Navaratri and worship of Goddess
We have a rich legacy of spiritual tradition. Festivals also a form of preserving that tradition. They are in-built systems envisaged by the sages of ancient times from the point of maintaining a man's physical, mental and spiritual health as well as his social well-being. So in society, there was no case for depression or social malaise. One more striking feature of them is that they are celebrated in different seasons glorifying the Nature and honouring the natural grains obtained by harvest during that period by offering them as prasad to different gods as a token of gratitude and partaking along with others in the worship. This spirit of gratitude to nature is the key- note of all festivals.
The festivals have different aspects like vrata, tithi or parva and utsava. Vrata ' religious vow' indicates a set of rules and discipline with which one voluntarily binds oneself over a particular period of time, during which period he undertakes to maintain physical and mental purity by taking bath, wearing clean pure clothes, worshipping the deity and taking pure and simple food. This vrata is meant for the physical and mental purity , development of strong will power, cultivation of faith and love towards the god, purity of the environment and development of high and positive thinking.
Parva refers to particular date when there is conjunction of particular planets and stars and comes at a fixed time in every year of the Hindu calendar. Parva means knot or joint seen on the sugarcane. As the joints are seen at a certain equidistance on the sugarcane, so the festivals occur at equal intervals in a year. The festivals are determined from the position of stars and planets in the sky. People of ancient times always believed that specific position of planets and stars in the sky affected the life on the earth. So to overcome this, some worship and disciplines were formulated. Utsava refers to a joyous festive occasion which naturally buys up the spirit of the participants. Participation in devotional songs and dances fosters the social ties and a sense of belongingness , thus taking care of
society's well being because all poor and rich equally participate in the worship in temples and partake offerings of food without any distinction and inhibition.
Navaratri is a major and an important festival celebrated in all parts of India. At the change of seasons, it is celebrated. Generally, the Navaratis are four.
1 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Chaitra ( March-April ).
2 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Ashadha ( June-July ).
3 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Ashwina( Sep- oct ).
4 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Magha( Dec-Jan).
Of all the four, Vasantika ( also known as shayanakhya ) in the month of Chaitra and Sharadiya ( also known as bodhanakhya ) in the month of Ashwin are the most famous and celebrated all over India. The rest are celebrated in Shakti-peethas and other temples of Shakti ( Goddess Durga ).
The scriptures declare that the worship of the Shakti during the Navaratri in the autumn season( in the month of Ashwina) confers the four goals of life namely Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha on the faithful worshipper.
Parvati tells Lord Shiva ' Whoever does the Navarati worship in the month of Aashwina with devotion, I am pleased and give him good wife, wealth, health and prosperity. Devotees with no desires for these are blessed with salvation.
Why two Navaratris are more significant ?
There is a scientific reason behind this. The Puranas describe that the months Chaitra and Ashwina are jaws of Yama( death ). Spring comes after severe winter and autumn comes after rainy season. In both seasons, inthebeginning, change of seasons bring about various diseases lke fever, cough, cold and other ailments. So to remove these or as a prevention, the worship of the Goddess , taking a few sips of water kept in the kalasha ( jug) during the worship which is sanctified by the prayers and mantras and the harvested grains taken in the simple form maintain the health of the people.
One more significant feature is that the spring festival of Navaratri is celebrated when the Sun is in the northern hemisphere and the autumnal Navaratri is celebrated when the Sun is in the southern hemisphere.
Generally,festivals like Shivaratri, Janmashtami, Ramanavami are all celebrated for a day only where as Navaratri in honour of Goddess Shakti is celebrated for nine days. There is a reason behind this. The mantra of Shakti is called Navakshari. It contains nine syllables. So nine days are celebrated as a symbolism ( one day for each syllable ). Nava means nine. Nava means new also. Newness in old tradition. when vow is observed for nine days and nine nights, it is called Navaratra. When the worship of the Goddess is done at night for ninedays, it is called Navaratri..since Goddess Durga is worshipped in her nine forms. so each day is devoted to one form.
It is believed that the Goddess foght the demon for nine days, starting from the first day of the ashwayuja month ( Sep-Oct ).On the tenth day of Vijaya Dashami, she killed the demon, putting an end to the reign of evil and terror.The celebration on this day symbolises the victory of righteousness over evil.
It is said that Lord Rama worshipped the Goddess Durga on the shore of the ocean before his fight with Ravana. Even the great warrior Arjuna set out for the battle against the Kauravas on this day after worshipping the Goddesss.
The term 'Durga " means the destructor of calamity in the form of physical, mental and spiritual evils.
Devi Purana says that the five constituent syllables of the word Durga namely, da, u,r, g, aa, are said to destroy respectively demons, obstacle, diseases, sin and fear ( da- demons, u - vigna, r - roga, ga - papa, aa - bhaya ) Durga durgatinashini.
Parvati, the power of Shiva is basically the Adi Shakti, but she is called by nine different names.
1 - First day, she is called Shailaputri. Shala means mountain, putri means daughter. She is called Shalaputri because she appeared as the daughter of the king of the mountains, the Himalayas. In this form, she is depicted as riding on an ox. She has a trident in the right hand and a lotus in her left hand. She is also called Haimavati. In this form, she became the consort of Shiva. She was Sati in her previous birth. Among the nine forms, Shailaputri has infinite power. She has great importance that is established by the fact that she is the first one to be worshipped during Navaratri. The yogis concentrate on the first plexus, Muladhara Chakra, to revitalise themselves and to awaken the Kundalini shakti. From here begins the journey to higher chakras.
Dhyana shloka for Shailaputri-
Vande vanchitalaabhaaya chandrardhakrtashekharam l
vrsharudham shuladharam shailaputrim yashasvineem ll
2 - On the second day, the Goddess is worshiped as Brahmacharini. It is in her nature and character to attain the Brahman as Shiva through penance. while a maiden, she is called Brahmacharini and also Tapah charini or Uma. She had performed rare penance on the advice of the sage Narada, when she was the daughter of Himalaya, which included years that she spent on only fruits and the years when she ate only the fallen leaves and the years when she stopped eating the leaves also.That is the reason why she is called Aparna .Amazed at the hardest penance, the gods praised her and Brahma appeared and granted her wish to be the consort of Lord Shiva.
She has a splendidly glowing form. She has a rosary in her right hand and a kamandalu ( water jug ) in the left. The Brahmacharini form of the Devi fulfills all the desires of the devotees, Sadhakas and Yogis. On the second night Brahmacharini is worshipped and the Kundalini shakti reaches the Swadhishtana chakra. She blesses the devotees. One is enriched with penance, a sense of sacrifice, detachment, moral character and control over the self. Even during the toughest days there is no deviation from the righteous way and solemn duties.
Dhyana shloka-
Dadhaana karapadmaabhyaamakshamaalakamandalu l
Devi prasidatu mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama ll
3 - Chandraghanta - The pleasant half-moon is her forehead, in the shape of the lower part of the bell, so she is called Chandraghanta. Her form is very peaceful and benevolent. She has a bright golden hue. She has three eyes and ten hands with swords and other weapons , lotus in one hand and another blesses all. She rides a lion. She is ready for battle. The dreadful sound of the bell creates fear in the devils and protects the devotees.
She is worshiped on the third night. The Kundalini reaches the Manipura chakra. With her grace the yogis are able to see wonderful and divine things, listen to celestial music and smell rare sublime fragrance. She wipes out all the impurities and clears the path of the devotees. The meditation on the Goddess gives instantaneous success. The devotees are freed from fear and endowed with humility, brightness and grace and his voice gets spiritual effect, attraction and sweetness. By worshipping her, one gets wordly success and Moksha.
Dhyana shloka-
Pindajapravararuda chandakopastrakairyuta l
Prasadam tanute mahyam chandraghanteti vishruta ll
4 - Kushmanda
With her gentle laughter, she created the egg that is the universe. She is called Kushmanda.
When there was no creation, all everywhere darkness, this goddess with her little smile created the universe. There was no universe before her. She is the Adi Shakti. She resides in the solar system and shines brightly like the Sun. Her illumination and glow are matchless. Her glow illumines each animate and inanimate thing in the universe.She has eight hands that stretches up to and covers all the eight directions. She is also famous as Ashtabhuja Devi. She holds different weapons and other things in her seven hands: Kamandalu, dhanush, bana, lotus, vessel with nectar, chakra and mace and grants all Siddhis, Riddhis and Nidhis with her eighth hand in form of japamala.
Kushmanda is worsipped on the fourth day when the Kundalini shakti ascends to Anahata chakra. She frees the devotees from all sorts of diseases and pains and adds longevity, fame, strength and health. She gives material and spiritual powers and properity.
Her vehicle is lion. Kushmanda has another meaning that is pumpkin gourd. it is offered as an offering.
Dhyana shloka-
Sudhasampurnakalasham rudhiraplutameva ca l
Dadhana hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda shubhadastute ll
5 - Skandamata
Sanat Kumara, also known as Skanda or Kartikeya, is the commander of the army of gods. In the Puranas, he is also called Kumara or SHaktidhara. She is his mother. So she is called Skandamata. She is a deity of fire.She is seated on a lotus with Skanda in her lap and rides a peacock. She is also called Padmasana Devi. She is completely white and glowing.
She is worshipped on the fifth day during Navaratra. On this day, the Kundalini Shakti ascends to Vishuddhi Chakra.The Yogi in the Vishuddhi Chakra gets rid of all all outer activities and wordly desires.He is purely in the most pious and conscious state. All his wishes and desires get fulfilled and he feels perfect peace and pleasure. He is in the state of complete bliss and beatitude. A glowing divine halo appears behind his head and gives the devotee illumination.
Skandamata has four hands. She holds her son with her upper right hand and the lower right hand rises up with a lotus. Similarly, the lower left hand rises up with a lotus flower and with the upper left hand, she showers blessings.
Dhyana shloka-
Simhasanagata nityam padmashritakaradvaya l
Shubhadastu sada devi Skandamata yashaswini ll
6 - Katyayani
To fulfil the wishes of the sage Katyayana she appeared at the hermitage of Katyayana to accomplish some rare feats for the gods like killing of the demon Mahishasura. The sage accepted her as his daughter. So she is called Katyayani.
The Gopis of Braja worshipped Katyayani for Shri Krishna. As a result she is the presiding deity of the complete Braja region even today. She has bright golden hue. She has four hands. The right upper hand makes one fearless and lower hand blesses all. She holds a sword with the upper left hand and a lotus in the lower. She rides a lion. She is worshipped on the sixth day. On this day, the Kundalini Shakti ascends to the Agya Chakra. The Sadhaka completely surrenders to the Goddess. All the pursuits- Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha are easily achieved. His spiritual power and brightness increase.She is worshipped with all prowess, might and agility.
Dhyana shloka-
Chandrahasojjwalakara shardulavaravahana l
katyayani shubham dadyad devi danavaghatini ll
7 - Kalaratri
As she killed many demons and became the dark night even for Kala, she is called Kalaratri. She is black with untied hair and wears a necklace as bright as lightning. She rides a donkey, breathes out fire, holds a sword in her right hand and blesses with the other.
Kalaratri has three eyes and she is very dreadful to look at, but she is always auspicious, and hence is also called Shubhankari. So , her devotees have no cause of fear or worry.
Kalaratri is worshipped on the seventh day when the Kundalini Shakti ascends to Sahsrara Chakra. The union with the Brahman is completed.All knowledge and every power of the cosmos is showered on the devotee. He is an enlightened one.He gets Moksha and a treasure of virtues that never gets empty. It can be achieved with atmost piety and carefully following the rules of Yoga.
Dhyana shloka-
Ekaveni Japakarnapura nagna Kharastitha l
Lambosti karnikakarni tailabhyaktasharirini ll
Vamapadollasallohalatakantakabhushana l
Vardhanamurdhadhvaja krshna Kalaratrirbhayankari ll
8 - Mahagauri
In fairness, she has been compared to conch- shell, Moon, and kunda flower ( Jasmine ). Her age is eight years( asta varsha bhaved Gauri ).
In her Parvati form, she did severe penance to get Shiva as her husband.. She had grown weak and dark because of the severe penance. Lord Shiva poured the Ganges water on her and she got her dazzling white colour back. From then on she became Mahagauri.
She wears white clothes and white ornaments. She has four hands. She holds a trident ( Trishul ) and a tambourine ( Damaru ) and assures all to fe fearless with the upper right hand. She blesses with her lower left hand.
Mahagauri rides a bull. She is an embodiment of peace and tranquility. She is worshipped on the eighth day during the nine-day worship of the Shakti. Her devotees become pure. The impiety and sin do not come near them even in future. They are safe and secure. She is easy to please and readily showers her blessings on all.
Dhyana shloka-
Shwete vrshe samaruda shwetambaradhara shucih l
Mahagauri shubham dadyanmahadevapramodada ll
9- Siddhidatri
Nineth form of Shakti is Siddhidatri. She is the giver of all siddhis. Because she makes one free through salvation, she is called Siddhidatri. Shiva acquired eight siddhis- Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitva,and Vashitva, by worshipping Mahashakti. It is according to Markandeya Purana. Brahmavaivarta Purana mentions eighteen siddhis.
1 Anima 7- Sarvakamavasayita 13 Srshti
2 Laghima 8 Sarvagyatva 14 Samharakarana samarthya
3 Prapti 9 Durashravana 15 Amaratva
4 Prakamya 10 Parakayapraveshana 16 Sarvanyayakatva
5 Mahima 11 Vaksiddhi 17 Bhavana
6 Ishitva, Vashitva 12 Kalpavrkshatva 18 Siddhi
Lord Shiva got all these siddhis through the Goddess. Because of her grace, Shiva's half body became the Goddess. So he is famous as Ardhanaishvara.
Siddhidatri has four hands. She holds a mace in her upper right hand and in the lower left hand she has a conch. She is seated on a lotus. She rides a lion. She is worshipped on the nineth, the last day of Navaratri. The devotee gets the Paramapada ( the Highest abode ) and has nothing more to achieve or wish.
Dhyana shloka-
Siddhagandharvayakshadyairasurairamarairapi l
Sevyamana sada bhuyat siddhida siddhidayini ll
In the term Shakti, Sha refers to aishvarya and kti means prakrama.
Aishvaryavachanah shashcha ktih prakrama eva cha l
Tatsvarupa tayordatri sa shaktih parikirtita ll ( Devi Bhagavatam )
Shakti is the embodiment of prosperity and strength.So she is the giver of the two.
The Adyashakti has three powers that is what is said of Brahman. The Supreme is formless. But with a view to create' Ekoham bahu syam prajayeya' ( I am one let me become many ) he assumes three forms because of his threefold powers of Maya. He creates the universe, protects and every thing dissolves in him. This is Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. The Shaktis are Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. The power of Brahma which creates the universe is called Mahasarasvati, the power of Vishnu, which nourishes is called Mahalakshmi and Rudrashakti, which is responsible for destruction is called Mahakali.
These actions can be viewed in two ways. one is ' historical and chronological sequence ' where in this is viwed like this- First a thing is created, then it exists and in the end gets destroyed.
These three actions can be viewed in another way also- that is from the psychological standpoint of the spiritual aspirant. In the words of Sadashivabrahmendra, ' Janiviparitakramatah', in the reverse order of creation i.e from dissolution. That is why ' Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaravati come in upasana or worship.
First the teacher removes the ignorance from the mind of the disciple , he does the work of dissolution, Rudra or Mahakali. Then whatever real knowledge is in the mind of the disciple, he nourishes it like Vishnu or Mahalakshmi. Then removing the ignorance, protecting the knowledge, he gives new instructions regarding the true knowledge which dawns, he does the work of creation, Brahma or Mahasarasvati. This is the sequence adopted in the scriptures. In Kenoupanishad, it is Uma Haimavati who imparts the knowledge to the seeker, Indra. Mother is glorified first,.' Matrudevo bhava'. It is always a mother's compassion, love and greatness that bring prosperity to children. Feminine energy nurtures, it heals, comforts and motivates.
In Navratri, the first three days are devoted to the worship of Durga, the embodiment of Kriyashakti. The next three days are to Lakshmi, the embodiment of Icchashakti and the last days to Sarasvati, who represents Gyanashakti. When ignorance is destroyed, one gets inner strength and works. Efforts bring prosperity and one's desires get fulfilled. When he does not find peace in desires, he contemplates. Then the knowledge of the truth dawns. It leads to victory, freedom. In fact the celebration of Navaratri signifies the evolution of the soul through three ladders to its destination namely, freedom. Tamo guna, the dirt or ignorance of the mind is removed by karmayoga represented by Durga. Distractions , desires represented by Rajas brings prosperity denoted by Lakshmi. Sattva though is praised but still an obstacle in the realization of the pure-self. It is dispelled by the power of higher wisdom, which is Sarasvati. The final victory is called vijaya Dashami, the tenth day. That is the day of victory, where one masters the forces of Nature completely and one's goal is achieved. When one steps over nine, he enters into infinity. Numbers are nine only. The whole cosmos is within nine. When one transcends nine, he goes to Infinity, which is his real nature, self. The tradition of Goddess worship is reflected in the worship of young girls,and in different art forms like music, dance etc both in houses and temples.
Worship of the Goddess in various ways inculcates discipline and leads to purity of mind. Gradually the worship of the Devi enables us to go beyond the form to reach the real inner potential in us, which is formless, which is the absolute Truth, the realization of which is the purpose of human life.
Reading and recitation of Shri Lalita sahasranama, Durga saptashati, Saundaryalahari, Mukapanchashati are recommended as effective means for the grace of the Goddess.
