Naina Devi: The Goddess (The Devine Nature)
U.S.Sizwalee
An Ancient glorious temple is situated on the upper side of Naini Lake (Tririshi Sarovar ) of world famous tourist place – the Nainital . Earlier , this temple was situated at a place , which is now called as Band Stand . The land – slide of 1880 slipped to the present place . This temple was build by a local resident (Late) Amarnath Sah between October 1982 to 1983.
Nania Devi is worshipped as local Goddess of Uttarakhand . This epics indicate that Naina Devi is the original power of Shiva , the root creator and Annapurna.
It is also referred in epics that Naina Devi a wife of Shiva , who is called Sati Mahamaya . It is also described that a Yajna was organized and god and goddess were invited to attend the yajna , but lord Shiva was ignored to be invited in this yajna in order to dishonouring him . The wife of Shiva (the Sati) attended this yajna without the permission of Shiva . But to dishonour , her husband , who was humiliated by her family members and ,thus ,she could not bear this humiliation and jumped into the fire /flames of yajna and her body was torn off into pieces during Shiva (Rudra) Natyam dance because he took the body of sati and danced furiously . Many of her body –pieces spred all over India. It is also believed tha Vishnu torn off her body into pieces by his Chakra which fell on different parts of India.It is also believed that her eys fells at Nainital , thus , the place became famous as Naina Tal or Nainital.
Naina Devi is considered as the root power of shiva ‘s activities . This power is described in epics as under :
“Nityev sa Jaganmurtistastaya sarvmidam tatam,
Tathap Tatsamurtipattirbahudha Bhruyatam mam:
Devanam Karyshiddyarth Mavirbhawati sa yada,
Utpanneti Sadaloke sa nityapashiyate .”
(Durga Saptsati , First Chapter 64/65)
When this power descended on the earth for the execution of work and it is referred to as incarnated . Although it is neither male , nor female ,nor unach ,yet some people call it “Nirguna”(without identity ) or ‘Saguna’ (with identity ).When this power , the goddess executes a certain work than it is called ‘Saguna Executive’ when this assimilates with Shiva , then it is called ‘Nirguna Executive’. Thus most powerful Sati Possesses both types of power . When the power is ‘Nirguna’, it possesses the qualities of ‘Saguna ‘ as well as of ‘Nirguna’ or vice –versa.
The power of goddess has already been explained by herself in Shiva Purana u.s 48/27/30. This power – I am the sole creator , external sight ,multifacet and by faced as well. I am all, nobody is disintegrable , no matter is separate from me. I am ‘Sakara’ in Nirakara ‘. I am Possessing all elements. Sometimes , I incarnate as female power and sometimes as male power and, sometimes as male+ Female power (Ardha – Narishwar). I am Savitri Swaroopa .Iam Creator of the Brahma , I am bringing up master – The Vishnu , and I am the destroyer , the Rudra . Iam the hypnotizer of the whole world.
This Power is shown to be reflected in ten faces: 1. Vishnu , 2. Varda, 3. Varishtha, 4. Varvarni, 5. Rishtha, 6. Varaha, 7.Vararoha, 8. Neelganga, 9. Sandhya and 10. Yog Mokshda.
Another rhyme depicts the power of goddess as under:
“Adishakte Jagan matbhaktantu grahakarini,
Sarvatra Vypike(a) nantare Shri Sandhya te namostute:
Twamev Sandhya Gayatri , Shavitri eh SArswati,
Brahami ch Vaishnavi Raudri rakta shweta Sitetara:
Pratarbala ch madhyahne yovanawastha tatah punah,
Vriddha Sayam bhagwati chintyase munibhih sada:
Hansastha garudastha tatha Vrishvahini,
Rigvedadhyayini Bhoomau drashyase tapashwabih:
Yagurvedam pathanti ch antrikshe Virajse,
Sa samgapi sarveshu Bhramyamana tatha bhuvi”.
The power of goddess blesses her devotees , living in all beings ,innumerable facets and in Shree Sandhya form. It is called Sandhya , Gyatri , Savitri , Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Raudri , Rakta, Shweta and Krshna: Bala in morning , Yuvati in noon and Briddha in evening – all saints pray goddess . The power is called Brahmi , Hansarudha , Saraswati , Savitri , Vrisharuddha. Brahmi Rigveddhyayini is seen by tapasvis. Savitri reading Yajurveda in the Space. She sings Samveda on the earth.
