Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Navarātri Series – Day 4, Chaturthi – Goddess Meenakshi – Namasankeertana & discourse in the evening – October 18, 2023 – Mysore
Bhajan ID 570: mīnākṣi paripāhi mātaṅgakanyē
Meaning: Sage Vyasa is extolling the greatness of Meenakshi thus:
Goddess Meenakshi grants the eye of wisdom, grants all boons we desire, helps accomplish all tasks. That is why all great souls did Tapas (penance) in the presence of Goddess Meenakshi. Just remembering her name energises us. On this fourth day let us continue talking about Mother’s tattva:
Sage Vyasa said: Earth, Sun, Vayu, space, Agni, chief patron, water, Moon – these 8 are Mother Goddess Herself. We are beholding the Mother on the banks of Kampa, said Sage Vyasa. Obeisances to Her. Janamejaya was keen on listening to more stories of Mother. He wanted his ancestors (Pandavas) to earn Sadgati (blessed state). His devotion became steadfast. So, he wondered why Mother must be worshiped in Sharad season (early autumn – the current season we are in) and what is the benefit of such worship. He prayed to know of the importance of Devi Navarātri.
Sage Vyasa said: Mother is worshiped in Sharad, but should also be worshiped in Vasanta rutu (spring season) as well. These two seasons are like the canines of Lord Yama. People face grave dangers during these times. Diseases torment mankind and lives are lost. That is why every year you are seeing so many accidents, floods, wars during every Navaratri. Lord Yama does not go near Devi’s devotees. What do those people at war know about Mother? They read books, but know not about Devi. Yama has no compassion. Devi Navaratri must be observed in both seasons. Mother adores both these times, so if we worship Mother then, people will be safe. Those who worship Mother will face all auspiciousness without disease or death. That is why there is the rule to observe Devi Navaratri with full fervour.
During both these months, worship must be done from day 1 to day 9 of the bright fortnight. All Puja items must be ready on Amāvāsya itself. Observe fast or eat very little if you must. Eat only enough to bear some hunger in you. It is better yet to fast half the day. Some great souls sustain only by drinking water without eating anything through the day, but such people must stay home and not expend energy going out. Sugar patients need to have something light like fruit. All this applies only to those who are observing the Vrata; those who are not observing Vrata are welcome to do as they please, even invite Lord Yama. Whether or not we see God, we will certainly see Yama at least once in life, let’s not invite him sooner (to avoid that, observe Vrata)
Preparation for worship: Set up a nice altar – 16×16 ft. Set up a Dhvaja Stambha (flag post like you see in temples) and smear the place with cow dung and apply rangoli. Decorate with various festoons, different ones each day. When Swamiji comes down from the Devi temple in the mornings, there are a variety of decorations. On the first day, bathe in cold water, preferably in rivers or by wells. Do Sandhyavandanam, worship Sun God and then honour the vipras (pandits/scholars) for worship of Devi. Offer them clothes and garlands. Neither be stingy nor ostentatious in charity. During Puja, chant or study or write Lalita Sahasranāma or Lalita Trishati. Chant Devi’s mūla Mantra with 9 or 5 or 3 or 1 vipras. Have at least one person doing Devi Mantra throughout. The vipras must be peaceful. Do not pick people who are short tempered or gluttonous. They must be well versed in the Vedas. While Vedic mantras are chanted, set up throne on the altar and place the mūrti (idol) of Mother which has 4 arms welding conch, discus, mace and lotus on the throne. She must wear various garlands and precious necklaces especially the one made of pearls. Her countenance must be peaceful. Some even have Mother’s idol with 18 hands, that is okay too. Next to the throne, one should set up a golden/brass/earthen kalasha with sacred waters and leaves. This Kalasha must be worshipped along with Yantra. Everyday, divine songs must be sung and divine instruments must be played, dance seva must be offered too. Those who are in Vrata Deeksha must fast until night and eat light food thereafter or fast one half of the day – observe the rules as per your ability. Daily worship of Mother must be performed without fail. By worshiping in this manner, Mother grants all wishes.
All through 9 days Mother must be adorned with various flowers and aromas; fruits and various types of savouries and sweet dishes must be offered as Naivedya. Annadāna is very important failing which all rituals are in vain. Rigorous Brahmcharya must be observed sleeping on the bare floor and bathing in cold water. Everyday, Kanya Puja (worshipping young girls) must be performed.
Some observe the practice of worshipping kanyas of 1 to 9 years age. According to Devi Bhāgavata, kanyas of 2 to 10 years must be worshiped. Kanyas of 2 years are called Kumari, 3 yr – Trimurti, 4 yrs – kalyāni, 5 yrs – Rohini, 6 yrs – Kālika, 7 yrs – Chandika, 8 yrs – Shāmbhavi, 9 yrs – Durga, 10 yrs – Subhadra. Worshiping girls of these ages bestows auspiciousness. It removes grief, destroys enemies, enhances wealth and strength. The belief is that Devi is present in those girls at that time to bestow those gifts.
There are specific fruits of worshiping kaynas (maidens) of these ages:
Worship of 2 year old kanya removes poverty and enhances life span,
3 year old – bestows dharma, artha (wealth) and children and progeny,
4 year old – bestows knowledge and kingdom,
5 year old – destroys foes,
6 year old – bestows prosperity,
7 year old – grants victory,
8 year old – destroys foes and bestows heaven,
9 year old – removes diseases,
10 year old – fulfils all wishes.
This is why we have Kumari Puja here at Ashrama and ask you to go do Prakashina (circumambulation) to the kaynas and offer some dakhsina (token gift/money) to them. You will not get such an opportunity anywhere else.
Those who cannot observe Puja all through 9 days can offer special worship on Ashtami, the 8th day. Mother was born on that day. Bhradrakāli was born on that day and destroyed Daksha Yajna. Jayalakshmi Mata too was born on that day. Those who cannot fast everyday can fast on 7th, 8th and 9th days. These three days are extremely sacred. Offering worship, Japa and Homa pleases Mother and she bestows all boons. Keeping all this in mind worship Mother with Bhakti and Shraddha (devotion and keen interest). May Mother’s grace be upon all of you.
Bhajan ID 8556: bālā prauḍhā vr̥ddhāsi
Meaning: Mother you are the Bala – young child, Yuvati – young woman and Vriddha – old woman. Mother! You are not only an old woman, not only young woman, not only child, you are also Brahmachari, you are the warrior hero too, you are even the old man with the matted hair. You are delighted seeing Balā Tripura Sundari (the child Goddess) going to battle. Mother sends one of Her aspects to battle and delights with another. In one form, she is the infant and in another she cradles the infant. In one form she smiles and in the other she laughs. The young and intelligent Shyāmala Devi is Lalitā Devi’s minister.
You are also the ancient Mānasa Devi who resides in Haridvara and bestows Jnāna. O Mother, you are the lamp that guides the way to all those who have Shradda and Bhakti (keen interest and devotion). The twin Brahmin boys Guha and Ganapati are always with you, extolling your greatness. The young boys Bhrigu Rama and Sri Rama sing your glories. And the older sages & rishis posses You veiled in their intelligence because You are eternal and beyond time. You are Sachchidananda.
All the women here, young, old and children, all the men here, young and old are all Mother Goddess. Mother is shrouding Herself with ignorance and walking around in your form. One day She will lose that ignorance, but we have to wait until then. It’s not up to us when that will happen. We can only make the effort, granting that fruit is in Her hands. It’s already day 4. Time is precious. Do not waste it. Meditate as much as possible, pray as much as possible, study good books as much as possible. Every minute is precious. Every second is precious.
Bhajan ID 531: mīna nayanā
Bhajan ID 8562: kāḷī kaḷāvatī bhava bhaya śamanī
Bhajan ID 305: jai dēvī durgā jai ṣērāvālī
There will be 3 prizes in Lalita Sahasranāma nāma lekhana (writing) contest. The top 3 contestants who write the most times will get prizes. The book is now available in Telugu, Kannada, English and Hindi. Do concentrate and write.
One must not go to Guru with empty hands. Swamiji suggests to pick up bird food on the way to Swamiji’s Darshana and offer bird food that goes to Shuka Vana. Swamiji has also given public holiday for Shuka Vana and Bonsai garden during Navarātri, so that only devotees can visit and spend time there. Those places are magical, you must go see. Take photos there, because the funds from the photos go to bird food. This is your bhūta yajna (offering food to animals, birds and creatures around us). There is Shuka Vana membership where devotees have been paying Rs. 1000 every month for the last 10-12 years without missing a single month. You may go join too. It’s not always available, so this is a rare opportunity to join. Find out the details and get registered.