Devakarya Samudyata

Devakārya Samudyatā: She Who Arises for the Fulfillment of Divine Purpose

The fifth name in the Lalita Sahasranama, Devakārya Samudyatā, translates to “She Who Manifests to Fulfill the Divine Purpose.” This name highlights the compassionate and protective aspect of the Divine Mother, who aids the devas (celestial beings) in times of great need, ensuring the preservation of cosmic order.

Manifestation for the Devas’ Welfare

The Mārkaṇḍeya Purana describes how the Divine Mother, though eternal and beyond birth, manifests whenever necessary to protect and fulfil the divine objectives of the devas. This is seen when she incarnates to battle forces of darkness, such as the demons Bhandasura and Mahishasura. Similarly, the Kūrma Purana records her speaking to Himavat (the personified Himalayas), explaining that she chose to manifest from Mena’s body to restore righteousness, disregarding her prior life as Sati, the daughter of Daksha.

Her manifestation here symbolises her Vimarśa aspect, the dynamic and compassionate form that responds to the needs of creation, as opposed to her Prakāśa form, which is the unmanifest, luminous essence.

The Devas’ Self-Sacrifice and Realisation

To invoke the Divine Mother, devas such as Indra, Yama, Varuna, and Kubera offered themselves as āhutis (sacrificial offerings) into the sacred fire, the Chidagnikunda. Weakened and drained of vitality due to Bhandasura’s oppressive rule, they sacrificed themselves to call upon her. The devas were instantly revitalised when she manifested, and their strength and vigour renewed. They now recognised that the Divine Mother is the true source of all cosmic energy and life. The ego that once separated them dissolved in the face of her boundless grace.

With a promise to care for the devas and protect the worlds, she instructed them to return to their duties, reminding them that she would oversee the cosmic balance. Thus, she became Devakārya Samudyatā, the one who arises to ensure the welfare of the devas and the cosmic order they maintain.

The Complete Manifestation of the Divine Mother

When we invoke the names Chidagnikunda Sambhūta Devakārya Samudyatā, we acknowledge the Divine Mother’s complete manifestation, endowed with all her kalās (aspects or energies). In this full expression, she embodies the qualities necessary to fulfil her divine role, guiding, sustaining, and protecting creation.

Another Dimension: Fulfilling the Task of Īśvara

In Samskṛtam, Deva as a singular noun refers to Īśvara, the Supreme Shiva, while Devā in plural denotes all the gods. Therefore, Devakārya Samudyatā also implies that the Divine Mother manifests to fulfil the work of Īśvara, encompassing the five cosmic functions (pañca-kṛtyas):

1. Sṛṣṭi (Creation): Bringing forth the universe and all beings.
2. Sthiti (Sustenance): Preserving and nurturing creation.
3. Laya (Dissolution): Dissolving the universe at the end of a cosmic cycle.
4. Tirodhāna (Concealment): Enveloping creation in māyā, allowing the play of duality and individual experience.
5. Anugraha (Grace): Offering liberation and guiding beings toward enlightenment.

These pañca-kṛtyas represent the cosmic work of Ishwara, and by extension, of Lalitha Devi, as the active energy that accomplishes these divine acts. Thus, she manifests to fulfil both the immediate needs of the devas and the greater cosmic purpose of Īśvara.

Reflection

The name Devakārya Samudyatā inspires us to see the Divine Mother as a cosmic protector and an embodiment of compassion, ready to manifest whenever her presence is required to restore balance. In her, we find the ever-present assurance that the universe is cared for and that all celestial and mortal beings are held within her boundless love and wisdom.