From today, the nine-day Hindu festival, Navratri will commence. In the honor of Goddess Durga, these auspicious nine-day worship can bestow power and blessings to the devotees. Maa Durga is also named as Maa Shakti or Goddess of energy. Hinduism regards energy as a feminine aspect which has the power to create and sustain life.
It is believed that the universe was created by Adishakti or the primordial energy of the Divine feminine. Maya or the dark void or the grand illusion holds the universe in its place.
Maya holds the universe within itself while providing a protective environment to its residents. It conceals many mysteries of different dimensions and allows the souls to take the test of life, participate in the world, and resolve their karma.
Maa Adishakti or the primordial energy, the creator of the universe was first born or incarnated as Sati, the daughter of Daksha. Sati was the complete manifestation of Adishakti, unlike Maa Lakshmi or Maa Saraswati who had some elements of this primordial energy in them. Sati chose Lord Shiva as her husband or consort and was born solely to be his better half. But unfortunately, Sati's father Daksha never accepted Lord Shiva and resented him.
On one occasion, post-Sati's marriage to Lord Shiva, Daksha arranged for a big Yajna where he didn't invite his daughter and son-in-law. When Sati came to know of this incident, she was taken back. She went to the ceremony uninvited, only to be humiliated later, by her father. When Daksha went on making demeaning statements about Lord Shiva, Sati couldn't take it anymore and self-immolated herself, burning in the flames of her anger. Lord Shiva lost his temper and there was widespread destruction that ensued. He never came to terms with his beloved wife's death.
Maa Durga, the next incarnation of Sati was born again to be married to Shiva. Her nine forms or Navadurga are worshiped in the Navratri festival. Each form of her is associated with a particular graha. It can help in appeasing the nine grahas of the Vedic astrology system. The grahas are not necessarily mean planets, 'grahas' mean they exert a considerable amount of influence in our lives.
Pray To Shailaputri For Appeasing The Moon
On the first day of Navratri, Maa Shailaputri is worshipped. Maa Durga in her second incarnation was born to Himalaya, the king of mountains. Hence she was named Shailaputri or the 'daughter of mountains'. She wears a crescent moon on her head and rides on a bull.
This form is associated with the Moon, Muladhara chakra, and cow. All three are considered nourishing in nature. Muladhara, the root chakra nourishes all other chakras of the body, the cow nourishes us with milk and the Moon is the significator of Mother who nourishes her child.
Pray To Brahmacharini For Appeasing The Mars
On the second day of Navratri, Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped. Brahmacharini means one who pursues Bramhacharya or abstinence. The planet associated with this form is Mars or Mangal, who himself is known as a celibate god.
After losing Sati, Shiva never chose to marry again. When Shailaputri was born, she spent nearly thousands of years in meditation to achieve Lord Shiva as her husband. Finally, he was pleased with this devotion and agreed to accept her as his wife.
Pray To Chandraghanta For Appeasing The Venus
On the third day of Navratri, Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped. After marrying Shiva who is also known as Chandrashekhar (with-holder of Moon), Maa Durga took up the name of Chandraghanta. She wears a crescent moon on her head, in this form too.
Just like Venus, this form of Goddess Durga is celebrated for beauty. Venus rules the married life, conjugal bliss, and beauty of a woman. Praying to this form of Maa Durga can give one an attractive form and aura.
Pray To Kushmanda For Appeasing The Sun
On the fourth day of Navratri, Maa Kushmanda is worshipped. The graha associated with this form is the Sun. As I have mentioned many times earlier in my articles like Pitru Paksha, the Sun is considered the first ancestor of civilization. He forms the base of creation, procreation, and the sustenance of life.
In the form of Kushamanda, Maa Durga gave birth to illumination and light. She is full of warmth, radiance, and the source of energy behind the Sun. Kushamanda is the creator of the Cosmic Egg, which is a common concept in many religions across the world.
Pray To Skandamata For Appeasing The Mercury
On the fifth day of Navratri, Skandamata is worshipped. Skanda is the other name of Kartikeya, the Hindu god of war. Kartikeya is the first son of Maa Durga. This form of her is worshipped for the fierce maternal aspect that she projects.
She holds her son in the lap while riding on top of the lion. Mercury represents small children in astrology. Praying this form of Durga can protect the children from danger and mishaps.
Pray To Katyayani For Appeasing The Jupiter
On the sixth day of Navratri, Katyayani is worshipped. When gods concentrated their energies to create a warrior goddess, it gave birth to Katyayani. She was shaped by sage Katyayna which is why she is named after him. This fierce form of goddess slayed the demon Mahishasura.
Jupiter is associated with this incarnation of Goddess Durga. He is the significator of positivity and knowledge. By getting rid of inner demons, we can conquer our mind and attain the highest level of knowledge, enlightenment.
Pray To Kalaratri For Appeasing The Saturn
On the seventh day of Navratri, Kalaratri is worshipped. She is the darkest form of goddess Durga. In this fierce ruthless form, she is the destroyer of every kind of negativity. 'Kala' means time and death at the same time, owing to their permanent nature. No one can escape the clutches of these elements.
This form of Nava Durga is associated with Saturn or Shani. He is often feared due to unbiased and strict nature. Unlike, Jupiter he is unforgiving as the upholder of Dharma or the divine justice.
Pray To Mahagauri For Appeasing The Rahu/ North Node
On the eighth day of Navratri, Mahagauri is worshipped. After her dark incarnation as Kalaratri, Durga manifested as the supremely beautiful Mahagauri. She is the goddess of truth, purity, and fairness.
Rahu, or the north node of Moon, is the illusory aspect of the goddess Maya. He generally creates delusions and desires both of which become the cause of the suffering of the world dweller. Those who offer their prayers to Mahagauri can go beyond the duality and three Gunas of the universe (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) and find the ultimate truth. They will not be perturbed by lord Rahu.
Pray To Siddhidhatri For Appeasing The Ketu
On the last day of Navratri, Siddhidhatri is worshipped. 'Siddhi' means supernatural power granted by a deity. In this case, the kind goddess bestows special powers to her devotees.
She is associated with the south node of Moon, lord Ketu. He is the marker of the beginning and the end of the cycle of birth. He also rules intuition, trance stage, the talents of past life, and creativity. By getting his blessings, you can achieve amazing feats and have an endless knowledge of any subject you desire.
Comments
Post a Comment