Shloka 58

Adhyaya 81 — Suratha and Samadhi Seek Sage Medhas; Introduction to Mahamaya and the Madhukaitabha Origin Account

Sanskrit

महाविद्या महामाया महमेधा महस्मृतिः ।

महामोहा च भवती महादेवी महेश्वरी ॥

Transliteration

mahāvidyā mahāmāyā mahāmedhā mahāsmṛtiḥ | mahāmohā ca bhavatī mahādevī maheśvarī ||

Translation

Du bist das Große Wissen, die Große Illusion (Mahāmāyā), die Große Intelligenz, das Große Gedächtnis; und du bist auch die Große Verblendung—die Große Göttin, die höchste Herrscherin.

Word by Word

• महाविद्या: the great knowledge
• महाविद्या: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाविद्या = महत् + विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• महामाया: the great illusion/power of delusion
• महामाया: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामाया = महत् + माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom./1st), एकवचन

• महामेधा: great intelligence
• महामेधा: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामेधा = महत् + मेधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महास्मृतिः: great memory
• महास्मृतिः: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महास्मृति = महत् + स्मृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महामोहा: great delusion
• महामोहा: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामोहा = महत् + मोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• भवती: you (revered lady)
• भवती: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम-प्रयोग (honorific pronoun used as noun: “you/your ladyship”)

• महादेवी: the great goddess
• महादेवी: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महादेवी = महत् + देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महेश्वरी: the great sovereign goddess
• महेश्वरी: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश्वरी = महत् + ईश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speakers

• Brahmā to Devī

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "adbhuta", "secondaryRasa": "bhakti", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Primary Deities

• Devī
• Brahmā

Shakti Aspects

• Mahāvidyā
• Mahāmāyā
• Mahādevī
• Maheśvarī

Key Themes

• Shaktism
• Knowledge and ignorance as divine powers
• Psychology of bondage and liberation
• Devī’s sovereignty

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Both clarity (vidyā, medhā, smṛti) and confusion (moha) are presented as powers within the divine economy—encouraging humility and reliance on grace for right discernment.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Not a genealogical or manvantara listing; it is theological exposition supporting Sarga/Pratisarga by explaining the operative powers that structure experience and cosmos.

What is the esoteric significance?

The pairing of vidyā and moha indicates Devī as both revealing and concealing power; spiritual progress involves transforming moha through her vidyā rather than positing an independent evil principle.