It is important to seek both Lakshmi and Saraswathi

We are in the midst of Navratri, a joyous time, celebrating the victory of good over evil. But Durga puja is more than the celebration of Goddess Durga killing Mahishasura. It is a great opportunity and science for a successful life.

There are two primary requirements for a happy and successful life; the capability to acquire knowledge and the ability to express that knowledge to prosper. Hence the importance of both, Saraswathi and Lakshmi.

However, it often happens that conditions beyond our control, problems and difficulties seemingly not of our own doing, stop us from happiness and success.

Even with all the knowledge and wealth, sometimes prosperity is not possible. Because prosperity is the divine blessing to enjoy the wealth one possesses. What one needs to possess both Saraswathi and Lakshmi is the ‘Shakti’ to overcome the demon or the obstacles in one’s path.

We need to understand that Mahishasura isn’t outside of us. It is within us, and created by us in the form of fear, doubts and worries in the mind and negative karma. Fear and doubt may be eliminated with the right knowledge, however realise that our life today is hugely linked with actions of the past, both of this and the previous lives. This is the reason why even with the best intention and effort, we end up with bad consequences and situations are out of our control.

Durga puja, beginning with Mahalaya Amavasai and culminating in Vijayadasami is an ancient science, gifted to mankind by our forefathers to remove all existing obstacles and create a future without hurdles.

It is the time to raise one’s energy or Shakti to eliminate the bad karma of past and present lives. And for that very reason it is also called as the day of Mahishasura Mardini. The power that can kill all negative energyphysically in the form of sickness and illness and non-physically in the form of fear, doubt, worries and negative karma.

Durga puja is the time to do this not through external rituals and by inner travel. This journey is possible through meditation, mounam, dhyana — call it as you may. However, the reality is that your demons can be conquered only by raising your consciousness to the state of divine consciousness, accompanied by absolute inner silence. What follows then is the flow of positive energy and unstoppable growth.

The tenth or final day is the day of creation of energy where you will see success not just for a day, but for the rest of your life.

This knowledge and true meaning of Durga puja should be utilised as a divine opportunity to remove obstacles and create the life you want to live.

Wishing you a life of peace, success and happiness!!