Power of Devi Worship (1-6 October 2014)
On the auspicious occasion of Navarathri, Pujya Swami Abhedanandaji of the Chinmaya Mission conducted a series of discourses entitled ‘The Power of Devi Worship’ The talks took place from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the ashram satsang hall at 159 Road 703 in Montford. The talks were well attended and drew a crowd of almost 200 people. Scrumptious dinner prasad was provided daily.
Pic 1 – Photo: During Aarti
Swamiji commenced his discourses by explaining how everyone wants some power. It can be power of money, power of devotion, power of tolerance, power of contentment, etc .The Supreme Lord is represented as Lord Shiva and His dynamic creative power is represented as His wife- Shakthi, Durga or Kaali. The festival of Navarathri is the invocation of that power. The Divine Mother is worshipped during the nine days as Mother Durga or Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The Devi assumes many forms according to the tasks performed by her. As Mother Kali, she destroys the evil propensities, as Lakshmi, she implants divine qualities conducive to spiritual unfoldment and as Saraswati bestows true knowledge.
Devotees expressed their heartfelt gratitude as they were each given a copy of the Durga Saptashati. Swamiji expounded on the motherhood principle present in all particles in the world which has the ability to give birth, sustain and protect. Devi is the Universal Mother who nourishes and vitalizes the world through her energy.
Pic 2 – Photo: Pujya Swami Abhedananda during discourse
Swamiji, in his inimitable style, beautifully illustrated the various chapters of the Durga Saptashati highlighting how Devi protects her devotees because of her tremendous love.The audience was awestruck as Swamiji narrated how Devi annihilated the demons like Mahishasur, Chund & Mund, Shumb & Nishumb and Raktabij. It was explained that Mahishasur represents that ego(ahankar) which can only be cut by God. Shumb and Nishumb represented the doer and enjoyer which lead to a person’s own destruction.
The various praises(stutis) like Brahma, Devta and Narayaani stutis were also elaborated upon. It was re-iterated by Swamiji that Devi is the possessor of all thoughts and all qualities in infinite measure and by propitiation with faith and austerity (tapasya), one can gain anything that he wants. Swamiji concluded the talks by emphasizing that we should perform such good actions so that we can make a place for ourselves in the Devi’s heart. When the Divine Mother is pleased and happy with us, she will definitely come to destroy our negativities, remove all our troubles and wipe away the tears of all our sorrows in our life.
