Why Is Woman Called Shakti? | பெண் ஏன் சக்தி என்று அழைக்கப்படுகிறாள்?

In the 25th Velvi Discourse, Gurumahan Reveals the Transformative Power of a Mother's Blessing and the Innate Strength of Every Woman.

Two means duality (Dvaita). "You" and "I"—here, two have emerged. Then, who are you? And who am I?

That is why, from a very young age... who taught this? Did mother teach it? No. Did father teach it? No. Did elder sister teach it? No. Then who taught it? It is right within us. We call it intuition, don't we? What is taught outside is "tuition," but what is this? It is intuition.

So, is it just for me? What did I think back then? Why are all these thoughts arising within me? Can I become God? Yes, I can. That’s when I came across the book Naan Kadavul ("I am God"). Look at that what we were searching for comes searching for us. When I was 19 and still in college, I heard about this great sage, Paranjothi Mahan. But when I saw him wearing that black shirt and all, I recalled that we already had someone in our family who wore a black shirt - Periyar.

Because, what did Vivekananda say? Only through celibacy (brahmacharya) can one attain the divine state. So, wherever I looked, it was all about celibacy and such things. To preserve and control that vital energy, I ate strychnine (etti) seeds every day. Why? Because if a scorpion stings me while I am meditating on some mountain, the scorpion should die. If a snake bites me, the snake should die. For that, what should I do to this whole body? Slowly, little by little, I had to introduce poison to this body and anyway, since I wasn't going to get married, why not turn the body itself into poison? So, if venomous creatures bite us, they will die. Because where were we going to live? We were going to live on mountains, where such creatures abound. So, I had to adapt myself accordingly.

Then, the mother of one of my schoolmates went and told on me, saying that I was eating strychnine seeds. She pleaded, "Don't do all that, my child. You are the only son to your mother." Because she requested it, I had to stop. Well, that's okay. What if I stopped? Whatever I had already consumed would remain inside and protect me. What was the reason behind all this? It was sheer determination. To attain that state, I did whatever anyone suggested. I would leave my family and go away somewhere for two or three days. My mother would never ask. She had a belief that wherever her son went, he would return and wouldn't go down a bad path. 

When a mother repeatedly tells her child, "You will never succeed," those words become a powerful imprint on the child's mind. The child begins to wonder, "How will I ever succeed?" That is why a mother's words are words of grace. We may receive criticism from anyone, but we should never invite a mother's curse. Such words carry immense power.

A mother is Shakti, the Divine Feminine. A grandmother is also Shakti. A sister is Shakti. A woman leaves behind her parents, siblings, friends, and the home where she grew up. What gives her the courage to do so?

Many people speak of self confidence as the greatest strength. A woman lives with her family until adulthood, then leaves everything behind. She does not step into a new life merely because she trusts a man. She does not know what kind of person he is or whether he will care for her. Yet she moves forward with confidence in herself.

Today, many couples choose to spend time together before making a lifelong commitment. Even then, the true strength that carries a woman forward is not dependence on another person but self confidence.

Parents may ask their daughter, "Do you like this place? It is smaller than the home you grew up in. Will you be happy there?" She replies with confidence, "Do not worry. I will adjust. I will build my life there." This confidence is the power of Shakti. A woman possesses the ability to create, adapt, and accomplish anything.

Where does this Shakti exist? It is present within every atom of creation. When Shakti remains unexpressed, it exists as Shiva, the state of stillness. During sleep, we remain inactive. The moment we awaken, Shakti expresses itself through the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and every part of the body. Without Shakti, there is no activity and no life.

Shiva and Shakti are not separate. Likewise, husband and wife are not two different realities but complementary expressions of the same truth. A home belongs to both equally. When a woman stands with dignity and strength, she can accomplish anything.

Shakti is Woman.

Let Wisdom Flourish!
Let Peace Prevail!
Let us protect Mother earth!
Let us protect the Universe!

Santhosam

https://universalpeacefoundation.org