In the Devi Bhagavata Purana (especially in Book 1, Book 3, Book 7—the famous Devi Gita—and Book 9), the text reveals:
Devi as the Primordial Cause: Before anything existed—no day, no night, no earth, no sky—there was only the Supreme Shakti in Her pristine, formless glory (Nirguna—without attributes). She is the eternal, unchanging Brahman, yet She is feminine in essence (Bhagavati). From Her pure will, She manifests the universe without needing any external urge.
DEVI AS PRAKRITI (NATURE) ITSELF: Prakriti isn't separate from Her; She is Prakriti in its highest form. The prefix "Pra" means superior/exalted, and "Kriti" means creation—so Devi Prakriti is the most excellent creative force. She is Mula Prakriti (root nature/Maya), the dynamic energy that brings forth the cosmos. Nature's true essence is Her—immanent (present in everything) and transcendent (beyond it all).
SHE DIVIDES INTO THE THREE GUNAS (QUALITIES) THAT GOVERN ALL OF NATURE:
SATTVIK SHAKTI (pure, harmonious, truth/creative action) → Linked to preservation and light.
RAJASICK SHAKTI (passionate, active) → Drives creation and change.
TAMASIK SHAKTI (deluding, inertial) → Associated with destruction and illusion.
When these Gunas are in perfect equilibrium, nature is unmanifest (latent). When equilibrium breaks, manifestation occurs—worlds appear, evolve, and dissolve—all through Her play (Lila).
HER COSMIC FORM (VIRAAT RUPA): In powerful descriptions (e.g., Book 7), Devi reveals Herself as the entire universe.
Satyaloka on Her head
Sun and Moon as Her eyes
Quarters of space as Her ears
Vedas as Her speech
Earth as Her loins
Rivers as Her veins
Mountains as Her bones
Trees as Her hairs
Day and night as Her wings
The universe as Her heart and body
This shows nature isn't "created by" Devi—it is Her very body and expression. The changing, phenomenal world (Prakriti) is Her Saguna (with-form) aspect, while the unchanging essence is Her Nirguna form.
DEVI'S OWN DECLARATION (FROM THE DEVI GITA AND RELATED SECTIONS):
"I am the owner of this universe. I am the Absolute Reality."
"I have created all worlds at my will... Thou art the source of all creation. The worlds are manifested, sustained, and dissolved through thy divine energy."
She explains that even the Trimurti function only through Her Shakti—without Her, Brahma can't create, Vishnu preserve, or Shiva destroy.
In essence, the Purana teaches that nature in its true form is not inert matter but living, conscious Shakti—intelligent, powerful, compassionate, and playful. Everything we see (mountains, rivers, life cycles, seasons, even our own bodies and minds) is a manifestation of Her. Realizing this dissolves illusion (Maya/Avidya) and leads to liberation through devotion.
JAI JAI MAA.
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