What is Prakriti?
“The term Prakriti is explained as follows in accordance with its root meaning.
In the Vedas Pra means superior or first, and Kriti is creation. Pra again means Satwa, Kri Reja and Ti Tama.
Prakriti thus represents the all-powerful Sakti possessing the three Gunas. The Atma divided itself into two, the male on the right side and the female on left which is known as Prakriti. The two stand in the relation of fire and its heat, and the Yogis therefore do not recognize any difference between male and female.
In her act of creation, Prakriti is distinguished as of five forms.
1. Durga, the mother of Ganesa, is the
first form representing the underlying principle of all the vegetable and other
lives.
2. Lakshmi is the second form
representing the glories observable in heaven and earth.
3. Saraswati is the third form
representing the real knowledge that removes all doubts.
4. Savitri or Gayatri, the mother of
the Vedas, Sandhya, Mantras and Tantras, is the fourth form representing the
Brahmaic lustre and energy.
5. Radha, residing in Go-loka in the form of a Gopi is the fifth form representing the five vital airs.
She is seen by the Yogis by meditation according to the methods prescribed in the Vedas. Sak means glory and Ti is valour. Sakti is the form of both. Bhaga means prosperity and Buddhi and Bhagavati is their form. Radha and Sarva-mangala allude to the power of granting liberation. Amba means mother of the Jagat.
Being created by Vishnu, she is Vaishnavi. Gowri means the Sakti pertaining to the Gurus or masters, namely Siva and Krishna. Parvati alludes to the Parvas or the holy festive occasions on which she is worshipped. Sanatani means existing without Gunas at all times and places. Kritika refers to the Kalas of Prakriti representing the six Yogas.
Durga refers to the Sakti of Hari that destroys fear, enemies, diseases and sins. The Sakti that bestows the highest bliss is called Sivaa. Abhaya refers to the destruction of fear. The Sakti that bestows prosperity and liberation is called Maya and Vishnu-Bhakti. Narayani means born from half the body of Narayana. Jaya means granting victory.”
Several names of the Devi are here explained mostly by their root meanings. They refer to the various stages of dharmic development in man, each of them being technically important and distinct in its use. It is not therefore enough to explain, like the Pundit that all these terms apply to any physical Devi or a woman Goddess.
Every technical term in the sciences could otherwise be explained by any ignorant person as simply applying to the sciences. It will be clearly evident here that even single letters in the given names are separated into consonants and vowels and their Vedic significance explained.
When such detailed explanations on doubtful points in the dharmic literature are not forthcoming from the Pundit, the correct inference is that he knows them not, and not that the texts are silent in the matter…………
Wishing you and family the very best on this Navratri.
Source: Brahma Vaivartha Puranam
Read about this more in the book “ Inside Out – an enquiry of Hindu Dharma
