grains. She is the source of all gems and jewels, She bears in Her womb all the precious metals. All sorts of best things issue from Her. She is the Refuge of all. The subjects and kings worship Her always and chant hymns to Her. All the J\u00eevas live through Her and She bestows all sorts of wealth and prosperity. Without Her, all this, moving or non-moving, become void of any substratum. Where to rest on!\n96-143. O Child N\u00e2rada! Now hear about them who are issued again from the parts of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti as well as the names of their wives. I will now narrate duly. The Dev\u00ee \u201cSv\u00e2h\u00e2\u201d is the wife of Agni (Fire), and the whole Universe worships Her. Without her, the Dev\u00ee can never take any oblations. Daksin\u00e2 and Diks\u00e2 are both the wives of Yaj\u00f1a (Sacrifice). They are honoured everywhere. So much so that without Daksin\u00e2 (the fees given at the end of the Sacrifice) no sacrificial ceremonies\ncan be complete and fructifying. The Dev\u00ee \u201cSvadh\u00e2\u201d is the wife of the Pitris. All worship this Dev\u00ee \u201cSvadh\u00e2\u201d whether they are Munis, Manus, or men. If this mantra \u201cSvadh\u00e2\u201d be not uttered while making an offering to the Pitris, all turn out useless. The Dev\u00ee \u201cSvasti\u201d is the wife of the V\u00e2yu Deva; She is honoured everywhere in the Universe. Without this \u201cSvasti\u201d Dev\u00ee, no giving nor taking nor any action can be fructifying and useful. \u201cPust\u00ee\u201d (nourishment) is the wife of Ganapat\u00ee. All in this world worship this Pust\u00ee Dev\u00ee. Without this \u201cPusti\u201d, women or men alike all become weaker and weaker. Tust\u00ee (satisfaction, contentment) is the wife of Ananta Deva. She is praised and worshipped everywhere in this world. Without Her no one anywhere in the world can be happy. \u201cSampatt\u00ee\u201d is the wife of \u00ces\u00e2na Deva. The Suras, the men all alike worship Her. Were it not for Her, all in this world would be oppressed with dire poverty. The Dev\u00ee \u201cDhrit\u00ee\u201d is the wife of Kapila Deva. She is honoured equally in all places. Were it not for Her, all the people in this world would have become impatient. The \u201cSat\u00ee\u201d Dev\u00ee is the wife of Satya Deva (Truth). She is endearing to the whole world. The liberated ones worship Her always. Were it not for the truth loving Sat\u00ee, the whole world would have lost the treasure in friendship. \u201cDay\u00e2\u201d (Mercy) endearing to the whole world is the chaste wife of \u201cMoh\u00e2 Deva\u201d. She is liked by all. Were it not for Her, all the world would have become hopeless. The Dev\u00ee \u201cPratisth\u00e2\u201d (fame, celebrity) is the wife of Punya Deva (merit).She gives merits to persons according as they worship Her. Were it not for Her, all the persons would remain dead while living. The Dev\u00ee \u201cK\u00eerti\u201d (fame) is the wife of Sukarma (good works). Herself a Siddha (one who has acquired the result of one\u2019s success), all the blessed people honour Her with great reverence. Were it not for Her, all the persons in this world would have been dead, devoid of any fame. Kriy\u00e2 (work-efforts, action, doing) is the wife of \u201cUdyoga\u201d (enthusiasm). All honour Her greatly. O Muni N\u00e2r\u00e2da! Were it not for Her, the whole people would be void of any rules and regulations. Falsehood is the wife of Adharma (unrighteousness). She is honoured greatly by all the cheats that are extant in this world. Were she not liked by them, then all the cheats would become extinct. She did not fall in the sight of anybody in the Satya Yuga. Her subtle form became visible in the Tret\u00e2 Yuga. When the Dv\u00e2para Yuga came, She became half developed. And at last when the Kali Yuga has come, She is fully developed and there is no second to Her whether in bold confidence and shamelessness or in talking much and pervading everywhere. With her brother Deceitfulness, She roams from one house to another. Peace and modesty and shame are both the wives of good behaviour. Were they not existent, all in this\nworld would have turned out deluded and mad. Intelligence, genius and fortitude, these three are the wives of J\u00f1\u00e2na (knowledge). Had they not lived, every one would become stupid and insane. M\u00fbrti is the wife of Dharma Dev\u00ee. She is of the nature of Beauty to all and very charming. Were it not for Her, Param\u00e2tm\u00e2n would not get any resting place; and the whole universe would have become Nir\u00e2lamba (without anything to rest). This chaste M\u00fbrti Dev\u00ee is of the nature of splendour, loveliness and Laksm\u00ee. She is everywhere respected, worshipped and reverenced. \u201cSleep\u201d, the Siddha Yogin\u00ee, is the wife of Rudra Deva, who is of the nature of K\u00e2l\u00e2gni (the universal conflagration at the break-up of the world). All the J\u00eevas spend their nights with Her. The twilights, night and day are the wives of K\u00e2la (Time). If they were not, the Creator even would not be able to reckon time. Hunger and thirst are the wives of Lobha (covetousness). They are thanked, respected and worshipped by the whole world. Had they not lived, the whole world would have merged ever in an ocean of anxieties. Splendour and burning capacity are the wives of Tejas (fire). Without these, the Lord of the world could never have created and established order in this universe. Death and old age are the daughters of the K\u00e2la, and the dear wives of Jvar\u00e2 (the disease). Without these, all the creation would come to an end. The Tandr\u00e2 (drowsiness, lassitude) and Pr\u00eeti (satisfaction) are the daughters of Nidr\u00e2 (sleep). And they are the dear wives of Sukha (pleasure). They are present everywhere in this world. O Best of Munis! S\u2019raddh\u00e2 (faith) and Bhakti (devotion) are the wives of Vair\u00e2gyam (dispassion). For then all the persons can become liberated while living (J\u00eevanmuktas). Besides these there is Aditi, the Mother of the Gods, Surabhi, mother of cows; Diti, the mother of the Daityas; Kadru, the mother of the N\u00e2gas (serpents); Vinat\u00e2, the mother of Garuda, the prince of birds; and Danu, the mother of the D\u00e2navas. All are very useful for the purpose of creation. But these all are parts of M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti. Now I will mention some of the other parts of Prakriti. Hear. Rohin\u00ee, the wife of the Moon, Sanj\u00f1\u00e2, the wife of the Sun; S\u2019atar\u00fbp\u00e2, the wife of Manu; S\u2019ach\u00ee, the wife of Indra; T\u00e2r\u00e2, the wife of Brihaspati; Arundhat\u00ee, the wife of Vas\u2019istha; Anas\u00fby\u00e2, the wife of Atri; Devah\u00fbt\u00ee, the wife of Kardama; Pras\u00fbti, the wife of Daksa; Menak\u00e2, the mind born daughter of the Pitris and the mother of Ambik\u00e2, Lop\u00e2mudr\u00e2, Kunt\u00ee, the wife of Kuvera, the wife of Varuna, Bindhy\u00e2val\u00ee, the wife of the King Bali; Damayant\u00ee, Yas\u2019od\u00e2, Devak\u00ee, G\u00e2ndh\u00e2r\u00ee, Draupad\u00ee, S\u2019aivy\u00e2, Satyavat\u00ee, the chaste and noble wife of Brisabh\u00e2nu and the mother of R\u00e2dh\u00e2; Mandidar\u00ee; Kaus\u2019aly\u00e2, Kaurav\u00ee,; Subhadr\u00e2; Revat\u00ee, Satyabh\u00e2m\u00e2, K\u00e2lind\u00ee, Laksman\u00e2; J\u00e2mbavat\u00ee; N\u00e2gnajiti, Mitrabind\u00e2,\nLaksan\u00e2, Rukmin\u00ee, S\u00eet\u00e2, the Laksm\u00ee incarnate; K\u00e2l\u00ee, Yojana Gandh\u00e2, the chaste mother of Vy\u00e2sa, \u00dbs\u00e2, the daughter of V\u00e2na, her companion Chitralekh\u00e2; Prabh\u00e2vati, Bh\u00e2numat\u00ee, the Sat\u00ee M\u00e2y\u00e2vat\u00ee, Renuk\u00e2, the mother of Paras\u2019ur\u00e2ma; Rohin\u00ee, the mother of Balar\u00e2ma, Ekanand\u00e2 and the sister of S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna, Sat\u00ee Durg\u00e2 and many other ladies are the parts of Prakriti and all the female sex, everywhere in the Universe are all come from the parts of Prakriti. So to insult any woman is to insult the Prakriti. If one worships a chaste Brahmin woman, who has her husband and son living, with clothings, ornaments, and sandal paste, etc., one worships, as it were, Prakriti. If any Vipra worships a virgin girl, eight years old, with clothings, ornaments and sandal paste, know that he has worshipped the Prakriti Dev\u00ee. The best, middling, and worst are all sprung from Prakriti. Those women that are sprung from Sattva Guna are all very good natured and chaste; those that are sprung from Rajo Guna are middling and very much attached to worldly enjoyments and do their selfish ends and those that are sprung from Tamo Guna are recognised as worst and belonging to the unknown families. They are very scurrilous, cheats, ruining their families, fond of their own free ways, quarrelsome and no seconds are found equal to them. Such women become prostitutes in this world and Apsar\u00e2s in the Heavens. The Hermaphrodites are parts of Prakriti but they are of the nature of Tamo Gunas.\n144-159. Thus I have described to you the nature of Prakriti. So in this Punyabh\u00fbmi Bh\u00e2rata Varsa, to worship the Dev\u00ee is by all means desirable. In days past by, the King Suratha worshipped the M\u00fbl\u00e2 Prakriti Durg\u00e2, the Destructrix of all evils. Then again S\u2019r\u00ee R\u00e2ma Chandra worshipped Her when he wanted to kill R\u00e2vana. Since then Her worship is extant in the three worlds. She was first born as the honourable daughter of Daksa. She destroyed the whole hosts of Daityas and D\u00e2navas. It was She who, hearing the abusive words uttered against Her husband at the Yaj\u00f1a by Daksa, Her father, gave up Her body and took up again Her birth. She took Her birth in the womb of Menak\u00e2 and got again Pas\u2019upati as Her husband. And of the two sons, K\u00e2rtika and Ganes\u2019a, born to Her, K\u00e2rtika was the Ansa (part) of N\u00e2r\u00e2yana and Ganapati was S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna Himself, the Lord of R\u00e2dh\u00e2. O Devarsi! After the two sons, Laksm\u00ee Dev\u00ee came out of Durg\u00e2. Mangala R\u00e2ja, the King Mars first worshipped Her. Since then, all in the three worlds began to worship Her, whether they are Devas or men. The King As\u2019vapati first worshipped S\u00e2vitr\u00ee Dev\u00ee; and since then the Devas, Munis, all began to worship Her. When the Dev\u00ee Saravast\u00ee was born, the Bhagav\u00e2n Brahm\u00e2 first worshipped Her; next the greatest Munis, Devas all began\nto worship Her. On the full moon night of the month of K\u00e2rtik, it was Bhagav\u00e2n S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna, The Highest Spirit, that worshipped, first of all, the Dev\u00ee R\u00e2dh\u00e2 within the R\u00e2sa Mandalam, the enclosure, within which the R\u00e2sa L\u00eel\u00e2 was performed (the circular dance) in the region Goloka. Then under the command of S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna, all the Gopas (cow-herds), Gop\u00ees, all the boys, girls, Surabh\u00ee, the queen of the race of the cows, and the other cows worshipped Her. So since Her worship by the inhabitants of Goloka, by Brahm\u00e2 and the other Devas and the Munis, all began to worship ever S\u2019r\u00ee R\u00e2dh\u00e2 with devotion and incense, light and various other offerings. On earth She was first worshipped by Suyaj\u00f1a, in the sacred field of Bh\u00e2ratvarsa, under the direction of Bhagav\u00e2n Mah\u00e2deva. Subsequently, under the command of the Bhagav\u00e2n S\u2019r\u00ee Krisna, the Highest Spirit, the inhabitants of the three worlds began to worship Her. The Munis with great devotion, with incense, flowers and various other offerings worship always the Dev\u00ee R\u00e2dh\u00e2. O Child N\u00e2rada! Besides these, all the other Dev\u00ees that have issued from Prakriti Dev\u00ee are all worshipped. So much so that in the villages, the village Deities, in the forests, the forest Deities and in the cities, the city Deities are worshipped. Thus I have described to you all according to the S\u2019\u00e2stras the glorious lives of the Dev\u00ee Prakriti and Her parts. What more do you want to hear?\nHere ends the First Chapter on the Description of Prakriti in the Ninth Book of the S\u2019r\u00ee Mad Dev\u00ee Bh\u00e2gavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vy\u00e2sa.","title":"The Devi Bhagavatam: The Ninth Book: Chapter 1","type":"page"}