The Story of Devi Anukampa

Devi sat in deep meditation in her damp cave while underground water seeped and trickled in droplets at the mouth of the cave. From her vantage point, higher up in the isolated wing of Vihara (Buddhist Monastary) she could see the spiral staircase reaching the assembly place surrounding the holy kund (sacred pond).

The senior most monks sat in deep contemplation over the issue at hand. They were in a state of confusion. The arrival of the Devi at Vihar raised some serious questions amongst the young and old monks alike. Anahata, the head councilmen sat bemused by the discussion as the assembly discussed the issue of the presence of the beautiful young woman disrupting the life of celibate monks; creating unwanted desires in them thereby distracting from their path. She looked at them smilingly, she closed her eyes and merged with her inner light again.

 Anahata disagreed with the other monks. Although stunningly beautiful, he felt as though she never invited his sexual energy; instead he saw trees swaying happily, dropping their fruits for her and showering her with flowers. Whenever she walked through the forest, it became more vibrant and green. 

Trees blossomed out of the season as if the whole existence was bursting with joy in her presence. When she walked through the main Vihara chambers, just one look at her inspired the monks to carve and paint the most beautiful sculptures and paintings. Anywhere she went, the place resonated with life and beauty, she inspired joy, creativity, and bliss by her mere presence.

While the council decided to test the virtues of Sanyasis and Devi, Anahata’s head hung in shame to be part of such vibration that actually thought of testing the goddess herself. Devi Anukampa smiled and agreed to the test. She called upon all the monks that claimed that she was the distraction to their sadhana into the main prayer hall. When she arrived and sat before them, one look at the beautiful form created a surge of desire in all the monks. The next moment, Devi Anukampa shut her eyes and merged with her inner light. At that very moment, a miracle happened. 

All the desire filled monks dropped their adult grown up bodies and turned into infants crying and wailing for the Divine Mother. They were conscious beings still adult but crying out for their Divine Being for the first time just the way a new born cries for his mother. They let out a collective wail, the prayer hall suddenly turned into a pulsating womb. The collective cry of the souls vibrated through the Vihara into the forest. Anahata was sitting in his meditation in his cave, when he heard the wail, the cry of seeker for the Divine. 

A tear drop of joy and gratitude fell from his eyes as he bowed to the Divine Mother who sat amongst the monks reminding them of their real quest.