Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani, Trikuta
and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Hindu Goddess Mata Adi Shakti, also
known as Chandi/Durga. Vaishno Devi Mandir is located in Katra at the Trikuta
Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir.
The first mention of the Mother Goddess is in
the epic Mahabharat. When the armies of Pandavs and Kaurvas were arrayed in the
battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjun, the chief warrior of Pandavs upon advice of
Sri Krishna; meditated upon the Mother Goddess and sought Her blessings for
victory. This is when Arjun addresses the Mother Goddess as ‘Jambookatak
Chityaishu Nityam Sannihitalaye’, which means ‘you who always dwell in the
temple on the slope of the mountain in Jamboo’ (probably referring to the
present day Jammu).
It is also generally believed that the
Pandavs were the first to build the temples at Kol Kandoli and Bhawan in
reverence and gratitude for the Mother Goddess. On a mountain, just adjacent to
the Trikuta Mountain and overlooking the Holy Cave are five stone structures,
which are believed to be the rock symbols of the five Pandavs.
Some
traditions believe this Shrine to be the holiest of all Shaktipeeths (a
place where the Mother Goddess, the Eternal Energy has Her abode) since the
skull of Mata Sati fell here. Others believe that her right arm had fallen
here. But some scriptures do not agree with it. They do agree that at a place
called Gandarbal in Kashmir, the right arm of Sati had fallen. Nevertheless, in
the Holy Cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji, one does find stone remains of a
human hand, popularly known as Varad Hast (the hand that grants boons
and blessings).
While various versions of the origin and legend of Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi Ji are prevalent, there seems to be unanimity on the discovery of
Shrine around 700 years back by the same Pandit Shridhar, at whose place Mata
had helped organize a Bhandaara. When she left amidst the Bhandaara to escape
Bhairon Nath, Pandit Shridhar is said to have felt as if he had lost everything
in his life. He felt immense grief and gave up the intake of food or even water
and closed himself in a room of his house, fervently praying for Vaishnavi to
reappear.
It is then that Mata Vaishnavi appeared in his vision
(dream) and told him to search for her at the Holy Cave situated amidst the
folds of the Trikuta Mountain. She showed him the way to the Holy Cave and
insisted him to break his fast. Pandit Shridhar then went on to discover the
Holy Cave in the mountains. Every time he seemed to lose the way, the vision of
his dreams reappeared before his eyes and finally he reached his destination.
Upon entering the Cave he found a rock form with three heads atop it. At that
moment Mata Vaishno Devi appeared before him in all her glory (another version
says that the Supreme Energies of Mata Maha Saraswati, Mata Maha Lakshmi and
Mata Maha Kali appeared in the Holy Cave) and introduced him to the three heads
(now known as the Holy Pindies) of the rock form along with various other
identification marks in the Holy Cave. She blessed him with a boon of four sons
and a right to worship her manifestation and asked him to spread the glory of
the Holy Shrine all over. Pandit Shridhar then spent his remaining life in the
service of Mata at the Holy Cave.
As per the legend, during the period when the Goddess was
busy in annihiliting the Asuras, Her three main manifestations viz. Mata Maha
Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati got together one day and pooled
their collective Tejas or spiritual strength. A stunningly bright light
emanated from the place where the Tejas of the three manifestations
coalesced and a beautiful young girl emerged out of this Tejas. The young girl
asked them, "Why have I been created?'' The Devis explained to her that
they had created her so that she would live on earth and spend her time in
upholding righteousness.
The
Devis added, "Now, go and take birth in the house of Ratankar and his wife
who reside in the southern part of India, and who are great devotees of ours.
Live on earth. Uphold righteousness and evolve yourself spiritually so that you
reach higher levels of consciousness. Once you have attained the appropriate
level of consciousness you will merge into Vishnu and become one with him.'' So
saying they blessed the girl. Sometimes later a very beautiful girl child was
born to Ratankar and his wife. The couple named the child Vaishnavi. The girl
right from her childhood displayed a hunger for knowledge which was like a
vortex and which no amount of teaching and learning could sufficiently satiate.
Subsequently, Vaishnavi started looking into her inner self for knowledge, and
soon learned the art of meditation and realized that meditation and penance
only could bring her close to her greater objective. Vaishnavi thus
relinquished all household comforts and went deep into the forest for Tapasaya
(meditation). Meanwhile, Lord Rama, during his fourteen years of exile
happened to visit Vaishnavi who recognized him immediately as no ordinary being
but the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and immediately asked him to merge her into
himself so that she could become one with the supreme creator.
However Lord Rama, knowing that it
was not the appropriate time, dissuaded her by saying that he would visit her
again after the end of his exile, and at that time if she succeeded in
recognizing him, he would fulfill her wish. True to his words, Rama visited her
again after being victorious in the battle, but this time he did so in the
disguise of an old man. Unfortunately, Vaishnavi was unable to recognize him
this time and was distraught. Upon this, Lord Rama consoled her that the
appropriate time for her being one with the creator had not come, and that time
would come eventually in 'Kaliyug' when He (Rama) would be in his incarnation
of 'Kalki'. Rama also directed her to meditate, and set up an Ashram at the
base of Trikuta hills, to elevate her level of spirituality so as to bless
mankind and rid the poor and destitute of their sufferings.Only then would
'Vishnu' merge her into himself. Vaishnavi, immediately set off for the northern
part and after immense hardships, reached the foot of the Trikuta Hills. After
reaching there she set up her ashram there and began to meditate.
As
predicted by Lord Rama, her glory spread far and wide, and people began to
flock to her Ashram to seek her blessings. As time passed, MahaYogi Guru
Goraksh Nath ji who had a vision of the episode between Lord Rama and Vaishnavi
in the retrospective time frame, became curious to find out whether Vaishnavi
has been able to attain a high level of spirituality or not. He, therefore,
sent his most able disciple 'Bhairon Nath' to find out the truth. Bhairon Nath
on locating the ashram started observing Vaishnavi secretly, and realised that
though a 'Sadhvi' she always carried bow and arrows with her, and was always
surrounded by langoors (apes) and a ferocious looking lion. Bhairon Nath was
enamored by Vaishnavi's extraordinary beauty, and losing all good sense he
began to pester Vaishnavi to marry him. Meanwhile a staunch devotee of
Vaiashnavi, Mata Sridhar organised a Bhandara (Community meal) in which
the whole village and MahaYogi Guru Goraksh Nath ji along with all his
followers including Bhairon were invited. During the course of Bhandara Bhairon
Nath attempted to grab Vaishnavi but she tried her best to daunt him. On
failing to do so, Vaishnavi decided to flee away into the mountains to continue
her Tapasaya undisturbed. Bhairon Nath however chased her to her
destination.
The goddess after halting at
(present day) Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Adhkwari, finally reached the holy
cave Shrine. When Bhairon Nath continued to follow her despite the goddess
trying to avoid a confrontation, the goddess was compelled to kill him. Bhairon
Nath met his ultimate fate when the goddess, just outside the mouth of the
cave, beheaded him. The severed head of Bhairon fell with a force at a distant
hilltop. Bhairon Nath upon death realised the futility of his mission and
prayed to the deity to forgive him. The almighty Mata (Mother Goddess) had
mercy on Bhairon and gave him a boon that every devotee of the goddess would
have to have the Darshans of Bhairon after having the Darshans of the Goddess
and only then would the yatra of a devotee be complete. Meanwhile, Vaishnavi
decided to shed off her human form and assuming the face of a rock she immersed
herself into meditation forever. Thus Vaishnavi, in the form of a five and a
half feet tall rock with three heads or the Pindies on the top is
the ultimate destination of a devotee. These Pindies constitute
the Sanctum Sanctorum of the holy cave known as the shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi Ji, which is revered by one and all.
MAHA KALI
Towards
the right of the devotee is the Holy Pindi of Mata Maha Kali (the Supreme
Energy of Dissolution) in the colour associated with Her i.e. black. The
Supreme Energy of dissolution is Mata Maha Kali. She represents the Tam Guna-
the quality associated with the darker and unknown realms of life. Tam stands
for darkness. Psychology and science state that only a very small per cent of
the Universe is conscious. The remaining is still subconscious or unconscious.
These unknown realms contain all the mysteries of life. Creation is a
phenomenon, which exists within a specific time. However the Energy that
transcends the barriers of time is the Eternal Time or Maha Kali. Since man’s
knowledge about life is very limited and he remains in the dark about most of
it, it is represented by the colour black which is associated with Mata Maha
Kali. She is the basic source of all that is mystical and unknown to man. In
her attribute of Maha Kali, the Mother Goddess constantly guides her devotees
to conquer the forces of darkness.
MAHA LAKSHMI
In the centre is the
Holy Pindi of Mata Maha Lakshmi (the Supreme Energy of Maintenance) with a
yellowish-red tinge, the colour associated with Mata Maha Lakshmi. Mata Maha
Lakshmi is the Supreme Energy of Maintenance. She represents Rajas Guna- the quality
of inspiration and effort, and is considered to be the basic source of wealth,
prosperity, material gains, quality of life etc. Wealth and prosperity are
better represented by the colour of gold, which is yellow, and hence associated
with Mata Maha Lakshmi.
MAHA SARASWATI
The Pindi to the
extreme left of the viewer is worshipped as the Holy Pindi of Mata Maha
Saraswati (the Supreme Energy of Creation). It has a whitish tinge when looked
at attentively. White has also been considered the colour associated with Mata
Maha Saraswati. Being the Supreme force of Creation, Mata Maha Saraswati is
considered to be the basic source of all Creation, Knowledge, Wisdom,
Righteousness, Art, Spiritualism, Piousness etc. Since white is a colour that
denotes piousness and purity, hence it is associated with Mata Maha Saraswati.
She represents the Satva Guna- the quality of purity.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be an incarnation of the three Supreme Energies.
All Human beings contain attributes of the three above mentioned Guns (qualities) and their behavior is determined by the Guna which is predominant in their nature. But, in order to lead a meaningful life, a proper balance among these three is necessary. The Holy Cave is charged with such energy that it helps in creating this vital but rare balance in a person. This is what makes the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji unique in the entire world.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be an incarnation of the three Supreme Energies.
All Human beings contain attributes of the three above mentioned Guns (qualities) and their behavior is determined by the Guna which is predominant in their nature. But, in order to lead a meaningful life, a proper balance among these three is necessary. The Holy Cave is charged with such energy that it helps in creating this vital but rare balance in a person. This is what makes the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji unique in the entire world.
