Is there any limit for the causeless compassion of our Divine Mother? With all our faults and transgressions, She overlooks them with Her infinite patience and love! That is why she is described in Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra as ” Avyaja Karuna murthy rajnana dhvanta Deepika”--the one who is the embodiment of causeless compassion and the torch that dispels the darkness of ‘Avidya or Ignorance!’ While it is so for all Her children in the universe, will it not be special and exclusive for Her staunch devotees and upasakas like Sri Sankara? They are all special for Her. Did not the stupid and ignorant wood cutter become the great Kalidasa, one of the greatest poets in Sanskrit literature admired even today? It is all because of Her Grace and Divine love! She is called “ Bhakta paradhina”- one under the control of Her devotees! Explaining Her partiality towards Her bhakthas, Vasinyadi Vagdevatas say in the Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra,”Bhaktha Priya bhakti gamya bhakti vasya bhayapaha”- She is the darling of Her devotees; can be approached only through bhakti or devotion; surrenders Herself to pure bhakti; wards of fear from the minds of all Her devotees!
Why do devotees worship Her? Is it for the trifles of material existence and evanescent pleasures? She is the bestower of whatever Her bhakta desires- material, personal and spiritual! She is “Bhaktimath Kalpa lathika pasu pasa vimochani”- She is the Kalpa Vruksha of Swarga, the wish fulfilling tree that grants whatever the individual wants! Not only that, She releases the bhakta from the bonds of attachment to terrestrial things leading him to moksha or salvation! She is also described as the bestower of wellness to all Her bhaktas! She takes over the burden of Her true devotee in all respects! “Samastha bhakta sukhada.” Why is the upasaka bent on worshipping Her? It is not for the ephemeral pleasures of mortal existence but for liberation from the eternal cycle of birth and death! Sri Mata offers respite and relief from birth, death and old age and senility! “Janma mrityu jaratapta Jana visranti dayini.” She is well versed in lifting up those caught in the mire of samsara or worldly life! “ Samsara panka nirmagna samuddharana pandita!” She is the stamp of Jnana; can be reached only through Jnana or Knowledge; the embodiment of Jnana and that that has to be Known! “ Jnanamudra Jnana gamya Jnana Jneya Swarupini!”
Earlier Sankara has said that Sri Mata's eyes are open always to save the universe which is of Her own creation! Closure of her eyes would annihilate the entire universe! The fish have hidden themselves lest She would complain that they have stolen the rare quality of openeye from Her! Having described the amazing beauty of Her eyes in different angles of his vision, Sankara wants Devi to extend Her Looks to him! Says Sankara, “ O Mother, Sive! Please extend your broad, cool eyes, beautiful as the half open Lily flower and look at me! My life will have its fulfilment once You look at me at a distance! In what way is that an impediment for You? Will not the Moon spread his moonlight in the same manner over the forest and the town? Will that hurt him in any way?
It is very difficult to attract the attention of Sri Mata! Ostentatious worship and ritual shall never please Her. It is pure selfless love and perennial devotion that pleases Her! We have seen how the Mother tested Sri RamaKrishna Paramahamsa till he, out of desperation, attempted to cut his throat for the sake of Her wonderful vision! Sages and seers, Jnanis vie with one another for the grace and look of Devi but most of them fail! Only those who are ardent devotees and aspire for spiritual upliftment and realization of Self are granted Her vision after many tests! Sankara was a realized Soul and in spite of this he yearns for the mere glance of Devi which he thinks is very difficult to attain! What about us, the mortals, engulfed in Maya and drowned in the sea of samsara?
As the dear child of his Mother, Sankara requests her to look at him for his deliverance! The dear child wants always to be in the eye of the Mother! Will not the Mother look at Her dear son who has described Her waves of Beauty in such an amazing and extraordinary manner? Women are normally pleased when their beauty is recognized and praised by others! Can Devi be an exception and that too when Her dear son Sankara has exceptionally praised the beauty of Her ears, eyes and other attributes?
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