Saptamatrika: Seven powers we are born with

Your body is from your mother, from her DNA. So, you are a part of her. Similarly, there is Jagat Janani, the Mother of the universe. If the Mother of the universe is a physical body, then whatever is inside this body is part of her: grains, fruits, flowers, whatever we have eaten. If the body is of the Mother of the universe, then the body belongs to nature. There is an inseparable bond between nature and the body. If we think like this, the fear of feeling insecure, unhappy, and lonely goes away.

Just imagine if everyone in the world walked around feeling fearful. What sort of world will we be in? Can you make any progress? So, Devi gives us abhaya, freedom from fear.

The whole world is run by Devi’s Shakti, and that Shakti is within us and our very own. Navratri is the time when this energy can be tapped. For this, the Mother Divine has seven forms. Each of these seven powers helps to overcome fears. We are made up of seven elements, seven layers, seven chakras or energy centres within us. First is Brahmi Shakti, also called Brahma Shakti, that makes creation possible. Every particle of our body is engaged in creation, as one cell multiplies into another. So, Brahmi Shakti is the creative impulse that is always there in us. It is present in every seed, plant, and cell. Without Brahmi Shakti, nothing can happen.

Then, Maheshwari, the energy of Shiva, which is the power of destruction. Without it, creation cannot happen. A seed was destroyed, a seedling bloomed, and the seedling was destroyed to become a tree. In the same way, when our childhood was over, youth was born. The Shiva Shakti is present in every particle. Maheshwari is also the Mother Divine who unites us with the bigger vision. And then, Kaumari, the fearless, ever-youthful power of Kartikeya, with novelty, freshness, courage, and knowledge. The youth within us help us overcome doubts and dullness.

Then there is Vaishnavi, the Vishnu Shakti, the power that sustains everyone. The breath is Vaishnavi Shakti. You are sleeping, you are not doing anything, yet the breath goes in and out. Our body, the seasons, the blood circulation, and the whole creation are maintained by Vaishnavi Shakti.

Then there is Varahi, the power from which we remain grounded. Without gravitational force, we cannot sit. We will be like a helium balloon, flying around. We can’t stop, because we have no weight. We can’t eat, sleep, or do anything. It is like the cotton fibre on a tree. As long as it sticks to the tree, it is okay. Once it is apart, the wind blows it all away. From the same Varahi Shakti, recycling and cleanliness emerge. It turns dirt into manure, and turning waste into wealth is the sign of Varahi. And Indrani Shakti, the collective consciousness, has a thousand eyes and is ever alert. An individual has a mind, and thecollective consciousness has a vast mind. When a lamp is burning, oil and wick burn, but only the lamp takes the credit for the glow. Any wonderful achievement is the collective effort of so many. The last is Chamunda Shakti, which removes tamas, or inertia, and helps us acquire the highest qualities to rise in life.

Mother Divine is with all these powers, all benevolence, and protection. The Goddess is not somewhere outside. She is within us, in the form of our own life.

Life force is divinity. We recognise divinity everywhere, in the elephant, horse, cow, small girl, elderly couple. We see the life force in the plants, trees, fire and water, everywhere. That divinity can be honoured and invoked. Corn is very hard, but when you pop it, the popcorn is very soft. Like that, the divine power is inherent in the universe. Through chanting, meditation, and devotion, that blossoms.

(The author is a global humanitarian leader and spiritual master who founded The Art of Living in1981. As Gurudev turns 70 and The Art of Living steps into the 45th year of making life a celebration on this planet, month long celebrations are underway at The Art of Living International centre with eminent personalities from the sphere of politics, entertainment, arts, academia and faith arriving at the centre for thoughtful conversations, cultural showcases and launch of several service initiatives.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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