Kamalā — The Lotus-Goddess, the Power of Wealth. The Night-of-Splendour (Mahā-rātrī)
According to the Śaiva Tantra when Everlasting-Siva (Sadā-śiva) takes over the function of Viṣṇu and sustains and conserves the world, then Kamalā becomes his consort. She is the embodiment of all that is materially and spiritually desirable, the exact counterpart of the Smoky-One (Dhūmavatī). The signs of the zodiac associated with these 2 goddesses are in opposition. Kamalā rules over the auspicious nakṣatra Rohini in Taurus, giver of wealth, while Dhūmavati rules over the nakshatra Jyeṣṭha in the sign Scorpio which brings poverty. (Dhūmavati is identified with Alakṣmī)
Kamalā is the power inherent in prosperity. As the energy of preservation she represents the potential for universal well-being that can only be accomplished through the correct utilisation of resources. She is the only one of the Daśa-mahā-vidyās who is totally benevolent and compassionate.
In fact coming last in the list of Mahā-vidyās, she represents the “normative” state of what most people are comfortable with. Kāli is the most discomforting of all – representing Time, change, alienation, separation, loss and death. Kamalā represents life, prosperity, material well-being, comfort, the familiar. As the preserving energy she bestows stability and security — she represents the state of mind which contributes to further continuity in Saṁsāra, whereas Kāli represents the Liberating force. Although Kamalā-consciousness is the default state of the average person, she is precisely the mind-set one needs to restrain, overcome and finally transcend in order to be liberated from Saṁsāra.
The aspect of the eternal night corresponding to Kamalā bears the same name, Mahā-rātri, as the night of Kali but is interpreted to mean the Night of Splendour.
According to the Śaiva Tantra when Everlasting-Siva (Sadā-śiva) takes over the function of Viṣṇu and sustains and conserves the world, then Kamalā becomes his consort. She is the embodiment of all that is materially and spiritually desirable, the exact counterpart of the Smoky-One (Dhūmavatī). The signs of the zodiac associated with these 2 goddesses are in opposition. Kamalā rules over the auspicious nakṣatra Rohini in Taurus, giver of wealth, while Dhūmavati rules over the nakshatra Jyeṣṭha in the sign Scorpio which brings poverty. (Dhūmavati is identified with Alakṣmī)
Kamalā is the power inherent in prosperity. As the energy of preservation she represents the potential for universal well-being that can only be accomplished through the correct utilisation of resources. She is the only one of the Daśa-mahā-vidyās who is totally benevolent and compassionate.
In fact coming last in the list of Mahā-vidyās, she represents the “normative” state of what most people are comfortable with. Kāli is the most discomforting of all – representing Time, change, alienation, separation, loss and death. Kamalā represents life, prosperity, material well-being, comfort, the familiar. As the preserving energy she bestows stability and security — she represents the state of mind which contributes to further continuity in Saṁsāra, whereas Kāli represents the Liberating force. Although Kamalā-consciousness is the default state of the average person, she is precisely the mind-set one needs to restrain, overcome and finally transcend in order to be liberated from Saṁsāra.
The aspect of the eternal night corresponding to Kamalā bears the same name, Mahā-rātri, as the night of Kali but is interpreted to mean the Night of Splendour.
Comments
Post a Comment