The Secret Doctrine of Goddess Lalita
(Sri LalitaAṣṭottara Rahasyārthamu)
Synopsis
We have now completed a study of the divine names of the Goddess that describe Her ascent. Starting with the nāma, avyāja karuṇāmūrti and ending with the nāma śiva, the 54 nāma-s described the ascent of Devī. As we discussed earlier, in reality, Devī neither descends or ascends. It is the jīvā that descends into saṃsāra and ascends to śiva. As long as we are ignorant of our real nature and are controlled by our tendencies, we will find ourselves caught up in the cycle of life and death (saṃsāra). This is our descent. When we attain the knowledge of the Self through continuous contemplation on the Self, we will transcend saṃsāra and attain śiva. This is our ascent. The descent and ascent are only metaphorically ascribed to Devī. Devī is described as vidyā'vidyā svarūpiṇī (of the nature of knowledge and ignorance). It is due to Her avidyā nature that we descend into saṃsāra, and it is due to Her vidyā nature that we ascend to liberation. Since bondage (avidyā) and liberation (vidyā) are two aspects of the one Supreme Power, regardless of where we are, in bondage or in liberation, we are always abiding in Her, since nothing is outside of Her. When we realize this truth, there is no more descent or ascent. We will experience Self as Devī, Pure Consciousness, which is the very nature of our Self (ātmā).