Overcoming Fear

Devi Kaalaratri

Part 7 of the Navaratri Series from Modern Parivaar: A Dharmik Perspective

Devi is “mōkṣadvāra-kavāṭapāṭanakarī”. If we choose the right path, she will surely open the doors of Moksha to us one day. We know that there are six obstacles to overcome on the way to Moksha: Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, and Matsyarya. We must change our thinking and adopt Sattvik gunas. It is a long journey of transformation.

The first and biggest block on the path of transformation is fear. While we know our current state might not be optimal, we still hesitate to make any changes. Our fear of the unknown often holds us back. After all, every change is a leap of faith. But Devi Kaalratri richly rewards bhaktas who overcome fear and turn to her. If we put our faith in her, she will help us transform ourselves. Ordinary people like me can only imagine what this transformation may be like. But great saints who have attained gnyana give us the courage to make the leap.

One of my favourite stories as a child was by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa:

Once, a young girl delivered milk to a Pandit each morning. However, as she depended on a ferry to cross the river and make the delivery, she was often late. After several late deliveries, the Pandit chided the girl and threatened to replace her if she couldn’t be on time. Dejected, the girl stayed back to listen to the Pandit’s discourse to his disciples as she waited for the ferry home. The Pandit said, “If we believe in Narayana, we can cross the bhavasagara of life. We only need to chant his name, and we can traverse the ocean”. The girl was thrilled to hear this! If Narayana helps bhaktas cross a mighty ocean, surely he would help her cross a small river.

The following day, the ferryman was late as usual. But the girl did not wait for him as she always did. Instead, she placed the pot of milk on her head and joined her hands in namaskar. Chanting “Narayana, Narayana”, the girl simply walked across the river and delivered the milk to the Pandit.

After a few days of early deliveries, the curious Pandit asked the girl, “Child, how is it that you manage to be on time these days? Has the ferryman mended his ways?”

The girl simply replied, “Why Panditji! I no longer need the ferry. For you have taught me how to walk across the river!”

The incredulous Pandit went to the river with the child and saw that she was speaking the truth. The girl walked back to the shore and invited the Pandit to walk on the river too. The proud Pandit took a step with pride. After all, his words had inspired the girl. However, hundreds of thoughts flooded his mind as he placed a foot on the water. “What if I drown? I don’t know how to swim. What if I fall in? My dhoti will be ruined. It is made of silk”. No sooner did he step into the water than he fell in. The girl walked to him and rescued him with ease.

“What happened, Panditji?” asked the girl. The Pandit humbly acknowledged that he had much to learn from the young milkmaid with a pure heart.

Of course, I didn’t understand the story’s deeper meaning when I was a child. But I would ask my father to read it to me again and again. What caught my imagination was that a little child could do what a great Pandit could not. As I read the same story to my son now, I understand that the Pandit is a metaphor for the mind. As we age, we get more immersed in this world and lose sight of the divine. We must train our minds to be as innocent as a child’s to experience the transformational power of pure bhakti.

All of this is easier said than done. I know I’m far from overcoming any of my shortcomings. But the more I think, the more I realize that our culture has also given us tools to help us here. Just as we have stories to help us begin our journey of Bhakti, Gurus and Satsang can help us progress along our journey. We all understand the power of a guru. But we often underestimate the power of Satsang.

We think that Satsang is limited to gathering for pravachan and singing bhajans. No doubt this is important, but it is not enough. Satsang is also about all the company we keep in our lives, isn’t it? Unless we have friends who reinforce the choices we are trying to make, our journey can seem uphill and lonely. When we associate with like-minded people, we can learn from each other. We can support and encourage each other, thus overcoming our fears. As we build our families, we must also build communities in real life and the virtual world. Together, we can face our fears and follow the path of dharma.

https://www.amazon.in/Tales-Ramakrishna/dp/8185301735/ https://vignanam.org/meaning/english/sree-annapurna-stotram.html

The last word from Hindu Parenting: Day 7 of Navaratri is dedicated to Devi Kaalaratri. The fiercest Shakti of Maa Durga destroys negative energies and makes her Bhaktas fearless. Children have many fears. For too many reasons today, Hindu children fear being assertive about their identity. One way to lessen - and eventually remove this fear - is through the power of Satsang. Being part of a vibrant community will bring security and strength to children. For too long we have allowed ourselves to become atomised and weakened social bonds. It is time to re-discover the power of community. It is time to reach out to Hindus across economic boundaries. It is time to support one another and stand together. Let’s pray to Maa Kaalaratri to make us fearless by strengthening our bonds within the Hindu community.