Devi Gita (Class 27): ”Our Foremost Wish” by Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati

Scripture class by Rev. Dr. Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati on Devi Gita, chapter 1, verses 58-62 given to students of the Ramakrishna Seminary at Kali Mandir via Zoom on 8 March 2023.

ना’ज्ञातं किञ्चिदप्यत्र भवत्या’स्ति जगत्त्रये || ५८ ||

nā’jñātaṃ kiñcidapyatra bhavatyā’sti jagat-traye || 58 ||

58. (The Gods said): “Nothing here in the three worlds is unknown to You

सर्वज्णया सर्वसाक्षिरूपिण्या परमेश्वरि |

तारकेणासुरेन्द्रेण पीडिताः स्मो दिवानिशम् || ५९ ||

sarva-jṇayā sarva-sākṣi-rūpiṇyā parameśvari |

tārakeṇāsurendreṇa pīḍitāḥ smo divāniśam || 59 ||

59. Who are omniscient, the incarnate witness of all, O Supreme Ruler. The demon chief Taraka torments us day and night.

शिवाङ्गजाद्वधस्तस्य निर्मित्तो ब्रह्मणा शिवे |

शिवाण्गना तु नैवास्ति जानासि त्वं महेश्वरि || ६० ||

śivāṅgajādvad-hastasya nirmitto brahmaṇā śive |

śivāṇganā tu naivāsti jānāsi tvaṃ maheśvari || 60 ||

60. His death shall come only at the hands of Shiva’s son—so has Brahma arranged, O Auspicious One. But as You know, Great Ruler, Shiva has no wife.

सर्वज्ञपुरतः किं वा वक्तव्यं पामरैर्जनैः |

एतदुद्देशतः प्रोक्तमपरं तर्कया’म्बिके || ६१ ||

sarva-jña-purataḥ kiṃ vā vaktavyaṃ pāmarairjanaiḥ |

etaduddeśataḥ proktama-paraṃ tarkayā’mbike || 61 ||

61. What can ignorant beings reveal to one who is omniscient? Such is our situation in brief; You can infer the rest, O Mother.

सर्वदा चरणाम्भोजे  भक्तिः स्यात् तव निश्चला |

प्रार्थनीयमिदं मुख्यमपरं देहहेतवे || ६२ || ||

sarvadā caraṇāmbhoje  bhaktiḥ syāt tava niścalā |

prārthanīyamidaṃ mukhyamaparaṃ dehahetave || 62 ||

62. May we always show unswerving devotion to Your lotus feet; This is our foremost wish. We also pray that You will assume a body."