Message of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Navaratri day 6 – September 26, 2017
Courtesy: FB Page Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji
There are different levels in bliss. Bliss (ananda) experienced by rishis (yogis) is greater than that experienced by humans. Bliss experienced by celestials known as Gandharvas exceeds that which is experienced by rishis. Bliss experienced by Demi-gods is more superior than the bliss experienced by Gandharvas. Bliss experienced by Brahma (Brahmananda) far exceeds the bliss experienced by Demi-gods. Higher than Brahmananda is the bliss experienced by the Self (svātmānanda)! Such supreme Self-bliss can be obtained only through the grace of Mother Goddess!
If we offer the prayer- Svātmānanda-lavī-bhūta-brahmādyānanda-santatyai namah – Mother Goddess showers Her supreme bliss upon us. The devotee who is thus blessed remains ever-contented!
In the past, a devotee called Bheema experienced this divine bliss. Let us listen to this story.
Bheema was a potter. He would make and sell pots, all the while thinking of Divine Mother alone. He was totally contented with whatever he earned.
On the other hand, the ruler of that kingdom was eternally anxious. Although he lived in a luxurious palace and was served by many attendants, some worry or the other perpetually tormented him. He underwent unexplainable agony and tension. He was desperate to find a permanent solution to this mental tension. One morning, walking leisurely on the terrace of the palace, he was pondering over this matter when he spotted a dilapidated hut at a distance. He observed the hut and figured out that it was the residence of Bheema, the potter. For a week, the king keenly observed Bheema’s activities.
The king who was attended by many servants and who enjoyed every form of royal luxury was eternally discontented. On the other hand, Bheema who lived in a dilapidated hut with absolutely no belongings nor attendants was eternally blissful. During this week, the king noticed that Bheema’s eyes, hands and mind were eternally soaked in bliss.
“I should meet Bheema and learn the secret behind this bliss he experiences. I too should enjoy this bliss”- thought the king. When night fell, the king disguised himself and went to the potter’s home.
Bheema was arranging his newly baked pots while singing songs glorifying Mother Goddess. Within the house Bheema’s wife was busy preparing dinner. She too was immersed in singing songs praising the Divine Mother.
Bheema addressed the guest who had arrived at his doorstep and said, “Sir, may I know who you are?”
The king replied, “I am a wealthy person who resides in the city. I had to visit this area on some business but then it has become too dark to return home”.
In great delight Bheema welcomed him in, saying, “You are our guest. Please make yourself comfortable here for this night”. He then handed over a plate of chappatis to the king. He fanned the guest with a wooden fan.
The king ate the food offered to him and said, “Bheema, you have provided me the best hospitality. My mind is at peace. Please accept this diamond necklace as my gift. With this, live happily.”
In a polite voice Bheema replied, “Sir, due to the grace of Mother Goddess, I lack nothing. I am leading a very happy life along with my family. I thank you for your affection. For the small help that I have offered, you are giving me a precious diamond necklace. O Sir, please keep that necklace with you. I earn 10 coins a day by baking and selling pots. I am extremely satisfied with my earnings. If I accept this diamond necklace, it will drain away happiness and bliss from our lives. It will create havoc. Newer, unwanted desires will crop in us forcing us to chase them. I am unsure whether my family will withstand the shock of seeing such an expensive valuable item. Perhaps with Mother’s grace they may withstand the shock, but my relatives will surely be unable to withstand. Therefore please let us continue to live blissfully”.
The king said, “Aha! What a modest life you lead! You have not used the many gateways that exist to create wealth. You did not waver even when illusion called infatuation tried to envelop you. How could you reach this exalted state?”
The potter humbly replied, “Sir, it is the blessings of Mother Goddess. In our town there is a temple. One morning a saint visited that temple and explained the essence of Mother Goddess in the following words, ‘The Divine Mother is the form of the universe. She is the universal form. She alone exists as all material objects and wealth. In every atom, She alone exists. She alone sustains this universe. Since all the objects in this creation belong to Her alone, these material luxuries too belong to Her. It is She who provides us with food to eat.
Please eternally chant this mantra: Nitya-truptāyai namah. She takes care of the well-being of the devotees who worship Her. This Mother blesses us with eternal contentment. She ensures that we do not get deluded by these material objects. She ensures that we walk on the best path. She remains by our side as a friend during times of distress. She destroys spiritual ignorance and showers Supreme Knowledge on us”.
O Sir, from that day I have been eternally chanting the mantra Om nitya-truptāyai namah. Believing that every object in this creation belongs to Her alone, I am leading this life considering myself as an instrument in Her hands. Due to Her grace I do not experience any agitation or worry. I am happy.”
With this explanation, realization dawned upon the king. He offered obeisance to the potter and left for the palace. He now began to worship Mother Goddess by chanting the mantras Om nitya-truptāyai namah and Om Viśwa-rūpiṇyai namah. He firmly believed all palatial luxuries belonged to the Mother Goddess and were not his own. This shift in thinking lead to his spiritual growth.
One day, Mother Goddess showered her blessings upon both these devotees of Hers. She elevated them to that state wherein they were freed from the bondages of repeated births and deaths.
May Mother Goddess Vishalakshi, who is an incarnation of the Supreme Mother, bless those who worship Her with feelings of total self-surrender with good wisdom and make them tread the right path!
Jai Jagadambayai Namah