Significance of navratri

 🪷Navratri is a time of prayer and rejuvenation. A child is born in nine months. These nine days are like coming out of a mother’s womb once again. Having a new birth.🪷

🪷"Navratri is celebrated to glorify the spirit in us. The spirit in us alone can destroy all negative qualities (inertia, pride, obsession, cravings, aversions, etc). By turning inward during Navratri, and getting in touch with the spirit within, we can overcome these negative tendencies and invoke the positive qualities that are within us, thus feeling elevated and renewed. 

🪷 (Sharad )Navratri is traditionally celebrated at the beginning of autumn every year, when everything in nature starts undergoing transformation. These nine nights are said to be precious as there are subtle energies in the creation that are enriched at this time of the year. These energies enhance and assist the experience of going inwards, making prayer, chanting and other spiritual practices more fruitful. 💐

🪷There are 64 divine mother impulses which govern the subtle creation. These are responsible for restoring all earthly and spiritual benefits. They are simply part of one's awakened consciousness. These nine nights are celebrated to rekindle those divine impulses and celebrate the innermost depth of our lives.”

🙏jai gurudev 🙏

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Chandra ghanta

 “Chandra is moon that is related to mind. That aspect of the divine that charms the mind, the embodiment of such eternal beauty is Chandraghanta. Wherever something appears beautiful to you, know it is the energy of mother divine.”

On the third day of Navratri, Mother Divine takes the form of Chandraghanta. On her forehead is a crescent moon that looks like a bell in a temple. Therein lies the etymology of the name Chandraghanta - one who has a moon in the form of a bell.  

Devotees pray to Devi during Navratri, and offer milk, sweets and kheer (pudding) while performing pujas (rituals).

Form of the Devi

Goddess Chandraghanta’s complexion is golden and She has ten hands. In many , she is holding weapons – trident, mace, spear, bow, arrow, discus and sword. In others , she is holding a lotus, sacred pot and a bell. One of her hands is in the blessing mudra.

On her forehead, She has a crescent moon shaped like a bell. Her third eye, also situated in the middle of her forehead, is always open. She is depicted riding a lion or tiger.

What Chandraghanta represents

Chandraghanta Devi is the epitome of beauty, charm and grace. She is the very embodiment of all the things we find beautiful in life. It is the energy of Mother Divine that attracts us. The open third eye signifies the awakening of consciousness. She blesses those who pray to her protecting them from harm’s way.

At the same time, her form is meant to evoke fear. As she wields multiple weapons, it symbolizes her readiness to go to war with demons. In other words, she helps eliminate our negative feelings, and fights injustice, misery, and suffering in the world. She is a symbol of bravery and courage as the lion (tiger - according to some depictions) she is riding represent. 

So, the Devi may be benevolent and fierce at the same time, as the occasion demands. 

Spiritual significance of Chandraghanta

Our mind continuously goes through a range of emotions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, excitement, and so on. It is similar to the moon’s changing phases, as it appears to vary its appearance every day through the waxing and waning process. So, our feelings and thoughts are like the moon – ever-varying. 

Chandra means moon and ghanta means bell. So, Chandraghanta means bell of the moon.

If you think about it, the sound of a bell is the same no matter how you ring it. So, you get only one sound. It represents the oneness of the emotions, thoughts and energies within us. That is to say that all the forms of energy that arise within us emanate from one single Divine energy. 

This teaches us that we should accept energies in all their various forms as they are all part of the Divine. Knowing this saves us from getting caught up in the cycle of feelings and takes us to an elevated sense of being.

Another connotation of the bell is that Devi used it as a sound of war - this sound evoked fear in the hearts of enemies. All our negative and depressing emotions are our enemies. So, praying to Devi can help us get rid of these adverse feelings within us.

Devotees pray to Devi for courage, happiness, and strength to overcome the trials and tribulations of the world.

Jai Gurudev 🙏🏻

Second day brahmacharini devi

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Kushmanda

 Maa Kushmanda, the fourth Avatar of Goddess Durga, is worshipped on the 4th day of Navratri . She rules your Heart chakra ruled by Narayana. 

Ku means 'a little', Ushma means 'warmth' or 'energy', and Anda means 'cosmic egg'. Goddess Kushmanda is believed to have created the universe with her divine smile.

Form of the Devi

Devi Kushmanda is known as ashtabhuja, the one with eight hands. She holds a stoup (kamandul), bow, arrow, a jar of nectar, discus, mace, rosary and lotus. She radiates a golden light as this form of the Devi resides in the sun’s core, thus sustaining Surya Lok. Sitting on a tiger, Devi Kushmanda denotes dharma and justice. 

She holds a rosary in one hand, blessing her devotees with with ashtasiddhis (the eight supernatural powers as elaborated in ancient yoga) and navniddhis (nine different types of wealth).

What Kushmanda represents

It is believed that there was darkness everywhere when the universe did not exist. Devi Kushmanda smiled and the light of her smile created the universe. Residing in the core of the sun, Kushmanda Devi provides energy to the sun, the provider of light and energy to the entire world. Since she created the universe, she is also called Jagat Janani. 

🙏🏻Spiritual significance of Kushmanda

❓What does Kushmanda really mean? Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explains: 

🎃A pumpkin is round. It refers to your prana (subtle life force energy) which is total; complete like a sphere.

It used to be a traditional custom in India that only Brahmins would eat the pumpkin. A pumpkin is supposed to enhance one’s prana, one’s intelligence and energy. A pumpkin is said to have the unique property of absorbing prana and also radiating prana. It is one of the most pranic vegetables on the planet. Just like the leaves of the Ashwath tree generates oxygen for 24 hours daily, in the same way, the pumpkin absorbs and radiates energy.

This entire creation – both the manifest and the unmanifest – is like a huge round ball or pumpkin. You have all kinds of diversity here, from the smallest to the largest.

⚡️There is another perspective if one looks at the literal breakdown of the word, Kushmanda. Energy pervades this entire universe from the smallest to the largest. From small, it becomes big, and vice versa. From the small seed, it becomes a huge fruit, and from the huge fruit, it comes back into the seed.

Our energy has this unique quality of being smaller than the smallest, and larger than the largest. Kushmanda means the Mother Divine manifests as prana, as the energy within us.

Just sit and think of yourself as a pumpkin for just five seconds. The meaning here is to elevate yourself to the Supreme Intelligence which is the Mother Divine herself. Like a pumpkin, you too should feel the abundance and fullness in your life, and see every particle in creation alive with prana. Seeing that awakened intelligence manifest and pervading everywhere in creation is the meaning of Kushmanda.

Sakndmata

 On the fifth day of Navratri, devotees pray to this form of Mother Divine – Skandamata. They chant mantras, fast, offer sweets and money, and perform pujas or rituals.

‘Skandamata’ literally means ‘mother of Skanda’ or Karthikeya, God of War. Lord Karthikeya was chosen to be the commander-in-chief of the army of devas or gods that was waging war on the Asuras or demons.

Double blessing of Devi and son

When you pray to Skandamata, you are doubly blessed. This is because you are also bowing before Lord Karthikeya, (in infant form), who is seated on her lap. 

Form of the Devi

Ma Skandamata Devi has four arms. In two of her hands, she carries a lotus. She supports her divine son, Karthikeya with one arm. The fourth hand is in a blessing position to grant the wishes of her devotees. She has three eyes. She is depicted holding her six-faced son, Karthikeya, with one of her arms. 

She is seated on a lotus, and so, is also known as Padmasana. She rides a lion. Her complexion is white, and so she looks bright. 

What Skandamata represents

Ma Skandamata Devi has a benevolent and blissful face as she carries her divine son. Her power lies in the strength of a mother’s love. She blesses her devotees wholeheartedly, showering them with affection comparable to the maternal love she shows her son.

Devotees who pray to Ma Skandamata Devi with a pure and dedicated heart are blessed with wisdom, wealth, power, prosperity, and salvation. They experience peace of mind, satisfaction and bliss. It is said that her blessings make the most intellectually-challenged person intelligent. She enables her devotees to move towards deeper consciousness, which is the path towards moksha or enlightenment. 

Spiritual significance of Skandamata

Skandamata is all about maternal energy. 

It is believed that Skanda with his six faces is symbolic of the six senses.  

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says that Skandamata is the mother of the six systems of knowledge or philosophy – Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta, and Mimamsa. They are the six limbs of the Vedas or body of knowledge. 

There are 64 disciplines of art and science like music, astrology, phonetics and meters embedded in these philosophies. When we pray to Skandamata, we are bowing before the mother of all wisdom. Hence, it is the path to higher learning and enlightenment.

Katyani

 The sixth form of the Mother Divine is Katyayani. Worshipped on the sixth day (Shashti), she is also known as a Warrior Goddess and is believed to be one of the most violent forms of Maa Durga.

Form of the Devi 

Goddess Katyayani has three eyes and four hands. She holds a sword in one of her left hands and a lotus in another. Her right hands can be seen in the varada mudra (bestowing boons) and abhaya mudra (represents removal of fear, benevolence and protection). With the crescent moon adorning her forehead, Goddess Katyayani rides a lion. 

What Kaytayani represents

The subtle world which is invisible and unmanifest is ruled by this form of the Mother Divine – Katyayani. In this form, she represents everything that cannot be seen or understood. Katyayani represents the deep and most intricate secrets of Divinity.

Significance of Katyayani 

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explains: Katyayani is that which is born out of the seer aspect of consciousness. Katyan is seer, you become the witness. You say, ‘I am not the body, I am not the mind, and you go deeper within.’ You become the seer of everything. From the seer aspect of consciousness, energy comes up, and that consciousness has an intuitive ability - this aspect is called Katyayani. 

Everything that happens and unfolds before us, which is called Prapancha is not limited only to what is visible. That which is invisible and cannot be perceived by the senses is far greater than we can even imagine and comprehend.

That energy that sees beyond the senses and knows beyond logic is Katyayani. 

There are divine and demonic forces in creation. So also anger can be a positive or a negative force. How can anger be a positive or a divine quality, and when can it become a negative or a demonic quality? Anger is important and has its place. Good anger is associated with wisdom, while bad anger with emotions and selfishness. Good anger comes from a sense of broad vision. Anger is appropriate when it is directed towards injustice and ignorance. Usually we think anger is justified and directed towards some injustice only. But if you go deeper into more subtle levels of existence, you will find that it is not really so. In such cases, anger creates bondage for the person. The anger that arises for righteous reasons and is directed towards negativity and injustice is represented by Devi Katyayani.

Devi Katyayani also represents that anger that arises in Creation to restore and revive the principles of Dharma and truth. Devi Katyayani represents that divine principle and form of the Mother Divine which is behind such terrible natural calamities and disasters. 

Katyayani is the divine force or principle of the unmanifest Divinity that arises in the subtle layers of creation against negativity and for the purpose of restoring Dharma. It is said that the anger of a wise person only brings about greater good; whereas even the love of an ignorant or foolish person can only cause more trouble. That is why Devi Katyayani represents a beneficial and uplifting force.

Kalratri

On the seventh day of Navratri, Mother Divine takes the form of Kaalaratri. She is one of the most ferocious and destructive forms of Durga Devi.

Kaala means ‘time’ as well as ‘black’, and ratri means ‘night’. The Devi is worshipped as the destroyer of ignorance and remover of sorrow. 

Form of Kaalaratri Devi

Kaalaratri has a dark complexion akin to night. Her bountiful hair is untied. She has four hands – two of them wield weapons - a scimitar and a thunderbolt. The other two are in varada or blessing mudra and abhaya or protecting mudra. She wears a necklace that shines like the moon illuminating the night.

She has three eyes from which emanate rays like lightning, displaying her fury in full. She emits flames from her nostrils as she breathes. 

She rides a black donkey.

What the Devi represents

This form of the Devi depicts the dark and violent side of life. Appearing in one of her fiercest and most terrorizing forms, She evokes fear. She uses this form to destroy evil powers like negativity, cruelty and ignorance. 

Devotees pray to her to dispel darkness, ignorance, and sorrow from their lives. She is also known as Shubhankari, as she ensures that good deeds of her devotees bear fruit. She also protects them from harm and danger. 

Spiritual significance of Kaalaratri

Ratri or night is that time of day that comforts us, as the day’s work is behind us. As it is a time of repose and rest, it brings relief to every living being – humans and animals. 

Kaalaratri is the deep, dark energy that houses the infinite universe. It is that aspect of Mother Divine that is beyond the universe but brings solace to every heart and soul. So, when devotees pray to this Devi, they are blessed with peace, and a sense of reprieve from their troubles. 

Kaalaratri Devi also blesses her devotees with wisdom, as she takes them from darkness to light.

 

The eighth form of the Mother Divine is called Mahagauri, and she is worshipped on Ashtami (the eighth day of Navratri). She is known by other names as well, including Shwetambardhara (dressed in white clothes), Vrisharudha (rides the bull), Chaturbhuji (has four hands) and Shambhavi (bestows bliss and happiness).

Form of Mahagauri 

Her fair complexion is compared to the whiteness of the conch, moon and jasmine flowers. (‘Maha’ meaning great and ‘Gauri’ means white). Seated on a white vrishabha (bull), Devi Mahagauri is depicted with three eyes and four arms. Two of her arms on either side are in the varada and abhay mudras, to bless her devotees and remove all fear from their lives. Her other arms hold the trishul (trident) and damru ( tambourine ). Her clothes and ornaments are white and pure. 

What Mahagauri represents 

Goddess Mahagauri is believed to be the 16-year-old unmarried form of Goddess Parvati.

She  represents purity, calmness, wisdom and austerity.  

'Gauri' also signifies that she is the daughter of Giri (mountain). Mahagauri  defeats all evil forces from creation. She also helps a devotee overcome the evil forces within.  

Significance of Mahagauri

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explains: 

Mahagauri means that form which is beautiful and resplendent. If you see, Nature has two extremes. One of the forms is Kaalratri which is most terrifying and devastating. On the other hand, you see Mahagauri, which is the most beautiful and serene form of the Mother Divine. Mahagauri represents the epitome of beauty. Mahagauri confers and fulfills all your wishes and desires. Devi Mahagauri gives you all blessings and boons that you seek for material gains, so that you become content from within and move forward in life.

Gauri also means that which gives you knowledge, makes you move in life, and liberates you. Mahagauri gives momentum and ultimate freedom in life, she brings liberation.