Introduction

Introduction:

GREATNESS OF THE TEXT

The edifice of our eternal Dharma is built on the solid foundations of the Veda and the Tantra. In both these ways of knowledge, sufficient importance has been given to the path that worships the Supreme as the Mother. The Veda gave to the Prime Mover the appellation Aditi, the primordial Force which extends in all and contains all, the Supreme Śakti, the Divine Mother who gives birth to the Gods and the Goddesses. The Tantra proclaims : “Śakti is the origin and source of all ; she is the cause of creation; nothing is there if she be not there.”

It has been said that whatever the God one worships, one worships only the Śakti. The twice born cannot brand themselves as Śaivites or Vaiṣṇavites. They are all Śāktas, worshippers of the Śakti for they fervently worship daily Gāyatri, the primordial Goddess, the Mother of the Spoken Word.1

(1. सर्वे शाक्ताः द्विजाः प्रोक्ता न शैवा न च वैष्णवाः। अदितिदेवीमुपासते गायत्रीं वेदमातरम्॥)

Thus, worship of Śakti is the life-breath of our great Dharma. Worshippers of the Divine Mother are spread everywhere in India, from Kashmir to Cape Comorin, from Bengal to Kerala. There are many sacred texts and many well-trodden paths which are capable of bringing the grace of the Mother. Even so, there is a sacred text which occupies a special place, a scripture of undying fame. Crowning all Tantric literature and tradition, it acts as a touchstone to all the doctrines established by them. It is a great Sādhanā Śāstra, practical science, teaching how to approach with special privilege and win the favour of the unique manifestation of the Mother. Durgā whose name signifies that she is not easily approachable, duḥkhena gantum śakyā. The text is Devī Māhātmya, Saptaśatī. Read More…