From the teachings of Pt. Balram Persad, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Om Shakti Mandali
What does it mean to be blessed by the Divine Mother?
The answer goes far beyond material prosperity or freedom from difficulties. The blessings of Durga Devi are reflected in the qualities that enable us to meet life with courage, strength, faith and tranquility. They are seen in the ability to confront our fears, to persevere through adversity, to defend what is sacred to us and to use our talents in the service of others.
To recognise these divine gifts, however, requires introspection. We must each ask ourselves: Am I using the gifts I have been given? Am I prepared to use them in the service of humanity?
The Courage to Confront Our Fears
One of the signs of Divine Mother’s blessing is the ability to confront our fears.
Fear takes many forms. Some may fear flying or death; others may be afraid to sing, to speak before an audience or to place themselves in unfamiliar situations. Whatever its form, fear can limit our ability to live fully.
The person who possesses the courage to confront fear, to struggle, to survive and ultimately to succeed demonstrates an internal energy and power. This strength is not simply the absence of fear. Rather, it is the courage to move forward in the face of it.
Those blessed by Durga Devi are therefore not necessarily spared life’s difficulties. Instead, they are given the inner resources to face them.
Strength in Body, Mind and Spirit
The divine gifts of Divine Mother are expressed through strength: physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.
We understand the importance of a strong body, but strength of mind is equally essential. A strong mind enables us to stay away from bad company, harmful influences, drugs and gangs. It allows us to exercise discernment rather than simply follow those around us.
Spiritual strength goes even deeper. It is the capacity to remain grounded in one’s beliefs and values regardless of what life places before us.
The scriptures contain many examples of individuals who faced oppression, rejection and adversity, yet ultimately rose above their circumstances. Such faith demonstrates a strength that circumstances cannot destroy.
Tranquility in the Face of Adversity
Strength does not mean responding to every provocation with anger.
Another blessing of Durga Devi is tranquility, the ability to remain calm.
Life, unfortunately, sometimes presents reasons to become disturbed. Someone may say something hurtful. Someone may laugh and we may assume that we are the subject of their laughter. We may hear people talking and immediately believe that they are speaking about us. Even small incidents can provoke anger.
The spiritual response is to reflect upon the incident and examine ourselves.
If what others say about us is true, perhaps there is something we need to correct. If it is untrue, why allow their words to disturb our peace?
This is how spirituality has a place in everyday life. Religion is not confined to prayer, worship and the temple. Its value is demonstrated in how we conduct ourselves when we are tested.
Courage in the Face of Adversity
The lives of devotees throughout the scriptures demonstrate another aspect of Divine Mother’s blessing: courage in the face of adversity.
The story of Prahlada is a powerful example. Despite repeated attempts by his father to destroy him, Prahlada remained firm in his faith. He did not abandon his belief in the Lord, nor did he allow fear to overcome him. His courage, faith and steadfastness ultimately prevailed.
Such stories remind us that adversity need not define us. Like the lotus that rises from difficult surroundings to bloom, a person rooted in faith can rise above the circumstances of life.
The Impulse to Defend What We Value
Another indication of the Divine Mother’s blessing is the impulse to defend our way of life, values, traditions, religious beliefs and practices.
This does not mean reacting with anger or hostility when our beliefs are questioned. Rather, it means having sufficient knowledge and understanding to know what we believe and why we believe it.
When someone mocks a deity or a religious practice, an uninformed response may be confusion or embarrassment. Knowledge provides another response: to understand the symbolism and meaning behind the practice and to stand confidently in one’s tradition.
Our ancestors and teachers have preserved these traditions through generations. We have inherited them as part of our cultural and spiritual heritage, and we have a responsibility to understand, preserve and pass them forward.
This makes spiritual education especially important. If children and young people are not given an understanding of their religious and cultural traditions at home or in the temple, they may encounter challenges for which they are unprepared.
Knowledge strengthens conviction.
The Gift of Power
The blessings of Durga Devi also encompass power in its various forms: spiritual, academic, economic and personal.
Power should not necessarily be understood as domination over others. Leadership and influence can also provide opportunities to uplift people, provide essential services and contribute to the welfare of society.
Academic knowledge can be used to educate. Economic resources can be used constructively. Personal strength can inspire others. Spiritual understanding can guide our actions.
The imagery associated with Durga Devi reinforces this idea of strength and power. Her vehicle, the lion or tiger, represents power and strength, as well as her various divine weapons.
These symbols remind us that spiritual life does not call us to weakness. It calls us to develop our strength and use it wisely.
The Gift of Talents and Skills
One of the beautiful gifts attributed to the Divine Mother is the gift of talents and skills, and importantly, the desire to use those gifts for the benefit of others.
We may possess musical abilities, artistic talents, professional knowledge, teaching skills or practical experience. The question is not simply “What do I have?” but “What am I doing with what I have?”
A young person who willingly gives up part of his leisure time to learn to play the tabla demonstrates this spirit. A retired teacher can return to a school and share knowledge. Someone skilled in storytelling can teach children at the temple. A doctor can share health knowledge with devotees.
There is a place for everyone. Our gifts become even more meaningful when they are shared.
The Desire to Serve Others
Perhaps one of the clearest signs of Divine Mother’s blessing is the desire to be of service to others.
While we are employed, our opportunities to serve may be limited by the demands of work and family. Retirement, however, can open a new chapter, not simply a time to withdraw from society, but an opportunity to ask:
What can I now give to my society?
What can I give to my religion?
What can I give to my culture?
What can I give to my people?
Service organisations and community institutions provide many avenues for this.
A teacher can teach. A storyteller can tell stories. A doctor can educate. A musician can share music. Every person possesses something that can contribute to the upliftment of another.
The important thing is the willingness to give.
Recognising the Blessings Around Us
The gifts of Durga Devi are not always dramatic or extraordinary. They may be present in the relationships and circumstances we sometimes take for granted.
A caring parent is a gift.
A good child is a gift.
A supportive and loving spouse is a gift.
A good neighbour is a gift.
A spiritual teacher or Guru is a gift.
The ability to develop talents and skills is a gift.
And the desire to use those gifts to uplift others is a gift in itself.
We therefore have to reflect occasionally and ask: Where am I? What have I received? What am I giving?
The answers may reveal that we are surrounded by divine gifts of which we have not always been conscious.
Persistence, Knowledge and Right Action
The path can be understood simply: persistence, knowledge, right action and right result.
The persistence gives us the determination to begin.
Knowledge tells us what is right.
Right action puts that knowledge into practice.
And, in time, our actions bear their appropriate results.
The gifts of the Divine Mother are therefore not simply passively received. They call forth something within us. They awaken courage, strengthen conviction, develop our abilities and inspire us to act.
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