Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – during 4th day of Navaratri on Meenakshi and parrot – Mysore – October 19, 2012
Sri Swamiji surprised and thrilled everyone on the day of the special worship to Mother Goddess Meenakshi during the Navaratri Devi Pujas, by arriving in the Nada Mantapam for puja in the divine form of Meenakshi, complete with the green parrot perched on the hand.
He explained the significance of the parrot with Meenakshi before commencing the discourse of Saptashati.
Sage Shuka (Shuka means parrot), the son of Sage Vyasa is a completely Self-Realized soul, equivalent to the Parabrahman. He is in the form of a parrot. He worshiped Mother Goddess Meenakshi and wished to be always close to her. However since he was highly exalted, Mother refused to have him at her feet. He deserved to be at her Sahasrara Chakra, the lotus with the thousand petals. Hence, she placed him on her hand on top of a lotus, since she could not place him on her head.
Also if the parrot was perched directly on her skin, its feet might scratch her accidentally.
Another version is that Lord Shiva, out of jealousy, as Lord Sundareshwara, decided upon himself to remain close to Meenakshi as her parrot.
Those who worship Mother Meenakshi in this form will easily attain the blessing of being able to see all Creation as a form of Mother Goddess. Those who worship Lord Shiva also will easily attain Self-Realization by the grace of Mother Goddess Meenakshi in this form, holding the parrot.