1st Day - Gowri Puja
-------
Sri Swamiji said that He is going to take up the story of how Mother Goddess became "Gowri".
'Thanu and Vak" (i.e.body and sound i.e.talking) are one and the same. That is if talking (i.e.giving expression verbally) is there only then one can know the state or the 'sthithi' of the body. That is why indulging in 'vichara' (studying or knowing of the subject) is essential. If one wants to keep the body sound and healthy, 'krama shikshana' (methodical/systematic training) is to be given. For giving this sort of training, 'shaareerika tapas' or physical penance is very essential. That is why worship/pooja is 'shareerika tapas' bodily penance. This physical penance is done using the physical body along with the help of mind and intellect. Such type of worship is a great 'sadhana' (practice). To realise 'jeevanmukti' (i.e. liberation of the soul) shareera or the body is the sadhana or object or means for practice. This body is given by the 'prakriti' or Bhagavathi Mata to the beings. To know the 'Tattva' or the principles of 'prakriti' (Mother Nature), we have to pray Mother Prakriti and not depend on 'vikriti'. If one wants to 'jnana' Knowledge, one has to indulge in the practice of such knowledge. Swamiji Sings a bhajan
"Amba Vandanam Jagadamba Vandanam".
In India, they say there is a relationship with 'Vaikunta' (abode of Lord Vishnu) and 'Kailasa' (abode of Lord Shiva), They say this is second Vaikunta. In a way we do not require Vaikunta. Vaikunta means Guru 'Kanta' (Saduguru's talk or bodhana /upadesha i.e. preaching) itself is Vaikunta. Those who have taken refuge in a Sadguru and His preaching, that itself is the attainment of 'Vaikunta' and hence no other 'vaikunta' is needed. The other meaning of Kailasa is 'shareera' or the body; Guru shareer/body itself is Kailasa. Those who does 'Guruseva' /service to the Guru will attain 'Kailasa'. The 'manasaloka' or Brahmaloka is the 'roopa' or the form of Guru and there is no other Brahmaloka. As He is in Brahma roopa, His talk or preaching, when practiced and Service to the Sadguru is done, one will attain Brahmaloka or Satyaloka. Hence, when His Preaching is heard one attains Vaikunta, Service to Sadguru is 'Kailasa' and following His preachings is 'Brahmatva'. Everyone has to remember this. This has been emphasised in al l the Puranas (Scriptures) . Guru's teaching is 'Vaikunta'. The thundering voice of Guru will destroy all the sins. All the 'Dushta grahas' and all the bhoothas gets destroyed (i.e. all the bad effects of the planets and the satanic powers gets destroyed. Hence Guru mantra is itself enough as it is the highest of all the Mantras and this itself is 'yantra' (talisman hindering the evil effects ) . Hence, in this loka/world, in all the ages/Yugas, beginning from the Krita yuga upto the Kaliyuga, the incarnation of Sadguru, whether in the form of Devi/Goddess, Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, seeing Him in the various forms in various Kshetras/places, we have come here,escaping. If a drop of mercury falls, that drop is only an atom of crores of mercuric power. That drop of mercury has again split into thousand of pieces, in the form of 'Aghatanaghatana' we are the individual souls in those drops of fallen mercury.That is why we have that energy and this energy belongs to Shiva Shakti and hence it has magnetic/attracting power. And this magnetic/attracting power is present in our body and intellect. In the human body it is present in the flesh and blood and that is why it gets attracted when it comes in contact with mercury and tries to join with that. Sadguru is joining it and making it a big mass. Since this mercuric power is present in our body, they form a big mass in us. In other words it is the 'veerya' or the semen or the created being ('Srishti jeevi) and this 'veerya' multiplies and takes the form of an atom and this atom divides itself and becomes a 'karma jeevi' (i.e. becoming a human being bound by karmas). Since we are attached to this mercuric power, we are all bound by karmas. To assemble these "Paadarasa"(mercury) together in a place, the "Guru Kanta" or "Vaikunta"(Guru's preaching/bodhanam) is in the form of "Shivayogi. That is why we are attracted to this sweet "Guru Kanta" (Guru's teachings).
This Brahmanda/Universe is very big. According to Science, it takes 8 minutes for the light to travel to earth. Hence 8 minutesx60 minx24 hrs=1 dayx365=Light year. This is one circle/completion of a cycle. In this Universe, this is not the only Sun. There are so many Suns present which are not taken into account as we are not aware of their presence. The light which travels to reach earth is taking 8 minutes, what about the light which has started travelling long back but not yet reached this earth till now by the other Suns not known to us? How big and expansive is this Universe! "Vishwakaram Gagana Sadrisham..............
Yogi hrdhyana gamyam" (a verse on Lord Vishnu) which means" this universe which looks like a vast space, consisting of so many suns, moons, starts etc. is seen/realised by the Yogis in their hearts in deep meditation". Sri Swamiji said " I am also a Sun. You are all pieces of the rays emitted by this Sun (i.e.Swamiji Himself).One day you also will become Suns because When you join the Sun light you also become Sun yourself. The presence of sugarcandy in a sweet cannot be taken out or separated from the sweet. The sugarcandy is melted in the sweet prepared and has lost its individual identity. Totally we call it sweet. We do not say this is small sweet and this is big sweet. Likewise, when the entire universe is taken, we are just small particles, small creatures. We feel we are big the city we live in is big. Elephants are given small eyes. If it were given big eyes it would have destroyed everything. That is why everything looks small to its eyes. It thinks it is small and is afraid of even small creatures/animals. It doesn't know of its strength.
But we are given 'jnana chakshus' (inner eye).
Where does the light come from for this entire universe? It is said that this light is coming from the 3 eyes of Lord Shiva (the Sun, the Moon and the Fire/Agni form the 3 eyes of Shiva) who is in the form of 'Shivayogi". That is why the world is full of light. Where there is no light, there is destruction. Where there is darkness, jeevis/beings are destroyed. That means where there is Agnana (ignorance), there is destruction. (Darkness is compared to ignorance and light is compared to Knowledge here). Where there is Jnana, there is 'Abhivriddhi' (increase of knowledge/jnana). That is the reason why we aspire for Jnana and to progress further. Even the Government encourages literacy and learning and teaching by each. Likewise one has to correct and get corrected; one has to attain knowledge and give the knowledge to others. Lord Shiva, is Light or Knowledge Himself . What happened to Lord Shiva one day is what I am going to tell you know. Sri Swamiji Sings "Sri Kanchi Kamakshi, Maam Pathu Karunakshi.."
Kanchinagar is a Kshetra. The above song is a Mantrapatha , lesson in the form of lesson. The story of Goddess Mother is contained in this song.Goddess Kaamakshi is the consort of Ekambareshwara,who is in the form of 'Ardhanareeshwara'. Kaamakshi has two meanings-one is destroyer of Maya and the other is fulfiller of wishes. That is why one who takes the darshan of Kanchi Kamakshi can observe/sense the eyes of the Mother's beautiful idol speaking. No other sculptor has carved such an idol. Mother Herself has come in the form of 'Swayambhu". Her one look will destroy 'Maya'. The River Kampa' is her court "Sabhabhavana'. The River Kampa is equal to River Ganes in its sacredness. If one takes bath in this river, not only sins get destroyed but one will get and develop 'compassion. The quality of 'daya'/'anukampa'(compassion) increases. When one takes bath in river Ganga (Ganges) they will be freed of 'kopa, thapa and papa (sufferings, anger and all sorts of sins),but for one who takes bath in Kampa, not only one gets Mother's grace and Anukampa, but also gets knowledge. Ganga took birth from the vessel (Akshayapatra) carried in the hands of Kamakshi. That is why She is Jnanaganga. That is why Sri Shankaracharya has established Jnanapeetam. Protection of one who takes refuge is sheelam. For those who pray Her, She has taken a vratham (a vow) to protect them. That is Her 'sheelam' (swabhavam or nature).
Kailasa is the abode of Shiva and Shakti. Kailasa is the blissful ('Laasa' means 'Ananda' bliss) and cold ie. peaceful, tranquil and attainment of this Kailasa will give one 'poorna moksha' (full liberation). Like Lord Shiva, who is 'Shanthaswaroopa' a Yogi is also 'Shantha'. Lord Shiva gives Yoga. So He is Shivayogi. (Shivayogi is always with the prakriti shakti) One day,when the Mother is sitting naked in Digambara yoga (Shivayogini form) . Here Goddess Mother is present in the form of flowers and fruits. Flowers and fruits represent 'prakriti' . She closes the eyes of Lord Shiva as she thought His 'Drishti' would fall on the shivayoginis present in the form of fruits and flowers. All the fruits and flowers are 'Stri' (women) and Purusha/Shiva is only One. But coconut is Shiva. It is a 'phala' but not a 'phala' (fruit) in the ordinary sense.
Since Shiva's Drishti falls on the fruits which are 'stree roopas' (form of women), fearing His Drishti would destroy them, Parvathi, Mother Goddess closes His eyes.
JAI GURU DATAA