Manav Dharma Shastra Saptam Skandh: Unveiling the Mysteries of Adi Shakti and the Divine Feminine
Explore the profound teachings of the Saptam Skandh in Manav Dharma Shastra. Discover the secrets of Adi Shakti, the divine dialogue between Shiva and Parvati, and the spiritual significance of the 108 names of the Goddess.
________________________________________
The Saptam Skandh (Seventh Section) of the Manav Dharma Shastra is a divine discourse that reveals the esoteric science of the Divine Feminine (Adi Shakti). Composed by Gurudev Awadhoot Laxminarayan Ji, this section presents a sacred conversation between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Uma) on Mount Kailash.
While the world often worships the Divine Mother in various forms, this section answers the ultimate question: Is the Primordial Power one, or many? It decodes the cosmic play of creation, the symbolism behind the Goddess’s weapons and vehicles, and the power of Her names.
Here is a deep dive into the spiritual wisdom of the Saptam Skandh.
1. The Dialogue of Eternity: Shiva and Parvati
The section opens with Goddess Parvati asking Lord Shiva the fundamental questions of existence. She seeks to understand the nature of the Adi Shakti (Primordial Power) that the Vedas proclaim as the root of the universe.
Parvati asks:
• Is Adi Shakti one, or is she Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati?
• How did the seed of the universe come into being?
• What is the basis of sin, virtue, happiness, and sorrow?
Lord Shiva explains that the mystery of Adi Shakti is so profound that even sages strive for lifetimes to understand it. He reveals that while she appears as many, she is essentially the Divine Feminine force within the Supreme Being.
2. The Science of Creation: Mind and Matter
Oe of the most unique revelations in the Saptam Skandh is the explanation of how the universe was created—not just physically, but metaphysically.
• The Seed of Consciousness: Shiva explains that "Chit Chetna" (Mind/Consciousness) is the root of infinite seeds. Just as dew drops fall spontaneously from the sky and are held by blades of grass, seeds of creation drop from the "mental sky" of the Divine.
• The Role of the Divine Feminine: The Divine Masculine (Purush) provides the consciousness, but the Divine Feminine (Prakriti/Nari) acts as the womb. She conceives this thought-seed and manifests it into the five elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Sky).
• The Cosmic Mind: The entire world is an expansion of the mind. The collective consciousness acts as a river, with the three qualities (Sat, Raj, Tam) flowing through it.
"Chit Chetna Anan Mul Haye Uma | Tae Purushmaye Jan | Nari Garbdharani Matu Samajh ||" (Consciousness is the root of seeds; that is the Divine Masculine. The Matter/Divine Feminine conceives like a mother.)
3. The 108 Names: Decoding the Symbolism
The text provides a detailed explanation of the 108 Names of Adi Shakti, clarifying that these are not just labels but descriptions of Her functions and attributes. She changes her name based on the "Vriti" (thought vibration) of the collective consciousness.
Key Names and Their Meanings:
• Durga: She is called Durga because she is impregnable, like a fort, protecting the devotee.
• Sati: When the Divine Mind is stable and truthful, she is Sati.
• Bhavani: She generates emotions (Bhav) in the universe; hence she is the source of feelings.
• Kali: She is beyond time (Kaal) and has the power to turn bad times into good ones.
• Saraswati/Brahmavadini: She is the origin of speech and knowledge.
• Lakshmi/Maheshwari: She is the mother of abundance and prosperity.
• Mahishasur Mardini: She destroys ignorance (Agyan), which is symbolized by the buffalo (Mahisha).
4. The Secret of the Vehicles (Vahanas)
The Saptam Skandh offers a fascinating interpretation of the Goddess’s vehicles (Vahanas), explaining them as symbols of internal states rather than mere animals.
• The Lion: The lion represents Ego (Ahankar). The Goddess riding the lion symbolizes the power that controls and tames the ego.
• The Buffalo: The buffalo represents Ignorance (Agyata). It wanders in confusion, just as a creature trapped in ignorance wanders the world. Killing the buffalo symbolize destroying ignorance.
• The Swan (Hansa): The swan has the ability to separate milk from water. It symbolizes the power of discrimination (Vivek) and Divine Realization (Brahma).
• The Peacock: The peacock eats snakes, which symbolize lust (Vasna). Thus, the vehicle represents the destruction of sensual desires.
• The Bull: Represents the power to provide wealth and stability.
5. The Power of Chanting: Jagdamba Stuti
The text includes the powerful Jagdamba Stuti, a hymn praising the Mother of the Universe. It asserts that Adi Shakti is compassionate (Karunamaye) and is instantly moved by the emotions of her devotees.
Benefits of Recitation:
• Protection: She protects the devotee from all calamities and bad influences.
• Fulfillment of Wishes: She is Sarva Kamada, fulfilling all righteous desires.
• Spiritual Authority: Those who understand the secret of the 108 names attain a state where nothing is unattainable in the three worlds.
• Fearlessness: Surrendering to her feet (Sharnagati) makes one fearless.
"Uma Pawint Edam Stuti Shradha Saha Je Nitya Pathanin Nara | Dravit Matu Jagdamba Cha Karoti Anucool Sarva Charachar ||" (Those men who read this praise with faith, Mother Jagdamba becomes kind to them and makes all living and non-living beings favorable.)
Conclusion
The Saptam Skandh demystifies the concept of the Goddess. It teaches that Adi Shakti is not a distant deity but the very pulse of the universe and the force behind our thoughts and actions. By understanding Her names and symbolism, the devotee learns to control their own internal nature—taming the lion of ego and killing the buffalo of ignorance—to attain spiritual sovereignty.
Manav Dharma Shastra is a Sanatan Dharma scripture composed by Gurudev Awadhoot Laxminarayan Ji (Laxminarayan Meena, IPS) under the divine grace of Satguru Awadhoot Devidas Maharaj. This scripture was first published in Hindi in 2013, followed by its English edition in 2022 and Bengali edition in 2023 (Publisher: Kirti Publication; ISBN: 978-81-965006-1-0)
Manav Dharma Shastra, Saptam Skandh, Satguru Awadhoot Devidas, Gurudev Awadhoot Laxminarayan, Adi Shakti, Divine Feminine, Shiva Parvati Dialogue, Durga, Jagdamba Stuti, Spiritual Symbolism, 108 Names of Goddess.