Navratri - The Innner Awakening

Navratri - The Inner Awakening - Discover the Sakti WithinWhen neither my Ego nor Expectation dampen my spirit.When my mind becomes focused and a calm envelops me.When I know that there is more to what I am.When the quest to know the self beginsWhen the divinity does not seem distant.When the divine in me is unveiled.When the blazing seed of awakening blinds, the outer world and illumines the world within.When under the shower of divine bliss one blossom.When the taker is no more and the giver is born.Let’s invoke the divine within and let her reveal herself.——————————————————Ramayan and now Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapuran, both have placed a lot of emphasis on the Sati, Parvati and Shiv Story. The question arises as to what are they trying to convey. In order to understand our scriptures one has to delve deeper into the hidden gems in the stories. From the tales to the names, every detail is there for a reason. During the Nine days of Navratri, each day different forms of Devi is worshiped;Day 1 - ShelputriDay 2 - BhramachariniDay 3 - ChandraghantaDay 4 - KushmandaDay 5 - SkandamataDay 6 - KatyayiniDay 7 - KalratriDay 8 - Maha GauriDay 9 - SidhidatriThe nine days can also be divided into 3 parts as;Day 1-3 - DurgaDay 4-6 - LaxmiDay 7-9 - SaraswatiDay 1-3 - TamasDay 4-6 - RajasDay 7-9 - SatvaDay 1-3 - GrossDay 4-6 - CausalDay 7-9 - SubtleIt is also worth nothing that there are 4 Navratri in a year, of which 2 are the ‘Gupth’ hidden Navratris.Many gurus also go on to say that, every month, after the Amavasya - the following 3 days are Navratri. The energy and the Nakshatras at this time of Navratri is conducive for Sadhana, where the universe is reaching out to connect to the Sadhak.Lets try and understand why this particular sequence of worship is followed during the nine days of Navratri.———————————————————Lets delve deeper into the interpretation and analyse them based on the sequence in which the Devi has been worshipped.Day 1 - Shelputri (A journey from Sati to Parvati)Story:Sati is the daughter of Prajapati Daksha and Prasuti. She goes against the wishes of her father and marries Shivji. Daksha demeans Shivji in one of the yagnas, where shivji did not stand to great Daksha. Later, he does not invite Sati and Shivji to another Yagna. Sati goes despite being deterred by Shivji. There she witness that there is not place kept for Shivji, this is a great insult. She gets furious and refuses to be associated with Daksha anymore and burns herself. What follows is destruction and mayhem. Later shivji and his ganas are pacified and everything restored. Sati is reborn to Himavan and is named Parvati (Shelputri). She grows up oblivious of her past and purpose, till reminded by Narad Muni. Interpretation:‘When neither my Ego nor Expectation dampen my spiritWhen my mind becomes focused and a calm envelops meWhen I know that there is more to what I am’Daksha = EgoSati = Fickle mindBurning = Gyan (True knowledge)Himavan = Calm and composedParvati = Focused intellectShiv = Divine bliss (God)When one disconnects with Ego and cleans the mind with the help of true knowledge, the person becomes calm and composed and with one pointed intellect is able to seek the Divine bliss.Here, Narad muni acts as a facilitator, or the igniter of the spark of knowledge When the divine spark is ignited one realises that there is more to ones self than meets the eye. The true ‘I’ needs to be found.Day 2 - BrahmachariniStory:She goes to do the greatest of tapasya to reach her Lord Shiva. When one aspires the universe conspires. All the devtas and Sidhas help her reach her goal. here she is known as Bhramacharini, who is successful in winning the blessings of shiva. Due to extensive tapas, her body is all bones. Ganga poured by Lord Shiv revives her, she becomes radiant again and is known as Maha Gauri.Interpretation: ‘When the quest to know the self begins’Ones the desire to know the self arises, begins the effort. If the effort is sincere, pure and selfless, the entire Universe conspires when that One aspires. But, first tremendous effort and a single pointed destination has to be set. One has to burn ones bridges and more forward. The Sages and Gods are the universe that is conspiring, when Brahmacharini is aspiring.At that point the divine (or the destination, Shiva) get pulled and compelled to reveal the self. Day 3 - ChandraghantaStory:The wedding preparations happen and the wedding day arrives. The grooms procession petrifies the the girls side. On the request of Parvati, Shivji shuns his terrifying look and is adorned by Vishnuji. Parvati adorns the half moon on her forehead, to show her appreciation for Shivji, who always has a half moon on his Jata. Hence, she is named as ChandraGanta.Interpretation: ‘When the divinity does not seem distant’When the divine reveals itself, the seeker sees that he/she posses qualities which are not too different from the one that he seeks. The Sadhan has purified one so much that the distinction diminishes. Or it would be better so say that the veil has began to unveil and the bliss within him/her has begans to reveal itself.She adorns the moon that Shivji has on his Jatta, which signifies that I am but a ‘Amsha’ a part of you. Day 4 - KushmandaStoryThere was nothing only dark space and there existed energy. This energy was known as Kushmanda - The cosmic egg or the cosmic seed of energy. Goddess kushmanda created the universe from the radiance of her smile. She is the mother of creation. The universe has just been created, Brahmaji is trying to figure out the nature and purpose of his existence, when he is attacked by Madhu and Kaithab. He looks down and goes to Garbodak Shayi Vishnu, who is lying on sesha naag without Laxmi. He later learns that these two demons have come from the ears of Vishnu himself. Vishnuji summons Para Shakti and with her help destroys these two demons. Interpretation‘When the divine in me is unveiled’When the seeker keeps walking on, the Sadhan does not stop and the effort does not diminish. The revelation that ‘I am that’ ’Tat Tvam Ashi’ dawn.It is an experience that changes ones outlook. Then begins the journey inwards with conviction, that I am that divine energy. At that point in time, the outer sweet or bitter words or experiences do affect our state of mind. The realisation that I am beyond all this becomes the truth of our existence. At this point effortlessly, one after another layers of vices slowly start dissolving, the devi within has awakened. Day 5, Day 6 and Day 7StorySkandamataThey both have a son called Skanda or Kartikeya. Who is raised by the Kritikas and is the one who defeats the demon Tarakasur. Parvati the mother of Skanda is also known as Skandamata.Katyayini - Mahishasur MardiniThere was this Demon called Mahishasur who was born to Ramba and Mahishi (an afsara who was cursed and became a water buffalo). He was ruthless and fearless, as he had a boon that no one could destroy him except a woman. Taking woman to be powerless, he considered himself immortal.All the Gods, summoned Para Shakti and she promised to come and help them. She was born to Sage Katyayan. She grew up to be a beautiful girl. One day Chand and Munda two demon saw her and felt that she would be a perfect fit for Mahishasur. Dundubi was sent to her to ask her to marry Mahishashur. She said that only the one who won against her in a battle could marry her. The preparations for the battle happened. The Gods descended and each granted her his power and weapons. They made her so powerful that all the Gods put together, was the power she possessed.The battle began Dhundubi and thousands of demons were destroyed. Chanda Munda escaped. Mahisahur finally came to the battle field and a fierce battle took place. after 9 days on the 10 th day Katyayini slayed him, at that time he was half demon and half buffalo. Here, on she was known as Mahishasur Mardini.Kalratri (also known as Shubham Kari)Ones there were two bothers called Shumbh and Nishumb. They were troubling the devas and Indra had gone into hiding as he could not defeat them. Chanda, Munda and Rakthbeej had joined hands with Shunbh and Nishubh, after Mahishasur was destroyed. Again Sumbh and Nishumbh wanted Kaushaki to marry one of them. To which she again said only the one who could defeat her in battle would be able to woe her. A fierce battle followed. She destroyed Chanda, Munda and was known as chamunda and later Ruru and all the other demons. There was a demon called Rakhtbeej who had a special boon. Every drop of blood shed from his body would create another Rakthbeej....