Navratri

OR THE NINE-DAY WORSHIP OD DEVI

Religious observances, traditional worship, and Vratas have, at times, more than one significance. Apart from being the adoration of the Divine, they are commemorative of stirring bygone events, allegoric when interpreted from the occult standpoint, and are significant pointers guiding the Jiva on his path to Realisation.

Outwardly, the nine days’ worship of Devi or the Mother, is in the nature of a Vijaya-Utsav. These nine days’ triumphs are offer to the Mother for her successful struggle with formidable demons led by Shumbha and Nishumbha. But, to the spiritual aspirant in his life of Sadhana, the particular division of the Navarathri into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the Supreme Goddess has got a very sublime, yet thoroughly practical, truth to reveal. In its cosmic aspect, it epitomises the stages of the evolution of man into God, from Jivahood to Sivahood. In its individual import, it shows the course that his spiritual Sadhana should take.

Now, the central purpose of existence is to recognise your eternal identity with the Supreme Spirit. It is to grow into the image of the Divine. The Supreme One embodies the highest perfection. It is spotless purity, Niranjana. To recognize your identity with That, to attain union with that, is verily to grow into the very likeness of the Divine. The Sadhakhas, therefore as the initial step, to get rid of the countless impurities, and the undivine elements, that have come to cling to him in his embodied state. Then he has to acquire loft virtues, auspicious divine qualities. Thus purified and rendered full of Sattwa, Knowledge flashes upon him like the brilliant rays of the sun upon the crystal waters of a perfectly calm lake.


WORSHIP OF DURHA
Or The Eradication of Vices
This Process of Sadhan implies resolute will, determined effort, and arduous struggle. In other words, strength, infinite Sakti, is the prime necessity. It is the Divine Mother, Supreme Sakti of Brahman, that has to operate through the aspirant. Then consider how, on the first three days, Mother is adored as Power, Force ---- Durga, the Terrible. You pray to Mother Durga to destroy all your impurities, your vices, your defects. She is to fight with and annihilate the baser animal qualities in the Sadhak, the lower Asura in his nature. Also, She is the power that protects your Sadhana from its many dangers and pitfalls. Thus, the first three days, marking the first stage of destruction of Mala (impurities) and determined effort and struggle to root out the evil Vasanas in your mind, are set apart for the worship of the Destructive Aspect of the Mother.


WORSHIP OF LAKSHIMI
Or The Cultivation Of Virtues
Once you have accomplished your task on the negative side, that of breaking down the impure Vasanas, Propensities and old habits, the next step is to build up a sublime spiritual personality, to acquire positive qualities in place of the eliminated Asuric qualities. The Divine qualities ---- Daivi Sampath ---- that Lord Krishna enumerates in the Gita have to be acquired. The Sadhak must cultivate and develop all the auspicious qualities. He has to pile up immense spiritual wealth to enable him to pay the price for the rare gem of divine wisdom ( Jnana Ratna). If this development of the opposite qualities ( Pratipaksha Bhavana) is not undertaken in right earnest, the Old Asuric nature will raise its head again and again . Hense, this stage is as important in am aspirant’s career as the previous one. The essential difference is: the former is a ruthless,determined annihilation of the filthy, egoistic, lower self; the latter is an orderly, steady, Calm, and serene effort to develop purity. This pleasanter side of the aspirant’s Sadhana is depicted by the worship of Mother Lakshmi. She bestows on Her devotees the inexhaustible wealth or Daivi Sampath. Lakshmi is the Sampath-Dayini aspect of Brahman. She is Purity Itself. Thus, worship of Goddess Lakshmi id preformed during the second set of three days.


WORSHIOP OF SARASWATHI
Or The Dawn Of Supreme Wisdom
Once the aspirant succeeds in routing out the evil propensities and in developing Sattwic, pure, divine qualities, he becomes an Adhikari. Hi is ready now to receive the Light of Supreme Wisdom. He is fit to obtain Divine Knowledged. As this stage comes the devout worship of Sri Sarawathi, who is Divine Knowledge personified, the embodiment of Brahma Jnana. The sound of Her celestial Veena awakens the notes of the sublime Mahavakyas and the Pranava. She bestows the Knowledge of the Supreme Nada and then gives full Atma Jnan as represented by Her pure dazzling snow-white apparel. To propitiate Sri Saraswathi, the giver of Jnana, is, therefore, the third stage.

The tenth day ---- Vijaya Dasami --- marks the triumphant ovation of the Jiva at having attained Jivanmukti through the descent of Knowlwdge by the grace of Goddess Saraswathi. The Jiva rests in his own supreme Self of Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute). This day celebrates the victory, the achievement of the Goal. The banner of victory flies aloft. Lo! I AM He! Chidananda Rupa Sivoham, Sivoham; Chidananda Rupa Sivoham, Sivoham;