Antarmukha Samaradhya, Bahirmukha Sudurlabha

 “Antarmukha Samaradhya, Bahirmukha Sudurlabha” — These paired names provide the answer to the question: Where should we seek the Divine Mother? How can we realize her?

To worship the Mother, we visit countless sacred places and temples, traveling far and wide. But no matter how extensively we search outside, we cannot truly attain her there. What we really need to do is seek her within ourselves. She constantly resides within us and guides us from inside.

She is the one who governs this visible body, the inner mind, the life-force (prana) that sustains them, the consciousness that directs them, and the blissful state that is our true nature. That is why she is called “Pancha Kosha Antara Sthita” – the one who dwells within the five sheaths (koshas) of the self.

If we first recognize the Chit Shakti – the conscious energy that operates within us – then we can also recognize the Mother as Jada Shakti, the inert energy, manifesting in all of external nature.

In truth, both Satya (the true, eternal Absolute) and Asatya (the transient world) are forms of that Mother. Hence she is “Sadasadrupadharini” – the bearer of both reality and illusion.

The perishable world (Kshara) and the imperishable consciousness (Akshara) are both expressions of her – “Ksharaksharatmika”.
The manifest world (that we can perceive) and the unmanifest divine energy that invisibly pervades and drives it are also both her forms – “Vyakta–Avyakta”.

Those who reflect on the true essence of this Mother and perfect their meditation and spiritual practice will come to realize her very form.

Why? Because she is “Dhyana–Dhyatri–Dhyeya–Rupa” – meaning the process of meditation (dhyana), the one who meditates (dhyatri), and the object of meditation (dhyeya) are all her own forms.