Ragasvarupa Pashadhya

Rāgasvarūpa Pāśādhyā 

She Who Holds the Noose of Desire

The name Ragasvarupa Pashadhya beautifully embodies the essence of the Divine Mother as “She Who Holds the Noose of Desire.” This nama emphasises her profound mastery over raga — the deep-seated attachments and desires that shape our lives.

With the noose (pāśa) gracefully held in one of her hands, she symbolises the dual nature of desire: a powerful force that can drive us toward our goals, yet when left unchecked, entangles us in a web of attachment. In her divine wisdom, she guides us, teaching us to navigate our desires with awareness to break free from the cycles that bind us. Through her, we learn that while desire can be a guiding light, it also requires mindful control to avoid becoming lost in its grasp.

Understanding Raga: The Force of Attraction

In Samskrutam, Raga transcends mere desire; it captures the full range of attraction and longing that shapes our lives. It’s that magnetic force that draws us toward experiences, people, and objects, forming the roots of our attachments. While often sweet and satisfying, these attachments can also become the chains that tether our souls to the material realm, influencing our thoughts and colouring our emotions profoundly.

Desire is not just an adversary to overcome; it’s the essential force that fuels our creativity and drives the universe onward. It transforms into a vibrant energy brimming with possibilities. Yet, when desire shifts into attachment, we find ourselves tangled in a web of longing and unease, which can stifle our true potential. Embracing desire with awareness allows us to harness its power and elevate our lives instead of being held captive.

This is where the Divine Mother comes into play, holding our attachments with grace, symbolised by Pāśa, the noose. She embodies the power to navigate this intricate web, guiding us towards spiritual evolution and helping us transform our desires into pathways of enlightenment. Through her wisdom, we learn to harness the energy of *raga*, using it not as a binding force but as a means to elevate our souls.

The Noose of Desire: Icchā Shakti (Power of Will)

In the Divine Mother’s hand rests the pāśa, a powerful symbol of icchā shakti—the incredible force of will. This essence stands as one of the three foundational energies of the universe, alongside jnāna shakti, the power of knowledge, and kriya shakti, the power of action. Icchā shakti is the first spark, igniting the creative impulse that brings movement and form into existence.

Within the teachings of Srividya, we find that when icchā shakti is channelled towards higher consciousness, it becomes a pathway to liberation. However, if left unchecked or misdirected, it can tether us to the distractions of the material world.

As Ragasvarupa Pashadhya, the Divine Mother masterfully holds and navigates this power of will. She embodies desire, guiding us toward a profound realisation: not the desire that entangles us, but the attachments and identities we cultivate around it. Embracing this wisdom allows us to harness our willpower and transcend worldly pursuits’ limitations effectively.

Spiritual Significance: Desire as a Path to Liberation

In the rich tapestry of Srividya, desire is viewed in a new light—not as something to be banished but as a powerful force to be understood and transformed. Picture the Divine Mother, her noose gently guiding the currents of raga, skillfully leading us toward spiritual growth and self-realisation. She beckons us to come to her with hearts full of love and longing, inviting us to use our desires as a bridge to connect with the Divine.

The imagery of the Divine Mother holding the noose is profound, reminding us that we can embrace our desires and attachments while remaining unattached at the same time. By surrendering ourselves to her, we open the door for her to shape our desires into something higher, liberating us from the constraints that might otherwise bind us. In this journey, our yearning transforms into devotion—a heartfelt longing for reunion with the Divine, illuminating the path of bhakti.