Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – day 5 Navaratri – Parasakti – October 17, 2015 – Mysore
Scholars say that all the energies inherent in the forms related both to Sakti and Siva are forms of Gowri. Every single atom is filled with energy. Without energy, there is no matter. Matter exists only if it is endowed with energy. Thus energy and matter are interrelated. This entire Universe is a combination of energy and matter. It means it is a blend of Siva and Sakti.The all-pervasive energy in the Universe is called Parasakti. Parasakti is the form of Supreme Energy.
There is a difference between energy and Supreme Energy. Earth, water, fire, air, and space have energy. When changes occur in the levels or forms of their energy, it is perceptible. During the final dissolution, all the five elements merge into the energy of Paramatma. Yet, they do not lose their energy. The energy rises above them and stands radiant. That energy is Parasakti. The word ‘kshetra’ has three meanings: body, earth, and wife. Parasakti glows as the gross, subtle, causal, and the super causal bodies. Parasakti, who is all-pervasive also assumes forms as human bodies and is then referred to as ‘Kshetrasvaroopaa’. This Mother supports multi-varied bodies. As ‘Kshetra Kshetrajna paalinee’, she rules over and protects not only the body, but its soul as well. The tenth ‘dhatu’ or fundamental element in the body is Parasakti. The scripture ‘Kamikagama’ elucidates this point elaborately. Skin, blood, muscle, fat, and bone are the five fundamental elements in the body related to Sakti.
Bone marrow, semen, life energy, and soul are the fundamental elements related to Siva. These are referred to as the Sakti Chakras and the Siva Chakras respectively. With these the body consists totally of nine dhatus. These same nine dhatus are the source of construction for the entire universe. Parasakti is the tenth dhatu, which rises above and beyond all of these. Veda says: ‘Parasakti of the soul exists in various systems.’ It means that wherever any energy is found, it is all the energy of Parasakti alone. Mother Sakti has no beginning, no form, and no change. She transcends name and form. This formless Mother may be imagined as having any form. This nameless Mother may be addressed by any name. All the Upanishads state that all individual souls merge into the Parabrahman the way all the rivers lose their names and forms and merge into the ocean.
Mother Parasakti is the same as Parabrahman. She is without name and form. Much practice is required to grasp the principle of Parasakti. It is because, while one is chanting the names with the mouth, the ears do not keep quiet. They are drawn towards other sounds. The eyes at the same time wish to see different things. They cause distractions to the sadhana. That is why it is important to get the tongue used to chanting the name of Mother Goddess. The eyes must be made accustomed to seeing Mother’s form. The ears must be made to get in the habit of listening to Mother’s stories. The two hands must be taught to worship Mother, and to engage in charitable and virtuous deeds. The feet must be habituated to going around Mother’s shrine. Only by such practice, Mother will come to be experienced. That is why Mother is called, ‘abhyaasaatisayajnaataa’.
On this fifth day, Mother Goddess gives darshan as Skandamata, of the Nava Durgas. She is Guhamba, which means she is the mother of Guha (Skanda, or Subrahmanya). The Lalita Sahasranama praises Mother Goddess as ‘guhaambaa guhyaroopinee’. It means the Mother of Guha resides in secrecy inside the cave called the heart. Mother Skandamata is seated on a lion, which is her vehicle. She holds a lotus in each of her hands. She is famously known as Skandamata. May she always shower her gracious blessings! By the compassion of Skandamata, who is none other than Parasakti, I bless that everyone should be endowed with a virtuous mind. I bless that everyone should lead a Dharmic life and overcome any hurdles faced in the path, and receive good rewards.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Courtesy: Avadhoota Dattapeetham