Gauri

is a name of the Goddess Parvati, the consort of the great Lord Shiva. It means she who is shining and brilliant, with a fair complexion. In her incarnation as Sati, the Goddess burned herself in the fire of yoga. She was reborn as the daughter of King Himavan. The Devi Purana, an ancient scripture, describes her complexion as the colour of a conch shell, the white jasmine flower and the silver moon.

All these descriptions attempt to show that Mother is the embodiment of total purity. She is perfect and unsullied. Our minds and hearts should be like this. This is the constant exhortation of Swamiji - purify yourself, clean your mind, keep your heart pure, offer your problems and thoughts at the feet of the Divine. Having emptied ourselves of all thoughts and energies we can become as shining and brilliant as Mother Gauri. Then only we can return to Her and become one with Her because we are clean, bright and empty vessels, ready for Her highest love and knowledge. Thus, by remembering the name of Mother Gauri, we light up the inner light within ourselves that allows us to see our final goal - the Light of Lights that shines with an unsurpassable brilliance deep within the cave of the heart.