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Hinduism: Hymn to Kali
HYMN TO KaLi
VERSE 2
O MAHESI, 1 even should one of poor mind 2 at any time recite but once
another doubled Bija of Thine, composed of iSana, 3 and VamaSravaṇa, 4
and Bindu; 5 then, O Thou who hast great and formidable ear-rings of
arrow form, 6 who bearest on Thy head the crescent moon, such an one
becomes all powerful, 7 having conquered even the Lord of Speech 8 and
the Wealth-Giver, 9 and charmed countless youthful women with lotus-like
eyes. 10
COMMENTARY
'MaheSi'
Possessor of the great Power of creating, preserving and withdrawing.
'At any time' (Kadacit)
Durgarama-SiddhantavagiSa is of opinion that by the use of Kadachit it
is meant that unlike other religious Karma which can be done only in a
state of purity (Suci), Japa of the Mantra of Kali can be done at any
time whether one is in a state of purity or not (SaucaSauca-kala). Here
he says one should not give up the worship if there be a birth or death
in the house. The Tantra-Sastra says that one should do Japa of the
Mantra, whether one is in the state of purity or not, and whether
walking, standing or sleeping.
'Recite' (Japati)
Meditate upon.
'Of dual aspect' (Dvandvam)
Having the dual aspect of Siva-Sakti. The Tantra-Sastra speaks of the
King of Mantras being generated by the union of Siva and Sakti
p. 48
'Another Bija' (Bijamanyat)
Thy causal (Karaṇa) aspect which is the Bija Hūṁ. In the Yamala it is
said, 'It is with the double Sabdabija (which is Hūṁ) that She awakens
the mass of Sabda.'
'iSana'
Is iSvara. Kathopaniṣad says, 'Puruṣa is the size of only a thumb. He is
like smokeless fire, the Ishana of what has been and will be. He is
to-day and He is to-morrow. This is That.' Indu is immortality.
VamaSravaṇa is the power of granting speech and of attracting forms (Rūpa).
The Tantrabhidana says, 'Ū is Bhairava, subtle, Sarasvati . . .
attractor of forms.'
Who dost grant Nirvaṇa liberation. The Mahanirvaṇa-Tantra says, 'The
forehead of Her who is Nitya, Kalarūpa, Arūpa, and Siva Himself is
marked with the moon on account of immortality.'
'Dost bear the half-moon' (Chandrarddhacūde) 'Earrings'
Whose earrings (things very dear) are formed of two Sadhakas who are
like MaheSvara and simple as boys; that is child-like simple Sadhakas
who have true knowledge are dear to Her. In the Vivekacūdamaṇi it is
said, 'Just as a boy plays with toys heedless of hunger and other pain
so the wise man plays happy, unattached and selfless.' Such a Sadhaka
attains all forms of knowledge and riches and can charm the whole world.
(Mahaghorabalavataṁse)
There is however another reading given by Durgarama-SiddhantavagiSa
namely Mahaghorabalavataṁse, that is whose earrings are formed of
frightful arrows (Bana).
p. 49
Footnotes
47:1 p. 48 Sakti or MaheSa the Lord of even Brahma, Viṣṇu and Rudra (V).
The Devi as iSvari, (Ruler), of the Universe and Spouse of Nirguṇa
MaheSvara. iSvara, according to the Liṅga-Puraṇa, when associated with
Tamas, is Rudra the Destroyer; with Rajas, the One born from the golden
egg, Brahma; and with Sattva, Viṣṇu.
47:2 p. 49 Mandacetah who is not capable of devotion to thy lotus feet
according to Commentator K.B.; for, as the Brahmaṇda-Puraṇa says, all
sin is expiated by remembrance of the feet of the Supreme Sakti.
47:3 That is, Ha.
47:4 The 'left ear,' or long vowel ū.
47:5 Nada-bindu—that is, H + ū + ṁ = Hūṁ Hūṁ. He who makes Japa of Hūṁ
is more praiseworthy than Deva or Asura (ViSvasara-Tantra) (K.B.)
47:6 Worn by Kali: reading Bana instead of Bala as to which see post.
47:7 ViSvasara (K.B.).
47:8 Bṛhaspati, Guru of the Devas.
47:9 Dhanada, i.e. Kubera, Lord of Wealth, King of the Yakṣas; according
to one account the son, and, according to another, the grandson of
Pulastya (see Muir, OṢ., T. iv, 481, 488; v, 483; i, 492).
47:10 That is, to them are given eloquence and learning, riches and
beauty.
from Hinduism: Hymn to Kali
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