Hymn to Kali: Text: Verse 13

VERSE 13

O MOTHER, people there are who worship many other Devas than Thyself. 1 They are greatly ignorant, and know nothing of the high truth, 2 (but I) of my own uncontrollable 3 desire for Thee approach Thee, the Primordial Power, 4 who dost deeply enjoy the great Bliss arising from union (with Śiva), 5 and who art worshipped by Hari, Hara, Viriñci, and all other Devas. 6

COMMENTARY

'Deluded' (Vimūdhāh)

That is, devoid of discrimination.

'Enlightened' (Vibudhaih)

The Bagalā-Stotra says, 'Oh four-armed, four-headed, worshipful Parameśvari, Oh Devi Aṁbikā who art ever worshipped with devotion by Kṛṣṇa, Oh Parameśvari who art worshipped by the Lord of the daughter of Himālaya, grant beauty, Grant victory' and so forth.

'Ādyā'

Who art before and the beginning of the world.

'Union' (Rati)

Which is Viparīta as above described.

'Wine'

That is Rasa.

Footnotes

74:1 That is, thinking that other Devas grant greater boons (Commentary, K.B.). Cf. also what Śaṁkarācārya says about the worship of other Devas in fourth śloka of the Devyaparādha-kṣamāpana-stotra, and see Devibhāgavata (V. 19) (Hymn to Jagadaṁbikā).

74:2 Paramam, that is, Tattvaṁ.

74:3 For he is a devotee (Bhakta) whose desire for Her is so great that he cannot control but is controlled by it.

74:4 Ādyā.

74:5 Rati-rasa-mahānanda-niratām. The Devī delights in creation, which is the fruit of Her union with the Puruṣa (Śiva). 'Great Bliss,' for, as on the physical plane yadrūpaṁ paramānandam tan nāsti bhuvanatraye (Mātṛkābheda-Tantra, chap. ii), it is the counterpart on that plane of the ecstatic union which produced the Universe itself. It is the reflection of the higher Bliss attainable even here by the union of Śivaśakti (in the form of Kuṇdalinī) in the Sahasrāra. Some read Rasikāṁ for Niratāṁ.

74:6 Viṣṇu, Śiva, and Brahmā. What, then, is the use of praying to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva when they themselves worship Her? (Commentary, K.B.). Cf. also Devibhāgavata, loc. cit. The Devi is Mother of all, from Brahmā to the lowliest worm (Ābrahmākhilajanani, Lalitā 67).