Understanding the science underlying the worship of Deities we realise their importance, which leads to increase in faith !
Sarvamangala mangalye Shive sarvartha sadhike |
Sharanye Trayambake Gauri, Narayani namostute ||
Meaning : O Mother ! You are the personification of all that is auspicious, You are the benevolent form of Deity Shiva, You bestow Shakti (Divine Energy) and help people achieve Righteousness, wealth, fulfil desires and Liberation, You are worthy of being surrendered to. Three eyes adorn You. O’ Narayani Devi, I pay obeisance to You !
1. Introduction
Navaratri is a widely celebrated festival by Hindus across the world. This 9-day festival is celebrated by worshipping Deity Shakti. Navaratri commences on the first day (Pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin.
In this vrat (Vowed religious observance), a clay pot is installed in a sanctified section of the home. A lamp is placed in the pot and it is kept lit for 9 days. The pot symbolises the Universe.
The uninterrupted lit lamp is the medium through which we worship the brilliant primordial energy Adishakti (meaning, Shri Durgadevi). During Navaratri, Shri Durgadevi’s Principle is more active in the Universe. When we understand the spiritual science underlying the various rituals in the worship of Shri Durgadevi, we become worthy of absorbing more of the Shakti Principle, thus acquiring more of Her grace.
2. History of Navaratri
The Goddess fought with the demon Mahishasur for 9 days from Pratipada to Navami and finally killed him on the Navami night. Since then, She came to be known as Mahishasurmardini, the annihilator of Mahishasur.
3. Importance of Navaratri and Vijayadashami
Whenever tamasik, demoniacal and cruel people become powerful and start troubling the sattvik, righteous humans, the Goddess incarnates to reinstate Dharma (Righteousness). This is the vrat of this Deity.
During Navaratri, it is believed that the Goddess Principle is a thousand times more active than usual. To get the maximum spiritual benefit from this Principle, chant :
as much as is possible during the period of Navaratri.
4. What ‘Name’ should we chant during Navaratri ?
Navaratri begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada (7th October). According to one school of thought, Shri Mahakali (who has a Tama predominant temperament) is worshipped on the first 3 days of Navaratri to reduce the Tama component in ourselves.
The next 3 days, to enhance the Raja component in ourselves, Shri Mahalakshmi (who has a Raja predominant temperament) is worshipped; and on the last 3 days, to intensify spiritual practice, Mahasaraswati (who has a Sattva predominant temperament) is worshipped. Chant the Names of these Deities during these days.
5. Worshipping an Idol of the Goddess in a standing posture on the 8th day of Navaratri
During Navaratri, the maraktattva of Shri Durgadevi grows in phases every day. On Ashtami, the proportion of red Tej (Absolute Fire Principle) waves from the marak waves of Shri Durgadevi is higher. Since these Tej waves are associated with the Vayutattva (Absolute Air Principle) and Akashtattva (Absolute Ether Principle), along with a mask made from rice flour, the Idol is draped in a red sari on Ashtami. On Ashtami, this attracts waves of the Devitattva that are dominant in the Tejtattva.
– Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil
6. Worship of Goddess Saraswati on the 8th and 9th day of Navaratri
On Navami (Ninth day), Saraswatidevi should be worshipped from the perspective of Her association with Creation. However, on Vijayadashami, the Saraswati-tattva absorbs more of the active sagun-bhav and then becomes completely dormant; hence, on that day Saraswatidevi should be worshipped.
The actual invocation period of Saraswati-devi, however, should be celebrated on Ashwin Shukla Ashtami, because it is from this day that the Saraswati-tattva waves begin to take a seed form. On Navami, this form gets stabilised on the earth and performs its mission. This is why, it is meant for the worship of the complete sagun, creative form of Saraswatidevi.
On Vijayadashami, Saraswatidevi once again assumes a sagun form, which becomes dormant, finally attaining a state of Dissolution. Hence, on this day after worship, Her Idol is immersed in flowing water.
From Ashtami to Vijayadashami, the Shakti form is adorned with creative intelligence. The touch of the tarak waves of Saraswatidevi activates the energy of the soul of the worshipper and transforms it into creative intelligence. This knowledge bestows the devotee with the spiritual experience of Anand.
(To learn more, read Sanatan Sanstha’s Spiritual text – ‘Shakti’ from the Sanatan centre nearest to you.)
Rangoli patterns that attract Shri Durgadevi Principle
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