(Sri Swamiji's discourse on 6th October 1997 during Navarati)
Lord Brahma began His creation and during the first few days, He did not provide food for the angels. The angels had to suffer because of this.
"What! How can angels be hungry?' some people might ask. Yes. They were hungry because they wanted to devise a plan for the human beings, who were caught in the vicious grip of Moha (infatuation).
If the gods wanted to help the human beings, couldn't they have done it straightaway? Why did they resort to indirect means?
It is the nature of the gods to constantly watch the behaviour of human beings. They always want to find out if man is on the right path. When we build a two storied house, don't we need stairs to climb to the first floor? Unless we climb the steps, what is the use of having a first floor? Similarly, if our new coat does not have buttons, can we wear it? It is the intention of the angels to help those who want to ascend to divinity by showing them the steps they need to climb.
It might not be sensible to replace the stairs with a lift. The lift will not function when there is no power. Therefore it is better to learn to climb the steps although it might be a bit troublesome.
Some devotees ask Swamiji to perform 'Hasta Mastaka Samyoga'(a process by which a Sadguru enlightens the disciple by merely placing His hand over the latter's head). But who will suffer their Karmas? Therefore Swamiji has devised several activities like pooja, homa, bhajans etc., in which each and every person can take part and earn merit. It is a system in which you earn your own merit. Swamiji does not believe in spoon feeding or giving pre-digested food. In fact, to sit in one place for a long time (while watching Swamiji perform Pooja etc.) is itself a Sadhana. To help you achieve concentration, Swamiji arranges for music by different musicians. Concentration is like a Yajna. Music plays a complementary role.
Do not think that Swamiji is doing all this. Some energy is doing this through Swamiji. Similarly, the gods help human beings through Agni (fire god). Even Agni is not responsible for this. It is the energy of Goddess Parashakti which is behind all this.
It is because of the divine Samkalpa of Mother Goddess that the angels became hungry. The angels approached Lord Brahma to satisfy their hunger. Lord Brahma, in turn, took Lord Vishnu's help to pray the Divine Mother - "O! Divine Mother, have mercy on the gods and bless Agni with the power of burning, which you have in abundance. Then Agni will burn the offerings given by human beings and will transform them into a suitable form so that the gods may consume them".
Mother Goddess replied - "Brahma, if I give my power of burning to Agni, even I may have to remain subordinate to him. I have decided to undertake Tapas. For this, I need to be independent. Therefore, I can not part with that power". But Brahma and Vishnu continued to beg Her to accede to their request.
Finally, Mother Goddess took out a part of her energy, gave it a feminine form and named it as 'Swaahaa'. She then got Swaahaa Devi married to Agni. The couple begot three male children - Garhapatyagni, Ahavaneeyaagni and Dakshinaagni. They are collectively called as 'Tretagni'(three fires).
Normally, homas are performed in these three Agnis and while making an offering, the word 'Swaahaa' is recited. (For example, Indraaya Swahaa - by chanting this while making an offering, the offering will reach Lord Indra.). By this way, it is possible to give the offering to any godhead.
But after some time, another problem came up. The Pitr Devatas (our deceased ancestors who have assumed the form of gods) complained that they were not getting any offerings. This time, Lord Brahma created a female deity, named her as 'Swadhaa' and got her married to Agni. He also ordained that the offerings made by reciting the name - 'Swadhaa' at the end of the mantra should go to the Pitr Devatas.
In this way, Mother Goddess devised a plan by which human beings could appease Gods as well as Pitr Devatas.
Because Mother Goddess was instrumental in ensuring that the gods got their share of food, She is called Annapoorna (god of food). By virtue of her tendency to bestow prosperity on Her devotees, She is called as Lakshmi. She is also called as Saraswati because she is responsible for knowledge. Because She destroyed the demons, She is called as Raja Rajeshwari.
By devising such a plan in which even human beings have a role to play, She has in fact blessed the human beings with a path by following which they can ensure universal good. By following the path of Yajnas, mankind can achieve prosperity, ensure timely rains and gain knowledge. She has shown man the steps to ascend to divinity.
By performing Yajna (fire sacrifice), the entire region stands to gain. This is the speciality of Yagas. If Yajnas are performed according to the instructions and under the supervision of the Sadguru, the entire world will be benefited. Therefore, Yajnas performed with the blessings of a Sadguru are not only more powerful, but are also more beneficial at the personal level. This is because the Guru acts like a 'shock absorber'. If you bypass the Sadguru, you may have to face the same which Namadeva faced. (Namadeva, a saint, who had the power of travelling to the celestial worlds with the physical body once went straight to Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu did not entertain him much and said that he expected His devotees to first serve the Guru and then come to the heavenly worlds).
Just as the gods were responsible for the human beings to be blessed
with the right steps for ascending to divinity, Sadgurus too show the right
path for spiritual progress. This just like the scheme devised by the Mother
Goddess. Therefore, wherever there are activities which are conducive to
true spiritual progress of mankind, we must realise that there is the power
of the Mother Goddess. The story of Agni and his consorts - Swaahaa and
Swadhaa is an example for this.