The INDIAN TAROTS – 21 – The World: Mahamaya

Mahamaya is the Adyashakti herself. Parvati, Lakshmi, Saraswati and other devis are manifestations of goddess Mahamaya. As per Devi Puran, Mahamaya is the mother of all including the Trinity and she possesses the Brahm-bidya (supreme knowledge). She can be attained through knowledge and vedic hymns. Shree Mahamaya possesses certain characteristics- she is intellect (Buddhi), she is wealth (Lakshmi). She is forgiveness (Khsama) and peace (Shanti). She is respect (Shraddhaa), resilience (Dhriti) and memory (Smriti).

Mahamaya is Devi Gayatri, whose 5 faces indicate 5 elements- Kshiti (earth), Apa (water), Tej (fire), Marut (air) and Vyom (sky/ether), who created the holiest chant of Gayatri Mantra. Mahamaya is the controller of Krishna in form of Radha. She is Maheshwari in Kailash. She was manifested as Durga to demolish the asuras and she is beyond everything. Again, Durga, as Chandi, invoked Mahamaya in form of Chamunda to kill Shumbha, Nishumbha and Raktabeej. Mahamaya is the strength (Shakti) of all and she is the 64 Yoginis. She is without any beginning and any end. Mahamaya is the cause of everything including the creation of the cosmos. Now, one thing you have to understand is that here I am taking reference from the Debi Puran. There are other Purans, most of which consider Vishnu or Krishna as the supreme lord. Some consider Shiva as the supreme lord. Others glorify other deities like Murugan/Kartik or Ganesh or Durga. Sanatan has different school of philosophy like Baishnab, Shaiba, Shakta, Dakshinachari, Bamachari, Kolachari etc. I, being from Bengal, relate more with the Shakta philosophies. Bengalis worship devis more than devatas. This is one reason; I am mentioning Mahamaya as the supreme God in this book’s chapter.

Mahamaya is creating, preserving and dissolving this world by Time, Karma, and Nature and other efficient causes. She is the reason behind the incarnations of Vishnu on earth. She upholds the earth as Jagaddhatri. 12 months of a year is dedicated to 12 forms of the Devi Ma- Mangala, Baishnabi, Maya, Kaalratri, Duratyaya, Mahamaya, Matangi, Kali, Kamalabasini, Shivaa, Sahasracharana, Sarba-Mangalrupni. She is the one who offered knowledge (Akshar-brahm) to sage Yagnabalkya rishi as Maha Saraswati. She gave Krishna the power to portray Bishwarup to Arjun and the knowledge of Geeta. Maha Lakshmi is the Satwik form of Mahamaya, Maha Saraswati is the Rajasik form and Maha Kali is the Tamasik form. Mahamaya is Ishwari and Mul-Prakriti, who remains with Shaktimaan Purush. When Adya-Shakti is inert, she is Yogmaya, when she is active, she is Mahamaya. Everything that happens or does not happen, is due to her leela/maya/illusion.

On the last day of Navaratri, we worship goddess Siddhidatri or Chamunda. Siddhidatri is Mahamaya herself, who is giver of boons. Mahamaya resides in our Muladhar chakra as Yogmaya and controls our karma. Unless and until our chakras get clean, the Kundalini Shakti does not awaken and meet with the Shaktiman in Sahasrar chakra.

I am not eligible enough to talk more about Shree Devi Mahamaya. Even sadhaks could hardly know about the nature of Sri Sri Mahamaya. I have kept her as ‘The world’ because she fulfils our wishes and she is the epitome of completion. She is the reason why there is harmony in the world and our individual life.

Upright meaning

In tarot, the World card is often associated with completion, wholeness, and fulfilment. When the card is upright, it generally signifies positive traits such as completion, wholeness, and a sense of fulfilment. The upright World may represent a person who has achieved a major accomplishment or milestone, or it can indicate a need to embrace a sense of wholeness and completion in one’s life.

Reverse meaning

On the other hand, when the World card is reversed, it may indicate negative traits such as a lack of completion, stagnation, or an inability to move forward. The reversed World may represent a person who is feeling stuck or unable to make progress, or who is struggling to achieve a sense of fulfilment in their life. It could also suggest a need to let go of old patterns or beliefs in order to embrace new opportunities and experiences.

Source: 

Lectures of Sadhak Sri Shyamakhyapa

Lectures of Astrologer Sri Mani Bhaskar