Every Puja is a pause,
Outside of time,
Where the Devi gathers Her army
And lets them breathe
For a few moments
Before the slaughter recommences.
Her blood slowly permeates
The myriad of pavilions of the Chakra
Until She gently reaches the arrows
Stuck in the hearts of Her soldiers.
Sometimes they bleed,
Yet the pain does not exist.
Salutations to the One
Who is both our Friend
And our Enemy.
Shri Parapara: She is both friend and enemy. She does not make the distinction between the two. "Param aha Param cha Brahma Yadomkarah" - the ultimate reality and the reality of the appearance are both Brahma, represented by Omkara. (Pranopanishat 5-2). Also, there is Para and Apara Vidya. Apara is the whole knowledge that contains uttered words, such as the Vedas, the Puranas and the Shastras. Para is that knowledge that the words are unable to describe. She represents both the aspects of the knowledge. The same way there is a difference regarding the knowledge, there is Para also in worship. The Para worship is called Bahyopachara - with image. This way, Puja is revealed, for the deity without attributes. She is pleased by that.
