DAY FIVE - THURS 19 Oct

DHARMIC ACTION & Goddess Skandamata

Dharma refers to the right way of action and awareness on all levels of our being and our entire interaction with the whole of life.  The way of Dharma is subtle and many sided. It cannot be reduced to a mere formula or routine but requires constant adaptation to the movement of life at every moment.

There is a famous Sanskrit statement from the Mahabharata that “Dharma protects those who protect Dharma.” If we do not follow the way of dharma our lives can easily fall under forces of ignorance, disintegration and imbalance. Dharma is our greatest protection in life. But to benefit from Dharma we must first know and understand our Dharma. This is not easy to do, particularly in the modern world that has many adharmic values and practices.

An inquiry into dharma requires that we examine our lives and our own inner being and see what is the best path for us to follow in order to realise our full potential, not only in career, wealth or relationship, but in consciousness, our own creativity and Self-realisation.

Dharmic living rests upon a value based education in which we promote enduring and universal values that benefit everyone and support the whole of life. Dharma implies that we are ever striving towards something higher, seeking to unfold a higher consciousness in life. It requires effort on our part to improve our lives that directs us to a sadhana or spiritual practice.

Pursuing our dharma means that we are not just doing what we want to do but rather that we are pursuing a way of excellence in which we ever seek to grow, develop and transcend our previous limitations. Dharma means seeking the highest, not following what is convenient. Only when we achieve something new, extraordinary or beyond our previous capacities can we truly feel happy and fulfilled.

Love,
Kris x

NINE DAYS, NINE AVATARS

5. Skandamata

Skandamata is the 5th form of Goddess Durga and she is worshipped on the 5th day of Navrātri.

But, before we get too far, let’s step back and calibrate the steps we have taken so far and summarise the Path.

First we became inspired (Shailaputri Devi) to learn the sacred scriptures (Brahmacharini Devi), and to practice sadhana (Chandraghanta Devi) in an effort to purify ourselves in such a way that all of our actions become tapasya (Kushmanda Devi). The fifth Goddess, Skandamata Devi, supports and nurtures our divinity, enabling our spirituality to blossom as it envelopes everything we touch.

She is four armed and The Lion is her Vahana (Vehicle) which symbolises fearlessness and power. She holds Lord Skanda or Kartikeya the divine warrior God in her lap.

The worship of Skandamata with a pure intention is extremely powerful as the Goddess blesses her devotees with power, prosperity and achievement of all the treasures.

By honouring Skandamata we also honour her son Skanda or Kartikeya who blesses devotees with courage and strength. He is the deity of the planet Mars and one can eradicate the negative influence of Mars by worshipping him with sincerity and purity.

Skanda is another name for Lord Karthikeya who represents the coming together of Jnana Shakti (power of knowledge) and Kriya Shakti (power of righteous action). Skanda is the combination of these two. Skandamata is that form of the Divinity that brings practical wisdom and action together.

The Shiva Tattva is the blissful principle, ever calm and disengaged from action. The Devi Tattva (Mother Divine) is the primordial energy responsible for action and activity in creation.

It is said that the Devi represents the confluence of Iccha Shakti (power of intention), Jnana Shakti (power of knowledge) and Kriya Shakti (power of righteous action). When the Shiva Tattva unites with these three powers, then what emerges is Skanda.

Skandamata represents the very origin of Jnana (knowledge) and Kriya (the principle of action or activity). It can be understood as Kriyatmak Jnana (knowledge in action or action driven by right knowledge).

We often say that the Brahman is manifest everywhere and is omnipresent; but at present when you have a difficult situation to deal with in your life, then what do you do? What knowledge would you use then? In order to resolve the problem you need to act, you need to put knowledge into action. So when you take action that is guided by knowledge, it is the Skanda Tattva that manifests. And Goddess Durga is considered as the mother of the Skanda Tattva.

In the human body, she resides in the Vissudhi chakra (throat). When this Chakra is balanced we have open communication, speak in truth and listen well. When it is under active our emotions are suppressed and we don’t communucate. When over active we talk aggressively, don’t listen and gossip.

Skandamata invites us to take right action and be fully aware of our the karmic momentum we are creating for ourselves from that action.
Skanda Tattva = action guided by knowledge.

Ritual

Ritual is a way for us to be in relationship with the Divine and a way for us clear our karmic debt simply just by being alive. Being in this body is a divine blessing from the Divine Mother and a great responsibility. Ritual is considered Yajna; offering, worship, sacrifice and opens a doorway for the cosmic energies of the Devi to enter our world.

With all puja, there are 5 elements:

1. Preparation - light your ghee lamp or candle, take your seat. Light the incense. Prep and clear the space. 

2. Purification - purify Durga with water, the altar and then yourself (dip your fingers in the bowl and flick it)

3. Invitation - open with the Ganesh mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha once. Ganesh is envoked whenever we sit puja, to remove any obstacles that could obstruct our prayer or evolution.

4. Union - Skandamata mantra (see below) any amount of times (can be chanted 108 times with mala for a longer ceremony). Perform the Lotus Mudra during mantra recitation.

5. Offering - offer her a leaf, flower. water or fruit, or all 4. 

The main ingredient is devotion. Don’t worry about ‘getting it right’. This is a goal oriented tradition, not a ‘way’ oriented tradition

SKANDAMATA Mantra

ॐ ह्रीम श्री स्कन्द माता दुर्गायै नमः|

Aum Hreem Skandamata Durgaye Namaha

Self Enquiry

Understanding your Individual Karma and Dharma

Karma and Dharma are inherently linked together. We develop and transcend karma through Dharma. Our karma or action should be dharmic or in harmony with the great laws of life. Our dharma similarly must manifest in our karma or action. This creates two simple principles of dharmic action to follow.

Ø  Avoiding adharmic-karma – Avoid actions that do not support your life purpose or go against the good of all.

Ø  Cultivating dharmic-karma – Let your actions reflect your dharma. Walk your talk and put your values and principles into manifestation.

All truly dharmic action is a kind of Karma Yoga. Dharma begins with service to oneself and service to the whole of life. Karma Yoga is the way of Yajna or making sacred that supports Dharma. Working for and serving others is a way of inner healing and bringing out our deeper capacities. Karma Yoga requires that we do our best as an offering to the Divine and development of higher consciousness. This attitude and its resultant action naturally allows us to fulfill our true and highest dharma.

Contemplate where in your life you can uplevel service to yourself, and then service to others.

If you have any questions, please email me at kristin@kristinspenceyoga.com

JAI MAA