The Gift of Intelligence

That Devi who abides in all beings, for a lifetime, in every form of

intelligence: salutations to Her, again and again.

That Devi is bound into every creature in the form of intelligence. To that power, in which intelligence shines eternally, salutations, salutations, salutations, salutations always.

Buddhi means intelligence. Buddhi, good intelligence, lack of intelligence, twisted intelligence and wicked intelligence: in all of these we see the Devi’s power expressing itself, and we call it Adi Shakti, the primal power. Intelligence is the original instrument and means that creation has been given for living. The moment we join with our intelligence, we have joined with the Devi too, because in the form of intelligence that power shines in everything.

How does intelligence reveal itself? Through right knowledge and vision, it reveals itself in all four directions around us. It shows every path a definite course, brings everything together, protects and endures, and as our duty it gives our work its growth. Watching and noticing how that same power works through all these processes: that is intelligence and its influence. Every animal, bird and insect shows its own kind of intelligence. No class of creature is deprived of it.

Whether it is a butterfly or a bird, every living being has an intelligence of its own. By it, the creature lives, runs, flies, floats and swims. Looking at the rays of the sun, it knows how to rise, how to rest and how to work.

In human beings, though, the Devi’s power of consciousness is boundless (it can evolve) and undetermined.

In animals and birds the power of consciousness takes a fixed form, while the human being lives in an open, undetermined intelligence. So you can do anything: do what you wish, do nothing at all, or simply stay still. We all keep watching the growth of human intelligence: knowledge, science, wisdom, great knowledge, divine knowledge. Through so many kinds of intelligence a person evolves, in ways it is impossible to predict or imagine.

The Devi’s power reveals its vast consciousness fully within the human being. Then intelligence appears and begins to be active.

According to this sutra, how should we practise toward the Devi? By stopping dullness, inertia and twisted thinking, and by coming out of blind beliefs and sectarian convictions.

Only when I understand and know that being with the Devi’s power means being joined with intelligence does it mean that the Devi shines within us in the form of intelligence.

Looking at some organised religions is frightening. There the talk is loud and forceful. Gatherings (satsangs) are arranged to give knowledge.

But look closely and you find a narrow mind: their own cult, their own worship, their own system.

These stunt our onward journey, the spiritual journey. They say: stop the growth of your intelligence, end it, leave your mind outside and then come in.

They say that when your intelligence ends, your spiritual journey begins.

But the moment your intelligence ends, the Devi’s power ends too, because that great conscious power has revealed herself as intelligence.

Traditions, exploitation and organisations are all attempts to shrink human intelligence.

So intelligence must not be destroyed; it must be developed. Intelligence is a very beautiful thing.

A seeker’s intelligence must be very alert. If we are not alert, we too stay asleep, like the plants, trees, animals, cattle and many wild creatures that live in a state of sleep.

So be alert, be awake. Arise, walk the spiritual path, reach your spiritual goal, keep moving forward and be victorious.

This is the sutra: