Just as the whole universe is hidden in the seed, so the perfection in man exists as a potential. The goal of education is to actualise this potential. The seed is also called the egg at the cosmic level. That is why, the universe is a collection of possibilities. In the beginning of time, this Brahma-Anda bifurcated and the universe was created. In fact, when we understand the cyclic existence of time, then this process cannot be expressed as an event in the past because it is happening continuously. Creation is a continuous process. Because of this, we call the tangible existence perceivable by our senses as Jagat. The one who wakes, i.e. constantly being illuminated, is the world. This is happening continuously.
Mother Kushmanda is the goddess of the fourth day. According to the legend, in the Tamas before the creation of the universe, the mother manifested itself and created the universe from the Brahma Beej. This is how she got this name. It is also believed that pitted fruit is sacrificed to the mother. If we combine these two things, then we understand the important stage of pedagogy. Adhichitta is the second stage after Adhisheela education. In this stage, the mind is to be purified. This stage is most important in the manifestation of the perfection existing in the seed form. Kushmanda means the germination of the egg by sacrifice of impurities. The lamp of knowledge is lit in everyone. Only the cover has to be removed. Swami Vivekananda gives example of the glass used to protect the lamp from the wind. With time, it gets accumulated by black carbon and then the light gets blocked. The same is the condition of the inner instrument of the human being. The nature of Sat-Chit-Ananda is covered by the veil of the samskaras stored in the mind. Removing this cover is the only way to realize knowledge. For this,purification of mind is essential.
In the Upanishad it is said –
हिरण्मयेन पात्रेण सत्यस्यापिहितं मुखम्।
तत् त्वं पूषन्नपावृणु सत्यधर्माय दृष्टये ॥ईश उप १५॥
Hiranmayen Patren satyasyapihitam mukham|. Tat tvam pushannapavrunu satyadharmay drishtaye || Isha Up 15||
The face of truth is covered with a golden vessel. O Pushan!You who nourishes the world, remove that cover and show us the true knowledge and its application – Dharma.
From childhood, by practice of divine asset like Arjava (Simplicity), the mind becomes pure. The distinction between internal and external ends. This is the path to enlightenment of the inherent knowledge. Empathy awakened by compassion is also necessary for expansion of mind as well as transparency. The Vedana is one’s own pain, but when the pain of another’s discomfort is experienced, it is called Samvedana (Empathy). This is the first step in achieving the highest ideal of seeing everyone as oneself. This feeling of oneness is knowledge. Its final stage is devotion. In Bhakti, there comes a feeling of happiness in good of others which is much advanced than empathy. The 24th Narada Bhakti Sutra is – तत् सुख: सुखित्वं॥(Tat Sukhah Sukhitvam|) To be happy in the happiness of others is unadulterous devotion.
Realization of knowledge is possible only through purification of thoughts. This is the experience of continuous creation. With the grace of Mata Kushmanda, let’s adopt Bhava Shuddhi in our education system is our prayer. There are two more steps in the purification of mind. We shall discuss those along with some other forms of Mata Durga.
