Once Sree Tara Devi after giving spiritual instructions to a disciple expressed, “A thought came to me and I said within myself “O Deva! The children whom you have drawn to your fold this time are devoid of the wealth of tapas to their credit, then how can they reach freedom?
Suddenly there arose in me, the bhava of the imperious Shakthy and I said; Well, I will take everyone, all those who have taken shelter in My feet to the highest abode of Mine, entering which there is no more reversion to mortality. She and I are one. Yet there is sweetness in remaining as a devotee.” Further, She exhorted “The mighty stream of divine grace is flowing on earth. Doubt not, take a plunge. You will be carried to the Eternal beatitude.”
16th June 1979, should be written in letters of gold. For, on that day the Divinity of Sree Tara Devi was publically declared.
A special nine days worship of Divine Mother, with the traditional Bhadra Deepam lighted for Sree Lalitha Ashtothara archana, was initiated in Shakthinagar from Sunday the 9th June 1979. Divine Mother Sree Tara Devi Herself lighted the Deepam, performed the archana and inaugurated the invocatory pooja at Matrunilayam. Every day, Sree Tara Devi came to Matrunilayam to perform the archana.
One day, after the archana was over, she was in divya Bhava. She applied kumkum on everybody’s forehead. On another day, She, in the identity of Divine Mother raised Her both hands in a gesture of blessings uttering “Ashirvadam, ashirvadam”.
Deeply moved by that manifested presence, many sobbed. As days thus went by, more and more facets of Divine Mother started manifesting in Her. The worship released tremendous spiritual power. The last three days, that is 15th, 16th and 17th June, found Her manifest the bhava of Divine Mother Sree Rama Devi in greater degree. On Friday, the 15th June Sree Tara Devi came to the hall in a majestic bhava of inner absorption. As She proceeded with archana, he plunged into Samadhi. With a hidden smile playing on Her lips, She sat serene and majestic. Women devotees now praised the Almighty Mother with appropriate songs. Intervening in the song, She gave hints of Her avataric manifestation on earth.
Saturday, the 16th was the day of Supreme revelation. On that day, in the beginning of the Archana itself, Sree Tara Devi went into samadhi and divya bhava. In that bhava itself She waved Arathi to the Deepam.
She then went into the adjoining room and waved arati before the portrait of Shri Bhagavan. Respectful homage got mingled with poignant memories and the scene stirred every heart.
She then sat on Her usual seat, eyes closed and both palms with Devi mudra resting on Her knees. Devotees offered flowers and garlands to Her Lotus Feet and paid obeisance to Her. As the devotees sang praises of Divine Mother Durga, She got up abruptly, went near the sofa and stood facing the devotees. That stately bearing, with Her left hand resting on Her waist, and the right hand resting on the sofa, evoked wonder and adoration.
In the midst of the bhajan, She went into ecstasy, went behind Mother’s portrait (Maha samadhi photo)and stood holding the portrait with the left hand and revealing the Abhaya Mudra in the right hand. Now gracious, now serious and now dignified with a smile blooming on Her lips. Her imperious bhava was a combination of Her Transcendental splendours as Devi the supreme Shakti and the compassion of Her human incarnation as our beloved Divine Mother. A divine nada emanated from Her.
That nada awakened the devotees. She then walked towards the shrine of Matrunilayam, where the sacred Gurupadukas are normally kept for worship. Tara Devi adorned the “Peetam” in Her regal splendour in the auspicious posture of Devi Sree Lalithambika.
It was a supreme revelation. There She sat as the imperious Divine Mother Sree Lalitha, the all merciful, the Mother of the Universe, radiating compassion and strength and affording grace and protection to Her Bhakthas. We found ourselves in the paradise, enjoying the blissful companionship and love of God.
In divine ecstasy, Devi tore off the flowers from the garlands that adorned Her, and showered on the gathering the “pushpa vrishti’. It was a soul-entrancing darshan. It was now 9.30 a.m. In the same exalted state, Devi abruptly got up from Her Throne and walked upstairs in majestic and measured steps.
She commanded everyone to follow Her. Mother then took Her seat on a cot kept in the very same place where Divine Mother Sree Rama Devi attained Mahasamadhi. Her imperious Bhava changed into a Bhava of gentleness and tenderness. She revealed Herself as the Mother of infinite love and compassion, with tear-filled eyes, all sat before Her, and poignant silence brooding over the entire area.
Then Mother spoke. In gentle but firm tones, in a voice reflecting the sorrow of Motherly heart, She disclosed the purpose of Her special manifestation and also the Divinity of (Akka – Sree Tara Devi). It was a declaration, a sermon of wisdom, a commandment, an inspiring exhortation, a hope giving advice all in one. We saw before us, the Mother Sree Rama Devi who has been with us for decades, Mother who loved and toiled and suffered for us, the Mother who took upon Herself all the sins of Her children, the Mother whose samadhi itself was a scene of supreme sacrifice.
Here are some of the experiences of Divine Mother Sree Tara Devi in Her own words after the manifestation of Divinity.
“Whenever I close my eyes, light overpowers Me and simultaneously, I leave this physical body, and soar up to higher planes. I reach the highest Abode of Devi. I behold Her Divine form, and at once I become one with Her. Becoming one with Her means not merely a loss of my Identity, I become She.
When I step into the mandir, I see everything enveloped in a blaze of light-light, light, light. No shrine, no deity, no worshipper, no worship-light and light alone.
From my deep absorption in the transcendent, I emerge; but then, for a while, I do not apprehend the plane of existence, the loka. Slowly, I come to know, this is the human universe.
When I speak, suddenly the mighty voice of God supervenes and begins to speak. I see clearly the surface being relegated to a corner, and the Divine functioning directly.
Mind at once merges in the infinite. Universe is a mere speck. I stretch beyond it. A link is there which I can, at any time, break.
I feel sometimes, I have a Divine body with eight arms and these arms, with the weapons and other things they wield are incessantly engaged in activity. I do see them also and their functions. These hands function in unlimited spheres; they have a feature of omnipresence.”
These experiences of Sree Tara Devi enrich the mystical lore and India’s spiritual heritage. Despite Her humility and Her eagerness to maintain the loving relationship with Her beloved Deva, Godhood used to assert itself in Tara Devi, transcending the dualism of love.
Let us all sing Her praises – O Devi, in Thy daring dynamism, in Thy moves against forces of darkness, Thou art verily Devi Sree Chandika. Be Thou victorious in our Hearts. Let the obstacles be crushed under the wheels of Thy chariot. Let Thy flag flutter high over the world, proclaiming Thy reign, Thy Godhood and Thy Gospels.
Secretary