Volume 2 : Lights on the Teachings (2), Lights on the Ancients (2), Lights on the Fundamentals, Flame of White Light, The way of the Light
Volume 2 includes multiple books : Lights on the Teachings (2), Lights on the Ancients (2), Lights on the Fundamentals, Flame of White Light, The way of the Light.
Q: What are the names of the Devatas who can confer (1) health of mind and body, and (2) material and spiritual wealth? What are the methods by which one can invoke these Devatas?
A: In speaking of the Gods a distinction must be drawn between the Vedic and Tantric. The former have become out of use for all practical purposes, though there may be and are a few exceptions; on the other hand the Tantric Gods are popular and here also there are divisions in the cult. In each cult (Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta) there are many Gods each of whom is supposed to give all that one needs according to the Tantric books. But in practice a special feature is prominent in each God. Now to come to the practical step: it is the best course to allow the Guru to choose the Mantra (and therefore the Devata) for the initiate, the sadhaka. The Guru must be a Mantra-siddha. When there is the heart's yearning, not a tepid or fretful wish, the Guru is sure to be found or will come of his own accord. How to do the Japa is to be learnt from the Guru. This is the background against which the answers given below to the three questions are to be understood.
(1) Health of mind and body: In the Tantra, for Health, Surya is the Devata prominently mentioned for arogya16 though he is a Vedic God. He can be taken for health of mind also, though with no special importance.
(2) Wealth—Mahalaksmi. For Spiritual wealth, Sri Vidya—Tripura Sundari.
(3) In a general way we can say that the best way to invoke the higher Powers is to repeat the Mantra with a knowledge of its significance and feeling of devotion felt in the heart and the heart's cry in the form of the Mantra must rise up, that is to say, the name or Mantra must ring in the heart and from there the cry of the soul must go up to the God worshipped.
It must be noted that every major God can give all that one needs. To contact the Higher Powers is the important thing. If the Guru is strong and puts the Influence, this is achieved easier even if the Initiate is weak. If the Initate is strong and relies on his devotion and faith, even with a feeble help from the Guru he can succeed.
5 October 1950
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