Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji – speech on Day 3 of Navaratri Celebrations – Durgilakshmi – October 10, 2010 – Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
“You all have seen this very unique Navavarana Puja. This will be rare in the future. The Sri Chakra Puja is described in various texts in various methods. From the beginning of Creation, the topic of Sri Mata has been discussed in the scriptures.
As per their taste and inclination people take a boat, or fly or walk to reach their destination, be it far or near. They may even travel all their lives depending on their mode of travel. One may perform worship with flowers, Pushparchana, or one may worship in one’s own mind.
I pray to Ganesha of the ‘Gam’ seed letter. I pray to the all powerful Mother Durga. I pray to the Guru who is not only Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara, but is in fact the actual Parabrahman. Om Ayim Hreem Shreem Siva Rama Anagha Dattaya Namaha.
Of the names of Mother Goddess, the name Durga is very special and very ancient. If she is remembered by this name, all difficulties vanish. It is so powerful. That is why we name our daughters Durga or Durgamba. Yet, we do not fully enunciate the name, but use meaningless abbreviations. You must pronounce it properly bringing the sound all the way up from the navel.
Song: Durga Lakshmi Jagadamba Durgati Naashini Jagadamba
Despair and Distress are destroyed by Durga. She gives a mountain of courage when one is despondent. When the body and mind become weak, she instills energy.
It is very important to remember and worship the Nava Durgas or Nine New forms of Energy which reside in the Nine Chakras of the Sri Chakra during the Navaratri Celebrations. Durga is nine years old. Durga and Lakshmi are one and the same. She appears as Maha Lakshmi in Kolhapur.
On the west coast of India, in the Sahyadri Mountain range, there used to be a demon by the name of Malaha. This story is narrated in the Mailara Tantra. He believed that the demons were being unjustly defeated by the celestials. He wanted to remedy the situation. He performed penance and acquired powers. He attacked Heaven and began torturing the celestials. Unable to bear the onslaught, the celestials sought refuge at the feet of Parvati Devi. She fought and killed Malaha. Hence she came to be known as Mahaalasa, one of the 1000 names of Lalita.
The Siva Purana has established that Maheshwari is the same as Maha Lakshmi. Ayushya Sookta also describes Parvati as Lakshmi. That is why Sri Swamiji sings, ‘Saa Lakshmi Saa Durga’.
Evil in any form is destroyed by Durga. Durgamaasura was a demon who was the combined form of all types of evil. He chased the celestials out of heaven and occupied their position. Evil spread everywhere. Divine qualities totally disappeared from the world. As soon as Durga appeared, the celestials felt happy. She fought ferociously and killed the demon.
Song: Durgi Lakshmi Devi Savitri – Gowri Vani Mata Mam Patu
Durgi-Lakshmi, the third incarnation of Mother Goddess is the raft that saves those fall into the ocean called World. May Her compassion enhance prosperity and spiritual knowledge of all the devotees. May everyone be blessed and be protected by the Mother of the Universe.”
Trishati Mantra chanting: Refrain: Lalite Lalite Namostute – Hreemkriti Valite Namostute
New Song: Nadamayi Nata Narayani Vedamayi Tribhuvana Palini
Yantramayi Bhoga Bhagya Dayini Mantramayi Sakala Siddhi Dayini
(The verses beautifully describe the presence of Nada, the divine sound in the sounds of the veena of Saraswati, the flute of Krishna, the drum of Shiva, the breath of all beings, and Hanuman’s devotion and also in the sounds of the bee, peacock, bull, goat, stork, koyal, horse, elephant, birdsong, tiger, and every heartbeat. Nada is expressed in all the emotions such as joy, grief, humor, and romance. It is heard in the ocean’s roar, the sounds of children, in tone, rhythm, poem and song. Nada is Sachchidananda. The song ended with the devout chanting of Ambe Ma Jaya Mata and Sri Mata Jaya Mata)
Mangalam: Jaya Devi Durga Jaya Sheravali Jaya Deavi Mata Jaya Bhadra Kali
Sri Guru Datta
Courtesy: Smt. Hira Duvvuri