In her message at the end of this year’s Navaratri, Amma shared the Divine Mother’s victory is symbolic of a battle taking place within our own minds.
Vijayadaśamī is a symbol of absolute victory and total perfection. It marks the triumph of Devī in the battle against demonic forces such as Mahiṣāsura. It is the victory of dharma over adharma, of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance.
So, the battle here is not merely external. It is symbolic of the conflict taking place within us every moment. This is why the performance of austerities and other spiritual practices are given precedence during Navarātri, as opposed to festivities.
Thus, after nine days and nights of relentless spiritual austerities, Vijayadaśamī marks the advent of Devi within our heart through the overcoming of evil, within and without. When it is said that we should enshrine God within us, it doesn’t mean that God has to be brought in from somewhere outside. God is always within us.
Regardless, we are unaware of God’s presence due to our mental impurities. So, consecrating God within our heart points to the awakening of the knowledge of God’s presence within by removing all the mental impurities veiling it.
Words can save us or curse us. They can grant us victory or defeat. They can be causes for good or for evil. How we use words is crucial.
Amma
This realisation of God dawns easily if we have the grace of the Jagadambā, of Parāsakti—of the Mother of Creation, of the Ultimate Power.
When Jāmbavān awakened Hanumān to what incredible strength he possessed, and when Bhagavān taught the Gītā to Arjuna, the power of words was harnessed properly.
But when Mantharā advised Kaikeyī and when Śakuni made Duryodhana commit grave wrongdoings, words were being used for evil purposes.
Words can save us or curse us. They can grant us victory or defeat. They can be causes for good or for evil. How we use words is crucial. Therefore, we should use words with utmost care.
The love and compassion that spontaneously overflows towards all things and beings is Devī’s hallmark. She is equally capable of saving beings from saṁsāra as well as fulfilling their material needs.
Let us be grateful to all things and beings who help us. Let us be grateful, bow down and become receptive to divine grace. Darling children, strive for this. May divine grace bless all of my children.
