Thus Spake the Divine - Redness of Kamakshi

Thus Spake the Divine

Redness of Kamakshi

In this chapter, Kamakshi’s complexion is described as red. Maha Periyava highlights the divine Leela of Ambal in transforming the action-less Brahmam into the dynamic Kameshvara with the aid of Manmatha.

Kamakshi is the Mother of this Universe, who has borne sugarcane bow and flower arrows in Her hands for protecting the entire Universe. She is holding flower arrows to liberate all living beings from irresolute senses and sugarcane bow to detach their minds from passions and obsessions. The irony here is that the same sugarcane bow and the same five flower arrows are also held by Manmatha (God of Love), whose purpose is exactly opposite to that of Ambal! He is using the bow and arrow to trigger insatiable lust and passion among all living beings through their sensory organs!

But even this is the game plan of Ambal! She is the one who has conferred such powers on Manmatha. When a fruit evolves, initially, it is totally unripe and hence it tastes bitter. Then, it turns astringent and later sour. Ultimately, it mellows down as fully- ripened fruit. Similarly, human beings also go through different stages of evolution before they become completely mature like a fully ripened fruit.

To reach this stage, Ambal has created Nature’s laws and its stimuli. We should never let these momentums sweep us away. This may not be possible for us initially. We should not become upset because of it. We should pray to Ambal for guidance with ultimate trust. We can thus control these impetuses gradually. Even while indulging in activities of this worldly life, we should keep contemplating on the question, “Is there any purpose in this life?” This very contemplation is the purpose of our life! Its constant thought brings in frustration, which compels us to release ourselves from the worldly bindings of life. Though we will be driven by stimulus and natural inclinations based on the stage of life we are in, we should not lose heart. We should continue worshipping Para Shakti. At the end, just as an astringent fruit turns fully ripe, detaches itself from the plant, and drops on the ground, we will also dissociate ourselves from the bindings of samsara to fall at the Feet of Ambal and unify with Her.

There are many humans, who have accumulated Karmas from their erstwhile lives. To extinguish all these Karmas, they have to necessarily take several births. Once we take a janma, we have two options; we can accumulate more of Karma or we can reduce our loads of Karma. To extinguish our Karma, there is no other choice other than taking a janma and living in the best possible way by adhering to the rules of Dharma. Ultimately, once the entire Karma is extinguished, we will reach a stage, where we will not need to take any more janmas. Only to escape further janmas, one has to take a janma. Only to induce people into taking janmas, Ambal has created the feeling of lust and appointed Manmatha as its Head!

That is why everyone should know his own limits. Ambal will never let Manmatha use his tactics on Her devotees and Jnyanis. She is the one who has made Parameshvara, the Maha Jnyani, to love her. Manmatha tries his tactics on Parameshvara as well. The result is that Parameshvara opens his Third Eye and burns him into ashes. After that He sits still.

If Parameshvara remains still and inactive, how will the drama of this Universe continue? Therefore, Ambal takes the sugarcane bow and flower arrows of Manmatha and places them in front of Parameshvara. Unlike Manmatha, who was egoistic and boasts about his role, She acts with utmost humility. Immediately, the Maha Jnyani, Parameshvara, turns amorous! She overwhelmingly glances at Him with Her love-filled eyes and He also turns into love-filled Kameshvar!

Brahmam, who became still and action-less, is induced with compassion for global wellbeing by Kamakshi. Brahmam, who is colourless transparent form, turns into red Lingam at that time.

Generally, love and compassion are signified by red colour. Even in Tamil, to signify a virtuous heart, we use red colour (Sevviya Ullam). Thus, red is the complexion of Kamakshi, which is also the colour of compassion.

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.