Navratri*🌺 The Journey – From Maya to Mother – Becoming “Mouli” 🌺

🌺*

🌸 “Dussehra is not merely a festival, but a spiritual practice — a journey of moving beyond illusion (Maya) and becoming like the Mother herself.

On this Vijayadashami, may your life become all-embracing, may the truth of ‘Sarvabhuti Parameshwar’ — God in every being — awaken within you… This is the real victory of Dussehra.” 🌸

Wishing you all a blessed Vijayadashami! 🌸

Navratri is not only about rituals, prayers, offerings, or the sound of drums and festivities. It is the inner journey of awakening — rising from the slumber of delusion and moving into the light of truth. It begins with the entanglement of Maya and culminates in the compassionate lap of the Mother. This awakening is what is called the Jagar of Devi.

When the divine consciousness enters a body, it forgets its true self and begins to identify as “I.” This false I is Mahishasura. It gives rise to ignorance, ego, jealousy, dissatisfaction, and sorrow. These are the nine nights of darkness — the very symbol of Navratri’s nine nights.

The Jagar of Devi is not mere noise; it is a gentle shake to the sleeping consciousness. As if the Mother says:

“Wake up! Leave behind greed, anger, jealousy, and hatred. My radiance is within you. Know yourself.”

Sadguru Vamanrao Pai beautifully reminds us:

*Just as the son of a king is a prince,*

*you are the son of God*— *a child of the Divine — in fact, God Himself.*

Recognize these divine powers within you.

Awaken, and slay the Mahishasura — the false I.”

The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga. This is the stage of overcoming Jagatmaya — ignorance, fear, anger, and attachment. It is the step where we begin to move beyond the bondage of “I and mine.”

The next three days are dedicated to Mahalakshmi. Lakshmi is not merely wealth, but also contentment, gratitude, and collective prosperity. This is the stage of moving from “I” to “We.” Mahamaya can bind us in delusion, but with her grace, she also liberates us.

The final three days belong to Saraswati. Here knowledge, wisdom, and true understanding blossom. It is the stage of moving from “We” to “All.” This is the realization that the whole creation is mine. Adimaya — the Primordial Mother — is the first expression of existence itself.

When one awakens through this Navratri journey, life expands. Narrowness vanishes, vision widens, and one experiences — “The world itself is my home; Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the whole world is one family — is my truth.”

This is not a new realization. Our saints have declared the same truth for ages. Saint Kabir says:

“In every vessel dwells the Lord, but the world does not see.”

And Sant Dnyaneshwar proclaims:

“In every being resides the same Lord; body and soul are one.”

In essence, in every vessel, in every being, the same divine consciousness resides.

Even the ritual of Ghatsthapana (Kalash/earthen pot installation) carries this wisdom. The ghat is the body. The five great elements — earth, water, fire, air, and space — come together to form it. Just as a seed sprouts into life, so too does consciousness manifest into the vast cosmos. Ghatsthapana is nothing but a miniature model of creation itself, reminding us that divinity dwells in every vessel, in every being.

And then comes the tenth day — Vijayadashami. This is the day of surrendering to the Adimata, the Primordial Mother. It is the celebration of victory over illusion, ignorance, and ego. This is the true meaning of Dussehra.

When knowledge dawns, the Mahishasura of ignorance is slain. Therefore, nurturing wisdom is the truest worship of Navratri. In today’s times, conquering Maya does not merely mean purifying the inner self, but also living in harmony with nature, protecting the environment — that is the real worship of the Goddess today.

The journey of Navratri is a passage — from Maya, to Jagatmaya, to Mahamaya, to Adimaya, to Adimata, and finally to Mother. But it does not end at the Mother’s feet. For the greatest realization is this — we do not only surrender to the Mother, we ourselves become the Mother.

When the Motherly feeling awakens, the self-centered ego naturally dissolves. Then arises the highest realization — “Sarvabhuti Parameshwar” — God dwells in all beings. The sense of separation disappears, and the heart proclaims:

“I am in all, because of all, and for all.”

In the Marathi saint tradition, this truth is expressed in the word “Mouli.” Sant Dnyaneshwar is lovingly known as Dnyaneshwar Mouli. In the Warkari tradition, devotees address each other as Mouli. Even the Guru is called Gurumouli. In this one word lies the love of the Mother, the compassion of saints, and the guidance of the Guru.

Thus, reaching the Mother means becoming like Mouli — a fountain of compassion, care, and guidance. That is when true victory is attained, and Dussehra is no longer just a festival — it becomes the very philosophy of life.

🌸*Celebrate Dussehra with joy,*

*be free – be blissful*🌸

Nine nights of Maya, the tenth shines with wisdom,

When surrendered to the Mother, a new devotee is born.

✨ *Heartfelt Vijayadashami greetings!*✨

— *Jayant Joshi*