Ocean of Compassion.
These are grim days for Goa and India, caught in the grip of a lethal COVID wave.
The great Goan poet and aesthete Bakibab Borkar observed that the serenity and beauty of Goa had a purifying effect not only on us mortals but on the Divine as well.
It was in Goa that a bellicose Goddess Durga shed her ugra swaroopa (fierce mien) to reveal herself as Shantadurga. After the uncontrollable heat and fury brought on by his mission subsided, a gentler Narasimha repaired to Goa together with Lakshmi. And Goa it was where Kali the Terrible assumed her soumya (calm and kind) form as Mahamaya Kalika.
The ancient Mahamaya Kalika temple lies in the village of Kasarpal, named after the Kasars (coppersmiths), the original votaries of the deity. Later the worship and upkeep of the temple passed over to the Daivadnya (goldsmiths) community.
(This is the first of 5 verses from a stuti called Sri Durgastava – composed by the most revered Saccidananda Shivabhinava Nrsimha Bharati Mahasvaminah, when India was attacked in the 19th century by the plague.)
देशस्य परमिदानीं ताटस्थं केन वहसि दुर्गाम्ब ॥
Translation:
Mother Durga! Having protected this land from many dangers until now, why have You now become impartial? Please tell us.
The Kalika sculpture consecrated is over 800 years old. In the image below it is masked by the gleaming shell.
Mahamaya Kalika – Kasarpal, Goa
5DS, 100-400L IS II
Mahamaya Kalika Temple – Kasarpal, Goa
5D, 24-105L
in one of his poems B Borkar has said that if the gods asked him to choose a place for his reincarnation he would told them that he would choose Goa as its Nature filled your spirit with peace and spiritual vigor ( this is a free translation )
Yes, Fernando-bab, I remember those words of BB.
The temple photo is out of this world, and I couldn’t agree more with the plea “Please tell us.” Thanks for bringing so much beauty from Goa to us.
Thank you, Bob.
एतावन्तं समयं सर्वापद्भ्योऽपि रक्षणं कृत्वा ।
देशस्य परमिदानीं ताटस्थं केन वहसि दुर्गाम्ब ॥
(Transl,.) Mother Durga! Having protected this land from many dangers until now, why have You now become impartial? Please tell us.
(This is the first of 5 verses from a stuti called Sri Durgastava – composed by the most revered Saccidananda Shivabhinava Nrsimha Bharati Mahasvaminah, when India was attacked in the 19th century by the plague
Truly wonderful synthesis of peace, art, and beauty. Baki Borcar was a friend of our family. A great poet and thinker.
Prof. John-bab: Thanks.
Thanks Rajan-bab .These legends of our Gods and Godesses are most interesting. I am curious where you learned about them. Fascinating stuff. Thanks Ajit
Ajit-bab: While growing up from my mother and other neighbourhood ladies who would read stories from the Puranas to us. Later through self-reading.