Devi Navaratri: Worship of Devi as Divine Mother

7/27/2019 Devi Navaratri: Worship of Devi as Divine Mother

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Devi

Navaratri:

Compiled by

Tumuluru

Worship of Devi as Divine Mother


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Tumuluru Krishna Murty

Anasuya

C-66 Durgabai Deshmukh Colony

Ahobil Mutt Road

Hyderabad 500007

Ph: +91 (40) 2742 7083/ 8904

Typeset and formatted by:

Desaraju Sri Sai Lakshmi


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Picture courtesy: Desaraju Sri Sai Lakshmi


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Table of Contents

Devi Navaratri: An Introduction ............................................................ 9

Vasanta Navaratri ................................................................................................................... 9

The Story of Vasanta Navaratri ....................................................................... 10

Sharad Navaratri ................................................................................................................... 12

Forms of Shakti....................................................................................................................... 12

Rituals ......................................................................................................................................... 12

First three days ................................................................................................ 13

Second three days ........................................................................................... 13

Final three days ............................................................................................... 13

Vijayadasami ........................................................................................................................... 15

Victory of God Rama over Ravana ................................................................. 15

Victory of Durga Mata over Mahishasura ..................................................... 17

Homecoming of Durga Mata ....................................................................... 17

End of Agyatawas of Pandavas........................................................................ 18

Kautsa's Guru Dakshina..................................................................................... 19

Forms and manifestations of Shakti...................................................... 21

The Three Facets of the Divine Female Principle.................................................. 21

Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati Represent Thoughts, Words and Actions

.................................................................................................................................. 22Prakrithi Shakti .................................................................................................... 23

The need to develop Will power................................................................. 24

The concepts of Sathya and Ritha ................................................................... 25

Divine potencies of the three Goddesses ....................................................... 26

The way to enter the spiritual path ............................................................. 27

Human Intellect Is To Be Used For Righteous Actions........................ 29

The Mother Divine ............................................................................... 31


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Principles that constitute the role of motherhood.................................................. 33

The powers of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati............................................. 34

Children require mother's loving grace .......................................................... 35

Mother comes first .............................................................................................. 36

Worship of God as energy principle ............................................................................ 37

True relatives of man .......................................................................................... 38

Compassion is the true friend. .......................................................................... 38

Worship of Devi as divine mother.................................................................. 39

The quest for Truth.............................................................................................. 42

Spiritual truth of Navaratri .................................................................. 43Inner Significance of Navaratri Festival................................................................... 43

The role of Nature in the creative process ..................................................... 44

Maintain steadiness of mind during worship ................................................ 45

Adoration of Nature ............................................................................................ 46

The power of Mantra .......................................................................................... 47

Principle of oneness ............................................................................................ 47

Ways of Worship.................................................................................................................... 55Inner meaning of Dasara festival ..................................................................... 61

The true meaning of Angaarpana Puja ........................................................... 62

Index .................................................................................................... 65

Bibliography ......................................................................................... 67


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Devi Navaratri: An

Introduction

Navaratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindudeity Durga. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in

Sanskrit, Nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During

these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are

worshiped. The tenth day is commonly referred to as

Vijayadasami or "Dussehra." Navaratri is a very important and

major festival.

Navaratri is celebrated five times a year. They are Vasanta

Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri, the Sharad Navaratri, and the

Paush/ Magha Navaratri. Of these, the Sharad Navaratri of the

month of Puratashi and the Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta

kala are the most important.

Vasanta Navaratri

This is celebrated during Vasanta Rhitu (beginning of summer)

(March- April). This is also known as Chaitra Navaratri as it

falls during the lunar month of Chaitra.


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Devi Navaratri: Worship of Devi as Divine Mother

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The Story of Vasanta Navaratri

In days long gone by, King Dhruvasindhu was killed by a lion

when he went out hunting. Preparations were made to crown theprince Sudarsana. But, King Yudhajit of Ujjain, the father of

Queen Lilavati, and King Virasena of Kalinga, the father of

Queen Manorama, were each desirous of securing the Kosala

throne for their respective grandsons. They fought with each

other. King Virasena was killed in the battle. Manorama fled to

the forest with Prince Sudarsana and a eunuch. They took refuge

in the hermitage of Rishi Bharadwaja.

The victor, King Yudhajit, thereupon crowned his grandson,

Satrujit, at Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala. He then went out in

search of Manorama and her son. The Rishi said that he would

not give up those who had sought protection under him. Yudhajit

became furious. He wanted to attack the Rishi. But, his ministertold him about the truth of the Rishis statement. Yudhajit

returned to his capital.

Fortune smiled on Prince Sudarsana. A hermits son came one

day and called the eunuch by his Sanskrit name Kleeba. The

prince caught the first syllable Kli and began to pronounce it as

Kleem. This syllable happened to be a powerful, sacred Mantra.It is the Bija Akshara (root syllable) of the Divine Mother. The

Prince obtained peace of mind and the Grace of the Divine

Mother by the repeated utterance of this syllable. Devi appeared

to him, blessed him and granted him divine weapons and an

inexhaustible quiver.


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Devi Navaratri: An Introduction

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The emissaries of the king of Benares passed through the Ashram

of the Rishi and, when they saw the noble prince Sudarsana, they

recommended him to Princess Sashikala, the daughter of theking of Benares.

The ceremony at which the princess was to choose her spouse

was arranged. Sashikala at once chose Sudarsana. They were

duly wedded. King Yudhajit, who had been present at the

function, began to fight with the king of Benares. Devis helped

Sudarsana and his father-in-law. Yudhajit mocked Her, upon

which Devi promptly reduced Yudhajit and his army to ashes.

Thus Sudarsana, with his wife and his father-in-law, praised

Devi. She was highly pleased and ordered them to worship her

with havan and other means during the Vasanta Navaratri. Then

she disappeared.

Prince Sudarsana and Sashikala returned to the Ashram of Rishi

Bharadwaja. The great Rishi blessed them and crowned

Sudarsana as the king of Kosala. Sudarsana and Sashikala and

the king of Benares implicitly carried out the commands of the

Divine Mother and performed worship in a splendid manner

during the Vasanta Navaratri.

Sudarsanas descendants Sri Rama and Lakshmana also

performed worship of Devi during the Sharad Navaratri and

were blessed with Her assistance in the recovery of Sita.


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Sharad Navaratri

Commences on the first and ends on the tenth day of the bright

half of the lunar month Aswayuja/Asvina.

Forms of Shakti

Nine forms of Shakti are worshipped during the Navaratris. The

Devis worshipped depend on the tradition of the region.

Durga, the inaccessible oneBhadrakali

Amba or Jagadamba, Mother of the universe

Annapoorna devi, The one who bestows grains (anna) in plenty

(purna: used as subjective)

Sarvamangala, The one who gives joy (mangal) to all (sarva)

Bhairavi

Chandika or Chandi

Lalita

Bhavani

Mookambika

Rituals

Navaratri commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright

fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvin. The festival is celebrated

for nine nights once every year during the beginning of October,

although as the dates of the festival are determined according to

the lunar calendar, the festival may be held for a day more or a

day less.


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Navaratri is celebrated in different ways throughout India. The

Chaitra Navaratri culminates in Ram Navami and the Sharad

Navaratri culminates in Durga Puja and Dussehra.

Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore three

different aspects of the supreme goddess or goddesses.

First three days

The goddess is separated a spiritual force called Durga also

known as Kali in order to destroy all our, evil and grants boons.

Second three days

The Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi,

who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her

devotees inexhaustible wealth, as she is the goddess of wealth.

Final three days

The final set of three days is spent in worshiping the goddess of

wisdom, Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life,

believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine

femininity, hence the nine nights of worship.

Eighth day is traditionally Durgashtami which is big in Bengal

and Bihar

In some parts of South India, Saraswati puja is performed on the

9th day. Ayudha Puja is conducted in many parts of South India

on the Mahanavami (Ninth) day with much fanfare. Weapons,

agricultural implements, all kinds of tools, equipments,

machinery and automobiles are decorated and worshipped on

this day along with the worship of Goddess. The work starts


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afresh from the next day, i.e. the 10th day which is celebrated as

'Vijaya Dasami'.

In North India, as the culmination of the Ramlila which is

enacted ceremoniously during Dussehra, the effigies of Ravana,

Kumbhakarna, and Meghanada are burnt to celebrate the

victory of good (Rama) over evil forces on the 'Vijaya Dasami'

day.

Navaratri is also a period of introspection and purification, and

is traditionally an auspicious and religious time for starting new

ventures.

During this vowed religious observance, a pot is installed

(ghatasthapana) at a sanctified place at home. A lamp is kept lit

in the pot for nine days. The pot symbolises the universe. The

uninterrupted lit lamp is the medium through which we worship

the effulgent Adishakti, i.e. Sree Durgadevi. During Navaratri,

the principle of Sree Durgadevi is more active in the atmosphere.

Navaratri is celebrated in a large number of Indian communities.

The mother goddess is said to appear in 9 forms, and each one is

worshiped for a day. These nine forms signify various traits thatthe goddess influences us with. The Devi Mahatmya and other

texts invoking the Goddess who vanquished demons are cited.

- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia


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Vijayadasami

Vijayadasami also known as Dashahara, Dussehra, Dashain (in

Nepal), Navaratri or Durgotsav is one of the most importantHindu festivals celebrated in various forms, across India, Nepal

and Bangladesh.

The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit Dasha-hara

literally means removal of ten referring to Lord Rama's victory

over the ten-headed demon king Ravana. The day also marks the

victory of Goddess Durga over the demons Mahishasur. The

name Vijayadasami is also derived from the Sanskrit words

"Vijaya-dashmi" literally meaning the victory on the dashmi

(Dashmi being the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month).

Victory of God Rama over Ravana

On this day in the Treta Yug, Rama, also called Sri Ram, the

seventh avatar of Vishnu, killed the great demon Ravana who

had abducted Rama's wife Sita to his kingdom of Lanka. Rama,

his brother Lakshmana, their follower Hanuman and an army of

monkeys fought a great battle to rescue Sita. The entire narrative

is recorded in the epic Ramayana, a Hindu scripture.

Rama had performed "Chandi Homa" and invoked the blessingsof Durga, who blessed Rama with secret knowledge of the way to

kill Ravana. On the day of Ashvin Shukla Dasami, Rama's party

found Sita and defeated Ravana. Thus it is termed as Vijaya

Dasami. Based on the inferences from Valmikis Ramayana,

Kalidass Raghuvans, Tulsidass Ram Charit Manas, and

Keshavdas's Ram Chandra Yas Chandrika as well as common

perception in India, Rama, Sita, and of Lakshmana returned to


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Ayodhya on the 30th day of Ashvin (1920 days after

Vijayadasami). To mark the return of Lord Rama, in the evening,

the residents of Ayodhya lit their city with millions of earthenlamps (called Deepak). Since then, this day is celebrated in India

as Deepawali or Diwali.

Many people perform "Aditya Homa" as a "Shanti Yagna" and

recite Sundara Kanda of Srimad Ramayana for 5 days. These

Yagna performances are thought to create powerful agents in the

atmosphere surrounding the house that will keep the household

environment clean and healthy. These rituals are intended to rid

the household of the ten bad qualities, which are represented by

10 heads of Ravana as follows:

Kama vasana (Lust)

Krodha (Anger)

Moha (Delusion)

Lobha (Greed)

Mada (Over Pride)

Maatsarya (Jealousy)

Manas (Mind)

Buddhi (Intellect)

Chitta (Will)Ahamkara (Ego).

Some householders perform Yagnas thrice daily along with

Sandhya Vandana, which is also called Aahavaneeya Agni,

Grahapatya Agni or Dakshina Agni. In addition, the Aditya

Homa is performed with the Maha Surya Mantras and the Aruna

Prapathaka of the Yajurveda. These mantras are believed to keep


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the heart, brain and digestive functions in balance in the absence

of adequate sunlight in the winter months.

Victory of Durga Mata over Mahishasura

Some of the demons, or Asuras, were very powerful and

ambitious and continually tried to defeat the Devas, or Gods,

and capture Heaven. One Asura, Mahishasura, in the form of a

buffalo, grew very powerful and created havoc on the earth.

Under his leadership, the Asuras defeated the Devas. The world

was crushed under Mahishasura's tyranny; the Devas joinedtheir energies into Shakti, a single mass of incandescent energy,

to kill Mahishasura.

A very powerful band of lightning emerged from the mouths of

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and a young, beautiful female virgin

with ten hands appeared. All the Gods gave their special

weapons to her. This Shakti coalesced to form the goddess

Durga. Riding on a lion, who assisted her, Durga fought

Mahishasura. The battle raged for nine days and nights. Finally

on the tenth day of Ashvin shukla paksha, Mahishasura was

defeated and killed by Durga.

Hence Dasara is also known as Navaratri or Durgotsav and is acelebration of Durga's victory. Durga, as Consort of Lord Shiva,

represents two forms of female energy - one mild and protective

and the other fierce and destructive.

Homecoming of Durga Mata

Daksha, the Lord of the Earth, and his wife Prasuti, had a

daughter called Sati. As a child, Sati started worshipping LordShiva as her would-be-husband. Lord Shiva was pleased with the


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Agnyatawas. The brothers hid their weapons in a hole in a Shami

tree before entering the Kingdom of Virat to complete the final

year of Agnyatawas. After that year, on Vijayadasami, theyrecovered the weapons, declared their true identities and

defeated Kauravas, who had attacked King Virat to steal his

cattle. Since that day, Shami trees and weapons have been

worshipped and the exchange of Shami leaves on Vijayadasami

has been a symbol of good will and victory. This is also called

Shami/Jammi Puja.

Kautsa's Guru Dakshina

Kautsa, the young son of a Brahmin called Devdatt, lived in the

city of Paithan. After completing his education with Rishi

Varatantu, he insisted on his guru accepting Guru Dakshina, a

present. The guru said, "Kautsa, to give dakshina in return for

learning wisdom is not appropriate. Graduation of the disciple

makes the guru happy, and that is the real Guru Dakshina."

Kautsa was not satisfied. He still felt it was his duty to give his

guru something. The guru said, "All right, if you insist on giving

me dakshina, then give me 140 million gold coins, 10 million for

each of the 14 sciences I have taught you."

Kautsa went to King Raghu. Raghuraja was an ancestor of Lord

Rama, famous for his generosity. But just at that time he had

spent all his money on the Brahmins, after performing the

Vishvajit sacrifice. Raghuraja asked Kautsa to return in three

days. Raghuraja immediately left to get the gold coins from

Indra. Indra summoned Kuber, the god of wealth. Indra told


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Kuber, "Make rain full of gold coins, fall on the Shanu and

Aapati trees around Raghuraja's city of Ayodhya."

The rain of gold coins began to fall. King Raghu gave all the

coins to Kautsa, and Kautsa hastened to offer the coins to

Varatantu Rishi. Guru had asked only 140 millions, so he gave

the rest back to Kautsa. Kautsa was not interested in money,

considering honour to be more valuable than wealth. He asked

the king to take the remaining gold coins back. But the king

refused, as kings do not take back the daan (gift). Finally Kautsa

distributed the gold coins to the people of Ayodhya on the day of

Ashvin shukla Dasami. In remembrance of this event, there has

been a custom of plucking the leaves of the Aapati tree, and then

people present these leaves to one another as gold.

- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vijayadasami is the day when the evil-minded Ravana, who was

well versed in all the sciences and was very powerful, was

destroyed. The Suddha Paadyami in the Aasayuja month was the

day in which the combined powers of the three goddesses,

Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, (Ichcha Shakti , Kriya Shakti and

Jnaana Shakti) put an end to the evil forces represented by

Mahishasura (the buffalo-headed demon). Vijayadasami is alsothe day when the Asura King, Ravana, was destroyed and Sri

Rama was crowned at Ayodhya. It is the day on which the great

Emperor Vikramaditya ascended his bejewelled throne acquired

as a boon. It is also the anniversary of the passing of the founder

of Jainism, Mahavira. (SSS Vol.21)


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Forms and manifestations of

Shakti

During the Dasara festival, the three Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi

and Saraswatiare worshipped according to certain traditional

practices. The tenth day of the festival is celebrated as the Day of

Victory. The celebration has its roots deep in the ancient history

of Bharat. In the Dwapara Yuga, when the Pandavas had to

spend one year incognito, they hid all their asthras (weapons), on

the advice of Krishna, in a Jammi tree which is thick in foliage

and whose branches are filled with latent fire. Vijayadasami wasthe day on which they retrieved the weapons from the tree and

used them to win victory over the Kauravas.

Earlier, in the Treta Yuga, Sri Rama's coronation, after his

victorious return to Ayodhya from Lanka, was performed on

Vijayadasami day.

The Three Facets of the Divine Female Principle

What is Dasara? The celebration of Dasara festival is meant to

purify the actions performed by the dasendriyas (5 senses of

action plus 5 senses of perception). Every human being in this

world has to perform some kind ofkarma. The presiding deity or

the driving force behind these actions is Devi, who is the


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personification of energy. She is the bestower of all kinds of

energy to perform various kinds ofkarma by the human beings.

Goddess Lakshmi bestows various kinds of wealth like money,food grains, gold, different kinds of objects, vehicles for

movement, etc., to human beings so that they can lead a happy

life in this world. The third facet of the divine female principle is

Saraswati, the goddess of learning and intellect. Thus, the Trinity

of Durga (goddess of energy), Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and

Saraswati (goddess of learning and intellect) are worshipped

during this festival of Dasara. This is the underlying principle of

worshipping this Trinity of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati

during this Navaratri (9 day) festival. It is essential that man

worships all these three facets of the Divine Principle.

Tridalam Trigunakaram

Trinetram Cha Triyayudham;

Trijanma Papa Samharam

Eka Bilvam Sivarpanam.

(One Bilva leaf with three petals is offered to the three-eyed

Lord Siva who is the embodiment of the three Gunas (attributes),

who holds the trident in his hand and who destroys the sins

accumulated over three births.) (SSS Vol.41), 9-10-2008

Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati Represent Thoughts,

Words and Actions

Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped during

the Dasara celebrations. Durga is not to be understood as a

ferocious goddess. She is the goddess supreme who protects you.


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Forms and manifestations of Shakti

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Lakshmi is the embodiment of all wealth. Then, Saraswati is the

goddess of speech. Good thoughts, good words and good actions

(behaviour) represent the tatwa (nature) of these three goddesses.He who teaches good things to you is verily the embodiment of

goddess Saraswati. He who teaches evil is verily a demon.

Goddess Durga destroys only such demons. Durga, Lakshmi and

Saraswati are, in fact, not different from you. They are very

much installed in your own heart. They exhort you to lead the

life of a human being, since you are a human being. Durga,

Lakshmi and Saraswati are the three mothers to a human being.

You should treasure these good words in your heart and put them

into action. Thereby you should come up in life and set an

example to others. You should, by your example, spread the

message to the world that Bharatiya Vidya is great. There are

several people in the modern world imparting education that

leads to evil ways. You should denounce such education. You

should not go after it. You must enquire, will it help to purify

my heart or not. If you feel it is not conducive to your progress,

you must give it up immediately. It is only when you are able to

satisfy your conscience that your life will be happy, peaceful and

contented. Do naamasmarnam incessantly. (SSS Vol.39), 28-9-

2006

Prakrithi Shakti

Durga represents the prodigious Prakrithi Shakti (power of

Nature). As against this power of Nature, is theParaShakti (the

power of the Spirit). When spiritual power is predominant, the

power of Nature is kept under control. When spiritual power is

weak, the power of Nature becomes predominant. This is


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illustrated by the example of smoke and fire. When smoke is

predominant, the fire is suppressed. When the fire is blazing, the

smoke vanishes. Hence, to enhance the power of the Spirit andlimit the power of Nature, man has to cultivate Vairagya

(detachment). To the extent the power of Nature is under control,

to that extent spiritual power grows.

The need to develop Will power

Ichcha-Shakti (the potency of Will) arises from thoughts. This

Ichcha-Shakti is the source of several other potencies likeintellectual power, the discriminating capacity and others. To

develop this Ichcha-Shakti (Will power), one has to worship

Devi. This calls for the cultivation of thyaga (renunciation or

detachment). For instance, if one has a desire for various drinks,

he can bring the desires under control by giving up, to begin

with, the desire for some of them.

Thereby the Ichcha-Shakti (Will power) is developed and in due

course it becomes easier to give up other desires. In Vedantic

parlance this is described as Vairagya (renouncing all

attachments).

Vairagya is not abandonment of hearth and home and retiring to

a forest. It means developing Godly thoughts and reducing

worldly feelings. It is when this balanced development takes

place that one acquires Prakrithi-Shakti (control over the power

of Nature). When these powers are got, the mental power in a

person increases.


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Durga represents the Prakrithi-Shakti and Lakshmi represents the

Thought power--Sankalpa-Shakti. Vaak-Shakti, the power of

speech, is represented by Saraswati. It is to acquire these threepowers that the various forms of worship are performed during

the Navaratri festival. But prayers alone are not enough. Prayers

issue from the lips. They should emanate from the heart.

The Hridaya (heart) symbolises the Ksheerasagara (Ocean of

Milk). Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of Milk. When Lakshmi

emerges, purity of speech follows. Whatever you speak conforms

to truth. (SSS Vol.25), 4 Oct 1992

The concepts of Sathya and Ritha

There are two concepts: Sathya (truth) andRitha (conduct based

on unity of thought, word and deed). The triple purity of mind,

speech and body is Ritha. To adhere to Ritha and speak and act

accordingly is Truth. What is uttered with this triple purity is

alone Truth, not other words. The ancients have declared that

adherence to the truth is Dharma (Righteousness). There is no

higher Dharma than Truth---Sathyaannaasthi paro Dharmah.

Without the firm foundation of Truth, the mansion of Dharma

cannot stand.

A life built upon sankalpa (desires) cannot last. The mansion of

desires must be converted into a Mansion of Divine Will

(Ichcha-Bhavanam). When the Ichcha-Shakti (Will Power) is

converted into Kriya-Shakti (power of action), it results in

Jnaana-Shakti (the power of Wisdom). It is through this Divine

Wisdom that spiritual liberation Kaivalyam is secured. (SSS

Vol.25), 4 Oct 1992


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Divine potencies of the three Goddesses

The Navaratri festival should not be observed as a festival for

worshipping the consorts of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. TheseGoddesses symbolise Divine potencies. All these potencies are

derived from Vishnu. The entire cosmos is a manifestation of the

myriad forms of Vishnu.

People must recognise this oneness underlying the different

forms. All beings breathe the same air as their life-breath.

Likewise all the five basic elements arc common to all. These

elements are the stuff of Nature. But in the Para Thathwa (the

Supreme Principle, the Divine), these do not exist. The elements

are mortal. The Divine is immortal. To proceed from the mortal

to the immortal the easiest means is the cultivation of Prema

(Divine Love).

The heart is like a sky wherein the clouds in the form of thoughts

hide the Buddhi (the intellect) and the Mind representing the sun

and the moon. Vairagya is the means to get rid of thoughts and

the desires arising from them. The Devi Puja performed during

Navaratri is intended to get rid of worldly attachments and divert

the mind towards God.

There are four different qualities in man: humanness, the animal

nature, the demonic nature and the Divine nature. When man

follows the dictates of the body, he is a prey to his animal nature.

When he is subject to the vagaries of the mind, he becomes

demonic. When he is following the Atma, he is manifesting his

Divinity. When he is governed by all three--the body, the mind

and the Atma--he is human. (SSS Vol.25), 4 Oct 1992


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The way to enter the spiritual path

When Ravana fell a victim to the promptings of the mind, his

demonic nature predominated over his other good qualities as aworshipper of Shiva and a master of many sciences. Whenever a

desire arises in the mind, one should exercise the power of

discrimination and decide whether it is good or bad. This is the

way to enter on the spiritual path.

Each person has to decide for himself in which of these four

states he is placed. The Atmic principle is fundamental andeveryone should strive to fortify the heart for spiritual ends. This

heart is not the physical heart. It is the abode of the Spirit and is

located in the spinal column between the ninth and twelfth

vertebrae. It shines like lightning in the core of a dark cloud. This

is called Sushumna.

Sushumna refers to the state in which all the sensory organs are

subdued and the mind and desires are under control. It is not the

state of deep sleep, as is interpreted by some. The terms used by

the Vedantins (spiritual philosophers) should be understood in

their deeper sense. This is a difficult exercise. The easier path is

to love God with a pure and unwavering mind. Tukaram

confessed that he was unacquainted with the techniques ofmeditation or the rules for performing sacrifices. "Oh Rama! The

only method I know to attain you is to love you with a pure

heart! Let me have your grace for cherishing this love," he

declared.


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The Ozone layer above the earth faces great danger owing to

atmospheric pollution and intensive afforestation is essential for

controlling this pollution and safeguarding the Ozone layer.

The Navaratri festival was celebrated by kings in olden days for

propitiating Nature before embarking on wars of conquest. The

Navaratri festival has another significance also. It is intended to

secure victory over the Navagrahas (nine planets). Saint

Thyagaraja, however, declared that if only he has Rama's

Anugraha (grace), the Navagrahas would be utterly powerless.

Men today should not seek the earthly victories sought by the

ancient rulers. They should seek the sovereignty of the

Atmasaamraajyam (Kingdom of the Spirit) within them. This

calls for control over the senses and the eschewing of bad

qualities like anger, greed and jealousy. This sadhana must begin

from now itself when you are young. Do not put it off for your

old age.

The students are well behaved while they are here. But they

should carry their good conduct wherever they may be. Only

then will they serve to reform the world. Just as people of all

faiths live in harmony here, you should live in harmony withpeople of other faiths in whatever country you may live. You

will be serving your Motherland well only when you set the

example to the world. (SSS Vol.25), 4 Oct 1992


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Human Intellect Is To Be Used For Righteous Actions

Everyone performs Devi Puja (worshipping goddess Devi)

during the Navaratri festival, which confers energy on theindividual. The worship of Lakshmi brings all kinds of wealth

and that of Saraswati, learning and good intellect. Hence, the

worship of all the three aspects of goddess is very important

during the Navaratri festival. In all this worship, Dharma

(righteousness) is of utmost importance. One should enquire into

oneself what result would accrue on account of a particular

action and then get into it. This reasoning faculty is in thedomain of the intellect (buddhi), which is all-pervading in the

human body. Just as the electric current passes through the wire,

intellect enters and influences all senses of a human being.

Hence, every human being should make proper use of his

intellect and undertake only righteous actions at all times. No

doubt, one is bound by the result of ones own actionsgood or

bad. And, no result is possible without performing an action. The

Pandavas experienced the result of their karmas. So did Sita in

Ramayana. Hence, we should undertake good and sacred karmas

beneficial to the society, thereby sanctifying our lives.

The left side of the chest of Lord Mahavishnu is the abode of

Goddess Lakshmi. Seated in that sacred abode, she showers hergrace on one and all. (SSS Vol.41), 9-10-2008


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The mere removal of hate from the heart will not ensure

Ananda. Love too should be cultivated. That is to say,

uproot hate and plant love. If the absence of hate ensures

Bhakti, hill and anthill, tree and twig, mud and mountain--what do these hate? They have no dislikes. But for this

reason, do we ascribe Bhakti to them at all? We do not, for

that would be absurd. The Bhakta must first be free from

hate and full of Love. Hate breeds fear, hate is the seedbed

of anxiety, scandal and falsehood. It drains your mind of

peace. You may have light without oil, fire without smoke,

breeze without a bearer fanning you, a chilliness in the air

of your room in the sizzling heat of summer--but, unless you

are at peace with yourselves and with those around you,

your pulse will be quick and your blood will be racing in

rage and rancor. Love alone can alleviate anxiety and allay

fear.

- Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba


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even to sacrifice their lives to safeguard their honour. Without

regard to the difficulties and troubles they may encounter,

women are ready to make any sacrifice to protect their honourand self-respect. When the Tamasic elements attempt to subvert

the Satwic qualities, they are ready to combat and vanquish

them. (SSS Vol.24), 18-10-1991

Everyone should consider it his foremost duty today to revere the

mother as divine and serve her, regardless of country or

circumstance. If a man cannot respect and serve the mother, who

has borne him for nine months, brought him forth into the world

and reared him over the years, whom else is he likely to respect?

Maternal love is akin to that of the Creator who projects and

protects this infinite cosmos in countless ways. One individual

may elect to worship the Divine in the form of his favourite

goddess. Another may worship God in a different form and

derive bliss from such worship. Each one should note that the

forms in which the Divine is worshipped by others are as

important to them as his own chosen deity is to him. If, on the

contrary, he criticises or casts a slur on the deities worshipped by

others, he is committing a grievous sin, however well he may be

performing his own worship. Likewise, a man should show equal

regard and reverence for mothers of others as he shows for hisown mother.

There are several notable examples in daily life of the divine

quality which motherhood represents. The cow converts its own

blood into nourishing milk for man to sustain his body. The cow

is the first example of the Divine as Mother. The Earth comes

next. Like the Divine, the Earth bears man in its bosom and takes


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care of him in many ways. Hence the Earth also is the

embodiment of the Mother. (SSS Vol.21), 14 Oct 1988

Principles that constitute the role of motherhood

In the human body the Divine flows through all the limbs as

Rasa (The Divine essence) and sustains them. This Divine

principle is called Rasaswaroopini (Embodiment of Divine

sweetness). Another name for the same is Angirasa. These

Divine principles that permeate and sustain the physical bodyshould also be worshipped as mother goddesses. Then there are

the great sages, the Maharishis, who investigated matters relating

to good and evil, fight and wrong, what elevates man or degrades

him, and, as a result of their labours and penances, gave to

mankind the great scriptures, indicating the spiritual and

mundane paths and how humanity can redeem its existence.

These sages have also to be revered as Divine Mothers.

The cow, the earth, the presiding deities for the body, the sages

and the guru are all worthy of worship as the embodiments of the

Divine Motherhood. Although these five appear in different

forms and names, they have one thing in common with the

mother. They play a protective and sustaining maternal role formankind and hence should be revered and worshipped as Divine

Mothers.

Conversely, the mother of every child displays in relation to the

child the attributes of these five entities. The mother nourishes

the child, provides the necessaries for its growth, teaches the


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child what it should know and what it should avoid and leads it

on the path of righteousness. (SSS Vol.21), 14 Oct 1988

The powers of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati

The life of a man who cannot respect and love such a venerable

mother is utterly useless. Recognising one's mother as the very

embodiment of all divine forces, one must show reverence to her

and treat her with love. This is the true message that the

Navaratri, the nine-night festival gives us. The supreme Shakti

manifests herself in the form of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Durga grants to us energy--physical, mental and spiritual.

Lakshmi bestows on us wealth of many kinds--not just money

but intellectual wealth, the wealth of character and others. Even

health is a kind of wealth. She grants untold riches to us. And

Saraswati bestows on us intelligence, the capacity for intellectual

enquiry and the power of discrimination. The Navaratri festival

is celebrated in order to proclaim to the world the power of the

goddesses. One's own mother is the combination of all these

Divine beings. She provides us energy, wealth and intelligence.

She constantly desires our advancement in life. So she represents

all the three goddesses that we worship during the Navaratri

festival.

If the Pandavas were able to become so dear to Krishna and

make their lives worthy by serving Him, it was not on account of

their own merit or austerities. It was mother Kunti Devi's love

for them that brought to them such a great fortune. Even when

they had to live in a forest or in the House of Wax, she always


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stayed with them and prayed for their welfare. The Pandavas also

reciprocated her love, and that accounts for their final victory.

Lakshmana, likewise, was able to dwell in the forest with his

brother Rama, serving him ceaselessly, only because of his

mother Sumitra's blessings. She told her son that Ayodhya

without Rama was like a forest, and that the forest in which

Rama lived would be a veritable Ayodhya to him. It was on

account of the hearty blessings of his mother that Lakshmana

was able to while away fourteen years in the forest even without

food or sleep. (SSS Vol.21), 14 Oct 1988

Children require mother's loving grace

All our epics and sacred books emphasise the power of the

mother's love, her blessings and grace. Consider the story of

Gandhari and the Kauravas. When Krishna visited Gandhari to

console her after the Kurukshetra war, she accused him of

partiality towards the Pandavas.

"Though You are God, how could You be so partial? Why did

You support the Pandavas in full measure, and allow the

destruction of all my sons?" she asked Him. Krishna replied to

her that she herself was to blame for the death of her children. Hereminded her that though she gave birth to a hundred sons, she

didn't cast her loving glance on even one of them at any time. As

she chose to remain blindfolded, she never looked at any of her

sons with great care, attention and affection. "How could such

sinners who couldn't even enjoy their own mother's loving glance

thrive and flourish?" He asked her.


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There is no need to propitiate Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati for

energy, material prosperity and worldly knowledge. If we love

and adore the mother, we shall be showing our love and devotionto all goddesses. (SSS Vol.21), 14 Oct 1988

Mother comes first

One's mother is greater than heaven itself. Sri Rama Himself

declared that one's mother and Motherland are greater than even

heaven. The Navaratri festival teaches this profound truth. One

must remember that reverence to one's own mother is one'sparamount duty. If one's mother is unhappy, all the expenditure

one incurs and all the worship one offers in the name of Durga,

Lakshmi and Saraswati in the Navaratri festival will yield no

fruit.

Even in the ancient teachings about the persons who are to be

revered as Gods--mother, father, teacher and guest--the first

place is given to the mother, when it says, "Mathru Devo

Bhava."

Even in our casual talk we say mother, father, teacher and God.

God is relegated to the last position but the mother is given the

first place. This reveals the attitude of Bharathiya culture towardswomen in general and the mother in particular.

It is the mother that holds the child with her hand and teaches it

how to walk. It is the mother that feeds the child and teaches it

how to eat. It is again the mother that teaches the child how to

utter meaningful sounds and speak. Thus the mother is one's

foremost teacher. Vemana observed that a son who does not care


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for his parents is no better than the worms that are born and die

in an anthill.

We should deem our parents as Eswara and Parvathi and serve

them wholeheartedly. If we cannot please them, how can we

hope to please God? Consider the story of Lava and Kush. Sita

gave birth to them in the hermitage of Sage Valmiki. They were

taught various branches of knowledge by him. Sita also was

teaching them many lessons and imparting to them many skills.

What happened when Sri Rama Himself came to fight with

them? Lava and Kush remembered their mother with great

reverence and aimed an arrow at Him. Rama fell into a swoon

when the arrow struck Him. Such is the power of one's mother's

blessing. (SSS Vol.21), 14 Oct 1988

Worship of God as energy principleTruth is your true mother and Wisdom the true father,

Dharma is the true brother and Compassion the true friend;

The true wife is Peace and the true son Forgiveness

These six are in fact the true relations of man.

[Sanskrit sloka]

In this world, every individual has a mother. The entire humanity

has also one mother, and we should try to know her. This mother

is Truth. Those who follow this mother will never face any

problems in life.

This mother, Truth, remains the same in all periods of time and

in all three worlds, and this mother transcends all the three


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attributes satwa (purity, serenity), rajas (passion), and tamas

(dullness, inertia). The physical mother may die or go to some

other place, but this divine mother, Truth, remains one and thesame beyond time and space and to every individual. It is

therefore necessary that every person follow this noble, divine

mother (Truth). (SSS Vol.31)

True relatives of man

Who is father? Wisdom is the true father. Wisdom is not

ephemeral, mundane, physical, secular knowledge. Advaitadarshanam jnanam (Wisdom confers the experience of non-

duality).

So, Truth and Wisdom are the true mother and father of man.

Dharma is the brother. Dharma may vary depending upon time,

country, religion, and tradition. However, dharma is loved by the

entire humanity irrespective of caste, creed, nationality, and

religion. This brother is the very embodiment of love. On this

basis, the Vedas gave utmost importance to Truth and

Righteousness. In the great epic Ramayana, Lakshmana

personified the Principle of dharma. When he fainted in the

battlefield, Rama lamented, saying that he could get a consort

like Sita and a mother like Kausalya, but not a brother likeLakshmana. Rama said that His divinity blossomed because He

had a brother like Lakshmana. (SSS Vol.31)

Compassion is the true friend.

In this world, a friend today may become an enemy tomorrow.

But there is no greater friend than Compassion. Peace is the wife.

Peace is the previous jewel of saints, and it is the royal path in


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the spiritual field. Forgiveness is the son. There is no greater

quality than Forgiveness. It encompasses all the good qualities,

like Truth, Righteousness, and Nonviolence, and it is the essenceof all the Vedas. Therefore, for every individual, the true

relations are Truth, Wisdom, Righteousness, Compassion, Peace,

and Forgiveness.

The whole world is full of agitation and disturbance because of

lack of these sacred qualities. You should always remember your

true mother and father. You cannot exist without them. The

whole creation has emerged from Truth and merges back into it.

There is no place where Truth does not exist. It is the good

fortune of human beings to have this eternal Truth as their

mother. But, today, humanity does not follow such a sacred

mother. (SSS Vol.31)

Worship of Devi as divine mother

You worship Devi (goddess) in these nice days of Devi

Navaratri. You consider Devi as your divine Mother. This Devi

is called Sathya Swaroopini, which means she is the embodiment

of Truth. So, worshiping Truth amounts to worshiping Devi. If

you understand and follow this truth, you will be successful in

every field.

The Vedas also proclaim this Principle of Truth. There are many

in this world who chant the Vedas. Many have gone through the

sacred texts. But they do not seem to follow the right path. In

fact, only when we tread the right path will we know the true

meaning of the Vedas and the sacred texts.


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Since ancient times, the sages and saints undertook many

spiritual practices in their quest for Truth. They were determined

not to give up till they had the vision of Truth. Ultimately, theydeclared to the world that they had seen God, who is all

brilliance, is full of effulgence, and is beyond the darkness of

ignorance. They also declared that God is not far off in a distance

land but is present in the human body.

The saints had the vision of God, who is chinmaya (full of

effulgence) in the body, which is mrinmaya (made of clay). So,

we should not underrate the human body and use it for mean and

worldly pleasures. The body is the temple of God. This body

may be compared to an iron chest. Just as the precious jewels are

kept in the iron chest, so also God is present in the human body.

So, the body has to be maintained and made proper use of, for

the sake of the precious jewel, the Atma. You get jewels only

from the earth. Similarly, you have to search for the jewel of the

Atma only in the body, which is made of clay.

Let us investigate what comes in the way of experiencing the

Atmic Principle. Ego and attachment stand as obstacles in our

path. Only when you give up your ego and attachment will you

have purity of heart, which in turn will lead you to theexperience of Supreme Wisdom.

The more you develop attachment, the more restless you

become. Ego is much more dangerous. It has become an

incurable disease in human beings. So, you have to keep ego and

attachment under control and engage yourself in the quest of

Atmic bliss.


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During Navaratri (sacred nine days), people go through the

sacred texts such as Devi Bhagavatham, Ramayana, and

Mahabharata. People also worship the deities Durga, Lakshmi,and Saraswati. Goddess Gayatri has three aspects. They are:

Gayatri, Savitri, and Saraswati. Gayatri is the presiding deity of

our senses. Savitri is the presiding deity of the life principle.

Saraswati is the presiding deity of speech. All these three are

within the same Principle of Truth.

Gayatri Mantra beings with Om Bhur Buvah Suvah.

Bhur means materialisation (body), bhuvah means vibration (life

principle), and suvah means Atma (radiation).

During these nine days, Goddess Shakti (the Energy Principle) is

worshiped. Truth, Righteousness, Peace, and Forgiveness are all

expressions of the Principle of Shakti. Truth is the primal cause.

There is nothing other than this. All faculties of energy are

present in this Truth. So, consider Truth as your mother and

follow it.

The Vedas proclaim, Sathyam vada; dharmam chara,which

means: speak the truth and follow righteousness. Unfortunately,

people today do not follow this. On the contrary, they followasathya and adharma. (untruth and anti-dharma) This is the cause

of all suffering. The ancients gave utmost priority to Truth and

Righteousness.

Before undertaking any work, they enquired whether it was right

or wrong. They followed the dictates of their conscience. But

today, such an attitude is lacking.


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The quest for Truth

Many people say that they are in search of Divinity. Once you

follow the path of Truth, you will find Divinity everywhere. Hereis a small example. The same eyes see the mother, daughter,

wife, and sister. Here, you need to enquire as to what kind of

feeling you should have toward each. This is the quest for Truth.

Mother should be viewed with reverence and respect. Daughter

should be considered as part of your own being. In this way, you

should enquire and understand the Truth.

If you just go by the direct evidence of what you see, you will

never know the Truth. All that you see is bound to perish. There

are many things that cannot be perceived by the naked eye. On

the spiritual path, everyone wants pratyaksha pramanam (direct

evidence). But direct evidence cannot constitute the entire Truth.

For example, you see a person who is five feet five inches tall,weighing forty-five kilograms, and fair complexioned. All these

can be seen by the naked eye. But you cannot go merely by these

physical qualities. You should also take into consideration the

unseen qualities, such as love, compassion, anger, etc. It is utter

foolishness to go by the physical form, which is direct evidence.

It is not possible to see the direct manifestation of God. Truth is

everywhere. Dharma is everywhere. God, who is theembodiment of Truth and Righteousness, is everywhere. So, you

should practice Truth and Righteousness and enjoy the bliss.

(SSS Vol.31)


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Spiritual truth of Navaratri

Dasara is the festival that celebrates the victory of the forces of

good over the foes that resist the progress of man towards light.

The sages who have decided on these festivals have a high

purpose. They want us to imbibe the inner meaning and use each

such day as a step in sadhana, as a reminder of the journey

which each person has to undertake alone to the Feet of the Lord.

The forces of good (devas) are combating with the forces of evil

(asuras) in every living being and if they only rely on Maha-

Shakti, the great Divine Force that fosters and fends the

Universe, they can easily win and reach the goal. (SSS Vol.6) ,15-10-1966

Inner Significance of Navaratri Festival

Navaratri means nine nights. Darkness is associated with night.

What is this darkness? It is the darkness of ignorance. The

purpose of the Navaratri celebration is to enable man to get rid ofnine types of darkness which have taken hold of him. When a

reference is made to Devi, it signifies the unified form of Durga,

Lakshmi and Saraswati. The three together represent Shakti.

Shakti is the energy that accounts for all the phenomena of

Prakrithi (Nature). Nature is energy and the controller of that

energy is the Lord.


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Prakrithi (Nature) is made up of the three qualities, Satwa, Rajas

and Tamas. Saraswati represents the Sathya Guna. Lakshmi

represents the Rajo Guna and Parvathi represents the TamoGuna. As Prakrithi (Nature) is made up of these three qualities

(Satwa, Rajas and Tamas), to get control over Nature, man has

been offering worship to Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. These

are not goddesses but deified symbols of the three qualities. (SSS

Vol.25), 27 Sep 1992

The role of Nature in the creative processTo acquire the grace of the Lord, man has to offer worship at the

outset to Prakrithi. On the one hand you need human effort and

on the other you have to acquire the grace of the Divine.

Prakrithi (Nature) and ParamAtma (the Omni-Self) are like the

negative and positive poles in electricity. However powerful the

Lord may be (as the positive pole), there can be no creation

without Prakrithi (representing the negative pole). The basis for

creation is Prakrithi. For instance, however good the seeds you

may have with you, without planting them in the ground you

cannot reap the fruit. The role of Nature in the creative process is

similar.

When man forgets God and desires to enjoy the benefits ofNature, he becomes ultimately a demon like Ravana who brought

about his own destruction. To secure the grace of the Lord, one

has to have purity of the heart, purity in speech and purity in

action. This triple purity is described in Vedantic parlance as

Tripurasundari. Lakshmi, who is the embodiment of all

prosperity, is represented by the heart. The mouth represents

Saraswati. Kriya Shuddhi (Purity in action) is represented by


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Durga. The observance of the Navaratri celebration is to get rid

of the darkness in which man is enveloped, by cultivating the

triple purity of thought, word and deed.

The human body emerged from Nature. Nature has two forms:

AparaPrakrithi and ParaPrakrithi. AparaPrakrithi includes

Ashta Aiswarya (eight forms of wealth), and Kama, Krodha,

Moha,Lobha, Mada, Maatsarya and the three mental faculties in

man: Manas, Chitta and Ahamkara. Para Prakrithi (the higher

Nature) represents the consciousness in man.

Without the Prana (life force) and Chaitanyam (consciousness)

man is only a corpse. True humanness consists in controlling the

five elements which make up the Apara Prakrithi (lower Nature)

and merge in the higher Nature represented by the life force and

Chaitanyam (consciousness). (SSS Vol.25), 27 Sep 1992

Maintain steadiness of mind during worship

The Navaratri has been divided into three parts the first three

days being dedicated to the worship of Durga, the next three days

to the worship of Lakshmi and the last three days to the worship

of Saraswati. All Hindu festivals have a sacred purpose.

Unfortunately, nowadays the festivals are observed only withexternal rituals without understanding their inner meaning. In the

performance of all forms of worship there should be steadiness

of mind and body. Only then concentration can be achieved.

Today men are unable to maintain steadiness of body and mind.

The basic significance of Devi Navaratri is the adoration of

Prakrithi (Nature). Devi refers to Bhudevi (Mother Earth). All


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the vital requirements of man can be found in the earth. Those

who travel to the moon have to carry with them the oxygen,

water and food they need from the earth. None of these can befound on the moon. (SSS Vol.25), 27 Sep 1992

Adoration of Nature

The progress of modern technology, by polluting the atmosphere

with Carbon dioxide smoke, is causing a threat to life on earth.

This smoke has already created a hole in the ozone ring above

the earth which has been serving as a protecting cover againstharmful radiation from the sun. If the ozone layer is destroyed,

the effect of the sun's rays may be disastrous. All nations are now

worried about this threat. All that needs to be done to avert this

danger is to reduce the pollution of the atmosphere caused by

automobiles and industrial effluents. The uncontrolled

development of industries has to be checked. Development

should be in the common interest, to promote the welfare of all.

The Navaratri celebration is an occasion for revering Nature and

considering how natural resources can be used properly in the

best interests of mankind. Resources like water, air, power and

minerals should be used properly and not misused or wasted.

Economy in the use of every natural resource is vital. Pollutionof the air has many evil consequences. The inner significance of

observances like Nagarasankirtan and bhajans is to fill the

atmosphere with sacred vibrations and holy thoughts. (SSS

Vol.25), 27 Sep 1992


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The power of Mantra

Today we know how radio and television broadcasts are

transmitted to all parts of the world by radio waves. Is itunbelievable that Krishna was able similarly to appear in the

homes of Gopikas simultaneously? If a Yantra (machine) could

achieve such a result, how much more power should be

attributed to Mantra? The power of the divine name and form is

all pervading. The electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere can

preserve sounds and forms for all time.

When Swami was recently in Hyderabad, His activities there

were seen on the TV in various parts of the country. If a

mechanical contrivance could achieve this, is it incredible that

much more could be done by the divine power of mantras? What

is needed is the power to tune in to the Spirit just as appropriate

tuning is needed to receive a radio or TV broadcast. Regard yourheart as a radio receiver. Your concentration is the tuning device.

You will experience the Divine when you tune your heart

properly. This calls for firm, unwavering concentration. The

inauguration of the Navaratri celebrations means that you should

use this occasion for offering worship to Nature and resolving to

make sacred use of all natural resources. (SSS Vol.25), 27 Sep

1992

Principle of oneness

The Navaratri festival is celebrated all over India, but nobody

seems to make any effort to comprehend the inner significance of

this festival. The Hridaya (heart) is the abode of the Atma. No

being can exist without the principle of Atma. God, who resides

in all as the principle of Atma, has no specific name and form.


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But, People attribute various names and forms to Him. The

Gaanapatyas (worshippers of Ganapathi) consider Lord

Ganapathi as great; the Shaivites consider there is none superiorto Lord Siva. The devotees of Sai consider Him to be the

greatest. Some devotees say all are one. In fact, all names and

forms belong to the same God. He responds to the prayers of

devotees in whatever form they worship Him. Hence, each one

considers the form he worships to be superior to the other forms.

It is a sign of ignorance to consider one form superior to the

other. What is important is that your prayers should not be

confined to mere words. They should be translated into action. It

is easy to speak but not so easy to practice. True prayer is that

which is translated into action.

During the Navaratri celebrations, the Divine Mother is extolled

in various names and forms. All names and forms are based on

your feelings. God has no differences whatsoever. No one can

comprehend the nature of Divinity. Actually, the principle of

love that exists in all beings is the principle of Divinity. Love has

no specific form. Divinity transcends name and form. Love is

God. Live in love. Truth is God. Truth is all-pervasive.

The creation emerges from truth and merges into truth,Is there a place where truth does not exist?

Visualise such pure and unsullied truth.

(Telugu Poem)

There are no different truths for different countries such as

American truth, Russian truth, Indian truth, Japanese truth, etc.

Truth is one and the same for all. It is uniformly present in


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everyone. True celebration of Navaratri festival lies in

contemplating on Sathya Swarupa (the embodiment of truth).

Respect one and all, for; the divine Atma is present in all. Torespect all is true worship. If you want to be respected, you

should respect others in the first instance. Give respect and take

respect.

Understand the principle of oneness, that is Divinity. The Vedas

declare, Ekam Sath Viprah Bahudha Vadanti (truth is one, but

the wise refer to it by various names). You may call Him by any

name and form, but God is one. This principle of unity should be

firmly installed in your heart. God is present in everyone in the

form of love. Wherever you go, He is with you. He is the eternal

witness. Share your love with others and receive their love in

turn. Love is your greatest virtue. Love confers the ultimate joy

and bliss. God resides in the heart filled with love. Hence, it is

essential that you fill your heart with love. Where there is love,

there is God. You don't need to search for Him. He is always in

you, with you, around you, above you and below you. Adhere to

the principle of love.

Never hate anyone. Hatred is your worst enemy. Once you

develop love in you, hatred will naturally vanish. If you were tocome across your bitter rival, greet him with love. He too will

reciprocate the same feeling. How can you expect love from

others when you do not have any love for them? It is love and

love alone that I practice and propagate. Try to understand the

power of love. It is your greatest wealth. None can estimate its

value. What does God expect from you? It is only your love.


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Love is the tax that you have to pay to God for all that He has

given you.

What is the inner significance of Devi Navaratri? People worship

the Triune Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati during

these nine days. Who is Durga? She is the embodiment of all

powers. Saraswathi is the presiding deity of speech and wisdom.

The Gayatri Mantra begins with Om Bhur Bhuvah Suvah.

Bhuh means materialisation. It represents matter, which is

subject to change. Bhuvah represents life principle, i.e.,

vibration. Savitri is the presiding deity of life principle. You

must have heard the story of Savitri, who restored her dead

husband back to life with the power of her devotion and

surrender. Saraswati is worshipped as Jnaana Devata as she

confers good intellect and wisdom. This is described in the

Vedas as Prajnanam Brahma. Prajnanam does not mean worldly

knowledge. It is Constant Integrated Awareness, which is

changeless and eternal.

The Divine Mother has three names: Gayatri, Savitri and

Saraswati. Gayantham Trayathe Iti Gayathri (Gayatri protects

those who sing her glory). Gayatri, being the presiding deity of

our senses, helps us to master the senses. Savitri, being presidingdeity the life principle, protects our life. Saraswati bestows on us

the changeless and eternal wisdom. Gayatri, Savitri and

Saraswati are present in every man, but he is not able to

understand and experience their presence. Consequently, he is

giving room to wicked qualities and indulging in evil deeds,

thereby ruining his life. His bad habits are responsible for his

downfall. First of all, man has to develop good habits and


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transform himself. How could Savitri revive her dead husband

back to life? She transformed the vibration by contemplating on

God incessantly. That led to the resurrection of her husband.When you develop divine feelings, nothing is impossible for you.

Any mighty task can be accomplished through pure and selfless

love. Love develops divine power in you.

Human being is the repository of divine energy. Durga (Goddess

of Energy). Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and Saraswati

(goddess of Wisdom) are present in the human. Man is not weak

or forlorn. He has all the capacity to experience divine bliss. In

spite of being endowed with all powers, man is weak. This is the

effect of evil company. You should not take it amiss, but the fact

is that the modern system of education is ruining the lives of

many. Modern education is leading to agitation instead of

elevation. It is giving rise to evil qualities like anger, greed,

desire, jealousy, etc. In fact, people who unlettered have the

virtues of humility, obedience, love and peace. Humility is the

hallmark of education. One may acquire high qualification, but

all his knowledge becomes useless if he lack humility.

You must manifest love and be embodiments of love. Love is

God, live in love, you can achieve anything. Hence develop thespirit of love. Love is the most potent weapon that can win over

anyone. What was the weapon that protected our ancients who

lived in the forests? It was not hydrogen bomb or atom bomb; it

is enough if one has the weapon of love. You can conquer the

entire world with the power of love.


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People worship Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati during these nine

days. Durga destroyed the demons. As the weapons are no longer

needed, people perform Ayudha Puja. When we pray to Durgawholeheartedly, she will protect you in all your endeavours.

You are not able to understand the principle of divinity. Nobody

in this world can help you the way God helps you. Hence

surrender yourself to God and pray for His help. Also devotion to

God safeguards our ancient culture. People are haunted by

misery and grief as they have forgotten God.

Control your emotions. Develop love. Do not entertain evil

thoughts. Nothing can confer the experience of bliss that

proximity of God gives. Love all and all will love. (DD on

9.10.2002)

On the eight day of Navaratri festival you enter into the worship

of Saraswati. .All types of instruments and weapons and those

things, which are used in ones profession, are all worshipped on

that day. This illustrates the aspect ofSarva Devata Swaroopini,

Kali. The inner meaning of all this is that everything in the world

there resides the Divinity. Everything is pervaded with the

DivineVishwam Vishnu Swaroopam. This is not Mithya. Thisis the Truth. If you cultivate this feeling at all times, you attain to

this Supreme State. Yad Bhavam Thad Bhavathi As you

think, so it happens. We should develop good thoughts. All that

we do should be transformed into worship. That is the secret of

success in spiritual life.


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Day commemorating Victory), the Valedictory Worship is done.

(NNSG Vol.8, pp. 68-70)

As a part of Navaratri celebrations people worship different

forms of divinity. You should develop sacred feelings and

experience divinity. What is the inner meaning of Navaratri

celebrations? These nine nights represent nine planets. Each

planet has its own significance. However these planets are not

outside, they are within. If your feelings are impure and

unsacred, the result also will be the same. You are responsible

for the good and bad you think and experience. They are not the

products of the outside world. They are the reaction, reflection

and resound of your inner being. Man faces vicissitudes of life as

he is bound by these three. But he forgets these three and tries to

search for solutions to his problems. He thinks he is highly

intelligent. In fact that is not true intelligence. He lacks faith in

divinity. That is real cause of his suffering. God is one. Likewise

human beings are one though Akara (form) and Achaean

(behaviour) may vary. But due to his narrow mildness, man is

unable to understand this unity.

Navaratri celebrations are symbolic of nine forma of energy.

What we have to cultivate during this Navaratri is the feeling ofoneness. Though there are nine forms of energy, the underlying

truth in all of them is one and the same. That is the principle of

the Atma. It is all pervasive. It is present not only in Human

beings, but in all living beings. (DD on 17.10.04)


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Ways of Worship

During the Navaratri worship, you have to express your love to

the Divine Mother in nine different ways. Shravanam (listening),Keerthanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam (contemplating on

Vishnu), Padasevanam (serving His Lotus Feet), Vandanam

(salutation), Archanam (worship), Dhaasyam (servitude),

Sneham (friendship), Atmanivedanam (self-surrender). God

wants your love and nothing else. Your love should not branch

out in different directions. It should flow directly towards God. If

you love others, you will be loved in turn. If you utter harsh

words, they will come back to you as resound. Fill your heart

with love and compassion. Hridaya is that which is filled with

Daya (compassion). Compassion is the hallmark of a true

devotee. One who lacks compassion cannot be called a human

being. When you practice truth and righteousness, you will be

successful in all your endeavours. That is why the Vedas teach,Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara (speak truth, practice

righteousness). Your heart should melt with compassion when

you see the poor and needy.

Having spent this Navaratri in the worship of Divine Mother,

your heart should be filled with love and compassion. The heart

bereft of love and compassion is verily a cemetery. Right fromdawn to dusk, love should be the undercurrent of all your

activities. The moment you get up from bed, resolve that you

would tread the path of love. Only then can you have the vision

of God, who is the very embodiment of love. True spiritual

practice lies in connecting love to love. Love can transform even

a hard stone into butter. Swami always teaches the principle of

love. It is enough if You call 'Baba' with love from the depth of


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your heart. He will come to your rescue. Consider love as your

life breath. If there is no love in your prayer, it will prove futile.

Love should be 'heartful' and not artificial. Be friendly with alland have a smiling countenance always. What is the use of

talking sweetly if your heart is filled with bitterness? Only love

can fill your heart with nectarous feelings.

Your entire life is based on love. Without love, you cannot exist

even for a moment. Hence, develop love considering it as the

very form of God. Vijayadasami marks the culmination of

Navaratri festival. Worship of Divine Mother is meant to destroy

evil qualities and foster virtues in you. The more you distance

yourself from evil, the nearer you will be to the principle of love.

You don't need to make any efforts to acquire love. The moment

you eschew evil, love will automatically enter your heart.

There is love inherent in all of you. But, you are diverting it on

worldly matters. True love is related to the Atmic principle.

Worldly love is bound to change with the passage of time,

whereas spiritual love is permanent. Even your breathing process

speaks of the presence of love in you. When you inhale, you

make the sound 'So' and When you exhale 'Ham'; together

'Soham' means, 'I am That'. The principle of 'I' is uniformlypresent in all. This can be experienced by following the nine

paths of devotion. Never give scope for differences. Understand

the unity, "I and You are one". Your love gets fragmented when

you fail to visualize unity in diversity. There is only one heart,

which is changeless. Your words may vary, but your heart

remains steady. The Gopikas used to pray,


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O God, I offer you the heart which You have given me.

What else can I offer at Your Lotus Feet?

I pray to You I to accept it.(Telugu Poem)

Heart is not your property; it belongs to God. There is nothing in

this world that you can call as your own. You may consider the

worldly wealth and materials as your property. But, they are not

permanent.

Lord Krishna declared, Anityam Asukham Lokam Imam Prapya

Bhajasva Maam (as the world is temporary and full of misery,

contemplate on Me constantly). Divine love alone is true and

changeless. The mariner's compass always points towards

northern direction; likewise your love should always be directed

towards God. You cannot claim to belong to the mankind unless

there is kindness in you. Your life should be suffused with love

and kindness. You should dedicate your life to love. You may

wonder as to how to pray to God. In fact, you don't need to pray

to God. You should let your love flow incessantly towards God.

Then you will understand the unity, "I and You are one." There

is no second entity.

You see the body but you don't understand the feelings

associated with it. The body is made up of five elements and five

senses. But you are not the body. The body is made up of five

elements and is bound to perish sooner or later but the In-dweller

has neither birth nor death.


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The In-dweller has no attachment whatsoever and is the eternal

witness. In fact, the In-dweller who is in the form of Atma is

verily God Himself. (Telugu Poem)

You say it is my head, my heart, etc., then who are you? When

you engage in self-enquiry in this manner, you will realize that

YOU are different from the body. God pervades each anga

(limb) of your body in the form of essence. Hence, He is extolled

asAngirasaya Namah (salutations to the one who is in the form

of essence in all my limbs). It is a mistake to confine God to a

particular form. So long as you limit God to a form, you cannot

attain Him. You should realize that God is attributeless, formless

and He is the very essence of life. Physical form is bound to

change. A child becomes a boy, boy becomes a man who in turn

becomes a grandfather. In this manner, your physical form

undergoes constant change. But you will remain the same. You

are the embodiment of God. Once you understand this truth, you

will not be affected by physical changes.

Realize the Atma as your very life. Every one of you is endowed

with divine energy. But you are misusing it. Your youth is in

your hands. Your very life is in your hands. You are not the

body; you are the life principle. Body is meant to serve as aninstrument in your quest for truth. The same Atma is present in

all. Here you see a silver tumbler with water. The tumbler is the

basis for water, silver is the basis for tumbler and Divinity is the

basis for silver. Divinity is not made up of material. Hence, give

up the materialistic standpoint.


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Sage Viswamitra was taking Rama and Lakshmana along with

him for the protection of the Yajna he had undertaken. When

they reached the banks of Sarayu, he told them, "My dear ones,you are coming with me for the protection of Yajna. In order to

do so, you have to remain without food and water and wage a

fierce battle with the demons, for extended periods without

respite. Hence, I will teach you two Mantras, which will make

you free from hunger and sleep." This is the power of Maya.

When King Dasaratha, fearing danger from the demons, was

reluctant to send his sons with Viswamitra, the sage counselled

him, saying, "Oh king, do not get deluded by seeing the physical

forms of your sons. They are not ordinary mortals. They are

verily divine." But when they reached the banks of Sarayu, the

sage was overcome with Maya and taught them the Mantras as if

they were ordinary humans. He told them, "Do not identify

yourself with the physical body. You are the embodiments of the

Atma. You are Chaitanyaswarupas. You are endowed with

divine power. Always bear this in mind. You will be free from

hunger and sleep."

After the protection of the Yajna, Rama went to Mithila with the

sage. They walked a long distance for sixteen days. Yet, Rama

was always cheerful and full of bliss. In fact, bliss was His form.Hence develop bliss more and more. Do not confine God to a

physical form. Body is made up of food materials. This body is a

den of dirt, and prone to diseases; it is subject to change from

time to time; it cannot cross the ocean of Samsara. It is nothing

but a structure of bones.


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Oh mind! Do not be under the delusion that body is permanent.

Instead take refuge at the Divine Lotus Feet. (Telugu Poem)

It is a grave mistake to identify yourself with the body. Give up

body attachment and develop Atmic consciousness. Only then

will you understand and experience your true form, i.e., Atma.

Otherwise, even the smallest physical ailments like stomach-

ache, headache etc., will make you feel anxious. Physical

ailments are like passing clouds. So long as you are deluded by

body consciousness, you will be affected by them. Once you give

up body attachment, you are no more bound by the body and its

limitations. When you sit in meditation, you forget your body.

Meditation means giving up Dehabhimana (body attachment)

and developing Atmic awareness. Everyone While referring to

one's self uses the term "I", the principle of Atma. Hence, you

are not related to the body. It is only an

Devi Navaratri: Worship of Devi as Divine Mother

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