From a satsang with Pt, Balram Persad, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Om Shakti Mandali
During the period of Nav Raatri, devotees strengthen their worship of the Divine Mother in Her various forms, so as to seek Her blessings and spiritual advancement. How do we know when we have attained the grace of the Divine Mother? When Her divine grace is bestowed on Her devotees, it becomes apparent in their characters, personality traits and behaviour towards the world, as well as their external possessions.
The Divine Mother, in the forms of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, represents willpower, right knowledge and right action respectively which, when combined, will lead to the right result. When devotees are blessed by Durga Devi, they have the will to confront their fears, to survive and to succeed. They will also maintain a sense of tranquility; they will remain calm in the face of adversity and provocation. They will be filled with physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual strength. Every scripture contains instances of individuals who were oppressed and downtrodden, but who rose like the lotus flower through the grace of the Divine. Prahlad, for instance, remained calm as he confronted many life-threatening situations and eventually his strong faith in God was rewarded by the appearance of the Lord Himself in the form of Narasimha Bhagavan.
The grace of Durga Maa provides devotees with the impulse to protect their way of life, values, traditions, religious beliefs and practices. They will also have power in all spheres of life. However, just as Durga Maa has control over her power in the form of the lion or tiger on which she sits, so also will the devotees be able to harness that power for the good of all. They will have great parents, wonderful children, good neighbours, a good Guru and a good spouse. They will be filled with talents and skills, which they will use to uplift and advance others, such as musical, artistic, technical or academic skills. They will also have the desire to serve. For instance, many persons participate in service activities throughout the various avenues in SWAHA, such as assisting with the Children’s Home, teaching religious instruction, or sharing their skills and knowledge with other temple members.
In order to receive the blessings of the Divine Mother, we must be constant and unwavering in our faith and spiritual practices. If we plant a seed, it takes time to grow and bear fruit. The plant must be nurtured over time with the right nutrients and conditions. In the same way, devotees must be consistent in their worship and their goal to progress on the spiritual path. May we strengthen our devotional practices so that we may all benefit from the grace of the Divine Mother in our lives.
