Devi's Divine Energy: Guiding Senses and Sustaining the Universe

Devi's Divine Energy

The meaning of the 33rd shloka of the 5th chapter of Devi Mahatmyam, Durga Saptashati:

इन्द्रियाणामधिष्ठात्री भूतानामखिलेषु या । भूतेषु सततं तस्यै व्याप्त्यै देव्यै नमो नमः ॥

The Devi is the controller of the senses (इन्द्रियाणामधिष्ठात्री), and she is the foundation of all senses. Think of the senses as tools we use to interact with the world. These include seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching. Devi is considered the force or power behind these tools. Just like a driver controls a car, she controls how our senses work. Imagine having an inner guide who ensures your eyes see properly, your ears hear sounds, and your nose smells scents. This guide is the Devi. She is present in everyone and everything, ensuring that all living beings can use their senses effectively. Just like electricity powers various devices, the Devi is the energy that powers our senses. She controls the senses, meaning she is the divine force that enables our senses to function, guiding and energizing them so we can experience the world around us.

भूतानां अधिष्ठात्री भूतेषु सततं व्याप्त्यै

Devi is like air or water, present everywhere. Just like air is all around us and water is in oceans, rivers, and even in the air as vapor, she is present in all things. The Devi is in the basic building blocks of nature, like earth, water, fire, air, and space. These elements make up everything we see and touch. So, the Devi is in the ground we walk on, the water we drink, the fire that cooks our food, the air we breathe, and the space around us. She is also in all living beings, from tiny insects to humans. This means that every creature, no matter how small or big, has the Devi within them. Devi is like electricity. Electricity powers lights, computers, refrigerators, and all the devices we use. Though we can't see electricity, we know it's there because it makes our devices work. Similarly, the Devi is not visible, but her presence makes everything in the world function. Another way to think about it is air. Air is everywhere, even though we can't see it. It fills our lungs when we breathe, helps birds fly, and even moves clouds in the sky. The Devi is like air, present in every part of the universe, ensuring everything works smoothly.

तस्यै देव्यै नमो नमः

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi