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Ambal shows the way

Ambal shows the way

The Hindu02-07-2025
Faith is nurtured. Our elders teach babies to eat first, and as they grow, they are shown the correct way to eat healthy. Similarly, the Vedas are the primary source material for guiding all in the spiritual journey of one's life, which runs concurrently with the pursuit of earthly goals. People may pray to Vishnu, Siva or Subrahmanya, Surya or others as ordained in the Vedas; however, Sakti is the goddess that the ordinary people worship. She is sometimes given shape to, in villages, merely by stacking a couple of bricks, with full faith in Her power. While She is celebrated throughout the year, the grand Pattabhishekam of Sarva Jagan Mata at Ambaji Saktipeet in Gujarat, during the Ashada Navratri (falling between June 25 to July 4 this year) is one of the most significant ones, said Damodara Dikshidhar.
The Lalita Sahasranamam says, 'Rajat Krupayai Namaha; Raja Peeta Niveshita Nija Shritayai Namaha:', signifying the importance of receiving Her divine grace when one is caught in various life situations such as a sudden misfortune, knowledge of impending danger or difficulty, harmony when one's marriage hits discordant notes, accumulation of wealth rightfully and gaining not just an education but also learning to navigate various impediments in the journey of life.
Those visiting the shrine in Ambaji cannot fail to observe the richness and fertility of the land, with Ambal looming majestically over the place, held to be the heart of the 51 Sakti Peetams, bestowing Her blessings on those who pray to Her. She embodies not only spirituality but also sets a remarkable code of conduct for all to follow, helping everyone to lead a sinless life.
Legend has it that when a pious king prayed to Her and asked Her to remain where She was and bless the earth and his subjects, She agreed, on the precondition that none talk ill of others. If anyone broke this moral code of conduct, She would leave. As an embodiment of Durga, Saraswati and Lakshmi, the Jagan Mata's Pattabhishekham, conducted with various homams and pujas, attracts both the rich and the poor.
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