Devi, the giver of boons

[1]

Raji P. Shrivastava [1]

The Mother Goddess is worshiped in various forms, of whom Durga (the slayer of terrible demons), Saraswati (the bestower of knowledge) and Lakshmi (the giver of wealth) are prominent.

In a lyrical hymn called the Shyamala Dandakam, poet Kalidasa says that creations in prose and verse (gadya-padyam) come rushing out of the mouths of those who worship the Mother who holds a crystal rosary and a book containing the essence of all knowledge. Asking a rhetorical question, the poet muses, “Kim na siddhyaet vapuh shyaamalam komalam chandra choodaanvitam taavakam dhyaayatah” (What can he, who meditates on Devi’s dark and delicate form, with the moon as her crest jewel, fail to obtain?) For him, the earth is a gracious throne (tasya bhadraasanam bhootalam), the goddess of speech is his handmaiden (geerdevataa kinkaree) and the goddess of wealth herself executes his command (aagnyaa kari shree svayam). The delicious use of hyperbole by the great poet pulls the devotee towards the feet of the glorious Devi.
When the gods saw Durga killing Shumbha, the fearsome demon, they sang praise-filled songs in her honour, beseeching her to shower her generous gifts upon all beings in the universe. Devi said, “I am ready to bestow boons upon you; state your desires and I shall grant everything that will benefit the world.” The assemblage of gods said:
Sarvaa baadhaa prashamanam trailokyasya akhileshvari Evameva tvayaa kaaryam asmad vairi vinaashanam
“Just as you have done now, please crush all the obstacles in our path for evermore and continue to destroy our enemies.” (Devi Mahaatmyam, Ch. 11:36-39)
The Saundarya Lahari, a spectacular composition by Adi Shankara, offers a glimpse of how Devi enriches her devotee. The poet addresses Devi thus: “Your devotee sports with Sarasvati (knowledge) and Lakshmi (wealth), almost making their respective consorts, Brahma and Vishnu, jealous. His handsome form captivates Rati, the wife of the God of Love. His bonds of samsaara broken, he experiences the bliss of the eternal even in his human state.” Thus, knowledge, riches, grace, beauty and spiritual merit are assured to him who worships her. (Verse 99)
The idea of the supremacy of Devi is frequently asserted in our epics and hymns. Regal in her demeanour, she is ever protective of her subjects. Devotion to her may manifest in elaborate forms like community celebrations of Navratri or Durga Puja. At other times it is a mere hum on the lips of a housewife as she goes about her chores, or a fervent prayer for good marks by a student. Vara daayini, the Mother who grants boons, smiles down upon all who seek her.