Devi is endowed with three gunas- Satvic, Rajasik and Tamasic. Hence she is known as Trigunatmike. She has attributes related to these three gunas, which bring forth shrusti, stithi and laya. Based on her shrusti, stithi and laya shaktis, Devi is worshipped in several forms. But most popular forms are Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga.
During Navaratri popularly called Dasara which is celebrated with pomp and grandeur all over India, the goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga are worshipped for three days each. Saraswati is worshipped ‘for knowledge, Lakshmi for wealth, and Durga for health.
Tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami for getting the blessings successfully from all the three great cosmic mothers. The talk on Devi Mahatme was on the divine features of Devi and her attributes.
Keertanacharya Lakshmandas Velankar a noted personality in the field of Harikatha is a scholar par excellence. A disciple of Santa Sri Bhadragiri Achyutadas and Santa Sri Keshavadas, Velankar developed his own unique style in performing Kathakeertan. His scholarship in Sanskrit and philosophy has moulded him to be an excellent narrator and an author. Velankar has authored books on Kathakeertan and has translated more than 80 books published by prestigious Geetha Press, Gorakhpur, from Sanskrit, Hindi and Marati to Kannada. Some of them include Bhagavatgeete, Devi Bhagavatha, Shiva purana, Bhagavatha, Ramayana and many more. He served as a lecturer in internationally renowned Keertan Mahavidyalaya, trained many students in Kathakeertan; Former Member, Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy; Editor of Daasa Vaani, a magazine published by Daasashrama international Center. A recipient of Karnataka Kalashree from Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy, Velankar has been honored by many organisations.
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