Message of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Navaratri day 8 – September 28, 2017
Courtesy: FB Page Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji
Namo namaste jagadeka-mātre namo namaste jagadeka-pitrē
Namo namastēkhila-tantre rūpe namo namastēkhila yagna rūpe
Mother Goddess is an embodiment of truth, existence, strength, attributes and stability. She inherently and invisibly exists within every object in this creation. She possesses the required expertise for ruling this entire creation. She dispels the troubles of those devotees who have sought refuge under Her. She always comes to the aid of those who are in trouble.
Maharishi Vyasa, the composer of Devi Bhagawatam and other 18 Puranas, has narrated a wonderful story which highlights how Mother Goddess comes to the aid of those who sunk deep into the mire called difficulties. The importance of God in the life of a person is also emphasized. The grace of Mother Goddess helps any person, who has sought refuge under Her, overcome every form of difficulty.
In a forest, a lady deer was wandering happily, accompanied by its fawns that were playfully jumping, dancing and frolicking behind her. As they were thus proceeding, at a spot, the mother stopped and keenly observed her surroundings. At a short distance was a trap laid by a hunter. Without wasting a moment, she along with her fawn, retreated her steps and turned back. But what to say of her ill-luck? From behind, two wild dogs began to rush towards them. In order to escape from both these dangers, the deer looked to the west. From here, a bear was rushing to attack them. It now looked towards the right and was about to run in that direction, when it spotted a wolf eagerly waiting there to pounce upon them.
“O God! What calamity has landed on my head! How am I to escape?”- thinking thus, it looked up at the tree hoping to seek shelter in its branches, but then, there a hunter had positioned his arrow in his bow and was about to aim at it.
The anguished deer now lamented, “Immersed in these luxuries I never prayed to God anytime in my life. I never considered it necessary to seek refuge under His feet. Like an atheist I disbelieved in the force of God. I underestimated the dangers that suddenly arise in the journey of life. Even for a moment I never believed that there could be someone mightier and powerful than me in this creation. Is there none who will come to my aid at this moment of distress? Is there no power which can save me? Who will save me? Does God exist? Will He help me?”
“Yes, God does exist. He will protect you”- thundered a celestial voice reassuring the anguished, distressed deer.
Within a fraction of a second, dramatic changes took place in the surroundings. A snake bit the hunter who was hiding in the branches of the tree. With this the hunter fell with a thud and died. The arrow which got released from his hand dashed at rapid speeds and hit the bear, due to which the bear died. Afraid that the wolf would attack them, wild dogs began to chase the wolf driving it deep into the forests. A sudden forest fire burnt the trap that was laid there by the hunter. The next moment the skies were covered by dark clouds. A huge rain washed away the raging forest fire.
The moment the deer sought refuge in the Supreme Lord, all the dangers were dissipated! The deer’s heart overflowed with happiness. It whole-heartedly thanked the Lord.
Through this story, Maharishi Vyasa warns the individual that at some point or other, he will have to inevitably face such precariously dangerous situations. For this reason, even when the person is in the prime of life, when health, strength and wisdom are on his side, he/she should hold on to the lotus feet of the Divine Mother. With this, the unprecedented troubles and many insufferable situations that suddenly land on the head, can be easily crossed.
Oṃ mŗtyu-mathanyai namah- this is one of the names of the Supreme Mother. It means She saves the devotee, who has sought refuge under Her, from the jaws of death. From death, She takes him to immortality.
With the blessings of Mother Chandi, may all problems be dissipated and the ability to overcome all difficulties arise in the person!