From His Holiness Swami Vidyadhishananda
Venerable Seekers and Devotees,
We prayerfully embrace special times of the year which are deemed auspicious. The current period of Sāradiya-Navarātri since the last new moon is celebrated in many traditions by invoking varying degrees of meditation, austerity, meaningful rituals and new ventures in remembrance of the Divine Mother, the great shakti that embellishes us when we invoke truth.
The culmination of this nine-night period ushers in Vijayā Daśami or the tenth day of Victory, celebrated this Sunday, 25th October. Victory Day on the tenth day of this ascending cycle of the moon is of great significance and merits a reminder that inner victory is of foremost importance for building our moral strength. After all, it is the mind that commits grievous mistakes and then the mind is smeared by their negativity.
Truth is verily the essence of every human being. One forgets and forsakes the path of honesty and integrity due to the infatuation with egoism and fear, and in turn one becomes weaker and often loses the valour of human dignity. Loyalty to truth is found to be the essential spiritual penance that ultimately dissolves the shackles of worldly involutions.
Devotion to truth initiates purity in the mind. Thus sanctified, one can win back truth from the clutches of time. This insight is not just limited to what is visible and palpable around us, but the devotional understanding thus developed allows for the greater vision and revelation of the supreme personality of Godhead. A devotee clearly recognises the grace of God – such is the experience.
Contemplation of the absolute truth chastises the impure formulations in the mind. Furthermore, it brings about a balance that is bereft of vexation or exultation during the discharging of duties. Circumstances and happenings that cross our path arise due to the urges that initiated this life, as per the force of karma. Invoking devotional understanding of God and carrying out the duties of life as a spiritual penance honours the motherly spirit (shakti) within us.
May you all have inner and outer victory on this auspicious Victory Day by yielding to neither elation nor depression, simply reflecting in silent gratitude for God’s grace while remembering His paramount embodied energy – the Divine Mother. Let us invoke the blessings and protection of the Divine Mother on this tenth day, – Vijayā Daśami.
Wishing for abounding motherly grace upon all,
Swami Vidyadhishananda
