The word Nav means nine/new and Ratri means night. Navratri is celebrated for nine days. The festival is associated with the prominent battle that took place between goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura and is celebrated the victory of good over evil. These night nights are dedicated to nine avatars of the Goddess Durga. This festival is vibrant and knowN for gaiety and colors. Navratri is associated with silence, strong focus, prayers, chanting, and fasting.
In these nine days, the first three days are attributed to Tamas guna, then the next three days are attributed to Rajas guna and the last three days are attributed to Sattva guna. Our Consciousness sails through these three Gunas during Navratri. When Tamas Guna in us is dominant then we feel lethargy, sad, less aware, depressed, etc. When Rajas guna is dominant in us we are very aggressive, angry, irritated, etc. And when sattva Guna is dominant in us then we feel balanced, peaceful and we are more creative and happy.
Throughout our lives, these three Gunas keeps rotating among themselves. Hence it is very important to take a good meal and do fasting once in a while. We are what we eat!
Now, let us know nine avatars(Forms) of Goddess Durga and their significance.
1) SHAILAPUTRI
This is the first form of Goddess Durga. Goddess Shailaputri holds Trishul in one hand and lotus In the other hand and rides a bull called Nandi. On the first day of Navratri Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped. Shaila means the peak. Durga is called the daughter of a peak/Himalaya, and hence named Shaila(Mountain) Putri. It is only when the energy is at its peak, we can notice, recognize, and understand the pure consciousness, that is the goddess. If we are 100 percent angry, then observe how that anger consumes us totally. 100 percent in anything you do, consumes your whole being, that is when Durga is really born. She governs the planet, Moon, worshipping Shailaputri will eliminate all ill effects of the moon.
2) BRAHAMACHARINI
This is the second form of Goddess Durga and worshipped on the second day of Navratri. She wears white cloths, holds Japa mala in the right hand and water utensil, kamandal in the left hand. Brahamacharini means present in the vastness, moving in the vastness. Brahma is the infinity that encompasses everything. She is an unmarried goddess. She signifies loyalty and wisdom. Also, she is the epitome of love. She governs the planet, Mars, and removes all ill effects related to it from one's life.
3) CHANDRAGHANTA
Chandra means moon and ghanta means bell. Chandraghanta means a bell of moon or bell around the moon. This is the third form of Goddess Durga and worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She has 10 hands and always ready for all types of war! She governs the planet, Venus. worshipping her can eliminate ill effects related to planet Venus. Our mind always goes through a range of emotions- sadness, happiness, fear, anxiety, etc just like the moon changes its phases. Moon has a definite impact on our mind, both are connected. Ghanta(bell) has only one sound. Chandra ghanta represents the oneness of energy, emotions, thoughts within us!
4) KHUSHMANDA
Khusmanda means pumpkin. Pumpkin has a unique quality of absorbing prana and radiating prana, it is the most pranic vegetable on the planet. In Ayurveda, there is something called kusmandya Rasayana, Brain tonic. Khushmanda governs Planet Sun, if the sun is weak in your birth chart worshipping this goddess can eliminate the bad effects. Khushmanda provides energy to the sun and the whole universe. She is said to bring positivity to everyone. This is the fourth form of Goddess Durga Devi is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri.
5) SKANDAMATA
Skandamata means the mother of Skanda( God of War). Skandamata is the Divinity that brings forth practical knowledge that puts the knowledge into the action. Skandamat carries a divine son, her power lies in mothers' love. This Goddess governs planet Mercury and eliminates all and effects related to this planet. She has four arms and rides a lion. Skandamata is the fifth form of Goddess Durga and worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri.
6) KATYAYANI
Katyayani is the energy or the shakti form the unknown, which is born out of the anger of the good. She is known as the Warrior goddess, and the most violent form of Durga There is good anger and there is bad anger. Good anger is with wisdom, bad anger is with emotion, with selfishness. Katyayani has three eyes and four hands. Katyayani is the sixth form of Goddess Durga and worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. This Goddess governs planet Jupiter and also eliminates its ill effects.
7) KALARATRI
Kalratri is the name of the most ferocious, fearsome form of the Mother Divine. It is the Durga that causes all the fury in nature. So whenever people foresee such fury coming to the planet, they pray to the divinity. She rules over planet Saturn, all ill effects can be eliminated by praying to Kalaratri. She is the seventh form of Goddess Druga and worshipped don the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark black complexion, four hands, and rides on a donkey.
8) MAHAGAURI
Mahagauri is the eighth form of Durga and worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. She is the most beautiful, totally kind-hearted. she gives blessings to everybody, and grant all wishes. She has four hands and rides on a bull. Mahagauri rules planet Rahu, one can eliminate Rahu's ill effects by adoring this goddess.
9) SIDDHIDHATRI
Siddhidhatri brings perfection in life. You want something and it is already there. Before want arises, you have everything already that is siddhidhatri. She is the ninth form of Goddess Durga and worshipped on the last day of Navaratri. She is seated on a lotus, ride a lion, and has four hands. Siddhidhatri rules over planet Ketu, all ill effects of this planet can be nullified by worshipping her.
These nine forms of Mother Divine are invoked during Navratri.
MEDITATION DURING NAVRATRI
To experience the presence of mother divine it is first suggested to do meditation, in meditation you experience space. When you pray, God listens to you, and when you meditate you listen to god. Meditation alight your Body and mind with nature. Meditation improves brain function and increases grey matter! The benefits of meditation are numerous, you will start experiencing it one by one once you start meditating. During Navratri because of auspicious time, chanting, and fasting, your meditation will take you deeper inside yourself.
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