From a satsang with Pt. Umadutt Maharaj, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Bhakti Jyot Mandali
In the grand expanse of the cosmos, Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the universe, once found himself exhausted after a battle that spanned tens of thousands of years. Seeking rest, he assumed the lotus posture, padmaasanaa, and supported his head with his bow under his chin. Entranced by the divine sleep induced by Yoga Maya, the Mother of Sleep, he lay undisturbed on the riverbank.
As time passed, the Devas were engaged in a grand sacrifice. However, since Vishnu Bhagwan is the Lord of sacrifices, his absence threatened the success of their sacred rites. Without him, there would be no fruition of the yagya. Concerned, they sought him and found him in deep sleep. Lord Shiva, acknowledging the sanctity of rest, advised against disturbing Vishnu. Yet, realising the necessity, they turned to Brahma for a solution.
Brahma devised a plan to awaken Vishnu without direct disturbance. He created small white ants to gnaw at the bowstring supporting Vishnu’s head. This act, though seemingly minor, had profound consequences. As the string broke, a cataclysmic reaction ensued: lightning flashed, earthquakes shook the earth, tsunamis arose and the entire universe seemed to destabilise. When the chaos subsided, the Devas were horrified to find Vishnu decapitated.
In their distress, the Devas turned to Brahma, who reminded them that all events, auspicious or otherwise, are part of the divine plan. He urged them to seek the intervention of the Divine Mother, Devi Maa, the ultimate source of support and protection in times of crisis. She is Mahamaya, the Great Illusionist, the mother of the universe who transcends all worldly attributes.
Devi Maa, upon being invoked, appeared before the Devas, pleased with their devotion. She listened to their plea and revealed that this calamity was part of her divine play. To restore Vishnu, she instructed them to replace his head with that of a horse. Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, crafted the horse head, and through the recitation of sacred mantras, Vishnu was resuscitated.
This divine intervention was not without purpose. Devi Maa explained that a demon named Hyagriva, who had obtained a boon making him invincible except to one with a horse’s head, was causing havoc in the universe. Vishnu Bhagavan, with his new form, was destined to confront and destroy Hyagriva. This was the fulfilment of the divine plan, orchestrated by Devi Maa to rid the world of evil forces.
In the ensuing battle, Vishnu, embodying divine strength, vanquished Hyagriva, restoring balance and peace. Through this act, Devi Maa demonstrated her supreme power and the inevitability of divine justice. Her intervention underscores that all actions, even those beyond human comprehension, are guided by the Divine for the ultimate good.
Devi Maa is the essence of all creation, the sustainer and protector, the source of supreme knowledge and divine energy. She is the embodiment of Brahma Vidya, the wisdom that transcends all realms of existence. By invoking her grace, the Devas and all beings are reminded of the profound truth: the Divine Mother is always present, ready to protect and guide her devotees, dispelling ignorance and eliminating negative forces from the world.
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