Letters Of Love - Divine Devotion

Mahakali

My eyes turn bloodshot red,
Just on the mention of the demon,
Who was going about harassing,
And causing unrest in the three worlds.

I know it's time to take some action,
And stop his mayhem at once,
I turn to Mahadev and try to wake Him up,
For He is in deep meditation and contemplation.

I touch His arm and He immediately opens His eyes,
He smiles at me and waits for me to speak,
Knowing that I'm visibly not amused,
As so much turmoil is going on in my heart.

"Kailashnath, this demon, He needs to meet His end,
He has no shame and no guilt,
He even had the audacity to send me a marriage proposal,
And you're here, simply calm and smiling."

Swami closes His eyes for a second,
To visualize and bring forth the future,
"Parvati, this demon will find His match in you,
And only you can finish him, for you're the supreme mother."

I don't understand His words, and I become more restless,
He takes my hand in His and says,
"Uma, you're the Mother of the Universe,
The divine and fierce protector,
Let go of your doubt and invoke your true powers."

My thoughts are disturbed by the shouts outside,
I rush to have a look and help them,
On seeing the demon, my anger knows no bounds,
And immediately a sphere of energy is released from my forehead.

The sphere of energy takes the form of Goddess Durga,
And all Her associates, the Ashta Matrikas,
Join in with Her, ready for battle,
Knowing that it's in safe hands, I feel calmer and come back inside.

Moments pass, epochs pass,
The battle continues for very long days,
I lose track of time and engage myself,
In the devotion of My Lord again.

Then suddenly one day, I hear,
More screams and terrors,
Goddess Durga arrives in front of me,
And narrates the whole tale.

"This demon Raktabij,
Sheds his blood,
And from each drop,
Forms a new demon."

"The battle has become unending,
And it's impossible to defeat Him,
Please devise a new plan,
So that we can restore peace."

Tears flow down my eyes,
Rage and anger overflow,
My white skin peels off slowly,
As I turn darker with anger.

I storm out, anger and glory personified,
The battlefield turns dark,
Like the moonless night,
Everyone looks on, with both terror and reverence.

I strike down all the demons that come my way,
Demonishing all the obstacles away,
With a bowl in one hand, and a scimitar in the other,
I collect the blood and quench my thirst.

Fury fills in all my body,
And I lose control and calm,
I dance and step in rage,
Turning turmoil and erupting volcanoes.

Gods and Goddesses join their hands,
And bend their heads in devotion,
But I am Mahakali, the Goddess,
Who grants enlightenment and severes ego.

Matching and thomping,
I keep moving ahead,
When suddenly my foot steps on,
Onto someone whom I recognise.

I immediately look down to see,
And recognise my Swami,
I stick my tongue out in folly,
And immediately retreat my step.

Tears flow down my eyes,
In both shame and regret,
I have done a big mistake,
Which may be unforgiven.

I've stepped on My Husband,
Disrespected My Beloved,
Even if He does forgive me, for He's so kind,
How will I ever forgive myself.

I leave my fierce form,
Becoming the gentle calm Gauri,
I fold my hands to ask for forgiveness,
Although I can't meet His eyes again.

I run away from the scene,
In an attempt to hide,
Hide from all the shame,
And all the pain of hurting My Love.

I bury my face in my hands,
Throwing myself near the Shivling,
Which I had made with my own hands,
To stay closer to my Lord at all times.

I weep and weep,
Give up myself in surrendrance,
I can't gather the courage to look up,
Or even face the Shivling.

I feel His hand on my shoulder,
His soft and tender touch,
He comes and sits next to me,
Protecting me in my vulnerable state.

Who would guess that,
The strong and fearless Kaali,
Can also become the gentle vulnerable Gauri,
The very next moment in a turn of events.

He puts His hand below my chin,
And lifts up my face to meet my eyes,
He hugs me and rests my tired head,
On His chest, next to His heart.

"Parvati, please don't hide from me,
I love you for who you are,
Whether it's Gauri or Kaali,
I love you in all your raw and realness."

"Gauri, you don't have to,
Ask for forgiveness,
Or say even a word,
I don't need any validation or explanation."

"Whatever happens, happens in my and your will,
And whatever happened, had a cause and need,
And whatever will happen, nevertheless my love for you will only increase with time,
For whatever that is now, is you and me and our love."

"Uma, look up and talk to your Shiva,
You're my Shakti, you're my Shanti,
You calm me down whenever I need to,
Isn't it my duty to do so for you too."

I'm amazed at how,
The Greatest of all Gods,
Doesn't hesitate to surrender at,
His wife's feet or come under Her step.

With no sign of ego,
He steps under Kaali,
The destroyer of ego,
And helps restore balance in this world.

So calm, so self assured,
For He is far about respect and disrespect,
He is free from all attachments,
He is truly the beautiful truth.

I hug Him more tightly,
For He's my safe place,
My warm haven, My Home,
My Beloved, My Love, My Mahakaal.