Shakti - Why is Active Energy depicted as female?

Shiva represents consciousness, the divine consciousness or the Self and Shakthi represents vibrant energy, vitality, the creative power. Shiva and Shakti represent the masculine and feminine aspects on all levels of existence.The self-complementary Ardhanareeswara (half man, half woman) concept. When this androgynous, self-complementary energy  is divided into two, they turn into the latent or passive consciousness and the pure, vibrant energy without any consciousness. OR we can say that, Shiva is the passive or latent Shakthi and Shakthi is the active Shiva. Shakthi or the active Shiva can unleash untold miseries. We have heard the story of Kali (MahaKali) and her unbridled fury which was tamed by stepping on Shiva. This is a symbolic representation of how the divine consciousness neutralizes the violent, mindless, raging energy. 
Let us come back to the topic of discussion - Why is the active energy of the Universe depicted as female? So far nobody knows who did or when this division and naming occurred. The only guess one can make is that highly intelligent and developed creatures have walked this planet, at times beyond our imagination. So let us try to explain this from our level of understanding. 
Let us look at it from the cellular level. Our cells contain free floating organelles called mitochondria. They are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They function like a digestive system of the cell. They take nutrients, breaks it down and create energy rich molecules for the cell. This bio-chemical process is known as cellular respiration. Mitochondria contains their own genomes. The human zygote contains only the mitochondrial DNA from the egg cell, the sperm mitochondrial DNA do not contribute genetic information to the embryo.So the powerhouse of the cell or the mitochondria is inherited from Mothers. At a cellular level itself energy source is contributed by the females. This might be a reason why energy is considered female. 

In each person, the Shiva and the Shakthi are there, but are set apart. Shiva or the divine consciousness resides in the Sahasrara Chakra and Shakthi or the divine creative energy is coiled up in the Mooladhara Chakra. So each person is incomplete as such. So, to attain perfection or moksha, in each life, a little effort and time should be spend in bringing the Kundalini energy coiled up in the mooladhara to the Sahasrara. Otherwise one will be tied up in samsara endlessly.

Nirguna and Saguna

Nirguna and Saguna are the two aspects of experiencing God. 

Nirguna is the eternal, all pervading, omnipresent divine consciousness. Nirguna Brahman is pure energy, vibrant and conscious, that is at work in the Universe - The Supreme Parabrahman or the Supreme Self.

Saguna is the manifestation of Brahman in form, any form, which is limited. But the energy behind it is Nirguna. 
Why depend on the Saguna aspect? This is because, it is very difficult for the vast majority of people to comprehend the eternal, all pervading, omnipresent divine consciousness / energy. For them it is much easier to have a divine incarnation or figurehead to turn to. In the Saguna aspect the Brahman appears in the human form, as incarnations to lead the vast majority to the Nirguna Parabrahman. The source of this devotion to the Saguna aspect is the Nirguna aspect in the human beings. 

Our Self /Atma is Nirguna, about which we are not conscious, and our physical body is Saguna, about which we are too much conscious of. Our Atma is a tiny spark of light encased in the five *Koshas /Sheaths. 

Like the river whose ultimate goal is to reunite with the ocean, the ultimate goal of the individual selves is to reunite with the eternal, all pervading divine consciousness. But we all know only like objects /things can merge into one another seamlessly. So as
 long as our personal limitations and karmas are not overcome, we cannot reunite with the Divine. Until self realisation occurs we are bound by samsara (the cycles of birth and death). 

When each person realizes the Nirguna aspect in him, he attains liberation or Moksha. So for God-realization one has to have Self-realization - one has to become conscious of one's Nirguna aspect. 

Krama Mukthi - Gradual Liberation of the Soul

Knowledge and meditation aim at the realization of the Supreme Parabrahman / Moksha. Moksha is not the effect or product of knowledge, it is knowledge itself. Moksha is neither a mass of consciousness nor self-consciousness. Moksha is the very life and order of the Universe, ever present, unchanging. 

Meditation on the nirguna brahman is the greatest eye-opener. It casts away the veil of maya and the jiva (soul of the meditator) realizes its identity with the brahman. This state of realization is known as Sadyo Mukthi - Immediate Liberation. It happens to very few. The instant illumination is a unique experience. There is no gradual stages in Sadyo Mukthi. It is at once being Brahman.

Then there is Jivan Mukthi, which means liberation when one is still alive. When the gross body of the jivanmuktha dies, the jiva attains Videha Mukthi. The jiva then drops off the subtle body (mind) and leaves the cycle of samsara for good. 
The Jivan Muktha is in the highest state of knowledge (Jnana) - the state of self-absorption, non-related and self- identical (I am that I am). There isn't much difference between the jivan muktha and videha muktha, because a jivan muktha is unaware of his body. He still dons a body due to the lingering traces of Prarabda Karma. 

Upasana on the saguna brahman also leads to mukthi - but not directly or immediately. When the gross body dies, the jiva (soul) along with the subtle body is led to the brahma loka (the loka of brahma not Brahman), along the deva marga (the path of light). The sense of duality of the jiva continues. The jiva along with its subtle body enjoys the proximity with the saguna brahman, which is now called kaarya brahman/ hiranyagarbha/ prajaapati etc. The jiva that has been to brahma loka does not have to re-enter samsara. This is considered as a step towards final mukthi. So termed Krama Mukthi. 

Bonalu - Festival of Telengana

Bonalu is the annual festival of Telengana. It is celebrated in the month of Ashada, in July - August. The festival involves the worship of Mother Goddess in regional forms - Mysamma, Yellamma, Pochamma, Pedamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maramma, Nookalamma. Special poojas are performed for the Goddess on the first and last days of the festival. It is also a festival of thanksgiving to the Goddess for the fulfillment of wishes. 

On the festival day, women dressed up in silk sarees and jewellery walk to the temple carrying a pot (Bonam) of specially prepared food, an offering to the goddess, balanced on their heads, accompanied by the rhythmic beating of the drums. 
Women carrying Bonalu are believed to be possesed by the spirit of Mother Goddess. On their walk towards the temple, people pour water on their feet to pacify the the aggressive spirit of the Goddess. A bare bodied man smeared with turmuric, wearing anklets and a lemon in his mouth, wearing  red dhoti and neem leaves accompanies the women carrying pots, who dances to the rhythm of the drum beats. He is called Potharaju. He is supposed to be the brother of Mother Goddess. He is the initiator of the festivities and the protector of the women who are in a trance. He lashes a whip and dances to the beat of drums. Every group of devotees also offer a Thottelu (a tower shaped structure made of colorful paper and sticks), as a mark of respect.

The festival Bonalu is celebrated as the homecoming of the Goddess. So the devotees prepare special meals and offer it to her amidst great festivities to show their love and affection, just as they would do when their own daughters visit them annually. 
There is another story associated with the origin of Bonalu, related to the army. In 1813, when the Hyderabad Military Battalion was deployed in Ujjain, a plague broke out in the Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, in which thousands perished. The soldiers prayed for the eradication of the plague in the Mahakaali Temple in Ujjain. They offered to install her idol in their city when they returned. The plague was eradicated and the soldiers installed the idol of the Goddess in the city and offered food (Bonalu), as thanksgiving. This tradition is followed to date. 

The festival kick starts on the first sunday of the month of Ashada, in the Mahankali Temple located inside Golconda Fort. Next sunday at Ujjaini Mahakali Temple (known as Lashker Bonalu), Balkampet Yellamma Temple. Then at Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple and Sri Akkanna and Madanna Mahankali Temple in the old city of Hyderabad. 

On the monday following the Bonalu festivities, an oracle foretells the future. The oracle is an unmarried lady.  This is known as Rangam, after which the procession starts with the Ghatam.

The home-coming of the goddess is in the form of Ghatam, which is a copper pot decorated in the form of the Goddess. After Rangam  is the procession, Bonalu Jatara, with the  Ghatam carried by the priest. A decorated picture of the Goddess is carried in the procession on an elephant through different lanes of Secunderabad. This is known as saganampu. Festivities end with the immersion of the Ghatam.

A feast follows the festival.

The enemy within - Arishadvarga

Arishadvarga, the six negative characteristics of human nature are the greatest hindrance to Salvation or Moksha. In Sanskrit Ari means enemy, shad means six and varga means group. So the word arishadvarga means a group of six enemies. These six enemies are within you. So only you can eliminate them. If you don't, they will corrode or eat away your innate spirituality and  gradually you will forget about your True being. 

These are the Arishadvarga(s): 

• Kama - Lust / Desire 
• Krodha - Anger 
• Lobh - Greed / Covetousness 
• Moha -  Temptation / Delusion 
• Mada / Ahamkara - Pride / Intoxication 
• Matsarya - Envy / Jealousy 

These six passions, which are the fundamental tenets of Kali yug,   are connected. One leads to the other.  When kama is obstructed krodha arises. But when kama is fulfilled, the person is filled with lobh (greed). 
When one is filled with anger or greed, one succumbs to delusion or temptation (moha). Such a person is unable to perceive the Truth.
When ones greed is fulfilled one becomes intoxicated or becomes overcome with pride (mada). Anger too gives rise to intoxication. A person overcome with anger can cause physical, mental and emotional harm to others. 
Pride makes one egocentric, such a person can't stand the good fortune of others. Thus envy (matsarya) sets in. 

Bhakti (Devotion to the Supreme Being) and renunciation are the only ways through which one can overcome the arishadvarga. In the Bhagvad Gita, this is what Krishna says : "When the feelings of I and Mine disappears, the mind at once becomes pure and is fit enough to lead you to me. The pleasures and pains of the world will not affect it any more. When it is equipped with Vairagya  (detachment or rather non-attachment), with Bhakti which is devotion to me and with Gyana (Jnana)  which is knowledge about the truth about me, the mind is able to perceive the Brahman." 

A person controlled by his passions is like a person lost in a dense forest. He is controlled by the forest. Here the forest represents the destiny. But when one begins to walk on the path of Self-realization, one is able to visualize one's goal - the Brahman. The grip of the destiny loosens and one is able to change one's own destiny. When a person identifies himself with the Self, he becomes a part of the Power of Destiny. His intentions, then, start materializing and he is able to change any situation - good or bad. 

The more each individual fights these negative passions, the more is the life of dying dharma in Kali yug. Practice of meditation and and other purification techniques can gradually eliminate these harmful characteristics. 

Religions play an important role in strengthening the self-control of their followers. They put up role models and encourage the public to follow them. It is found that self-control is contagious.  Thus the religions try their best to maintain  peaceful societies. 

   "prakritim yanti bhutani, 
     nigrahah kim karishyathi" 
(The living beings follow their own innate nature, what can repression do. - Bhagvad Gita) 

Lakshmi - The Goddess of Wealth

Lakshmi is the divine feminine that complements Lord Vishnu or the Supreme Being. Lakshmi is seen in two forms - Bhudevi and Sridevi. Bhudevi is mother Earth or aparam Prakriti, representing the material world or energy.  Sridevi represents the spiritual world or energy called Prakriti. So she is also known as Sri. Lakshmi is the embodiment of the creative energy of Vishnu and the primordial Prakriti who creates the Universe. 

We can find mentions of Lakshmi in Rig veda and Atharva veda. The epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana has her references. In Mahabharatha she personifies wealth, riches, beauty, happiness, grace, charm and splendor. In Ramayana and Vishnu Purana, Lakshmi springs out with other celestial objects from the Ocean of Milk, when it is churned by the Gods and Demons for Amrut - the elixir of immortality. She appeared with a lotus, so she is also called Padma. According to Garuda Purana, Linga Purana and Padma Purana, Lakshmi is the daughter of Sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyaati and was called Bhargavi. According to another legend, in Shatapatha Brahmana, she is said to have emerged during the creation of the Universe - floating in the water on a lotus. Sri is described as a beautiful, resplendent and trembling woman at her birth with immense energy and powers. The Gods were bewitched at first, later became jealous of her powers. They asked Prajapati's (the Creator) permission to kill her and snatch her powers, gifts and talents. Prajapati told them that males must not kill females and asked them to seek gifts without violence. So the Gods approached her and she distributed different gifts/ powers to different Gods.

Lakshmi, the name is derived from the Sanskrit root-words laks and laksa. Laks means to perceive, observe, know and understand. Laksa means goal, aim and objective. So Lakshmi stands for 'know and understand your goal'. 

Lakshmi is depicted as either standing or sitting on a lotus and holding lotus flowers in two of her hands. Lotus is a symbol of knowledge and self-realization. Money / gold coins flow out of one of her hands or from a pot of gold held in the hand. Wealth manifested through Lakshmi is both material and spiritual. One of her hands show abhaya mudra that signify compassion and charity. She has a total of four arms. The four arms are symbolic of four goals of humanity: 1. Dharma - pursuit of ethics - moral life. 2. Artha - pursuit of wealth - means of life. 3. Kaama - pursuit of love - emotional fulfillment. 4. Moksha - pursuit of self-knowledge - liberation. She is clad in gold embroidered red cloths, which symbolizes beauty and wealth. Sometimes one or two pairs of elephants holding lotus flowers or spewing water are seen in the background. They represent strength, activity, fertility, abundance and prosperity. Sometimes an owl is also present in the picture. Owl represents the patience to see through the darkness. Lakshmi is also known as Ulkavahini meaning one who rides an owl. 

The Goddess of wealth is often depicted along with her husband Lord Vishnu. This implies that wealth and prosperity is coupled with maintenance of life, justice and peace. Lakshmi acts as the mediator between Lord Vishnu and his devotees. Lakshmi is the personification of spiritual fulfillment. She embodies the spiritual world, Vaikunta - the abode of Lord Vishnu. 

In ancient India, women were considered as the embodiments of Lakshmi. The bride and groom in Indian marriages symbolized Lakshmi and Vishnu. 

Lakshmi is worshiped on Sharad Poornima (Kojagari Poornima), the full moon night following Dussehra or Durga Puja,in the month of October. It is believed that Lakshmi visits the home of her devotees and showers blessings of wealth on that day. Lakshmi is also worshiped on Diwali night. Red flowers are offered to Lakshmi.  

Representations of Lakshmi are found in Jain temples too. A diety called Vasudhara who resembles Lakshmi is worshiped by Buddhist sects. 

Ashta Lakshmi is a group of eight secondary manifestations of Lakshmi. They preside over eight sources of wealth. Thus represents the eight powers of Sri Lakshmi. 

• Adi Lakshmi - The first manifestation of Lakshmi. 
• Dhaanya Lakshmi - Granary Wealth. 
• Veera Lakshmi - Wealth of Courage. 
• Gaja Lakshmi - (Elephants spraying water) Wealth of fertility, rains and food. 
• Santana Lakshmi - Progeny, wealth of continuity. 
• Vijaya Lakshmi - Wealth of Victory. 
• Aishwarya Lakshmi - Wealth of Knowledge and Education. 
• Dhana Lakshmi - Monetary Wealth. 

Durga - The Invincible one

Shakti the divine feminine half of Shiva has two aspects: the benevolent and the fierce. She is worshiped in various forms of the above two aspects. The Benevolent forms are Uma, Gauri, Parvati, Jagatmatha. And the Fierce forms are Durga, Kali, Chandi, Bhairavi. We find mentions of Durga, the invincible one, in the Vedic literature, Mahabharatha and Ramayana.

According to Shiva Purana and Devi Mahatmiya, Durga first appeared, as a beautiful warrior seated on a tiger. This form of Shakti was created from the combined anger of the Gods and Lord Vishnu, for the annihilation of the demon Mahishasura ( buffalo demon ), who became invincible through great penance and unleashed terror on earth and defeated the Gods. Durga had eighteen arms and each hand held a different weapon, given by the Gods. She mounted a ferocious lion, fought with Mahishasura and vanquished him. So she is also known as Mahishasuramardhini. Symbolically Durga epitomises the victory of good over evil.

Another version of the story is that Shiva helped Parvathi to realise that she is Adishakti (the pure energy of the Universe). In times of great distress and helplessness, Adishakthi manifested in the Fierce forms to eliminate the evil: as Durga to kill Mahishasura and as Kali ( the Black one) to kill Raktabija. Thus Durga as the mother of Universe, provides humans with the opportunity for a peaceful life and Salvation.

Durga Puja is celebrated in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and all over the world. In India, generally it is celebrated from the sixth to the tenth day of the waning moon in the month of Ashvin (September - October). In Nepal the festival is known a Dashain and celebrated for ten days. Durga is worshiped in her ten forms, one form per day. The ten forms are Kushmanda, Chandraghanta, Brahmacharini, Shailaputri, Skandamatha, Katyayani, Kalarathri, Mahagauri, Mahakali and Durga. 

In North India the festival is known as Dussehra. Both Dussehra and Dashain mean 'victory on the tenth day'. In the North Dussehra is celebrated as the victory of Ram over Ravana. Gigantic straw effigies of Ravana are burnt on that day. Elsewhere,  Durga is worshiped on the preceding nine days (Navarathri) and her victory is celebrated on the tenth day ( Vijaya Dasami ). As in Dashain different forms are worshipped each day. In West Bengal, huge Durga Pandals are put up. 

In Telengana, Durga is celebrated as Bathukamma - a flower festival during Navarathri. Bathukamma is the cultural icon of Telengana. 

Durga Puja, also, commemorates the annual visit of the Goddess with her children ( Ganesh and Karthikeya) to her parents' home (Himalaya) and leaving on the tenth day to be reunited with Lord Shiva. The immersion of the Durga idols on the tenth day symbolizes this. 

Now, in the Northern States of India Durga is worshiped as a gentle bride epitomizing family unity and in the Southern states and elsewhere as a warrior. 

A part of the Durga Sloka / Devi Mantra : 

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Matri rupena samsthita 
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti rupena samsthita 
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shanti rupena samsthita 
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namoh Namah 
Meaning: 
The Goddess who is omnipresent as the personification of the Universal mother
The Goddess who is omnipresent as the embodiment of Power 
The Goddess who is omnipresent as the symbol of Peace 
I bow to her, I bow to her, I bow to her.