NEED TO WORSHIP DIVINE MOTHER

December 27, 2005

In this world, we mortals are so

overwhelmed with ajnaana (ignorance) that though we know a thing to be wrong, we are helplessly impelled to do it. Ajnaana is a disease for which jnaana (enlightenment) is the only cure. The Divine Mother alone is capable of bestowing this milk of jnaana (jnaanappal in Tamil), removing our ignorance, and satiating the hunger of our atma (soul). A hungry child thinks of its mother and the milk she will give and yearns for both. Similarly, we must yearn for the grace of the Divine Mother, so that we can obtain from Her the milk of enlightenment. For that purpose, we must be constantly thinking of Her and praying to Her. The time available to us, after attending to our prescribed and essential duties, must be utilised in contemplation of the Divine Mother. If we do not switch over our mind in Her direction, when we have nothing else to do, there is the danger of the mind straying along the forbidden or sinful path. If, on the other hand, we think of Her, we will not only

be avoiding doing wrong, but will also be fed by Her with the milk of jnaana. As a result, we will be endowed with the grace of Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. No only that, physically we will be healthy and radiant with charm (tejas) that flows from health. We will also be blessed with long life. Thus, long life, health, wealth, and knowledge – what is the use of long life bereft of health, wealth and knowledge ? – will be ouras. Jnaana will sever the paasa (chord) ajnaana, which binds the soul to this world and makes us pasu (animal). When the bond is sundered, the liberated soul merges itself into that limitless and all-pervasive Bliss. Parananda, and is no longer afflicted by fear, sorrow, or pain. Thus, the effect of worshipping the Divine Mother is the fulfillment of the purpose of life – the merger of the atma with the Paramatma. This is the significance of the following verse in Soundarya Lahari, which is given as the

phalasruti for the 100 verses preceding it. " Sarasvatyaa lakshmyaa vidhi-hari-sapatno viharate Rateh paativratyam sithilayati ramyena vapushaa Chiram jeevanneva kshapita pasupaasa vyatikarah Paraanandaabhikhyam rasayati rasam tvadbha-janavaan " . January 31, 1958 His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamiji

Quote:

Maa Bagavathi,Kodungallur, Kerala Visit :

http://hindusaktha.jagaddhatri.com/ for more photos like above of Devi Temples throughout Bharat

Ma Vaishno Devi " The Sanatana Dharma (eternal religion), the religion of the Rishis, has been in existence from time out of mind and will exist eternally. There exists in this Sanatana Dharma all forms of worship - worship of God with form and worship of the impersonal deity as well. It contains all paths - the path of knowledge, the path of devotion, and so on. Other forms of religion, the modern cults, will remain for a short time and then disappear. "

- Sri Ramakrishna

" My Mother is the principle of consciousness.She is akhanda satchidananda; indivisible Reality, Awareness, and Bliss.The night sky between the stars is perfectly black. The waters of the ocean depths are the same. The infinite is always mysteriously dark. This inebriating darkness is my beloved Kali.... " -Sri Ramakrishna

" Reality with attributes, saguna Brahman, has been unanimously declared by the Vedas, Puranas, and Tantras to be Mahakali, the primordial energy of awareness. Her Energy is like the rays of the sun.The original sun is attributeless Reality, nirguna Brahman, boundless Awareness alone. Proceed to the Original through its Radiance. Awaken to non-dual Reality through Mother Kali. She holds the key. " -- Sri Ramakrishna in " Great Swan " ,

by Lex Hixon, p.184 Manifestations of Her glory show in power of immeasurable might,Throughout the universe, powers that swell the sea of birth and death, Forces that change and break up the Unchanged and changed again.Lo! Where shall we seek refuge, save in Her?-- Swami Vivekananda, from " Hymn to the Divine Mother "

Kali Temple, Dakshineshwar

Shanta Durga Temple, Goa

Sharada Peetham, Sringeri,Karnataka Visit :

http://hindusaktha.jagaddhatri.com/ for more photos of Devi Temples throughout Bharat. -------- Mother Durga! India, world's noblest race, lay whelmed in darkness. Mother, thou risest on the eastern horizon, the dawn comes with the glow of thy divine limbs scattering the darkness. Spread thy light, Mother, destroy the darkness. (Hymn To Durga , Aurobindo )

-------- divyabhakti