Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Sri Devi Navaratri Festival Mysore – Ashthami – September 30, 2025
Om Ayim Hreem Shreem Shri Lalita Parameshvaryai Namaha.
As is tradition, we will sing the composition of today, do Arati, and then Swamiji goes to the music healing session.
khadgahastā surairvandyā daityasangha vidāhinī
candi pracanda nīlāngī bhaktam mām pātu sarvadā
O Durga who has the lion as her vehicle, victory to You.
Protect me Mother.
You are the effulgence who slew Mahishasura, victory to You.
You destroy the tendencies that are all based on illusion. You are the granter of Knowledge, victory to You. You are the Mother who granted victory to Arjuna.
Your feet are the refuge for Devatas, victory to You.
The despondency and disappointment of the seeker who hasn’t yet attained his goals should not be there. Once you seek refuge with Mother, keep doing your sadhana. Many wonder if they found perfection in mantra, if their mind is absorbed in the mantra, if the mind is pure, how are they to know? it’s a mistake for the seeker to be mired in such doubts. We are walking towards light, and wonder if we will run into darkness. No, have no doubt! We have faith in the light, we are becoming the light, then why bear doubts?
When flying on a plane, have no doubts…will the plane fly properly, will the doors fling open, will it be safe, etc. You must forget all that and sleep. Once you board a plane, drink some juice (not other beverages) and go to sleep. Imagine your mother is singing a lullaby and sleep. The seats are compact, you cannot turn this way or that way, but you can manage.
The beautiful hostess comes, and asks what you want, and serves something to eat or drink. What you ask would never come, sometimes. Some airlines do not serve free food. They charge for food.
I flew around the world so many times. Do not be afraid of flights. If the flight has to crash, what can we do? We should be stubborn, thinking – let me sleep for a few hours before I die.
Or, study the Bhagavad Gita, read a book, then you will get sleepy. Sleeping on planes is best. Can you sleep on those small seats? Yes, you sure can.