She is often referred to as goddess of devotion. All potencies of the Lord have personified forms. In Madhurya-kadambini (1.3) Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains that bhakti is the svarupasakti of Bhagavan and that she is yadrccha, which means that bhakti has her own will. Being sva-prakasa, self-manifest, she is not dependent on any other agency in order to manifest in a person’s heart. In the Bhagavatam (1.2.6) it is said: yato bhaktir adhoksaje ahaituky apratihata - "that by which causeless and uninterrupted bhakti for Lord Adhoksaja arises.”
The word ahaituky in this sloka indicates that bhakti has no cause. The only cause of bhakti is bhakti herself. Srila Cakravartipada analyzes the meaning of this statement. He says that bhakti situated in the heart of a bhava-bhakta is the only cause for her manifesting in others. The Bhagavad Gita (7,16) mentions four kinds of devotees: the distressed, the ones desiring wealth, the ones thirsting for knowledge and the wise. The distressed seek freedom from suffering and disease from God. Those desiring wealth pray for the joys and comforts of wealth. Those thirsty for knowledge address the Divine as the supreme teacher. They see God as the source of all knowledge, art and wisdom and desire knowledge, proficiency and wisdom. The highest type of devotee, the jnani, doesn’t seek anything from God but lives and acts from the realization that God is all and all is God. The wise desire nothing but to realize and become one with the Divine itself. They love God for her own sake.such devotion creates a bond between god and her devotee which is controlled by the devotee because of his love towards her.
The word ahaituky in this sloka indicates that bhakti has no cause. The only cause of bhakti is bhakti herself. Srila Cakravartipada analyzes the meaning of this statement. He says that bhakti situated in the heart of a bhava-bhakta is the only cause for her manifesting in others. The Bhagavad Gita (7,16) mentions four kinds of devotees: the distressed, the ones desiring wealth, the ones thirsting for knowledge and the wise. The distressed seek freedom from suffering and disease from God. Those desiring wealth pray for the joys and comforts of wealth. Those thirsty for knowledge address the Divine as the supreme teacher. They see God as the source of all knowledge, art and wisdom and desire knowledge, proficiency and wisdom. The highest type of devotee, the jnani, doesn’t seek anything from God but lives and acts from the realization that God is all and all is God. The wise desire nothing but to realize and become one with the Divine itself. They love God for her own sake.such devotion creates a bond between god and her devotee which is controlled by the devotee because of his love towards her.
There are so many stories which shows how the goddess protects and allows her devotees to take command of her. it only to shows her love for them that she plays such lilas.
Shri-Dhar was an ardent devotee of Ma Vaishno Devi. He resided in a village called Hansali, 2 Km away from the present Katra town. Once Ma appeared to him in the form of a young bewitching girl. The young girl asked the humble Pandit to hold a 'Bhandara'. (A feast to feed the mendicants and devotees) The Pandit set out to invite people from the village and near-by places. He also invited 'Bhairav Nath'. Bhairav Nath asked Shri-Dhar how he was planning to fulfill the requirements. He reminded him of the bad consequences in case of failure. As Panditji was lost in worry, the Divine girl appeared and told Him not to be despondent as everything had been arranged. She asked that over 360 devotees be seated in the small hut. True to Her word the Bhandara went smoothly with food and place to spare.
Bhairav Nath admitted that the girl had supernatural powers and decided to test Her further. Bhairav Nath followed the Divine girl to Trikuta Hills. For 9 months Bhairav Nath was searching for the mystic girl in the mountains. He saw the 'girl' hitting the stone with an arrow and water gushing out of the stone. He 'saw' the 'girl' sitting on the mountain top. When Bhairav went to that place, he saw footprints on the stone. Bhairav wondered how the 'girl' had eluded him for 9 months! Wondering whether she was hiding in the cave (Adi Kunwaari), he decide to enter it.
On seeing Bhairav entering the cave, Ma tore open a path behind the cave, by Her trident and came out. Ma reached the beautiful cave in the Trikuta mountain. She urged Bhairav not to follow Her. But he disobeyed. The Goddess took the shape of Fierce Chandi and killed Bhairav. The head of Bhairav fell on the mountain peak. Bhairav had Spiritual powers. So though his head was severed, he still retained consciousness. Bhairav repented for his conduct. Ma forgave him and granted him the boon that whosoever worshipped Her would later visit his shrine.
Meanwhile Pandit Shree-Dhar became impatient. He started to march towards Trikuta Mountain on the same path that he had witnessed in a dream. He ultimately reached the cave mouth. He made a daily routine of worshipping the 'Pindis' in several ways. His worship pleased the Goddess. She appeared in front of him and blessed him. Since that day, Shree-Dhar and his descendants have been worshipping the Goddess Mother Vaishno Devi.
Bhairav Nath admitted that the girl had supernatural powers and decided to test Her further. Bhairav Nath followed the Divine girl to Trikuta Hills. For 9 months Bhairav Nath was searching for the mystic girl in the mountains. He saw the 'girl' hitting the stone with an arrow and water gushing out of the stone. He 'saw' the 'girl' sitting on the mountain top. When Bhairav went to that place, he saw footprints on the stone. Bhairav wondered how the 'girl' had eluded him for 9 months! Wondering whether she was hiding in the cave (Adi Kunwaari), he decide to enter it.
On seeing Bhairav entering the cave, Ma tore open a path behind the cave, by Her trident and came out. Ma reached the beautiful cave in the Trikuta mountain. She urged Bhairav not to follow Her. But he disobeyed. The Goddess took the shape of Fierce Chandi and killed Bhairav. The head of Bhairav fell on the mountain peak. Bhairav had Spiritual powers. So though his head was severed, he still retained consciousness. Bhairav repented for his conduct. Ma forgave him and granted him the boon that whosoever worshipped Her would later visit his shrine.
Meanwhile Pandit Shree-Dhar became impatient. He started to march towards Trikuta Mountain on the same path that he had witnessed in a dream. He ultimately reached the cave mouth. He made a daily routine of worshipping the 'Pindis' in several ways. His worship pleased the Goddess. She appeared in front of him and blessed him. Since that day, Shree-Dhar and his descendants have been worshipping the Goddess Mother Vaishno Devi.
Another typical example of devi listening to her devotees command is when It is believed that Kamakshi was originally a Ugra Swaroopini, and that Aadi Sankaracharya, upon establishing the Sri Chakra, personified her as the Shanta Swaroopini (see also Akhilandeswari at Thiruvanaikkaval). It is believed that during the days of Adi Sankara, the presence of the Ugra Swaroopini was felt outside the temple precincts, and that Sankaracharya had requested her not to leave the temple complex. Symbolic of this, the festival image of Kamakshi, takes leave from Sankaracharya, at his shrine in the inner prakaram, each time she is taken out in procession.
