Swami Vishwananda

Do not postpone gratitude until every desire has been fulfilled. Do not make your peace dependent upon circumstances that are constantly changing. Accept what has come, do what is right within your capacity, surrender what lies beyond your control, and allow the heart to remain anchored in the Divine. Acceptance does not mean abandoning responsibility or refusing to improve your circumstances; it means ceasing to wage an endless inner war against the reality of the moment. It means understanding that you can act wisely without being consumed by anxiety, work diligently without becoming enslaved by ambition, and care deeply without allowing fear to govern your life. Above all, let the love of the Guru become the medicine that heals the disease of perpetual dissatisfaction. When the Guru’s grace enters the heart, we gradually learn that peace is not something to be accumulated like worldly possessions, but something to be awakened through surrender, trust, and remembrance of the Divine. The Guru teaches us to distinguish between what we truly need and what the restless mind endlessly demands. His love helps us recognise that life is not merely a journey of acquisition, but an opportunity to purify the heart, deepen our devotion, serve creation, and realise the sacred presence that sustains us at every moment. Let the Guru transform your relationship with the present. When happiness comes, receive it with gratitude; when sorrow comes, meet it with patience; when uncertainty arises, place your trust in the Divine. Do not cling desperately to what must eventually change, and do not reject the blessings that are already resting in your hands. Let your possessions remain in your care without allowing them to possess your heart. Let your plans be guided by wisdom, but let your peace remain rooted in faith. Life is a precious gift, and every moment spent in needless worry is a moment that could have been offered in love, prayer, kindness, and joyful remembrance of the Lord. Therefore, live fully, love sincerely, give generously, and rest your heart in the Guru’s grace. Accumulate not merely wealth, but wisdom; not merely possessions, but compassion; not merely achievements, but devotion. For when the final moment arrives, it will not be the size of your possessions that determines the peace of your soul, but the love with which you have lived, the goodness you have shared, and the degree to which you have learned to surrender your heart to the Divine. Accept the present, remain happy, and let the medicine of the Guru’s love transform you from within. What you have today is an opportunity to live, to love, to serve, and to remember God. Do not waste it waiting for a perfect tomorrow. Let today itself become an offering at the sacred feet of the Guru.

Accept the present as it is, remain content and happy, and allow the medicine of the Guru’s love to transform you from within. The love of the Guru is a divine remedy that gradually heals the wounds of the heart, quietens the restless mind, and teaches the soul to discover peace in the midst of life’s uncertainties. We spend so much of our lives longing for a different tomorrow, regretting yesterday, and struggling against the circumstances of today that we forget to experience the very life that has been given to us. We imagine that happiness will come when we acquire more wealth, achieve greater success, fulfil our desires, or finally reach a place where nothing troubles us. Yet, the mind that has not learned contentment will continue to seek more, even after receiving everything it once desired. The greatest rest in life is to accept the present moment with gratitude and remain peaceful within, regardless of what circumstances may bring. Everyone is searching for rest, peace, relaxation, and that indescribable feeling of bliss which makes the heart feel complete. Yet so few understand that lasting peace cannot be found merely by changing the world around us; it begins when we allow the heart to change within. We exhaust ourselves pursuing things that promise happiness, only to discover that the mind remains restless even after obtaining them. Remember this truth: no matter how much you accumulate throughout your lifetime, if you never learn to enjoy what you have been given, your accumulation will become a burden rather than a blessing. You may spend your entire life gathering wealth, securing possessions, building a future, and worrying about what tomorrow might bring, while the simple joys of today quietly pass you by. You may postpone your happiness until the next achievement, the next opportunity, or the next season of life, believing that one day you will finally be free to rest. But life does not wait for us to finish all our worries. The years pass, the body grows tired, and the moments that could have been filled with gratitude, love, prayer, and peaceful living become memories that can never be recovered. In the end, you may leave behind everything you spent your life accumulating, and those who come after you may enjoy what you were too anxious, fearful, or preoccupied to enjoy yourself. This is one of the quiet ironies of worldly existence. Many families spend generations accumulating wealth, yet the very people who gather it live with the fear of losing it. They possess enough to live comfortably, but their minds remain occupied with protecting, increasing, and preserving what they have. They use only a small portion of their resources, deny themselves simple comforts, and postpone their happiness in the name of security. Eventually, what they carefully accumulated passes into the hands of the next generation, while their own precious years have already slipped away. There is nothing wrong with working hard, providing for our loved ones, saving for the future, or being responsible with what we receive. These things, too, can be acts of love and wisdom. But we must never allow the pursuit of security to steal the peace of the present, nor allow the fear of tomorrow to prevent us from living gratefully today. Wealth is useful when it serves life; it becomes a burden when life is sacrificed merely to preserve wealth. Possessions are blessings when they bring comfort and enable us to serve others; they become chains when our hearts become attached to them. The true question is not how much we have gathered, but whether we have learned to live with gratitude, generosity, and inner freedom. Enjoy the present. This is the secret. Enjoy the food placed before you, the people who love you, the opportunity to serve, the quietness of prayer, and the little moments of grace that often go unnoticed. Do not wait for every problem to disappear before allowing yourself to smile.

Karwa Chauth or Karak Chaturthi is so different from the way people generally think of it today. Cultural thought has made this beautiful festival only about married women fasting for the health and long life of their husbands. But in reality, Karak is the earthen pot, the body, which carries milk and water, the emotions and thoughts, and is offered to the moon as a symbol of the gentle divine energy that sustains everything. The moon reflects the bright light of the sun in a sweet and warm way. It sustains the water and life on earth. The sighting of the moon sparks hope within the mind, as it shines like a lantern in the dark sky. Just like the eyes naturally gravitate towards the moon in the night sky, the same way the mind naturally gravitates to the one who can lead one from darkness to light. The moon represents the natural alignment of the thoughts and emotions to the lotus feet of the SatGuru. The earthen pot, the body, contains the great light, the atma. But to rediscover the inner light, the outside mirror of the SatGuru’s lotus feet is important. Through Vandana Bhakti, the attitude and action of bowing down towards the moon, to the lotus feet of the SatGuru, on Karak Chaturthi one cleanses the accumulated internal karmic patterns. Freeing oneself like a firefly illuminated with its own light to soar high towards the moon. While it is beautiful to pray for one’s family here on earth, don’t forget the eternal One who is the source of everyone’s life and wellbeing. Many obeisances to the life-giving light of the moon as it shines brightly in the dark sky just like the SatGuru’s words shine brightly in the darkness of mind, forever enlightening the true self. Many blessings on Karak Chaturthi.

When my mind wanders, I seek the darshan of my Vithala, whose loving gaze brings me back to the truth of my existence. When my ego rises, I remember His humble presence upon the brick, teaching me that divinity shines brightest in simplicity. When the world tempts me with its fleeting treasures, I cling to His Name, the wealth that neither time nor death can take away. When loneliness visits, I discover that the Beloved has always dwelt within my heart. When my efforts fail, I surrender the fruits of my actions at His lotus feet, trusting His wisdom beyond my understanding. When pride blinds me, I bow before the One who sees the same Divine Light in every soul. When my breath becomes my prayer and my thoughts become His offering, every moment transforms into worship. May my hands serve His creation, my tongue sing His glory, my mind contemplate His presence, and my atma dissolve in His boundless love. O Vithala Panduranga, let me never seek You merely for worldly blessings, but grant me the grace to love You for Your own sake. Rama Krishna Hari! Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari! Sri Guru Charanaravindam Sharanam Prapadye.

There is none as helpless as we are, nor any as compassionate as You, O Lord of Love, Sri Hari. How long must our hearts endure this separation? What more remains to be tested in souls that have nothing left to offer but tears, faith, and an unceasing longing for You? May our restless minds find eternal refuge at Your lotus feet, and may the divine Word of the SadGuru illuminate our path. Bless this humble servant with perfect surrender, unwavering devotion, and the grace to desire nothing apart from You. Let our very existence become a sacred sacrifice unto Sri Hari. O Beloved Lord, why does Your silence pierce our hearts so deeply? Across countless incarnations, we have wandered far from You, forgetting our eternal home in Your boundless love. Yet this life, with all its joys and sorrows, we lay entirely at Your feet. We breathe by placing our hopes in You, and we endure by trusting in Your mercy. How long has it been since our eyes were blessed with the sacred vision of Your Darshan? O Hari, You alone know the depths of our longing, the wounds hidden within our hearts, and the silent prayers that rise from our souls when words fail us. We have sought peace in this fleeting world, only to discover that no earthly comfort can replace the sweetness of Your presence. Let every desire dissolve in remembrance of You, every thought become a hymn of praise, and every breath carry the sacred echo of Your divine name. When our faith trembles, hold us close; when our minds wander, lead us back to Your lotus feet; when our strength fails, let Your grace sustain us. May we never forget the SadGuru’s sacred Word, nor turn away from the path that leads us towards You. We ask not for riches, worldly honour, or freedom from every sorrow, but for a heart that remains Yours through every trial. If tears must flow, let them flow in remembrance of You; if we must wait, let us wait with devotion; if we must endure separation, let our longing deepen our surrender. Come, O Beloved Sri Hari, awaken our sleeping souls, dispel the darkness of ignorance, and draw us beneath the shelter of Your infinite compassion. Let us behold Your divine Darshan, rest in the sweetness of Your presence, and find our eternal home in Your love. This life is Yours, our hopes are Yours, our souls are Yours. Until the final breath, may we remain at Your feet, calling Your name with unwavering faith: O Sri Hari, accept us, guide us, and never let our hearts turn away from You.

Life is a journey of changing seasons, and the wisdom of spirituality lies in learning to walk through each season with faith, patience, humility, and devotion. When happiness comes, receive it with gratitude, remember Sri Hari, share your blessings, and never allow prosperity or success to make you forget the divine grace behind everything you have. When difficulties arise, do not lose faith or allow sorrow to distance your heart from the Lord. Hold firmly to His divine name, seek the guidance of the SadGuru, and surrender your worries at His feet. Life will not always unfold according to our wishes, but every experience can become an opportunity for spiritual growth. Joy teaches gratitude, hardship teaches surrender, and uncertainty teaches us to trust in the divine will. The SadGuru reminds us that our true strength does not come from controlling every circumstance, but from remaining connected to Sri Hari through every circumstance. Do not become so attached to happiness that you fear its passing, nor so overwhelmed by suffering that you forget the eternal presence of God. Everything in this world is temporary, but devotion, faith, and the grace of the Lord are the treasures of the soul. Walk forward with a peaceful heart, perform your duties sincerely, treat others with compassion, and accept life’s changing moments without losing your spiritual foundation. Let every blessing inspire humility, every challenge deepen your faith, and every breath become an opportunity to remember Sri Hari. SadGuru Kripa. Sri Hari Sharanam.

The most beautiful full moon today is called by many names. Its first name Sharad Purnima shows us the beauty of Sri Krishna, the second name Kojagiri Purnima shows us the beauty of the Divine Mother Mahalakshmi, and the most hidden name is Gupt Purnima. This is the rarest of all, to the point that it is almost entirely forgotten because it was only passed down through oral traditions from the great ancient sages. The Gupt Purnima ritual of sampurna amtanivedana bhakti was performed only when Sri Ram and Sri Krishna came to this world and stayed with everyone personally in human form. When the great incarnation of Bhagavan Himself is present in the world, the Gupt Rahasya becomes manifest—which means that the Secret Mystery of Bhagavan is revealed in its full glory. The Purna Avatar, the direct and complete manifestation of Sri Hari, comes to this world very rarely and always becomes the true Guru of this world. The One leading all into an age of greater divine love and higher consciousness. Just like Sri Ram and Sri Krishna came to do. This day of Purnima comes 3 full moons after Guru Purnima. The completion of the Trinity, Trimurti, and Teen Devis. The Sangam of the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. The Ekatva (oneness) of Paramatma, Bhagavan, and Antaryami. This is the hidden reality of Bhagavan, the SatGuru. Today when giving thanks to Sri Krishna, to Mahalakshmi, to your Ishtadev, don’t forget that the One who brought you to this experience of divine love, complete freedom, and endless joy is the only SatGuru. || Obeisances to the great Guru who gives everything to all, may His lotus feet be etched upon the heart forever.

When the Divine Calls on Śarad Pūrṇimā, Who Is Listening?* _One full moon, two divine calls and a question for the human heart_ On Śarad Pūrṇimā two sacred traditions tell us the Divine is calling. In Vṛndāvana, beneath the autumn full moon, Kṛṣṇa plays His flute for the gopīs. In the Kojāgarī tradition, Mahālakṣmī walks through the world asking, Ko jāgarti? Who is awake? One is the call of divine love and the other the call of divine grace. The fullest moon of the year asks us something closer to home, whether we’ve learned to recognize the Divine in our own lives.Gopīs were cooking and caring for their families when they heard the flute. They dropped everything because their hearts knew Him. A mother picks out her child’s cry among a hundred voices the same way. Love trains the heart to recognize what the ears might miss. Kṛṣṇa still calls us. His call reaches us through whatever turns our hearts back toward Him, a kindness we never expected that softens us or a longing that stays even after life has given us almost everything we wanted. Lakṣmī’s question gives Kojāgarī its name. On this night, she looks for those who are awake and blesses them. So, homes glow with lamps as everyone prays. Staying up all night can hardly be what grace is looking for, so being awake seems to point somewhere deeper. We receive a hundred kindnesses and yet remember only the one unkind word. We can spend years praying for God’s attention without seeing how little attention we’ve given Him. The Kaṭha Upaniṣad (1.3.14) calls out, “Arise, awake and approach the wise to understand.” It speaks of awakening to spiritual truth, yet it could almost be Lakṣmī’s own question, asking us to wake from comparison and endless wanting to the love we already take for granted. Devotees pray to Mahālakṣmī for abundance on this night and there’s nothing wrong with that. A comfortable home, good health and the means to care for those we love are worth praying for. Yet one of her greatest gifts may be the ability to feel we have enough. Working joyfully toward a better life is very different from believing we can’t be happy until we get there, and her grace sometimes arrives as what we asked for and sometimes as the discovery that we no longer need it.The two calls are less different than they seem. Kṛṣṇa draws us through love while Mahālakṣmī asks us to wake up to what we’ve been given. Love depends on that wakefulness, since we can’t truly love someone while staying absorbed in ourselves. We tend to think of devotion as more prayers, more chanting and more rituals, yet beneath all of it lies the willingness to make room for God. We ask for His peace while holding on to old resentments, ask Him to come closer and can’t spare a few quiet moments simply to be with Him. The gopīs never needed persuading because their hearts already belonged to Him.The moon that rises on this night holds both calls in its light. In Hindu thought it’s tied to the mind, which waxes and wanes just like it, full of faith one day and clouded by doubt the next. Yet the moon has no light of its own. It shines only because it faces the sun and on Śarad Pūrṇimā it faces the sun so completely that every part of it is lit. The gopīs turned towards the flute in the same way, while Lakṣmī’s blessing comes to whoever is turned toward her when she passes. Neither the moon nor the devotee produces the light. Grace is entirely His to give. What we can do is face Him. The moon knows it is not a sun and does not try to become one. It stays as itself while becoming radiant through that relationship. We don’t have to stop being ourselves to belong completely to Him and as we receive His love some of it starts to shine through the way we live. Tonight, before we ask for one more blessing, we can stop and count the ones we’ve been walking past

O mind, turn away from the distractions of the world and immerse yourself in the boundless glories of Sri Hari. Let His divine virtues become the treasure of your heart, and let His remembrance accompany you through every moment of life. The stories of the devotees bear witness to the transforming power of His grace. Pingala found a new direction when her heart turned towards the Divine, while Dhruva, through steadfast devotion, attained an imperishable state beyond fear and uncertainty. Gajendra, trapped in the deadly grip of the crocodile, discovered that when every worldly strength fails, sincere surrender to the Lord opens the way to divine protection. Sri Hari, the boundless Ocean of Compassion, does not turn away from the helpless soul that calls upon Him with faith. Even Ajamila, whose life had strayed far from righteousness, became an example of the extraordinary mercy contained within the remembrance of the Divine Name. These sacred accounts remind us that no heart is beyond the reach of grace when it sincerely turns towards the Supreme Lord. The SadGuru guides the seeker towards this eternal truth, teaching that liberation begins when the restless mind learns to rest in Sri Hari. Why, then, should one remain entangled in Maya, pursuing fleeting pleasures while forgetting the eternal source of peace? The Name of Sri Hari is a spiritual refuge, a light in the darkness of ignorance, and a bridge across the turbulent ocean of worldly existence. Vishwananda, keep the Lord ever present within your consciousness, for He is the Chintamani, the priceless jewel of divine fulfilment. When remembrance becomes constant and devotion grows sincere, the heart gradually loosens its attachment to illusion and discovers the freedom of loving surrender. Let every breath become an offering, every thought a prayer, and every action a humble expression of devotion. Take shelter in Sri Hari, and walk the path illuminated by the SadGuru, trusting that His grace can carry the soul beyond suffering towards the eternal abode of peace.

Today is Dussehra or Vijay Dashami, the day that we celebrate the Nine Victories and bring them back into daily life as the Tenth Victory. On this sacred day, we celebrate Ma Bhagavati’s complete victory over all asuras and negative forces. Sri Ram’s eternal victory over Ravan. The Pandavas retrieving their weapons and getting ready for war against the evil-minded Kauravas. The Nine Victories during Navaratri are victories over the nine gates of the body that keep one bound to the material world. And Vijay Dashami or Dussehra brings one the complete experience and surrender to Bhagavan inside and outside. All is handed over to Him and dissolves into His Anubhuti. The SatGuru is the embodiment of that Anubhuti, His presence in this world is living proof of Bhagavan’s love for all. On Vijay Dashami, we not only celebrate the victories we have already achieved, rather today is about ascending to the topmost heights of spirituality and bringing that awareness back down to change the grounded reality of the world around us. Bringing our spiritual lessons into actions inspired by love and humility to uplift everyone. The final attainment isn’t for oneself alone, it is for everyone. To uplift the entire world. The SatGuru’s grace is to be shared with all. Like a candle can light infinite other candles without losing anything. Its own light is not reduced at all. In fact, the brightness it experiences can be thousandfold increased by lighting others’ paths. This is the sweet and simple learning that arises from within when one has surrendered everything to Bhagavan Sri Hari. That all possessions are His, all creatures are His, even oneself and everything one seems to possess is His own. Then one’s prayer changes from wanting to have, to wanting to give. Give service to all. Give love to all. Give kindness to all. One brings oneself down the mountain of spirituality not to get reattached to worldliness but to show all what one has received and how to get there themselves. This descent from the Ajna to the Muladhar is equally important. Not forgetting that one’s true home is at the lotus feet of the SatGuru, one brings that same grace everywhere. Never forget what one has received from the Divine. Never forget the closeness one has experienced to the SatGuru’s heart. And bring that hope and light to all. This is Vijay Dashami, the lighting of the lamp of victory in everyone’s heart. Shubh Dussehra to all. | Sri Vitthala Giridhari Parabrahmane Namah ||

Jai Ma Siddhidatri. Today, on Mahanavami, the energy becomes fully rooted at the Ajna Chakra—the Seat of Divine Command of the SatGuru—to behold the beauty of Maa Siddhidatri, who is the manifestation of every fulfillment, joy, surrender, and devotion. She is the aspect within the Bindu of the Sri Yantra. She is the complete awakening of the infinite connection to the SatGuru’s presence within the atma and everywhere. She is Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati, and Mahadurga. She carries the Shanka-Chakra-Gada-Padma, all the symbols of Mahavishnu Himself. Maa Siddhidatri is the one whom Lord Shiva himself worshipped to attain his Ardhanarishwara form. She is greatness itself and can give everything, but Her heart is devotion. To ask Her for devotion to the SatGuru’s lotus feet is the greatest prayer that one can make to Ma Bhagavati. At the Ajna Chakra, the three major energy streams within the body—Ida (mind), Pingala (prana), and Sushumna (spirit)—converge into single-pointed devotional service to the SatGuru’s eternal presence everywhere. Maa Siddhidatri is commonly misunderstood as merely the giver of magical powers. No, Maa Siddhidatri is the giver of perfection—to have Siddhi means to completely attain and dissolve one’s individual identity into one’s aim. One cannot reach the truth of the Ajna Chakra no matter how much one tries to meditate on the third eye, unless it is the SatGuru’s will that one reaches Him. And He is looking only for unconditional love. To help all move towards the Unattainable One, through these Nine Divine Nights of Ma Bhagavati, She bestows 9 qualities of perfection: (1) Intense Introspection (2) Fierce Focus (3) Radiant Rebirth (4) Inner Illumination (5) Selfless Sacrifice (6) Constant Closeness (7) Keen Kindness (8) Devoted Detachment (9) All-Encompassing Abundance. May Maa Siddhidatri grant everyone the supreme achievement of abiding permanently in the grace of the SatGuru’s lotus feet.| Om Aim Ham Shreem Klim Hreem Haum Siddhidatryai Namah ||

Jai Ma Mahagauri. In her previous form as Kaalratri, Ma Bhagavati intensely cleans the mirror of the mind. She scrapes away the dark soot of ego, reactivity, expectation, and fear from the first five chakras and subtle channels. When the heart, speech, and actions are purified, there is no longer any desire to manipulate reality, convince others, or defend the ego. In that absolute quietude, the energy naturally wishes to rise to the Ajna Chakra to live in complete Sharanagati to the lotus feet of the SatGuru. When Devi Kaalratri has worked so fiercely within the self, then Maa Mahagauri emerges as the clean mirror itself, She is the bridge to reach the Ajna Chakra, the awakening of the atma. She is the pristine, luminous mind which can serve the SatGuru endlessly. To grasp the depth of Devi Mahagauri’s innocence, we must understand a subtle difference between her and Maa Brahmacharini. Mahagauri gives everything to others through her previous 7 aspects, keeping nothing for herself, not even asking Bhagavan for Himself—because she is full of confidence that Bhagavan is always there and He will also give His Darshan fully at the right time. She is even willing to wait for Him till the end of eternity, if she is allowed to serve His lotus feet during that time. This is different from Ma Brahmacharini, who is single-pointedly asking Bhagavan for himself because she feels a deep separation from him. But Devi Mahagauri, through her previous seven aspects—from Shailaputri to Kaalratri—has poured out all her strength, her voice, her protection, her grace, everything to all beings. She has kept nothing for herself. Mahagauri rests in the unshakable realization that Bhagavan was never absent. The striving has ended. She sits quietly on her white bull, clad in white garments, holding a Trishul and Damaru, exactly like Lord Shiva. She has become His second body in the world. She radiates pure, effortless innocence. She does not wait in anxiety or doubt; she waits in unconditional trust. She knows that the atma and Paramatma are forever in union. But She does not assume anything. She does not make any grand proclamations of her internal state. She does not show her greatness. She just is. She is Love. She is Devotion. She is Sharanagati. There is no ‘I’ left to become something. Her will is totally offered and unchangingly aligned to the Universal Will of the SatGuru. Yet She forever keeps His seat above Her head, out of reach unless He wills it. She has become Bhakti, Seva, Sadhana, Dakshina, and Ananda—the perfect instrument of Divine Will. May Maa Mahagauri shine her light through the self and illuminate the path for all bhaktas to reach the pure state that She has achieved. || Om Hreem Mahagauryai Namah ||

Through the divine grace of the SadGuru, the heart discovers a peace that transcends the changing nature of the world. When the soul encounters the Guru who awakens its love for Sri Hari, a new light dawns within, bringing serenity, fulfilment, and the joy of spiritual awakening. By the SadGuru’s boundless mercy, the chains of ignorance begin to fall away, and the path to liberation opens before the devoted soul. Immersed in loving service to the SadGuru and the Supreme #Lord, the heart becomes a sanctuary where the celestial #music of divine bliss plays without end. Having taken shelter at the sacred lotus feet of Sri Hari, all reliance upon fleeting worldly support gradually fades, for one has discovered the everlasting refuge of Giridhari, the beloved Lord and Life of the universe. Filled with divine love, the soul sings in gratitude, glorifying the SadGuru and Sri Hari, whose compassion releases the devotee from fear and the relentless bonds of mortality. The deepest longing is fulfilled, for wherever the eyes behold creation, the presence of the #Beloved shines through all things. There is no refuge greater than Sri Hari, no truth beyond His eternal presence, and no grace more precious than the mercy that draws the soul towards Him. Through the compassionate guidance of the SadGuru and the protecting hand of Sri Hari, the accumulated burdens of countless births are washed away, and the heart is freed from the sorrow of its long wandering through Maya. O mind, remain absorbed in His sacred remembrance, for the Divine Name carries a power beyond the understanding of the intellect and awakens the eternal love hidden within the soul. By meditating upon Sri Vithala Giridhari Parabrahmane Namaha, one turns towards the #Supreme Reality, discovering a bliss that neither time can diminish nor worldly circumstances disturb. Blessed is the SadGuru, who reveals the way to the Lord; blessed is Sri Vithala Giridhari, whose grace sustains every soul. May His Name dwell upon our lips, His presence shine within our hearts, and His love guide our every step until we rest forever in the supreme bliss of the Divine.

Jai Ma Kaalratri. We have heard over the years how Ma Kaalratri is the ultimate embodiment of both fierceness and sweetness. We have heard how the deepest night can give birth to the most radiant morning, that the darkness of Ma Kaalratri is the darkness which removes ignorance, confusion, and fear—the darkness that contains everything divine within it. So today let’s learn another very deep truth about Ma #Kaalratri—how She ended the very source of multiplication of problems. She consumed every last drop of blood of the terrible asura Raktabeej to show everyone how to keep silent and consume all terrible poison thrown at oneself without creating more demons within and around oneself—one of the best ways to control that—complete control over one’s speech. Most people speak so thoughtlessly that the world would need to wonder whether one is truly spiritual or just putting a lofty label on oneself. Most words one speaks are either useless or unkind, or both. One’s speech is often the most uncontrolled part of the psyche, and like this one wastes one’s life fully, creating endless demons within oneself and corrupting the minds of others as well. But Ma Kaalratri gives us the example of how to behave by guarding the Vishuddhi Chakra—this fifth chakra is the alchemy center where Lord #Shiva held the world's most terrible poison (Halahal) without letting it descend into his stomach or corrupt his mind. He kept silent when the world was churning endless poison towards him, but he didn’t remain passive. He consumed the poison and transformed it into divinity within himself. He elevated himself so thoroughly that nothing and no one of the lower spheres could even step into his aura. Maa Kaalratri is the embodiment of that grace. She grants the true seeker immense strength to digest all of life's bitter experiences without turning bitter oneself. She purifies the throat chakra so that raw emotional pain is transmuted into profound divine wisdom—so that before one opens one’s mouth, all the poison is transformed into divine nectar. Ma Kaalratri, from Her name itself, brings death to all ignorance. And ignorance of the speech must be removed completely before one can claim oneself as a bhakta of the Highest SatGuru. Ma Katyayani paves the way by cutting all emotional upheavals and attachments rooted in the Heart (Anahat)—and from this completely pure state of love, Ma Kaalratri emerges in the Vishuddhi Chakra to fully purify the speech. May Ma Kaalratri help everyone to transform this enormous source of energy within oneself—one’s words—into pure divine nectar that spreads the glories of the #SatGuru, of Bhagavan, of Ma Bhagavati, at all times. | Om Aim Hreem Kleem Kaalaratryai Namah ||

Jai Ma Katyayani. From the aspect of Devi Skandamata arises the form of Ma Katyayani. It was She who slayed Mahishasur, the demon representing all the lower tendencies and beastly qualities. She shows us through Devi Skandamata that gentle love for her children is the deepest part of her heart, but her external form often has to look fierce and be strict. Because the world is filled with both dark and light, good as well as bad. If the SatGuru or Ma Bhagavati only showed their sweet forms as the ultimate, many people would take them for granted. Even spiritual people often allow themselves to get inflated with various forms of pride. And this spiritual pride is very hard to uproot because one wants to hold onto it as a ‘divinely inspired’ way of thinking or behaving. Ma Katyayani emerges to protect the Anahat. Many times bhaktas let go of their original intention of walking on the spiritual path. Kindness, sweetness, humility, generosity, equanimity—are all forgotten—and one becomes puffed up with negative qualities and hypocritically sugarcoats the negative as good. This is exactly what Mahishasur tried to do, he wanted to trick Devi by appearing as a sacred bull. But She can never be fooled. She is Yogmaya Herself, appearing in the world through the direct will of Sri Hari Narayan. She is the final barrier to be crossed when one wishes to reach the SatGuru’s sacred lotus feet. But it is for this exact reason that the final crossing cannot happen through one’s effort, it is in Bhagavan’s hands entirely—because one often doesn't know whether one is hypocritically sugarcoating one’s bad behavior or one is genuinely behaving in a good way. That is why Bhagavan chooses when Ma Bhagavati should test one and when She should bring one to Him, for the truth of the inside to be revealed without a trace of hypocrisy. May Ma Katyayani, Yogmaya Devi, help everyone to keep pulling all lower tendencies towards the true unconditional love of the Anahat and fiercely guarding that sweet humble love. | Om Aim Hreem Kleem Katyayanyai Namah ||

O Mother, what is left for a soul that has spent its precious life wandering through the darkness of ignorance, entangled in worldly desires, pride, and attachments, while forgetting the very Lord who is the source and sustainer of all existence? We pass our days pursuing what is temporary, believing that tomorrow will always be ours, yet time silently carries us towards the inevitable moment when we must leave everything behind. When Death approaches and the noose tightens around the neck, will the mind still possess the strength to remember Sri Hari, whose divine Name we neglected throughout our life? The wealth we accumulate, the possessions we protect, and the relationships upon which we depend cannot accompany us beyond that final threshold. All that we called our own will return to the world, but the consequences of our actions and the impressions engraved upon our consciousness will follow the soul. What greater sorrow can there be than to receive the rare blessing of human birth and allow it to pass without seeking the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord and the mercy of the SadGuru ? The heart trembles at the thought of standing before eternity with a lifetime of opportunities lost and the Name of Sri Hari left unuttered. Yet, O Mother, even in this darkness, let the soul not abandon hope, for the mercy of Sri Hari and SadGuru is greater than the weakness of the fallen. His Name is the refuge of the helpless, the light of the ignorant, and the eternal shelter of those who sincerely turn towards Him. Let us awaken before the final hour arrives, humble our pride, purify our hearts, and offer every remaining breath in remembrance of Sri Hari Narayan. For when the world can offer no protection and the body can no longer serve us, sincere devotion becomes our prayer, surrender becomes our strength, and the holy Name becomes the treasure that worldly death cannot take away.

Jai Devi Skandamata. The fifth aspect of Devi is also known by someone else’s identity—She is the mother of Skanda, commander of the divine army. But this is totally different from being lost in the world without any clue of one’s true nature. Devi’s fifth form shows us that when one lets go of any lower desire and continuously lives in the Anahat Chakra, one becomes disinterested and detached from wanting any personal glory or recognition. One is so immersed in loving and serving others, that one feels great joy when their achievements are recognized, and doesn’t care about receiving glory for one’s own greatness. Such a person does not care about being in the limelight at all, they only want to love and serve endlessly. Skandamata represents the pinnacle of gentle affection, which looks upon the whole world with the eyes of a loving mother. True spiritual strength is rooted in pure, selfless love. But in the midst of realizing Her gentle love, one should never forget that She accumulated enormous strength and fierceness through Her Sadhana in her four previous aspects. It is because She holds such tremendous energy within her that She can nurture a divine warrior like Skanda. A weak person cannot cultivate a strong person, only the one who is the greatest can give true greatness to another. This is the embodiment of the SatGuru. He holds everything within Himself, but gives the greatness to others. Strength, humility, clarity, and no sense of personal doership; through these divine qualities one can completely forget about the self and raise another to the greatest heights in the world and to Bhagavan’s lotus feet. True self-sacrifice for another is extremely difficult. Because the world may never know or acknowledge what one has gone through for others, but one wishes to do it anyway. To simply love like the SatGuru loves. To serve like He serves. May Devi Skandamata bless everyone to realize the joy in giving endlessly and nurturing others’ lives to reach the SatGuru’s sacred feet.| Om Aim Hreem Kleem Skandamatayai Namah ||

The SatGuru is the divine tree and His bhaktas are the flowers on His eternal branches. Some flowers grow together in clusters. Some grow by themselves. Some are near the top of the tree. Some are closer to the bottom. Which is greater, which is less? Which is beautiful, which is plain? For the SatGuru, there is no such consideration. He personally grows and gives life to the flowers. From within their heart, their full potential is pushed outward. They blossom and give glory to Him. Yet He remains hidden under their shine. First, the roots, His appearance in this world. Then the trunk, His mercy and love. Then His wisdom moves in the world, the branches. Then the leaves, actions aligned with His will performed by the bhaktas. Then the flowers, with the bhaktas shining their inner spark fully. And finally, the fruits, the sweetest love of the tree is distributed to all who wish to quench their thirst and hunger. Without the life-giving tree, there can be no branches, leaves, flowers, or fruits. But the tree also feels bereft without His tiny expressions of joy and beauty, His beloved bhaktas. When they blossom, even more than them, He is happy. There is no competition in the flowers to be more beautiful than the other one. Each one exists purely for love for Him, to give meaning to their love for His feet. Can any flower be far or close to the tree? No. The thought itself doesn’t make sense. All exist completely connected with Him. Even when a flower reaches the end of its life, it gently falls down and merges completely with the soil of the roots. One is never separate. Never left alone. Never loved more or less than others. There is only the eternal love and nothing else. The same energy comes back from the roots to become a flower once again. The play of innocent unconditional love continues again and again into eternity.

Jai Ma Kushmanda. Looking at Devi’s enormous trust in Him, the SatGuru, Bhagavan, also placed enormous trust in her. This is the way He always works, with great love and trust in His bhaktas. And when He sees that someone is truly making themselves ready, He pours everything. Bhagavan established His cosmic presence around Devi Parvati and raised Her consciousness to the Anahat Chakra where one is truly freed from all shackles. It is extremely difficult to reach the Anahat Chakra and establish oneself there, not falling again and again into any lower tendencies. This is where Devi’s fourth form arises from, the heart. Kushmanda. The one who emerges from the golden egg, the golden sphere, which is hidden deep within the heart. When one makes every effort to walk on the spiritual path, the thin outer shell of that golden egg is broken, revealing the vast mysteries of the One hiding within. This is the breaking of all karmic shackles surrounding the atma. The rejoicing of the Atma in facing the Antaryami is felt throughout the universe, hence Devi Kushmanda’s name also means the warmth or radiance of the Brahmand. And, Ku also means tiny. The tiny particle of illumination within the Self that is enough to shake the universe with its power of love. Her name is so beautiful, with so many lessons to give us. Love can shake the Immovable. It can change what is unreal into the Real. The brilliant light of true unconditional love forever removes any trace of darkness from the mind. The mind emerges as a luminous entity, capable of handling Bhagavan’s grace, completely devoid of ego. The same mind which was one’s worst enemy, emerges as one’s best friend. This is the emergence of Devi Kushmanda, may She bless everyone to firmly remain in the consciousness of love and let go of any material attachments. | Om Aim Hreem Kleem Kushmandayai Namah ||

Jai Ma Chandraghanta. After her intense penance, Devi Parvati’s third form emerged wielding a bell in her hand. She had earned the blessing of constant awareness of Bhagavan’s lotus feet. The endless ringing of the bell was a continuous reminder to stay focused. To stay awake. She let go of sleep entirely. The body and mind were trained so thoroughly in Sadhana and Bhagavat Seva that His grace itself carried her body and mind. She received rejuvenation and performed her Dharma through the power of that grace, completely freeing herself of any tiredness or need to disengage from her set goal. Ready for battle with internal and external asuras, ready for deep Samadhi and vulnerability towards Bhagavan, ready for continuous Seva, within the blink of an eye She could switch from one to the other. Requiring no rest or time off. There was no concept of ego left within because every moment of her life was offered to Bhagavan. The moon on Her head was a reminder of the mind constantly oscillating between desires and aversions, peace and agitation. Devi Chandraghanta wears the moon as a crown because she has mastered the mind. She surrendered all thoughts at her SatGuru’s, Bhagavan’s, lotus feet. And He bestowed upon her the steady, equanimity of the mind. The names of Devi are very powerful reminders of how one should learn and progress on the spiritual path. May Devi Chandraghanta bless everyone with a steady and awake mind, ready to do what the Divine wills for oneself and the world in the blink of an eye. | Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chandraghantayai Namah ||