The Secret Doctrine of Goddess Lalita
(Sri LalitaAṣṭottara Rahasyārthamu)
12. vidyā'vidyā svarūpiṇī
She who is in the form of both knowledge and ignorance.
Based on the above discussion, it is clear that we are capable of two visions, one that sees the real substance and the one that sees the unreal appearance. These two viewpoints are valid in the empirical as well as the spiritual realms. Even in the empirical world, if our attention is only on the external appearance of an object and not on its internal nature, we would be seeing only the unreal. Only when our attention penetrates and understands the internal nature of the object, we really see the object in its entirety. These real and unreal viewpoints are vidyā and avidyā respectively. However, from the viewpoint of Supreme Consciousness, even vidyā is avidyā. Mundaka Upanishad declared all vidyā-s (knowledge about particulars), including Rigveda as avidyā. Real Knowledge or vidyā is one that which reveals the Absolute truth.
This nāma describes Devī as vidyā-avidyā swarūpini. How can Devī, who is Pure Consciousness, be avidyā? Isn’t She also vimarṣa-rūpini, the one who is the source of all vidyā-s? Nowhere has Devī been described as avidyā, but in this mantra! What does that mean?
vidyā-avidyā do not belong to Devī. They belong to the jīvā. If the jīvā’s vision is on the real, then Devī appears as vidyā. If it is on the unreal, Devī appears as avidyā. The knowledge of the finite jīvā is limited and unstable. It comes and goes. When vidyā rises, avidyā disappears. When avidyā rises, vidyā disappears. Therefore, the individual’s knowledge is not steady. It keeps changing. But the Supreme Knowledge that is Devī does not change.
Why does this nāma describe Her as vidyā-avidyā? How should we interpret it? vidyā and avidyā are relative terms. Because there is vidyā, there is avidyā. Because there is avidyā, there is vidyā. When the mind ceases to see duality, what remains is Devī in Her essential nature as Consciousness. Devī is described as both vidyā and avidyā because there is nothing outside Her nature. The seeker must dissolve these conflicting notions and feelings, and perceive Devī as the all-pervading Pure Consciousness that ever shines and never sets.