Sunday, October 15, 2017

NAVARATRI (Part 2)


In the following three days , Goddess Lakṣmī is invoked . She represents all forms of wealth . The pursuit of wealth is associated with the rajas guṇa - an active personality with ambition, passion , perseverance , motivation and etc.

As long as one's worldly desires are not fulfilled , one tends to inhibit himself from pursuing the śāstras (scriptures) . Only after getting exhausted in the pursuit, one gains the maturity to come to śāstras.

The Vedas encourage the pursuit of wealth and validate them as puruṣārthas - as artha (material desires) and kama (emotional desires) . Even emotional desires are a wealth . A lot of people own luxurious houses but lack the prosperity of a family .

Lakṣmī Maa is the bestower of wealth. As Dhana Lakṣmī , she provides us gold , coins and currency . As Dhanya Lakṣmī , she nourishes us with food and grains . As Santāna Lakṣmī , she blesses our generations to grow by bestowing children .

The abundance of worldly wealth is futile without inner wealth . Lakṣmī Maa provides inner wealth (good virtues) as well . As Vidya Lakṣmī , she gives us knowledge to lead a life of dharma . As Dhairya Lakṣmī , she cultivates courage and perseverance to overcome obstacles . As Vijaya Lakṣmī , she guides to be victorious over our inner enemies - kāma, krodha, lobha, moha, mada, mātsarya .

May Lakṣmī Maa grace our lives with all forms of wealth !

Om mahā devyais ca vidmahe ,
Viṣṇu patnyais ca dhimahe ,
Tanno lakṣmī prachodayāt ||

Friday, September 22, 2017

NAVARĀTRI (Part 1)




During Navarātri , the three incarnations of Goddess Shakti are invoked - Durgā , Lakśmi and Sarasvatī . Each form represents the growth from or towards a particular guṇa (personality) .

According to the purāṇas , Navarātri signifies the destruction of the demon Mahishasura . The demon Mahishasura is portrayed as having a buffalo head . The buffalo is a symbol of tamo guṇa - a lethargic personality .

A lethargic person dulls his mind and senses by indulging in unrighteous activities such as gossiping , gambling , and even crime . His entire life is a chaotic one . Such a person requires external help to relieve him from the disorder . That help comes in the form of Maa Durgā .

Goddess Durgā is depicted with many hands wielding various weapons . The weapons represent the diverse resources that are available to guide oneself to grow out of his tamo guna . Living really starts from this liberation .

May Maa Durgā destroy the Mahishasura that dwells within us !

Om katyayanaya vidmahe ,
Kanya kumari dhimahe ,
Tanno durgai prachodayāt ||