amukta,
By Tamasic / Rajasic I meant the way in which the deity responds to the devotee's prayer.
Tamasic
In the case of Malla, the deity (Maha Kali) is forced to appear because of a previously given boon. Malla invokes her to cause destruction and devastation. His prayer is neither for the betterment of the world nor for himself. In fact it is to cause destruction.
Why do I say that Maha Kali was forced to appear?
The reason for which Malla invokes her is against the very laws of nature.Malla worships the Tamasic form of Adi Shakti. He wanted to make the whole world a smashan - devoid of life. But that is against the nature of Prakriti. Prakriti wants to flourish, to grow and nourish. Prakriti is nothing but Adi Shakti in her nurturing roop.
To go on a destruction spree is against the very nature of the sowmya Adi Shakti. But Parvati is bound by a previously given boon and hence has to respond to Malla's call. That is a tamasic way of responding to a devotee.
Rajasic
Narada's appeal to Lord Vishnu stems from his innate desire to save the world from destruction which was going to be caused. There was no ego, no pride in his appeal. Only heartfelt appeals to his aradhya to wake up and save the world. When such a sincere devotee prays, - emotionally and selflessly- can the Lord ignore such a prayer? Lord Narayan wakes up in answer to Narada's appeal.
This is a rajasic way of the Lord responding to his devotee.
Now yo may ask, what then is the Sattvik way in which a God can respond?
Sattvik
When the Lord appears to rescue his devotee, even without the devotee calling him, that's the sattvik way. When even the devotee does not know the danger he is in but the Lord comes and saves the devotee, uncalled, and unasked, it is the highest honour which a devotee can get.
In her Maha Kali roop, Parvati forgot the basic nature of her existence. Her raudra roop would have overwhelmed her normal original sowmya roop. She was not aware of the danger she was in. She was in danger form herself. Forget the srushti, forget Mani / Malla. If her anger had continued unabated, she would have been her own victim.
But Lord Shiva was aware of this predicament. He transformed into a ball of light and entered Maha Kali's body to protect nad preserve the original sowmya roop of Parvati.
He did so, because Parvati was his foremost and dearest devotee. Her entire life had been spent in worshiping him. Despite being the all powerful Maha Tripurasundari, she had submitted herself, surrendered herself, to her Mahadev.
Now when danger threatened her, he came to her rescue, instinctively, not waiting to be called.
That's why I have called it the sattvik response.
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