Thus Spake the Divine - Goddess of Navaratri

Thus Spake the Divine

Goddess of Navaratri

In this and the next chapter, Poojyasri Maha Periyava brings out the significance of worshipping Parameshvari, Maha Lakshmi and Sasasvati Devi during Navaratri.

During Navaratri Festival, we worship Goddesses Durga Parameshvari, Maha Lakshmi and Sarasvati Devi. Though we identify them as three Deities, they are manifestations of only one Para Shakti. Lalita Sahasranamam elucidates this saying, “She is the one who Creates (in the form of Brahma), She is the one who Protects (in the form of Govinda), and She is the one who Destructs (in the form of Rudra). The Sanskrit shloka goes as follows:

shrishti karthree brahmaroopa,

gopthree govinda roopini,

samharini rudraroopa.

Para Shakti, who is in the form of Lalita and Durga, also takes the form of Maha Lakshmi and Sarasvati. In Lakshmi Ashtottaram, there is a mention about unification of one Para Shakti from three different forms based on their respective functions, which reads as “Brahma, Vishnu, Shivathmikayai Namaha”. The same verse appears in Sarasvati Ashtottaram too. All these names clearly demonstrate that all functions viz. Creation, Protection and Destruction are carried out by only one Para Shakti. In the form of Durga, She confers on us courage and power, in the form of Maha Lakshmi she extends wealth, and in the form of Sarasvati she provides us wisdom.

Goddess Durga (also known as Adi Para Shakti) is generally identified with Goddess Parvati. She, being the daughter of Himavan, King of Himalayas, is Mountain Persona (Malai Magal). Maha Lakshmi emerged from the Ocean and thus She is Ocean Persona. Since Sarasvati is epitome of wisdom, She is Arts Persona. Both Ambal and Maha Lakshmi have incarnated as daughters of two great Sages. Maha Lakshmi was born as the daughter of Bhrigu Maharishi and named Bhargavi after the Maharishi’s name. Amara Kosham (Sanskrit Thesaurus) makes a mention about Bhargavi as synonym of Lakshmi. Similarly, Kathyayana Maharishi aspired to groom the Supreme Para Shakti as his daughter. Thereby, She got Her name as Kathyayini. Durga Gayatri Mantra mentions Kathyayini’s name.

It is of very special significance when Mothers of Universe are born as children on this earth. When children and God join together, that place gets into a celebrative mood. When the very God takes the form of a child, imagine the extent of happiness that spreads around. Children do not possess deep-rooted anger or lust that we, the elderly, have. The child throws away a substance, which it liked very much a few minutes ago. It is only we grown-ups, who take things to heart and disturb our own peace. We should learn to be like children, holding our emotions and feelings just at the surface level. That is why it is always good to remain child- like!

If we worship Para Shakti as Kathyayini and Maha Lakshmi as Bhargavi, who are children incarnation, then we would also absorb their child-likeness. We would also turn anger-proof and lust-proof, as is water-proof! Though Goddess Parameshvari is in the form of a Child, She, being the Epitome of Wisdom, will bestow Her grace on us.

It is my assumption that even people living in villages of Tamil Nadu have been worshipping Kathyayini with the colloquial name “Kathayi” as Grama Devata (Village Deity) since years. Similarly, they have been worshipping Sarasvati as “Pechayi” (pechu in Tamil means “talking”), which represents the speaking skill bestowed by Sarasvati.

Let us pray to Ambal, Maha Lakshmi and Sarasvati Devi and attain strength, wealth and wisdom.

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.