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Glory of Hindu Dharma
Spiritual Significance of Navaratri
Table of Contents
2. Spiritual science behind celebrating Navaratri
3. Historical perspective of Navaratri
5. Scientific and spiritual truths of Navaratri
1. Introduction
According to Hinduism the special worship of Goddess Aadishakti / Bhagawati is done twice a year in the following seasons:
Vasantik Navaratra (worship during spring): During the first nine days of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra spanning between March and April every year.
Sharadiya Navaratra (worship during autumn): During the first nine days of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin spanning between September and October every year.
The worship of Goddess Bhagawati in the spring is called "Sakaal Puja." Here, a separate invocation of the goddess principle is not required.
The worship in autumn is termed 'Akaal Puja' since it involves the invocation of multiple forms of the Goddess at night time, such as Kaalratri, Shivaratri, Moharatri, Veeraratri, Divyaratri, Devaratri, etc. For those who follow the spiritual practice of 'Tantra' (tantra-vidya), these nights are of paramount importance.
Here we are providing information on the autumn worship of Goddess Bhagawati since it is more prevalent.
During the first three days of Navaratri, the worship of Mahakali is performed, who controls the spiritually impure tama component. This reduces the tama component in oneself. During the next three days, the worship of Mahalakshmi, who controls the spiritually pure sattva component is performed. This enhances the sattva component in oneself. During the last three days, the worship of Mahasarasvati is performed, who controls the raja component. This intensifies one's spiritual practice.
2. Spiritual science behind celebrating Navaratri*
The word 'ratri' implies change. One of the names of the female deity (Devi) is Kaalaratri. Kaalaratri is the one who brings about change in the Absolute Being of time (Kaalpurush).
Rotation is the inherent nature of Earth. Changes such as day and night occur on account of the rotation of Earth. To be able to withstand such changes effectively, religious observances like Navaratri are undertaken.
3. Historical perspective of Navaratri*
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This religious observance was advocated by Sage Narad to Lord Rama, so that Lord Rama could slay the evil Ravana. After the completion of this observance, Rama attacked Ravana's kingdom, Lanka, and slayed Ravana.
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The female deity (Devi) combated the demon Mahishasur for nine days from the first day (pratipada) to the ninth day (navami) and finally slayed him on the ninth night. Since then she has come to be known as 'Mahishasur-mardini', the slayer (mardini) of Mahishasur.
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During the nine days of Navaratri, Sree Durgadevi along with her nine weapons, pervades the Universe with the help of the absolute fire principle. By traversing every day in different forms, in an ascending order, the primal Divine Energy (Aadishakti) completely annihilates the distressing frequencies coming to Earth from the seven regions of hell. Also during these nine days there is a continuous war between the distressing frequencies transmitted by the negative energies and the divine consciousness (chaitanya) frequencies of the destroyer form of the primal Divine Energy (Aadishakti)
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During this war, Sree Durgadevi mounts effective and fierce attacks of radiance with lightning speed using her weapons. The pot (established during Navaratri) and the Holy lamp within it are worshipped during this time, as they symbolise the above. The heat generated by the lamp inside the pot, denotes the scorching atmosphere created as a result of the continuous war that goes on in the Universe for these nine days. The Holy lamp is the symbol of the radiance that is created by the weapons and missiles of the primal Divine Energy (Aadishakti). The act of worshipping the pot also awakens the destroyer aspect of Sree Durgadevi and wipes out the distressing frequencies present in the home (vaastu)
4. Significance of Navaratri
"Whenever evil and demonic tendencies start becoming dominant in society; troubling the pious, righteous and the spiritually inclined, the Divine Energy (Shakti) principle incarnates to destroy these unrighteous elements."
Throughout these nine days, various spiritual practices are performed; such as the recitation of holy verses in praise of the Goddess principle, the continuous burning of a clarified butter (ghee) or oil lamp, garlanding of the Goddesses, etc. Rituals and penances that help in spiritual progress are also undertaken with ardent devotion.
During Navaratri, the Divine Energy (Shakti) principle is about 1000 times more manifest than normal. Therefore one should chant 'Sree Durgadevyai Namah' as much as possible during this period.
5. Scientific and spiritual truths of Navaratri
The word "Navaratri" denotes nine nights of special importance and significance. For these nine days, the Divine Shakti principle (Devi) is worshipped until night time. The word "ratri" (night) implies occult power from a spiritual perspective. Saints and seers in India (Bharat) have regarded night time with more importance than day time. If they wouldn't have then all the important festivals in India would have been addressed as 'day' instead of 'night'. For example - Deepavali (Festival of Lights), is celebrated as the big night (Maharatri). On similar lines, both Holi and Shivaratri (the two most sacred and celebrated festivals in India) are also celebrated as 'Maharatri' festivals.
Both the Vasantik and Sharadiya Navaratris (see "Introduction" above) fall in the twilight period between two natural seasons. The scientific reason for this is that during the twilight period, when one season ends and the next one begins, the position of the planets and atmosphere are both very conducive for the spiritual progress of human beings. Due to the change in seasons, the chemical compositions in the human body also change. Therefore, it is most beneficial to do various spiritual observances during this time.
* Based on divine knowledge received by some seekers doing saadhanaa per Gurukrupaayoga.
To know more about this divine knowledge please visit the about us section of this website.
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