The Master in relation to one’s Ishta Devata

Surendranath Bhaumick and Dr. Durga Prasad had been staying at the house of the Holy Mother. They would depart that afternoon. In the morning, after their bath, they came to the Holy Mother and saluted her. She blessed them by placing her hand on their heads and asked them to take their seats. After the exchange of a word or two Surendra said to the Holy Mother, “ Mother, while worshipping the Master I find one difficulty. Suppose a devotee has a general belief that his Ishta Devata and the Master are one and the same. He worships the Goddess through the image of the Master. Afterwards he surrenders the fruits of the Japa to the image of the Master, uttering the words, ‘ O Great Goddess, through Thy grace, and so forth. This creates a confusion in my mind. The Mother said with a smile, “ Don’t worry, my child. Our Master alone is Mahesvara (Supreme God) and Mahesvari (Supreme Goddess) as well. He alone is the embodiment of all Deities. He alone is the embodiment of all mystic syllables. One can worship through him all Gods and Goddesses. You can address him as Mahesvara as well as Mahesvari,” Surendra : Mother, I cannot concentrate my mind in meditation at all.