Today is the 8th day of Devi Navaratri and the principle deity is Goddess Chandi.
The morning procession of Goddess Raja Rajeshwari in the Palanquin started at 8:50 a.m. Sri Swamiji started the Avarana Pujas after Kumari Puja.
The morning music concert was Classical Hindustani Guitar concert by the famous Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhat. He was accompanied by Sri. Sandeep Das on Tabala. Pt. V.M. Bhat has earlier given a concert at Vijayawada Ashrama during 1995 Navaratri celebrations. Today he gave an enthralling and a melodious concert. Sri. Sandeep Das gave an excellent support on the Tabala.
Anna Archana to Goddess Chandi was performed with Gudaanna , a rice dish of South India. This prasadam was given to the devotees after the Purnahuti.
The afternoon music concert was a Carnatic Vocal concert by Smt. K. Sheshalata Viswanath. She was accompanied by Sri. H.K. Narasimha Murthy on violin, Sri. Ravi Shankar on Mridangam and Sri. Ramanujam Iyengar of Ashrama on Ghatam. She sang many of Sri Swamiji's compositions which pleased the devotees.
After the Dolotsava the Bhajan session started at 6:45 p.m. Sri Swamiji rendered many songs on the Divine Mother rapturously. At the end, He described in detail the genesis and significance of the deities- "ASHTA MATRUKAS".
ASHTA MATRUKAS
There have been several occasions when the Divine Mother killed the demons. We find the different incidents to be similar. Now let us see the way She destroys the evil in the form of demons. Here is one such incident.
This anecdote is wonderful. Once, a blind demon by name ANDHAKA ASURA got boons from Brahma(creator) after a prolonged penance. As usual to demons, the demon asked for immortality. It could not be given by Brahma. As an alternative the demon got the boon to the effect that from every drop of the demons's blood falling down will originate another form of his own.
With the natural trait of demonic nature, as usual, the demon defeated the celestials and drove them away from the heaven. The celestials prayed to Brahma for help. He took them to Shiva, "For your protection, you also make some effort. You come to me taking the forms of several weapons", Shiva said. They did so.
In spite of long drawn, bitter fight, the demon could not be killed by any weapon. Shiva's ferocity increased vehemently. At last Shiva poked his trident(TRISHULA) into the demon Andhaka and started rotation the trident in a terrible speed.
However, the fury of Shiva benefited the demon. Each drop of the demon's blood was born a demon- these several forms of Andhaka created confusion and havoc in all the worlds.
The celestials were upset. They prayed to Vishnu. He started killing all the new born forms of Andhaka with his weapon " SUDARSHANA CHAKRA". But what of it? Again and again new forms of Andhaka came out of each drop of blood falling down from the demon's body. Where was and end to it?
None was bold enough to approach Shiva to stop rotating the demon's body. Such was his ferocity. It is like playing with fire to disturb Shiva's meditation. He always arises in an atomic reactor, none can stop the havoc. If virus affects a computer, none can stop it. So also it is very difficult to wipe out evil thoughts, once they get into our brain. It is very difficult to wipe out evil thoughts, once they get into out brain. It is easy to infuse devilish thoughts in others; but it is nearly impossible to remove those ideas. Shiva's fury was just similar t the dangerous radiation of an atomic plant damaged.
Generally Shiva is calm in his meditative posture. He is static then, Once he is activated, none can stop him. He continues to be terrible. Even His mercy also is limitless. Once He gave out His Atma linga as a boon to RAvana. At another time he gave away His own consort Parvati as a boon to Ravana on some other occasion, He became a serant himself to a devotee. Brahma and other celestials had to make a strenuous effort to bring back Shiva.
Hence Parvati offered to be his secretary to accompany Shiva always and to observe the the types of the boons He gave. Though Shiva agreed to Her proposal, He started giving away boons in her absence. Hence She took the left side of His form as Ardha Naareeswari. Hence the power of illusion of Parvati makes the person of evil intentions to forget his own wishes, while praying Shiva for boons. In spite of all precautions, Shiva continues to be boundless in his mercy of boons.
However, Brahma gives boons after thoroughly considering pros and cons about the effect of the boon to himself. He is a knower who goes on working continuously. Hence Brahma creates work both to Shiva and Vishnu.
Now, Vishnu is ever business like. He has expertise of trade. He gives such boons which would ultimately result in protection to Himself and other. That is his matchless power of bargaining. He indirectly teaches us this useful trait. That is the quality of the Protector, Vishnu. He does not require any secretary. He manages His affairs Himself.
Reverting to the story, We observe that Shiva's fury caused heavy burden of effort to Vishnu. Further Shiva's ferocity was unapproachable. "If approached, he would annihilate all the worlds", the celestials feared.
Vishnu assembled all the celestials at Shivaloka and asked them to pray to Shiva collectively. Shiva was a little pacified and discussed the problem with Vishnu.
Shiva's power of fury pounced on the evil power job Andhaka. As a result, the intensity of the problem increased than otherwise. Retreat from the fight at this stage would increase the danger of the demon's evil force. "Just as the forest fires should be put out by another fire, so also the evil force of Andhaka must be defeated by a new opposite force. There is no other go". This was the final decision of the discussion.
Lo! Rudrani- flame like force emanated from Shiva's face. She is also called Shivadooti. Similarly, Vaishnavi, Brahmaani, Koumari, Indrani, Varahi, Simhini(Naarasimhi) and Chamundi emanated from the faces of Vishnu, Brahma, Kumaraswamy, Indra, Varaha, Yama and Parvati respectively.
These are ASTA MATRUKAS. They are the deities who control the six enemies-ARI SHADVARGA- kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya i.e.., desire, anger, greed, enchantment, pride and jealousy, as also similar evil qualities. As ordered by Shiva, Ashta Matrukas entered the body of the demon Andhaka due to his Arishadvargas, and squeezed all his power and entire blood of the demon.
Shiva was pacified as the power of the demon vanished. Then the Ashta Matrukas asked Shiva for his further order.
Shiva said, "You are the rulers of the Arishad vargas. You dwell in the bodies of all creatures of all species. Activate them. You remove the six evils from anyone who prays to you as the manifestations of Parashakti. This is your task".
Some say the Matrukas are seven in number. Others say the number is eight. Some worship Nava Durgas(Durga of nine forms). It is important to note that the divine Mother takes several forms.
Thus from this story we observe the phenomenon used by Parashakti to conquer evil forces. Also, we recognise that it is only the Universal Mother who develop good and evil thoughts in us. Lastly we can try to know the way to surrender to Parashakti to get relief from the evil fungus within and to attain the state of eternal Bliss.
Hence all of you chant the eight sacred names of Ashta Matruka- Rudranyei Namaha, Vaishnavyei Namaha, Brahmaanyai Namaha, Koumaryai Namaha, Maahendryei namaha, Varahyai Namaha, Naarasimhyei Namaha, Chamundaayei namah.