Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu ‘Shakti’ Rupena Samsthita
Dussehra epitomizes the victory of divine forces, symbolized by Goddess Durga over the demonic forces symbolized by Mahishasura. Generally, it is accepted as a Shakti Puja. Here Shakti means the positive power of God as against the negative power of evil or demon, known in the western countries as ‘Satan’. From times immemorial, human races have mostly been worshiping power: positive or negative. As Hindu philosophy has expounded, these two opposing forces are but the faces of the two sides of a coin ‐ together they give value to the coin.
Mythology and history are replete with examples that the two forces of the universal nature are not mutually contradictory for destruction but are mutually complementary for evolution. When the nature forces i.e.Indra, Varun, Agni and other such Gods deviated from the basic principles of nature of maintaining the equilibrium by becoming arrogant i.e. wasting powerful and useful nature forces; they were defeated by the ever-watchful demonic forces, and even divested of their powers and authorities. To come out of such a situation those Gods were invariably undergone a system of purification or penance (Tapas). Once they were purified then the intervention of higher nature forces like Brahma, Vishnu or Maheshwar, who wield a much wider authority because of the possession of great quantum of Shakti, takes place. These higher powers either give greater power to others or themselves descend on earth in some form called Avatar, to bring about equilibrium in nature by destroying the demonic forces.
In a purer state, which gives the possessor more power of nature ‐ both qualitative and quantitative, these Gods are able to defeat the demonic forces, who in the meantime become equally arrogant due to their success. This cycle has been going on ever since the will of Gods first manifested as nature or Prakriti. This is the story of Goddess Durga defeating Mahishasura. The real and divine Shakti, therefore, descends on the possessors of the non-contaminated minds, untainted hearts and pure souls like Tukarama, Namadeva, Shri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa etc.
Since they do not have any ego, therefore, neither they ask for “Shakti” nor use it for their own purpose. These powers come to them automatically to be used universally as per God’s designs.
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba was in such state of divinity. He possessed such Shakti or siddhis which no one can imagine; however, he maintained a humble life.
Humility and Simplicity are not weaknesses; They are the biggest strength one can possess in the path of Spiritual development. Let us Remember this.
Source: Excerpts from MAHA SAMADHI DIWAS MESSAGE (1996) by Dr. C B Satpathy