AFVOA Newletters of Year 2004

Page 113 of 153 our vices, our defects. She is to fight and annihilate these demons. This is the ‘strength’ aspect of shakti as mentioned in the Upanishad. Mother Kali is the power that guides and protects the devotee’s spiritual practice from its many dangers and pitfalls. Mother Kali represents the ferocious and destructive aspect of TIME. 73. In contrast with creative force in nature, this power is ever active disintegrating forms and structures. It drives heavenly bodies back into their nebulous state. 74. In the Kenopanishad, part three, (Yaksha Prashna), 12th Mantra, the Divine Mother is described as a woman wondrously fair, daughter of the snowy mountain Himavat, her name Hemavati or Uma. 75. She is the energy aspect of the Lord. Her other name is Durga. This cosmic energy or shakti is the omnipotent power of the Lord. We call her Durga, the Divine Mother. 76. Lower states of ignorance and egoism are typified by or personified as demons with such names as Dhumralochan, Chanda and Munda, which should be destroyed by the sudden burst of energy and rough handling. Dumralochan (the smoky-eyed, a person whose understanding is clouded by ignorance) stands for the grosser state of ignorance and egoism. Munda means the low. Munda is the low profile of our egoism. Chanda means fierce. Chanda is the more horrible and fierce side of it. Shumbha and Nishumbha signify more enlightened aspects of egoism. Shumbh means to shine. 77. Mahishasur stands for ignorance and stubborn egoism. Raktabij represents the more subtle states of desire which multiply endlessly to create more problems. {Source: http / /www.saranam.com/Festivals/Navarathri.asp } Vijayadashmi 78. The tenth day, Vijayadashmi, is the day of victory, representing the day of enlightenment when all vasanas are destroyed and the knowledge of the Self has dawned in the individual. The individual is said to have attained God-realisation. The triumph of having moved from the ignorant state of JIVAHOOD (embodied soul) to the enlightened state of SHIVAHOOD. This day marks the triumph of spirit over matter, of victory of divine qualities over evil qualities, of the removal of ignorance by the light of wisdom and knowledge. 79. The victory of Durga is the triumph of the aggressive good over evil, the destruction of vasanas/subtle impressions, desires, and the realisation of the divine Self. 80. In modern language, Saraswati represents pure science and Lakshmi represents applied science. Thus Lakshmi flows from Saraswati. First comes the worship of Saraswati through scientific research and then acquisition, assimilation and distribution of knowledge. This is followed by the worship of Lakshmi through the application of knowledge in all fields of human development and welfare. {Source: http://www.saranam.com/Festivals/Vijayadhasmi.asp} An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. - Mahatma Gandhi