Why do We?

Why do we worship Durga/Lakshmi/Saraswati?

As per Vedas, Para-brahman is one and only one; there is nothing similar like it. It is described best with its attributes: all-encompassing, all-knower and almighty. Then, the question arises, why it is worshipped as male (God) and female (Goddess). On one side we say it is one and only one i.e. non-dual, but in practice worship it as dual.

As per Vedas, the one and only one para-brahman felt lonely and decided to become many: "एकोs हं  बहुस्याम प्रजायेय" (Eko-hum bahusyam prajayeya). This thought/Sankalpa is called ‘Shakti’ (आदिसंकल्प) and the relative part of the para-brahman as ‘Shiv’; thus the primordial couple is born! As the thought gives rise to this universe; it is natural to refer to it as feminine. This Shakti is based on Shiv as Shiv is the one who thought of becoming many; thus they are inseparable!

This Shakti is also referred to as Prakruti, A-dhnyana, A-vidya, Maya, and Pradhan. Since it is the mother of gross (Tama-pradhan) it is called as Prakruti. It creates the desire/sankalpa in the Shiv hence it is called as Maya. It veils Shiva, hence it is called as A-dhnyana. It disappears after knowing Shiva, hence called as A-vidya. The whole universe merges in her at the time of Pralaya, hence it it is called Pradhan.

The creation and annihilation form of shakti is called Durga. If we see around us, the nature provides us bountiful crops, lush green landscapes, rivers, minerals etc. This shakti in the form of wealth is called Lakshmi. We see glimpses of brilliance around us. The scientists, the sages, the rishis have a fundamental understanding of this shakti. This equi-poised mind which can decode the laws of universe are attributed as Saraswati.

Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are three aspects of the same Shakti. To overcome the Gross; Tama-pradhan, we worship Goddess Durga, annihilator of the evil tendencies. To prepare the mind for the Dhyana/knowledge we worship Goddess Lakshmi. To gain victory over mind we worship Goddess Saraswati. Characteristic of Mind is sankalpa-vikalpa. Without winning over mind the Shiva cannot be reached! It is a step-by-step process, one cannot skip a step and jump to next.

Also it is easier to worship a form which is visible; which can be physically realizable; experienced. The shakti or Chetan part of para-brahman is our day to day experience. In Navaratri, Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped for three days each. It symbolizes the journey towards the Dhnyana or Shiva!

Sarang Akotkar