I was hearing the Devi Stuti, Ya Devi Sarva Bhooteshu and wanted to understand the prayer and reading the various translations I have realised, that like many prayers, there are layers of esoteric meanings that one can grasp according to one’s state of being.

For instance in the Zoroastrian prayer to the Goddess or Angel of Water, Ava Yazad, if you were to read the translation, one would wonder why were we still referring about rivers which flowed centuries ago and praying that those waters nourish civilizations that have ceased to exist. And then it struck me that the flow of water being referred to is the Kundalini Shakti, and the various places through which the Shakti flows are Chakras, the Energy Centers.

Am just rambling so bear with me. The prayer begins with:

Ya Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Vishnu Maayethi Sabdita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha… 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of the Illusionary Power of Lord Vishnu. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her Forever.

So what does this mean? According to me, even the Power of Tridev…Lord Shiv, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma….is not real. It is but a mirage, an illusion, as The One who has True Power….The Creator….is The Goddess, The Mother Energy, The Shakti Personified and nobody can posses True Power but The Goddess or The Creator. Thus, She lets Lord Shiv, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Demi Gods and Goddesses, Gurus, transform, preserve, create, but Each One can do so through Her Shakti, thus though They are revered as Gods for being so powerful….the Source of that Power comes forth from The Goddess.

 Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Chetanetyaabhi Dheeyate
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Consciousness. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

This paragraph works on two levels. That the Goddess Energy manifests Herself as consciousness in all beings. One is aware of all through the grace and power of The Goddess Energy but going deeper, it could also mean that consciousness, taken in the deep spiritual sense, would mean awakening of the Kundalini Energy and also awakening from the sleep induced state of operating only from the gross… and realising one’s true identity of being One with The Oneness Family and that the spirit pervades everything and is eternally permanent. To be conscious means to finally awaken to the reality of our origin and begin to walk towards Home.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Buddhi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Intelligence. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

According to me once again intelligence could mean the usual state of intellectual awareness and one cannot reach that state of intellectual awareness in anything if not graced by The Goddesses Presence but in the deeper sense it could mean to pursue knowledge for the true purpose of banishing darkness in the form of ignorance. When you do something for material gain and when you do it to empower yourself with knowledge, there is stupendous difference in the depth of one’s study and implementation. Worldly intelligence and soul wisdom are two different planets. The seat of true intelligence is to translate knowledge and implement that knowledge wisely. That would mean operating from a sense of intelligence and that intelligence comes forth from The Goddess.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Nidraa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Sleep. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

Once again various meanings can be derived. The first obvious one could be that it is through sleep that the body gains its rest, is healed, is nourished, and one is capable of giving one’s best to life and walk the path in the most alert and healthy manner through the means of the body. But the other meaning could also be that The Goddess resides in not only all that which is active but also in all that which is dormant. All things dormant, sleep like, are like hidden craters from which would spring forth Her Presence in what she would want to reveal. Thus even when what appears dormant, inactive, in sleep, nonexistent, is in reality Her Energy lying in wait for mankind to awaken to that level of consciousness to be able to perceive Her Grace. Thus where The Goddess is concerned, ignorance is nothing but a state of dormant intelligence and wisdom aching to be awakened.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Kshudhaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Hunger. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

What could this mean? Does the Goddess reside in hunger? Tell that to a poor family deprived of food and they will give a mouthful to you, me and The Goddess. Hunger from the broader perspective also means burning desire, and all progress comes forth from the desire to achieve and progress. Also hunger to move beyond the state of poverty of thought, word, action into the realm and radiance of prosperity of thought, word, action and spirit, is what makes each individual to move from the state of atma to param atma, from hunger to abundance, from desire to moksha and mukti, but the seed is encased in the womb of transformation, from hunger to abundance, thus The Goddess resides even in hunger. Cause if there was no hunger for Her, the individual would be engrossed in the gross state of passive existence.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Chaayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of calm contemplation. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

Calm contemplation, or sitting in the shade of silence or breath, seems a completely passive state of Shakti, Energy. But it is only in this state of calm stillness, can any individual be filled with Her Presence, and through this state of stillness, comes forth Her True Power and The State of Divine Energy to go about and not only give each moment one’s very best but also be able to convert man into superman, unease into ease, restless activity into divine purpose. The seed of all divine action comes forth from silent reflection.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Shakti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Energy and Power. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

Shakti means various things to various people. Power, energy, state of activity, radiance, shadow of Her True Self, all could mean Shakti. But I would like to believe that Shakti means the ability to be able to transform darkness into Her Divine Light. Anything that takes a particular thing or situation or emotion or thought or an individual away from darkness into Her Radiance, operates from Her Shakti. Energy is in everything. Even a rock by the road side has Shakti which is unperceivable to us. There is a form of life in everything and if there is life there resides The Goddess. But true Shakti for me means, taking something from decay to wellbeing, something from darkness towards light, from so called death like state and inertia to joyful exuberance. For me true power is when one can convert all that which She does not approve of to all that which She favours. Everything else is shadow boxing.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Thrishnaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Thirst. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

Once again, this cannot mean, the Goddess revels in seeing Her children go without water, but when the thirst for realisation of one’s true self begins to gnaw at the very core of the individual, the Goddess is present in fanning the flames of the thirst to grow till the individual becomes obsessed in the quest for self realisation. Thirst and hunger, for The Divine, are the foundations for the metamorphosis of each individual from being earth bound to soar towards The One. Without this urgent, maddening supreme thirst the need to realise and then merge with The One, would never arise and thus the Goddess resides in each individual’s true thirst.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Kshaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Forgiveness. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

The foundation of true love is the ability to forgive and forget. No matter how much one may claim or believe to love, if forgiveness is not part of the inherent nature embodied in that love, then that love never was selfless but caught up in the mire of self centeredness. When one claims or believes to be in love with God, Goddess, Guru, and the individual does not possess the largeness of heart to forgive, then that love is limited and to embrace the unlimited vastness and depth of The Goddess or Creator, you and I can never operate from the parochial confines of limited love. The Goddess is the embodiment of compassion and love. Forgiveness is the very essences of Her love. When one prays to the Goddess, one is blessed with this true blessing of being able to live on the wings of forgiveness….to let go of the chains of the past and be able to soar heaven bound.

  
Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Jaati Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Caste, Creed, Race. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

Obviously the Goddess cannot be partial to any particular caste, creed, race. But yet She resides in the form of caste, creed, race. The Goddess cannot create division and duality. She represents Oneness. But when the world is characterized by those who walk the path and those who burn the path; those who are harbingers of Oneness and those who omen chaos and misery; those who toil to spread the Divine Light and those who live to dig deep trenches of darkness, hate, fear, fanaticism, then yes the Goddess resides in the form of that Race which reflects Her glory, compassion, love and Oneness.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Lajja Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Modesty and Humility. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

 One of the foundations of true character is being modest or humble about oneself and one’s strengths, achievements, capabilities. No matter how spiritual, generous, large hearted, pious an individual may be, it is modesty and humility that propels the individual to heights not reached by most. The Goddess is humility and modesty personified. She is so humble that She in the form of The Creator, has refused to show Herself. She has allowed Her Powers and Divinity to be channeled by the very Gods, while She has allowed only very few to truly to get to know Her and Her Infinite Divinity. Every time one is humble, Her blessings are showered to that individual, as She recognizes Herself in that moment of modesty and humility. 

 Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Shanti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

 The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Peace. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

The very reason for all the toil, the madness, the ambition, the running to and fro, is to achieve that something which eventually will quench the restlessness of the heart and bring about a state of tranquility, harmony, peace. When after all the desires are fulfilled and that state of peace still evades the individual, it is then that the smart oaf, begins to search for that something which will bring about a stillness, that sweet droplet of something that can only be realised and never explained.  That state of peace once embraced, can make the seeker go about like a person possessed, to once again sip from that evasive goblet. The Goddess resides in that state of peace. You might get that tranquility after a hard day’s work. Or being kind hearted. Large hearted. Tender. Compassionate. And once you experience that state, you and I want to keep dwelling in that alpha zone of tranquility. The Goddess resides in every endeavour that brings about true peace. And very often that state of peace comes forth from the little things and thus The Goddess resides in each dew drop and also the most magnificent galaxies that abound the universe.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Shradha Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of True Faith. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

True Faith is when we give each moment our very best and leave the outcome to one’s God, Goddess, Guru. The Goddess resides in this positive and selfless surrender and faith, which is not a business deal but that which is without expectations and conditions. The foundations of all that which is spiritual comes forth from this belief that whatever takes place, does so with the permission of The One, and if The One has given permission, then that is for the very best for the individual, no matter whatever are the consequences and repercussions. This dog like devotion and faith is the first step towards moving on Their Path and eventually it is the last step before merging with the Big Boys. The Goddess resides in this kind of faith. When you have this kind of surrender She smiles. Of course, we as usual have sort of watered down the entire meaning of faith to suit our convenience but The Goddess resides in that divine womb of complete selfless surrender. The faith which is so encompassing that the individual disappears and only The One remains.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Kaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Magnificence and Radiance. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

In everything one does with purity and selflessness of heart and intention, there is Her Radiance that shines through. It is the moment to moment striving to please The One, where true Radiance comes forth and The Goddess is the supreme reason for that Radiance to shine through. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but just like the fragrance of Mother Earth when bathed with the rains, cannot be hidden or ignored, similarly Her Radiance, through the nobility of thoughts, words, actions, deeds, intentions, has the fragrance and radiance of The Goddess. Her Majestic presence is there in the soft dew and the gurgle of a child. From the most humble effort done with selflessness and the supreme acts of valour and sacrifice. She is the seat of all splendour and the reason behind all that which is truly beautiful. She is the personification of all that which is noble and pure.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Lakshmi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Prosperity. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

Nowadays Goddess Laxmi has been given the same stature as that of the Reserve Bank of India….wealth has been equated with hard cash and the balance sheet. But The Goddess is the embodiment of complete wellbeing. Where ever there is true happiness, health of body, heart, mind, spirit, thought, word, deed and every kind of wealth, it is Her Presence that brings about this prosperity. Prosperity of every kind and wellbeing of the very soul. True prosperity is that of complete harmony in thoughts, words, actions and intentions and it is Her grace that brings forth this prosperity and wellbeing.

 Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Vritti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Activity. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

True activity is that which brings one closer to The One. All action that brings forth goodness and purity of heart is true activity and all that which brings forth negativity and darkness of the soul is slumber and inactivity. One can be busy all day but still be in a state of slumber and sloth if the activity creates negativity and disharmony within the individual, and into the life or lives of others, consciously and/or unconsciously. The Goddess resides in true activity and one prays that each moment is spent in that kind of activity that pleases Her.

 Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Smrithi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Memory. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

 The only memory worth recollecting is that of one’s origin and to retrace our steps back to The One. The Goddess resides in each one’s soul DNA in the form of the core memory. The memory that brings forth self realisation is the only reminiscence that is truly worthwhile pursuing. Memories that take one away from one’s source are like sinking sand, taking the individual deeper into the mire of illusion and the taking the soul away from all that which is permanent and real. The Goddess resides in the memory of Oneness.

  Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Dayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Mercy. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

Daya can be mercy, compassion and even pity. When one seeks pity from The Goddess, one basically has surrendered all ego and has prostrated all pride and self centeredness at the feet of the Goddess. The Goddess is the epitome of mercy and compassion but when the seeker yearns for Her pity, it means s(h)e has surrendered all ego and pride. The Goddess operates from Compassion and when we operate from compassion, we are in reality helping our own self to move towards Her. It is compassion that brings forth forgiveness, humility, selfless love. The Goddess recognizes Herself in these attributes in each individual and shows forth Her Mercy, Compassion and Pity for the individual who lives thus.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Tushti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha 

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Contentment. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

  All spirituality comes to naught if one is not content with one’s lot. To be content means to be in a state of positive acceptance and peaceful, all embracing surrender for one’s lot. To seek contentment means to seek the presence of The Goddess as She is the seat of all wellbeing and grace. To seek contentment means to appease Her and thereby bring forth true wellbeing in one’s life. If one is not content, then there is no place for peace and harmony, not in the physical plane and not in the spirit.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Matru Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of The Mother. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

The Goddess is in all sense The Mother. When one relates to Her as a child, keeping ego aside, communicating with Her as one would with one’s own Mother or one’s most loved one, the love that pours forth from Her can only be experienced and not described. She being The Universal Mother, is the Ocean of Compassion, Love and Understanding. But one needs to approach Her as a child would and not as an adult. The adult is filled with agendas and balance sheet. A child is filled with love, joy and mischief. When one approaches Her as a child, She responds as a Mother. When one approaches Her as an adult, She reciprocates as The Universal Goddess. The Mother cares only about the wellbeing of Her child. She is beyond all laws. But The Goddess has laid down certain rules of functioning which even She cannot over rule.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Braanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

 The literal translation would be: To The Goddess Who Resides in all beings in the Form of Error. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations Forever.

 I found this stanza the most profound. Imagine the Goddess resides in all beings in the form of error or a mistake. What could this mean? According to me, the greatest teacher is life and the most sublime teachings come forth to those who have made an error and then want to learn from their mistake. Some times through mistakes one learns and then soars high. The Goddess with Her immense and tender love for one and all, resides even in Error, wanting Her children to learn from their mistakes and then move towards Her. The only error is not learning from one’s mistakes. Sometimes it is through falling that one rises far above. It is through tears that one opens up to Her. It is through pain and anguish that one reaches out to Her. It is through darkness that one begins to crave for Light and in that light one embraces the Radiance and eventually with Her grace one becomes the Radiance.

 Indriyana Madhishthatri Bhootanam Chakhileshu Ya Bhooteshu Satatam Tasyei Vyaptidevyei Namo Namaha

Chitiroopen Ya Kritsnam Etadvyapya Sthita Jagat

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

The literal translation would be: Divine Mother who presides over the senses of all beings, Who forever dwells in all beings and Who encompasses all things, Salutations to Her Forever.

 Divine Mother who in the Form of Supreme Presence, having pervaded all the World, exists therein, Salutations to Her Forever.

 The Goddess is in our very breath. We are the flame that has come forth from The Great Fire. She is the creator who is longing for Her children to come back to Her in our original state of pristine innocence. She always was, She always is and She always will be in everything. When one begins to understand this simple reality, the journey back home begins. She is beyond all religions. She is beyond all names and rites. She is The One. The Source of all existence. Some call her Devi. Some The Creator. Some Ahura Mazda. Some God. Some Allah. Call Her by any Name, She resides in each one of us waiting for us to awaken to Her love and Her warm embrace.

Be blessed always.

Jai Mata Di