We can think of God as male, we can think of God as female. It much better to think of God as female, that is what the Upaniṣads say. "Matṛ devo bhava". A woman who is symbolized by Śrī Mata, is compassionate. By worshipping a woman as the embodiment of Devi, we get all the enjoyment that we want, all the pleasures that we want, we get peace of mind, and in Yoga aspect, we get release from the cycle of births and deaths, we get Mokṣa.
This is why all the murtis are female. Even in the Bindusthanam at the top, there is Sahasrākṣī above Sadāśiva. She is larger in size than Śiva’s idol. In the Saṃpradāya of the tradition sculptures, what is more important is shown as bigger and being above what is less important since the woman is Guru in the Tantra tradition, she is shown as being on top and more, important.
The woman is the dynamic aspect and the man is the static aspect in Tantra. Their combination is what is worshipped in the Bindusthanam. They are existence (Śiva) and awareness (Śakti). Awareness gives meaning to existence and is considered more important. The Lalitā Sahasranāma says, “Śivā svādhīna-vallabhā” She is the Wife of Śiva, but Her husband is under Her control. The intent is to tell people that Parāśakti, the dynamic energy that is creating, manifesting and nourishing the entire world is the highest possible truth. The worship of the Mother is to worship the beauty and aesthetics of Nature.
-GURUJI AMRITANANDA
