The Source of the Mystery of Creation is Devi

By Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi- message for Vijayadashami

Devi is the divine master of creation, sustenance and dissolution. She is both avidya—the ignorance that causes ­samsara—as well as vidya—the knowledge that delivers us from samsara. Devi, who is the source of everything auspicious, blesses us with all prosperity. She is the Divine Mother who wipes away the sorrows of those who surrender to her. She grants devotion, material prosperity as well as liberation.

We worship God in the maternal form as Devi because the bond between mother and child is most pure and heart-touching. A mother is ready sacrifice everything for her child. She does not expect anything in return. This is due to her inherent compassion and love for her child. When a mother gathers her child in her arms in a warm embrace, there is only love. When the child is grown, the mother may expect something. We hear elderly mothers saying, “I raised him so lovingly, but now he doesn’t care for me even a little.” But you will never hear this when the child is little. Then the mother’s love is like pure tender-coconut water.

In whichever form God is worshipped, the underlying principles of devotion are the same: Seeing our beloved form of God in everything, we should love and serve all of creation. Do not harm or kill any creature. Understanding that real happiness is within, decrease your desires and be content with what you have. Try as much as possible to keep your mind steadfast in remembrance of God. Accept the joys and sorrows of life as God’s prasadam. Live life with gratitude. These are the underlying principles of all real worship. May we be able to imbibe the valuable lessons that Navaratri teaches us and thereby make our lives successful. May my darling children be blessed with the mental strength, health and grace to make this possible.

—Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi