The Hindu : Benevolence of the Divine Mother

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 21, 2002

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Benevolence of the Divine Mother

CHENNAI OCT 21 . A verse of a popular hymn eulogises the Divine Mother, Sri, as the ruler and mother of the entire creation. In the world, a ruler cannot be a mother to all and hence the Divine Mother in Her role as ruler is exceptional. Further, a human mother can only guide her children and hope that they will shape well but Sri by Her mere will can grant anything for anyone and every person is Her child ultimately. As the ruler She does not wield the stick as a king has to for ensuring justice. She is the very personification of compassion and hence makes everyone including the Almighty yield to Her wishes. The Lord as the dispenser of man's Karma has to be stern when necessary but the Divine Mother out of compassion intercedes on behalf of the erring person.

Does it then mean that the Almighty submits to Her will? Is He not the omnipotent Lord of the manifestation? Preceptors and commentators explain that the Lord yields to Her wishes because of Her benevolent qualities and overwhelming love for all. She adorns the chest of Her Lord always and thus enhances His auspicious traits. Sri is the very epitome of beauty and beholding Her gracious form the Lord's anger when aroused dissipates. Though the Supreme Being is described as the abode of infinite auspicious qualities, due to His sovereignty they are not apparent. It is the presence of the Divine Mother, which brings to the fore His bountiful traits.

In his discourse, Velukkudi Sri V.Krishnan said the Lord was referred to as Bhagavan due to the six qualities, which distinguish Him. They are knowledge (Jnana), strength (Bala), wealth (Aisvarya), potency (Virya), power (Sakti) and radiance (Tejas). The Divine Mother also has these traits and hence She is called Bhagavati. Besides these six essential qualities, another four are considered very important from the standpoint of humanity. Though the Divine Couple are supreme they make themselves accessible to their devotees. Likewise, their love towards their creation is unbounded. Next is their quality of mercy, which makes it possible to forgive the devotee for his sins. Most important of all is their compassionate nature. Tirumazhisai Azhwar in his hymn Nanmugan Tiruvandadi identifies the deities of Tiruvenkatam, Srinivasa and Padmavati, as the Divine Couple, Vishnu and Sri. He glorifies Him as the Almighty who rids the Karma of His devotees thereby putting an end to rebirth. The Azhwar says that Tiruvenkatam is a sacred abode where celestials serve the Lord at night.

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