The
Sri Devi Sharan Navaratri Celebrations
were performed at our beloved Amma's beautiful Penusila Ashram
in Andhra Pradesh, India, from October 14 th through the 22
nd 2004. On each of the nine days of the festival several homas
, abhishekas
and pujas were performed for
world peace. The elaborate proceedings included homas
and pujas unique to this Navaratri
celebration such as the daily Sahasra
Moduka Sri Maha Ganesha Homa (an offering of 1,000 modukas,
considered to be Sri Ganesha's favorite
treat ), the Maha Saraswati
Homa and the Maha Saraswati
Puja. Amma mentioned that special
herbs dedicated to each of the 27 stars, 12 rashis
and 9 planets were offered in the homas
on different days. Beautifully drawn colorful rangoli yantra
mandalas in the Yajna shala
added to the auspiciousness and energy of the homas .
Amma has stated that drawing these yantra mandalas
on the ground is good for Mother
Earth and that it is a huge blessing to be able to have darshan
of these yantra mandalas
.
The
ceremonies started with the kalasha sthapana,
invocation of all deities on the first day. These kalashas
were then placed in the northwest corner of the Sri Lalita
Parameshwari Temple. The same evening, a Vastu Shanti
Homa was performed for world peace. Amma explained
that the Vastu Purusha is none other than
Virat Purusha, so we are essentially worshipping
Supreme Consciousness in the form of vastu.
Each
day of the Navaratri celebrations was also characterized
by palaki seva. This peace march led by our beloved
Amma was a procession carrying the Divine Mother Sri Lalita
Parameshwari in a palanquin around the Ashram grounds beautifully
decorated with colored lights.
Amma’s Vijayadashami message : October 22, 2004
Vijayadashami
is on a Friday this year and extremely sacred. Throughout the
day today, the entire cosmos is highly charged with Divine Energy
making this a highly auspicious day to start any new ventures.
Merit obtained from any charities, japa, meditation
and other spiritual and dharmic practices performed
on this day will be multiplied several fold.
The
tradition of worship of the Divine Mother during Dasara
has been prevalent for a long time. All the rishis
and demi gods have been worshipping the Divine Mother
during this most auspicious time. However, it was only after
nine years of intense penance that they were graced with Her
darshan. She manifested as the radiating Chandika Parameshwari
with a dazzling brilliance that lit up the entire universe.
It is only by the grace of the Divine Mother that today we are
able to worship the Devi Charanam, Divine
Mother's blessed lotus feet, that are not accessible even to
deities and the Trinity. It is only when Amma blesses us with
a peaceful mind are we able to worship Devi even in
difficult times. Without this blessing, we would blame the Divine
Mother for all the problems in our lives.
Divine
Mother guards and holds the key to the moksha dwara,
the door to ultimate liberation and salvation. Only by going
inward will we be able to reach our true destiny, moksha.
Even Brahma questioned Divine Mother about Her identity when
he visited Manidweepa. So it is no surprise that we are ignorant
about Her true glory. Ekanta Pujita is one
of the names of Divine Mother. The spiritual meaning of this
name is that only by going inward, devoid of all thoughts and
gunas can we experience the bliss of Her darshan
in the lotus of our hearts. Flowers offered in the puja
are perishable; offer your inner flowers, inner chakras
to Her. In addition to the seven main chakras
there are 108 important chakras all over the body.
Chanting the seven chapters of Yajur Veda
is like offering precious ornaments to the Divine Mother. Mantra
mani, the jewel of mantra chanting,
is more radiant than the jewelry that adorns Divine Mother.
Nirmala
is another one of Divine Mother's names. It means one
who has no malinya, pollution. Amma has to grant us
purity. Just now we chanted the divine name of Sri Lalitamba
and Jagadamba. So at least from this moment on take an oath
to control the tongue and speech. Men should respect all women;
the deities will bless such a place of purity.
The
compassion and glory of Divine Mother is immeasurable. Responding
to the prayers of the 16 year old Markandaya, She sends Lord
Siva to save him from the clutches of Yama, the lord of death,
and grants him an extended life. One of the shlokas
of Saundarya Lahari praises Divine Mother
thus: Just as Lord Vishnu manifested as a boar to lift up Mother
Earth from the deep recesses of the ocean, only Your divine
lotus feet can lift us who are in the darkness of ignorance,
from the ocean of births ( janma jaladhara ).
When Brahma had the darshan of Devi Lalitamba he was
amazed to see billions of galaxies rotating around the lotus
feet of Divine Mother and innumerable Brahmas seated at Her
feet (each universe has its own Brahma). The floods of materialism
are carrying us away; we are in such a state of ignorance that
we are not even aware of our bondages. We do not even realize
that we are in a state of ignorance and ego and the need to
elevate from this state. The beautiful Telugu bhajan
“ninne pujinchuchu …” is very touching. With
feeling we are calling out to our Mother pledging our total
surrender and asking for Her forgiveness and blessings.
All
the homas, abhishekas and pujas
performed everyday are not only for the well - being of those
present here but for universal peace and welfare. We should
never be selfish; our prayers should always be for universal
welfare. Offering the 24 items in purnahuti pleases
Divine Mother. She will bestow health, happiness, prosperity
and peace. Whatever we offer in purnahuti, She grants
it back to us in abundance. After purnahuti, everyone
should apply the holy raksha, dark ash from the homa,
to the forehead. It has the ability to destroy bodily sins.
Also take prasadam after the homa. It is
not just food but a jnana, knowledge, prasadam.
Place all your wishes at Amma's lotus feet during purnahuti
and lastly do not forget to pray for salvation also.
In
the evenings we had a palanquin procession where several devotees
took turns and carried the palanquin on their shoulders. This
peace march indicates that each and every one of us must carry
the responsibility of society.
Amma's
special blessings to all of you on this most auspicious day.
Om
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti!
Jai
Karunamayi!
Submitted
by Mythili
Amma's
Bangalore Ashram
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