We conclude with the series of themes we took up in relation to The Mother’s symbol with this edition of the newsletter. From the four inner petals representing Maheshwari, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati into the twelve outermost petals representing the forces emanating from these powers, we now move inwards to the innermost centre, representing the Mahashakti. In referring to the parts of The Mother’s symbol, we commonly use the word, ‘petal’. There are, as mentioned above, 4 inner petals and 12 outer petals. The Mother’s symbol is but the symbolic design of the White Lotus, which represents Supreme Consciousness. Mahashakti reigns supreme in the centre of the Lotus. She is, according to The Mother, the form of the Mother as universal creation or Divine Consciousness. She is Aditi, the One who is second to none.
What do all these mean in our earthly existence? What is the place of the symbol in our lives? Where do we place the symbol, where hold it, and how interpret? To the novice getting acquainted with the symbol for the first time, the symbol offers hope that all the positive virtues do exist and some can be cultivated in one, or others built from the strength of the few virtues one may perceive to already have in one’s possession. To another, it may appear that these are virtues owned by the Great World Mother, and that it is possible for one to bathe in different sets of lights as one invokes the presence of any one of the four emanations of the Mahashakti – Maheshwari. Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. To some, rightly, it is The Divine Mother Herself who is represented by the symbol, in all the myriad forms of manifestation in the phenomenal world, even the world beyond. It is a reminder of her existence, the symbol, at once, upon sight, bringing to one’s consciousness her many forms and qualities that operate in this vast existence that is Her making and Her playfield.
Mahashakti is eminent everywhere, in all the elements of the creation, ruling over these while being eminent. Sri Aurobindo explains Mahashakti’s presence and workings as such, in Her three modes of existence. Firstly, She is the original supreme Shakti, stands above the worlds and links the creation to the ever unmanifest mystery of the Supreme.” Next, She is the “Universal, cosmic Mahashakti…..creates all these beings and contains and enters, supports and conducts all these million processes and forces.” Lastly, he speaks of how Mahashakti, in her individual manifestation, brings these two ways of being, “brings the powers of these two vaster ways of her existence, makes them living and near to us and meditates between the human personality and the divine Nature.”
Mahashakti, then, is not an entity who is out there, looming far above and remote from us. Far from it, She is the very substance of each being, living or not, active or inert, and exerts Her force through her many forms and emanations. The Mother is there in every creation, working, through Her emanations and forces, to bring about Her manifestation in the physical world.
Can we know Her concretely, working in our own being? As always, Sri Aurobindo casts his pearl of wisdom in a concrete assurance. He says, “… you can come become aware when you enter into touch of oneness with the Conscious Force that upholds us and the universe.” It is for us now to ponder over this profound statement and work out ways towards this unfolding and knowing with Her alone for our Support and Guide.
No comments:
Post a Comment