Maa Durga is the Devine Mother of the entire Universe, showering her blessings upon all her children. And it is with this view that writer Nalini Janardhanan pens her thoughts, feelings and experiences with Mother Goddess while celebrating the great festival of Durga Puja. We at Clips and Pages proudly presents her article.
BLESSINGS GALORE
“सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यंबके गौरी नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते ॥ “
(“Sarva Mangala Mangalye, Shive Sarvartha Sadhike
Sharanye Trayambake Gauri, Narayani Namostute!”)
Listening to this Durga Mantra in the mornings gives tranquillity to my mind.
I like the Navratri Festival which puts us in a festive mood celebrating the nine nights and ten days worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navdurga-Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri). This festival is symbolic of the victory of good over evil.
Along with happy times and achievements, I also had many struggles and stressful periods in my life. There were many gloomy days when I felt depressed or disheartened with my life. But my strong faith in Almighty helped me in breaking up with stress.
Goddess Adiparashakti or the Eternal Mother is like my own mother who loves and protects me. A crying child always calls ‘Maa’ and goes to the mother’s lap where it can find solace. I know that being the Mother of the Universe, Devi Maa cannot see the pain in her devotee’s eyes. I realise that my trials don’t come to punish me but to awaken me and make me understand the divine love of my Devi Maa.
She is the Divine Hand that helps me fly into the fearsome unknown and reach my destination. She is the wind beneath my wings when I try to soar in the sky.
Goddess Adishakti is omnipresent and omnipotent. She is closer to us than our breathing and nearer to us than our heartbeats. She is also our mother whose ears are ever attentive to the prayers of Her children.
With the Eternal Mother, everything is possible, only if you have strong faith. Faith may not take away our pains and sorrows but it will help us to bear them with strength and courage. Miracles do happen with prayers. Prayer is either answered or something better is given. The sense of being blessed gives comfort and relief to our mind erasing away our sorrows and stress. Our heart is the only place where we can meet the divine power of the Almighty.
Durga Puja in Bengal is a divine experience. Dancing flames, pulsating rhythms, throbbing drums, clashing cymbals, the sweet smell of camphor, the fragrance of incense sticks, soulful music…When we enter the Durga Puja Pandal and watch the beautiful idols, we slip into a trance when our mind, body and soul merge with the Eternal Mother. Our heart is filled with the greatest bliss of devotion when divine music is played on the chords of our heart.
During Durga Puja, when Aarti was being offered and my darling daughter danced the iconic Dhunuchi Naach (Dhunuchi Dance) according to the rhythm of the dhak (drum beats), holding the Dhunuchi (Bengali incense burner) in her hands, and when the divine euphoria filled my heart and soul, I could see the affectionate smile on my Devi Maa’s eyes. When I sang my favourite Devi Bhajans in front of the idol of Maa Durga, I could feel Her loving hands on my forehead blessing me.
Whenever I feel sad or lonely, I could feel Her warm embrace and loving fingers wiping away my tears.
Thank you Devi Maa for your blessings on this humble devotee.
“आपत्सु मग्न: स्मरणं त्वदीयं
करोमि दुर्गे करुणार्णवेशि ।
नैतच्छठत्वं मम भावयेथा:
क्षुधातृषार्ता जननीं स्मरन्ति ॥ “
(“Whenever I am sunk in difficulties in life, O Mother Durga, I remember you, an ocean of compassion. These are my true feelings for you and not false. Because when children are afflicted with hunger and thirst, they naturally remember their mother only.”)
JAI MAA! SHUBH NAVRATRI!
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Author’s Bio
Dr. (Major) Nalini Janardhanan is a Family Medicine Specialist who served in Indian Army Medical Corps as an Army Medical Officer in the rank of Major. She is a popular writer of Kerala who is felicitated with many Awards for her contributions towards society as a Doctor, Singer, Writer, Army Officer and for her Social service.
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