In the Vedic lore it is said that its only one energy expressing itself in millions of forms around us . And in the more modern times; the string theory, which says “the entire world is made of strings” and these strings are nothing but vibrations (energy). One can only wonder and ask really! Because what meets the eye is a completely different reality, isn’t it. Even when we wake up, every morning the first feeling can be so different .The same cycle of morning, afternoon, evening, and night can have millions of different experiences to offer, again and again.
And this “one energy” and its infinite forms is what is worshiped during the festival of Navaratre. Navratre the nine- days & nights, are celebrated every year. Each year this celebration has opened up to mean something very new. And a deep feeling of wonder, seeing this magnificent play of “one energy”, is growing every moment ,within me.
I was standing in front of the most beautiful Deviji’s idol at Lokhandwala, my heart filled with reverence by the beauty expressed by the artist. As I looked up carefully at all the idols placed around Durga.
Ganesh, Laxmi, Saraswati, Kartik, the lion, Mahishasur (the demon) and the magnificent Durga herself in the most abhorrent and angry mood. The anger which is always looked down upon, the sign of ignorance, the symbol of the unwise. And this form is being worshiped???
But even in the state of outrage, with her eyes convulsing, her tongue sticking out, and venom pouring out of each and every cell of her being, she looked so beautiful, so very full…..
The most ‘cruel expression’ of the Goddess(energy) in which she is doing the heinous act of killing was being worshiped with great reverence!
To me this meant, that even the opposite is a sacred part of that “one energy” and it has its place in the creation. Every aspect and every expression of the Devi is to be accepted because it is for a purpose.
Opposite is a part of the whole and the circle is incomplete without it, Good /bad, truth/lie, peace/disturbance etc; all a part of the whole.
For what would be the value of RAMA, if it wasn’t for the great RAVANA.
Would we remember Krishna after thousands of years , if he just came and played with the Gopis? Isn’t he also remembered for the great Mahabharata war. Would the Bhagwat Gita be given without the confusion in Arjuna’s mind, or the confusion in yours and mine.
If Jesus were not crucified so cruelly, some of us wouldn’t have believed that he was God, isn’t it?
The same energy takes different roles of the villain and hero, and plays and leaves a moral to direct the lives of the generations that are to come. Taking different roles again and again only to establish Dharma (that which upholds life) to give a direction to the life force and protect its creation.
For the first time I can feel great grateful towards, Ravana, Duryodhana and so many others who by their presence gifted us such moral stories to learn from.
Gurudev says, the ignorant at their own cost teach us lessons, by the mistakes they commit.
And as I stood , worshiping the Great Durga Idol ,the entire story looked complete with the presence of Mahishasur in it. And that’s what this Navaratri revealed to me.
That every particle in the creation is permeated with the divine energy of the mother, the one who protects, nurtures, destroys, and creates and so it is sacred and respectful.
Today I am all geared up to be a part of such a war for the sake of dharma but with a small difference , instead of hatred for those on the other side I have compassion for them.
|| य देवी सर्वभूतेषु भरन्ति रूपेण संस्थित नमस तस्यै नमस तस्यै नमस तस्यै नमो नमः ||
|| ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शन्तिहि ||
|| Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu bhranthi (doubt) rupena samsthita
namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namo namah ||
|| Om shanti shanti shanti ||
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Ms. Vasudha Jhunjhunwala holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She is associated with the Art of Living since year 2000. Born and brought up in a pink city Jaipur, Rajasthan she currently resides in Amchi Mumbai with her family. For nearly a decade, Vasudha has inspired more than 10,000 youths with her teachings and social work. She has undertaken various projects and has been an instrument of change for its success. Juggling between home and work, in her spare time Vasudha likes to paint, write poems, learn music and play badminton. She is a Social Worker, Entrepreneur, State Coordinator of The Art of Living, Student of Sanskrit & Classical Music, Writer, Homemaker, Mother, Meditation Teacher, Public Speaker, Recipient of CSO-2014 award by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and has travelled in 30 Countries.
She is a quintessential deshbhakt. It is difficult to match her youthful Energy.
Vasudha is extremely passionate about her initiatives. One of the most successful projects lead by her was the ‘Vote For a Better India’ - A campaign that facilitated the voter registration process and lead to 5 lakh citizens new voter registration across India in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. Bringing more awareness to the people in the community she began the initiative ‘Mind your Vehicle’ - A project to sensitize citizens towards traffic discipline with 2000 volunteers in Mumbai. The project saw good media coverage. She was also the founding member of ‘Save Aarey’ project. In this project more than 300 volunteers cleared 5-truck loads of garbage from Aarey colony. With an aim to instill a sense of responsibility and nationalism among the youth, she has spearheaded several initiatives that included women’s safety drives, blood donation drives, cleanliness drives at railway stations and sea-shores, health and hygiene awareness camps and others.
Often people ask her what made her belief so strong to walk the spiritual path. She affirms that, “just like the light house guides the ship through darkness of night, our conscience guides us through decisions of life. For a smooth sail, just listen to it!”
The drought in Maharashtra had led to an increasing number of farmer suicides and Vasudha decided to contribute towards River Rejuvenation Project in the state. She along with her team revived around 22kms of Manjara river. The river Manjara rejuvenation in Latur District benefited 5 lakh villagers in its vicinity. Vasudha was also a part of the Solar Lamp Project. She was the catalyst in the distribution of solar lamps to flood-hit villagers in Orissa during Fani.
Her courage and valour gives her the skill to bring out the right perspective in every project she undertakes. Worry or Uncertainty are not words she rhymes with, Vasudha believes that’s Spiritual knowledge shields the flame of life from the winds of uncertainties. Vasudha is currently working on Project Pavitra. Since its inception this year, the project has imparted menstrual hygiene education to more than 2000 young girls in BMC schools and it aims to reach out to many more. She is also the founding member of SORT Club - Student's organization for Reform and Transformation. The club is now operational in 10 colleges in Mumbai. The project aims to remove the menace of substance abuse from the colleges of India. Vasudha is also working on a Happy Neighbourhood Project. The project aims to establish Happiness centers in societies to make societies stress-free.
If you meet her once, you would know that she has a very charming, intuitive, and jovial personality, her ideas and thoughts are ahead of it’s time. Her ability to perceive something new and unique in every individual is what draws people to her company. She gives a very comfortable and cool vibe something young students connect to and find easy to talk and open up to her about their problems. Make impossible, possible is her mantra. Her sessions are filled with grit, humor, inspiration, and some awespiring wisdom. People feel rejuvenated, energetic, experience clarity of thoughts, immense love in their hearts after attending her Mind and Breathe Workshops.
Mysteries of life intrigues her and even though she has traveled in 30 countries she found her best place within. She, by herself is a ‘Happiness Express’ moving swiftly on the spiritual path.
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Vasudha Jhunjhunwala 