Durga Saptashati Katha – Chapter 2: Devi Mahatmya: The Quest for Knowledge

The Glory of the Goddess: The Quest for Knowledge

In the previous chapter, we heard the description of the glory of Mahamaya and the praise of the gods. Today, continuing that divine narrative, we will see how King Surath and the Vaishya named Samadhi attain knowledge, and how they come to know the various forms of the Goddess.

King Surath's Question

King Surath, whose kingdom had been snatched away, and Samadhi, whose family had abandoned him, were both in deep sorrow. They both came to the ashram of Medha Muni, where peace and the light of knowledge spread. The sage's radiance was calming their minds, but the questions within them were still causing turmoil. They could not understand what attachment was, and why they were still thinking about their kingdom and family even after leaving.

King Surath said to the sage, "O great sage, my kingdom has been snatched away, yet my mind is still attached to it. I cannot understand why this is happening? What kind of attachment is this that holds me captive?" Samadhi also narrated his plight, "My family has left me helpless, yet I still wish them well. My mind is restless. Please show us the path to liberation from this bondage of attachment."

Muni's Knowledge of Maya

Muni Medha, after hearing both of them, said, "O King, this is all the play of Mahamaya. She alone governs this world and binds beings in attachment. Even with knowledge, man remains immersed in ignorance; this is all the effect of the Goddess's Maya." The sage further said that this Maya is the cause of creation, sustenance, and destruction. She exists in both forms, knowledge and ignorance.

Describing the various forms of the Goddess, the Muni said, "She, the Goddess, as Mahakali, destroys the wicked; as Mahalakshmi, she bestows wealth and grains; and as Mahasaraswati, she grants knowledge. She is Durga, she is Chamunda, and she is also Kalratri. Her forms are infinite, and her glory is immeasurable." The Muni explained that it is this Goddess who has brought this entire universe under her control. Without her grace, the attainment of knowledge is impossible. He advised the King and the Vaishya to worship the Goddess.

Description of the Goddess's Forms

Medha Muni, while describing the forms of the Goddess to King Surath and Samadhi, explained that the Goddess alone protects this world. She is Yog Nidra, she is the power of Lord Vishnu, and she is the mother of creation. He explained that the Goddess has many forms, and each form has its own special significance. Whether it is Parvati, Lakshmi, Saraswati, or Kali, all are her manifestations, and by worshipping all of them, man attains different kinds of fruits.

The Muni finally said, "O King and Vaishya, you both are fortunate that you have expressed a desire to know about the Goddess. Now, both of you worship the Goddess with devotion, and she will surely bestow her grace upon you." He told them the method of worshipping Shakti, by which they could be freed from the bondage of Maya and attain supreme knowledge. After this, both the King and the Vaishya became engrossed in the worship of the Goddess so that they could find a solution to their problems, the story of which we will see in the next chapter.