Navratri Nine Nights of the Divine Goddess Shakti

Navratri Nine Nights of the Divine Goddess Shakti

Chaitra Navratri, also popular as Chaiten Navratras, the nine-day night festival observed in the month Chaitra. There are many legends associated with the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals. This year the Navratri dates during the Chaitra month - from April 4 to April 12. Chaitra Legends in the Puranas and other Hindu scriptures, the festival is dedicated to the goddess Shakti and three of its most popular forms of goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati - worshiped during the period. It starts on the first day of the Chaitra month and ends with Ram Navami. C Chaitra Navratri is known under different names such as Ram Navaratri, Vasant Navratri, Basant Navrathri and some people also refer it as spring Navaratras.

The significance of Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is one of the most important festival of Hindus. Devotees worship Maa Shakti, the goddess of cosmic force, at this time and asks to be given by divine blessing of the Goddess. Goddess Shakti manifests in three different dimensions as Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati and Durga. Navratri is divided into sets of three days to adore three different aspects of the supreme goddess or goddesses.

On these holy nights, the goddesses of Navratri pass on their positive power to the earth plane. To mark the occasion, the 9 nights calls for the performance of daily rituals, spiritual practice and worship of goddesses. Goddesses of Navratri - Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi representing a single form called "Shakti".

Farmer sowing seeds and thank the Goddess for her blessings and pray for better returns. Navratri In older times, associated with the fertility of the earth to us as Maa feed her children.

The first three days of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and mounted on a lion. Her various incarnations - Kumari, Parvati and Kali - are worshiped in those days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman. Next three days are dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity), dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally, last three are dedicated to the goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan. Kringler is prepared for the festivities. Children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances.

Celebrations of Navratri

In some communities people undergo rigorous fasts during this season, which lasts for nine days of Navratri. The festival culminates on Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of goddess Durga is worshiped. Their feet are washed as a sign of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country. With commercialization, the festival has moved on to be a social festival rather than a religious one. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout followers of the goddess Durga, as they sing devotional songs and enjoy the celebrations of Navratri, from year to year. Gujratis and Navratri special significance for Bengalis and one can see the zeal and fervor of the people enjoying the festivities of the season. Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival in Gujarat

Nine different forms of Durga

Nine different forms of Devi, worshiped over the nine days.As the ten-armed Goddess, Goddess Durga presents a radiantly beautiful form that is bewitching to watch. That special form is somehow simultaneously wrathful and benign and transmits profound spiritual teachings in an exacting way. The nine-day period from the new moon day to the ninth day nine different forms of Devi is worshiped for nine days. These are the most popular forms under which she adored:-

The first day Pooja

Maa Goddess Sailaputri has a half moon in her forehead, she is mounted on the bull and has a lance in his hand.

The first form of Durga maa among the nine is Sailaputri. She is known as such, because she has incarnated from Himalaya the Emperor of the mountains. Fitting a bull on maa has a lance in his right hand and lotus in the left. She is the first of the nine aspects of Durga.

Maa Sailaputri

In his previous life, she took birth from Daksa, the Prajapati as his daughter. Then she was known as Sati.O When Prajapati Daksa organized a very big sacrificial ceremony in which he invited all the gods to have their sacrificial share. Shiva was the only exception.

When Sati came to know about the party organized by her father, a strong desire arose in her heart to participate in the ceremony. She expressed her desire to Lord Shiva and his permission. Given all the advantages and disadvantages Shiva said - Prajapati is displeased with me for the reasons known to him only. He invited a function all gods and offered their sacrifice to share them. He is not intentionally invite me, not even informed me. Under such circumstances it is not proper for you to go there. Sati was not satisfied with the advice of the Lord. The eagerness to attend the ceremony and the prospect of seeing the MAA and sisters do not see disappear. The Lord saw that Sati was very eager to go there, so he gave her the green signal.

A sense of strange joy started waving at her heart. She made the necessary preparation and began. But all her enthusiasm subsided as bubbles that moment she reached there. She found no love in all eyes except her MAA. If only she embraced her. She did not even have a Scintilla of warmth for her. She has not only a sense of sarcasm and mockery of what her sisters noticed. She was very pained by the insulting attitude of her own relatives. The whole atmosphere was surcharged with a sense of lack of respect for Shiva. Daksa subjected to some insulting remarks intended for Shiva. She watched it all and lost her balance. A mental storm made her full of remorse and anger. She repented of having overruled objections by her Lord.

She could not bear the insult of her husband. Instantly she got her body burned in the fire yoga, the body was a gift Daksa. The news of her death reached Lord Shiva and he decided to give a good lesson for Daksa. The whole sacrificial system overhangs along with all the paraphernalia was completely destroyed by his lieutenants.I In her next birth she incarnated her as Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas and among Nava Durga she has been called Sailaputri was again known as Haimavati. One of the stories that Upanisadic Haim Avati aspect in her defeated all the prominent gods. As in her previous birth in this life also Sailaputri married Lord Shiva. The first and most prominent among the Nava Durga, is of immense importance Sailaputri and her delights are endless. On the first day of Navratra worship it is she who is worshiped. This puja of the first day Yogi's keep his mind focused Muladhara. This is the starting point of their spiritual discipline.

Second Day Pooja

Brahmacharni is the second phase of the nine Durga. Here Brahma means penance. So, Brahmacharini one who practices penance. Is said - Veda, Tattva and Tapa are synonyms for Brahma. The shape of Brahmacharini is very bright and very majestic. She has a rosary in her right hand and Kamandalu in her left.

Maa Brahmacharni

In her previous birth when she was incarnated as the daughter of the Himalayas, which is affected by the instructions of Narada, she practiced terrible penance to get Shiva as her divine consort. Because of her unearthly penance she was known as Brahmacharini. They brought a thousand years, only fruits and beets. A hundred years she spent only by eating leafy vegetables. For a sufficiently long time observing completely settled she suffered plague of nature as torrential rain and scorching sun and biting cold, in the open. After such a difficult routine she lived only on dry Bilva the leaves fell on the ground for three thousand years old. She kept her engrossed for twenty-four hours in worship Shiva. After she gave up eating even these dry leaves. For thousands of years, she went without any food and water. Because she gave up eating dry leaves Bilva as she was known to be Aparna as one of her aliases.

After the penance for several thousand years her body was very lean and thin. She was reduced to skeleton alone. Looks at her pitiable condition maa Mena was very pained. To distract her attention from the penance she exclaimed - 'U' 'Ma' means' Oh! No, no, no '. Since then Goddess Brahmacharini named Uma. This happened in her previous incarnation itself.

Her penance, sharpened as it was, caused major disruptions in all three worlds. The whole universe was shaken. Gods, the faithful Siddhas, the Munis all praised her booth as an unprecedented virtuous action. Ultimately Pitamaha Brahma by an oracle her up and said to her in a very comfortable way - O Goddess, to date no one has exercised such an austere penance. Only you could have done it. This wonderful deed is being praised in all four quarters. Your desire will be fulfilled. You will have a decidedly Shiva as your divine consort. Now stop doing fine and go home. Your father would soon come back to you to take.

This second aspect of Durga Brahmachaini are able to provide endless benefits. By worshiping her, the person keeps in mind to do penance, to give up, peace, ethics and restraint in itself. Even in the most critical periods of battle the mind remains unshaken, and he does not deviate from the path of duty. By the grace of MAA Brahmacharini he gets success and victory always. On the second day of Durgapuja is Brahmacharini aspect of MAA goddess Durga, who is worshiped. This way the mind of the writes are moving upward, based in Swadhisthana Chakra. The Yogi, who makes his mind to stay in this chakra, you affection and blessings of the goddess.

Third Day Pooja

The third aspect of the goddess Durga is Chandraghanta. The third day of Navaratra worship her Vigraha (picture) worship. This aspect of the Goddess gives extreme peace and provides ultimate good. She has half moon on her forehead in the form of a bell. That is why she called Chan Pull Hanta. The hue of her body is golden light. She has ten arms. In her ten hands, she holds weapons like swords and the like, , And missiles, as arrows etc. Her vehicle is lion. She is always in a gesture as if ready to fight. Her roaring voice is like a tumultuous sound of a bell that always gets the gruesome Danava, daityas and Raksasas-all to tremble.

Maa Chandraghanta

In the worship of Durga Navaratra the third day worship is of great importance. This day the spirit of the striver enters Manipura Chakra. At this stage, by the grace of MAA Chandraghanta he is capable of seeing unearthly and divine things. He smells the divine fragrance and many types of divine sound become audible to him. On this day, and at this stage of discipline is necessary Strive to be most careful.

By the grace of Maa Chandraghanta writes all sins are burnt up and obstacles removed. Her praise is immediately fruitful. She is always in a gesture as if ready to proceed to the battlefield, and thus she removes the difficulties of fans very quickly. Her vehicle is lion and so her worshiper is valorous and fearless like a lion. The sound of her bell always protects her devotees from evil spirits. As soon writes invokes her, her bell immediately becomes active and begins to call to protect the devotee under her shelter.

Even if she keeps her always busy in killing and suppressing the evil, but to her supporters and admirers she sees the most calm, gentle and peaceful. A very good quality, developed in her devotees who worship her, it writes cultivates bravery and fearlessness accompanied by serenity and humility. His face, eyes and entire body becomes brilliant. His voice becomes divinely sweet. Where the devoted worshipers of MAA Chandraghanta go, they spread peace and blessings among the people. From the body of such STRIVE there is always an invisible radiation of divinely illuminated atoms. The divine action is outside the perceiving capacity of physical eyes, but writes himself and his associates go on experiencing this reality now and then.

By purifying his mind, words, actions and body through prescribed manner we should worship the MAA Chandraghanta and take shelter under her feet. Through worship her, we can get rid of all worldly sorrows, and achieve the highest goals spontaneously. We should always try to advance the path of spiritual discipline by contemplating on the holy image of the MAA. Contemplating on her, we can achieve the everyday perfection and ultimate good in the other world.

Fourth Day Pooja

Kusmanda is the fourth phase of MAA Durga. (Ku + Usma + Anda) - that's how the word is derived. "KU" means "little", "USMA" is heating, heat or energy and "Spirit: The cosmic egg or universe. "That's whose fraction of heat from the universe evolved. So it is rightly called Kusmanda.

Maa Kusmanda

Then it was just a void full of darkness, at the time, even when time was not there, MAA Kusmanda created the universe with her Sankalpa as a mental projection. Before her birth, there was neither Sat or Asat.

She is domiciled in the inner part of the Surya-Loka. She could live alone and nobody else. Hue and luster of her body also is just as the sun glowing and brilliant, incomparable with any other god or goddess, he is his own game. All the ten quarters is illustrated by her brilliance. What splendor is seen in the world in living beings or objects is simply a reflection of its splendor.

She has eight arms. So Astbhuja name. In her seven hands she holds Kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, a jar of nectar, discus, mace, respectively. In her eighth hand, rosary in a position to provide eight siddhis and nine Nidhis. Her car is lion. Kusmanda in Sanskrit stands for pumpkins, which she likes most as a sacrificial offerings. So she too is Kusmanda.

On the fourth day of Navratra is Kusmanda worshiped. This day the minds of STRIVE enter and stay in the Anahata Cakra. So the pursuer is needed on this aspect of the Maa meditate with a steady mind and worship her deliberately. As a result of her worship devotees get rid of all ailments and sorrows. On life, name, strength and health is increasing. The MAA Kusmanda is easy to reconcile. If someone surrenders before her guilelessly, he is sure to reach her Supreme abode.W We should worship her in befitting manner described in Sastre and be a true fan of her. Subsequent writes have supernatural beliefs, and he feels her grace. This wretched world transformed him into a divine place. Her worship is the best and easiest way to the mire of the world to stabbing. As an aspirant should worship him for his everyday as well as spiritual success.

Fifth Day Pooja

The fifth aspect of Maa Durga is known as Skandamata. She is the MAA of Kumara or Skanda or Kartikeya, who was chosen by the gods as their commander in the war against the demons. His glory has been narrated in Puranas, and he referred to as Kumara and Saktidhar. His vehicle is peacock he called Mayuravahana.

Maa Skandamata

This is the MAA of Skanda Skandamata them. She is especially worshiped on the fifth day of Navaratra. This day Strive mind when Visuddha Cakra and stays there. In her picture the Lord Skanda in his infant form is always found. She holds him in her lap.

This Maa Goddess has four arms. She has Lord Skanda in his right upper arm and a lotus flower in her right lower hand, which is slightly raised upwards. The left arm in a pose and Boon in the bottom left hand which is raised grant lotus holds them back. The hue of her body is very light. She sits on the lotus flower, so she called Padmasana.

The writings are very eloquent in glorifying the fifth day of Navaratra period. As the mind of the aspirant, on this day, is in Visuddha Cakra. Then all his actions both internal and external completely stop and the mind devoid of all thought-waves are calm as a wave less ocean. That would be promoting the state of pure consciousness. It is completely immersed in the meditation of Maa padmasana, devoid of all worldly thoughts or coats of Maya. This is the time when the aspirant should be prudent and careful in the way of his Sadhana.

The worship of the goddess in the form of Skandamata, the devotee gets all his wishes fulfilled. He starts to taste the supreme joy even in this very mortal world. Gateway to salvation for him is spontaneously opened. Her worship includes automatic worship of Lord Skanda in his child form. Only she got from this place of honor. So writes should pay special attention to her worship. If the god of the sun god, she gives an unusual brilliance and charisma to her dedicated. He is always surrounded by an invisible divine halo, which are always sticks to his' Yoga-Ksema.

We must therefore try very sincerely to take refuge under her. There is no better way across the swamp of this worldly existence.

Sixth Day Pooja

The sixth form of MAA Durga is known as Katyayani. The legend about her name is as follows- There was a great sage named Kata. His son was Katya. In its descent Katyayana was a sage worldwide reputation. He practiced severe penance for several years to get it must be propitiated goddess. He had a keen desire in his heart to be the goddess in the form of his daughter. The MAA was happy to accede to his request.

Maa Katyayani

After some time when high-handedness of Mahisasura, the demon, crossed every limit, the trinity of gods-Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, got infuriated and they created a goddess by apportioning some of their glory to destroy the demon . The first way Katyayana had the privilege to worship her, so she called Katyayani.

Another story tells that she did take birth as his daughter. She was born on the 14th dark of the month Asvins. Accepted worship of Katyayana for three days-e.g. on 7^th, 8^th and 9th the bright fortnight in the same month and killed the demon on Vijayadasami.

She remains steadfast in granting wishes to the devotees. The Braj maidens adored this very goddess with a desire to have Sri Krishna as her husband. She is an established deity of Braja area. Her form is very divine and radiant. Her complexion is golden bright and brilliant. She is forced to use weapons. Her right upper hand is in a position to allay all fears and the lower one is in a position to provide blessing. In her left upper hand she holds a sword and a lotus flower adorns her lower left hand. Her vehicle is lion.

On the sixth day Navaratra it's her Katyayani form that is cultivated. The day the mind of Strive stays in Ajna Cakra. In the Yogic discipline Ajna Cakra is of greatest importance. His mind staying in Ajna Cakra the writes is a complete surrender and offer themselves to the goddess and then such a devotee very easily gets direct sight of the MAA Katyayani. All the four objects-Dharma, Artha, Kama and moksa is in the range of a Sadhaka who worship MAA Katyayani with devotion and faith. Even living on a mundane plane the devotee is equipped with an unearthly beauty and influence. He becomes immune to all diseases, sorrows and fears etc. There is no better and easier way than the worship of MAA Katyayani for the destruction of sins accumulated in previous lives. Her worship is always in close company and becomes fit for the top stay.

Seventh Day Pooja

Kaladatri form of MAA Durga is her seventh form in the sequence of Navaratra worship. Her bodily complexion is that of thick, dark and black. She has matted hair. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes, which is circular in shape as cosmic egg, which always feed the rays shining like lightning. Terrible flares up when she inhales or exhales air through her nostrils. Her car is a donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to give Boons to everyone. Her right lower hand is in the pose of reducing anxiety. Her left upper hand with a thorn-like weapon made of iron and in the lower left hand is a dagger.

Maa Kaladatri

A form of Maa, Kaladatri is extremely scary to watch but she is always beneficial effect. That is why she is otherwise known as Subhankari (do good). So believers need not feel any fear from her.

On the seventh day of Navaratra worship of Kaladatri formal requirements by the scriptures. This day the spirit of the pursuer reaches Sahasrara Cakra. To such a STRIVE door for all the siddhis of the universe begins to open. This day Sadhaka with all his abilities have been identified with MAA Kaladatri. As a result of her direct vision the devotee is fit fairly serve all the virtues. All his sins and obstacles in his way is completely destroyed. He reaches the homes, which are the fruit of unfailing virtue.

The Maa, Kaladatri destroy the wicked. Danava, Daitya, Raksasa, Bhuta, Preta and all other evil spirits are scared and run away as soon as the devotee remembers Kaladatri. She is also the remover of evil planetary effects. Her lover has no fear of fire, water, wild creatures, hostile or night. Of grace of her remains, he always unmindful of fear.

By keeping her form in the heart and meditate on her, the devotee must worship her determinedly. He should note all yamas, niyamas and Samyamas (all rules and regulations). Purification of the mind, words and body is important in worship her. She is Subhankari. The auspicious effects from her worship are innumerable.

Eight days Pooja

The eighth power MAA Durga is Mahagauri. Her complexion is very fair. So it's similarised with conch, moon and the Kunda flower. She is supposed to be eight years old, always –

Maa Mahagauri

All her clothes and jewelry are also white. She has four arms. Her vehicle is a bull. Her right upper hand is in the pose of allaying fear and right lower hand holds a trident in it. The left upper hand holds a Damaru and the bottom is in the bag to give the blessing. Her appearance is very calm and serene.

In her Parvati as she practiced the severest possible penance with a desire to have Lord Shiva as her divine consort. She took a vow.

The severe penances her body was black. Lord Siva was pleased in the end. He himself washed her body with the holy water of Ganga. As her complexion had turned into a bright one like lightning. Since then, she was known as Mahagauri.

And worship of Mahagauri recommended for the eighth day of Navaratra Puja. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. All sins of devotees are washed away with the result of her worship. Even accumulated sins are destroyed and in future no sins or sufferings come to him. He may be treated in all respects and becomes fit for inexhaustible virtues.

The meditation or remembrance or worship of Mahagauri is blessing the devotees in every way. We should always meditate upon her. Divine Siddhis are obtained from her grace. A devotee should always meditate on her lotus-feet-sided. She completely removes the pain of her devotees. As a result of her worship the affected adherents may even be impossible made possible. So, everyone should try all means to get shelter under her feet. The Puranas are full of stories glorifying her. She channels the thought waves of the followers of the path of virtue and destroy Asat.

Ninth day Pooja

The last among the nine forms of Durga are Siddhidatri MAA. She is capable of all sorts of occult powers. According to Markandeya Purana there are eight types of these powers - Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Isitwa and Vasitwa. And according Brahmavaivarta Purana, Sri Krishna janma Khand is the number of eighteen who are in-

Maa Siddhidatri

The MAA Siddhidatri is competent enough to provide all Siddhis to contend verse and her supporters. According to Devi Purana Lord Siva acquired these powers only by the grace of this goddess alone. Only because of her grace of Lord Shiva was Ardhanariswara. Siddhidatri The MAA is four-armed. Her vehicle is lion. She sits on a lotus flower. She has a Cakra in her right lower hand and a club in the top. The left side there is a shell in her left hand and a lotus flower. On the ninth day of Navaratra Puja she is worshiped. This day in a prescribed manner and with his full faith Sadhaka'en acquires all the siddhis. That remains something unattainable in the universe. He develops the skills to conquer the entire universe.

It is the duty of every person always trying to appease MUST Siddhidatri and earn her favor. By her grace only a devotee crosses the ocean of misery and the remaining completely untainted, enjoying all worldly pleasure obtains moksa eventually.

Among the nine Durga Siddhidatri is the last. Having grown eight Durga in an appropriate manner on the ninth day devotees undertake her worship. Upon completion of the Siddhidatri's devotees worship and irregular verse get their wish worldly or otherworldly fulfilled. The most important thing is that there is still no such requests in a favorite fan of Siddhidatri as he might wish to meet. To fan transcends all material desires and needs. Spiritually he is moving in the divine abode of Devi and always drinks the nectar of her favor. He is completely devoid of lust and pleasure. The absolute presence of the goddess is the only goal of their actions. After the acquisition, this position is still nothing for him to claim.

Navaratri Story

Story associated with Navratri can be found in various Hindu religious texts like Markandeya Purana, Vamana Purana, Varaha Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, Devi Bhagavatam and Kalika Purana. The story of Navratra is the symbolic message that, however brilliant and powerful evil being, at the end it is the good wins over all the evil. Report is associated with Maa Durga and Mahisasura, the buffalo headed demon.

The story begins in the life of two sons of Danu called Rambha and carried out by extreme asceticism Karambha that power and authority given. If their prayers grew deeper and austerities was exceptional, the king of heaven God Indra was perturbed. Out of fear, he killed Karambha. Rambha, who came to know about his brother's death, became more stubborn to win over the gods. He increased the intensity of austerities and finally got more Boons from the gods as great brilliance, beauty, invincibility in war. He also asked a special request not be killed by either humans or gods or Asuras.

He considered himself immortal and began roaming freely in the garden of Yaksha where he saw a female-buffalo and fell in love with her. To express his love, Rambha disguised in the form of a male-buffalo and copulated with the female buffalo. However, shortly after that there is a real male mating Rambha buffalo buffalo discovered by the side and killed him. That was because Rambha's inflated ego that killed him, which he has not asked for his death to be spared from the wrath of animals. If the stake of Rambha was organized, the female buffalo, who copulated with him jumped into the pyre of Rambha in order to prove her love. She was pregnant at the time. Then came the demon from the head of a buffalo and human body and he was called Mahisasura (Buffalo headed demon).

Mahishasura was extremely powerful. He defeated the gods and demons and acruierd power over the world. He even won over the sky and threw devtas beyond. He conquered the throne of Indra and declared himself to be the lord of the gods. Gods led by Brahma approached Vishnu and Shiva and evaluated them on the situation. To save the gods, came the three supreme gods light of anger, combined with taking the form of a terrible form and this was Durga. All the gods so given this goddess of power with all the top weapons they had. That is why Durga is called brilliance of all the gods.

When the goddess was seen by Mahishasura, he was mesmerized by her beauty. She then fell in love with her and proposed to marry her. The goddess said she will marry him if he defeated her in battle. Then began an eerie and terrible struggle between the two over, which lasted nine days. Finally, the last day, Durga took the form of Chan Dike and stood over the chest of Mahishasura and crushed him with his foot. She then pierced his neck with her spear and cut off his head with her sword. This is the day that is celebrated Vijayadashmi.