Look within to become self-realised

There is a very powerful prayer called the Durga Kavacham.

- LAKSHMI BAYI

There is a very powerful prayer called the Durga Kavacham. The word Kavacham literally means armour. A different form of Shakthi or the feminine Energy is assigned to each part of the human body. For example, the heart is protected by Lalitha Devi, the wife by Bhairavi. The way ahead by Kshemankari and so on and so forth. Literally everything is covered in this Manthra.

What is very interesting is the phrase "Mano Budhdhir Ahamkaara". Look at the word "Ahamkaara". This is often used to denote ego. Most Sanatana philosophies urge for the annihilation of the ego to discover Godhead. Why then this specific inclusion, with the petition to protect it, that took to the Mahaamaaya?

Whenever there is a contradiction, it bodes well to search deeper. The Sanskrit word "Aham" means I. Here the word "Ahamkaara" means the true essence of everything. There is a reference to the importance of each thing remaining as itself in the Soundarya Lahari of Shri Aadi Shankaarachaarya. If this phenomenon was not in play constantly throughout Creation, we would return back to chaos.

The need for clear boundaries is very much in evidence around us in our physical world. The moment these demarcations are obfuscated, it is only a question of time, before confusion enters. Only Divinity has the license to be "Avyaktha" and survive. The vastness of Divinity is such that its limits (if any) are not visible at all to us.

Why is it that we are very unsure of demanding and applying these definitions in our metaphysical life? The sad thing is that some of the most precious words have descended to a cesspool of uncertainties and multi-meanings which would be simply destroyed in the sensory world around us. For example, one can imagine the problems if the words sea and land were to be interchangeable! This is just a tiny slice of potential absurdity in Creation.