08/10/2024
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Day 6 of Navaratri is the day of Katyayani Mata.
The forms of Devi become more and more mystical as the celebration of Navaratri progresses. On the sixth day, we celebrate Ma Katyayani, Mahishasur Mardini, the slayer of the demon Mahishasur. The demon kept taking on forms of various animals to trick and attack Ma, but in her fierce form as Katyayani, she slayed him after he took on the form of a bull. This great demon is none other than the ego. The ego which likes to take on various forms to trick the mind into letting it escape. But the moment the mind relaxes and loses its vigilance, the ego turns back and attacks the mind with its full force of negativity. We experience this so many times. The moment one thinks that one ‘knows’, in that same moment, the backwards fall starts. Sometimes the ego takes on seemingly Sattvic forms, like Mahishasur took on the form of a bull which is actually a revered animal. However, being Sattvic isn’t a show of the outside. Being Sattvic is a deep inner transformation. The complete and utter purification of the mind. If even one little spot of dirt is left, the ego starts growing from there again, into a great demon once more.
Ma Katyayani symbolizes the one who has gained complete mastery over the three gunas and slain all attachment to them. In this journey of complete purification, to become spotlessly clean, to have no karmic impressions left upon the atma, the SatGuru is the only friend. Ma Katyayani is the action of complete liberation from the ego that the SatGuru bestows upon the jeeva. But this happens only when one has made oneself ready through continuous efforts. On the first day, Shailputri Ma represents strong determination to reach the ultimate goal, the SatGuru’s Lotus Feet. On the second day, Brahmacharini Ma represents knowing how to focus on the Lotus Feet of the SatGuru, through continuous, tireless, and joyful Japam. On the third day, Chandraghanta Ma represents the awakening of the bliss of the atma when the mind starts turning towards the SatGuru’s Lotus Feet more and more. On the fourth day, Kushmanda Ma represents the energy of love that is moved from its dormant state in the heart because the focus on the SatGuru’s Lotus Feet is becoming laser-pointed. On the fifth day, SkandaMata represents the loving heart of the SatGuru and one starts becoming more anchored into the spiritual path by having deeper trust in one’s beautiful unique loving relationship with the SatGuru. And on the sixth day, Katyayani Ma represents the jeeva having full faith and allowing the SatGuru to slay the petty ego that keeps one separate from His Lotus Feet.
This is why Ma Katyayani was worshiped by the gopis, because She represents the end of the egocentric identity as a jeeva separate from Bhagavan. The spiritual union of the atma at the Lotus Feet of Paramatma. However, the ego likes to look for ‘achievements’ and it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that one has completed the journey. The marriage of the soul and God is eternal. The soul is a small piece of His own love. But to live in the reality that one is never separated from the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan isn’t so easy. Even if the ego has been completely taken away, which is already very, very, very difficult and a very rarely bestowed blessing. It is even rarer to continuously be in the state of conscious, subconscious, and unconscious surrender to the Lotus Feet of the SatGuru. On this day, allow the SatGuru to direct the flow your life by offering your sincere trust and joy, keep making your efforts to remain in that state of readiness for Him to take over as the director of your life. Blessings to all.
