The Significance and Story of Navratri
.jpg "Hindu mythology goddess Durga story : The Significance and Story of Durga pooja & Navratre")
Hindu mythology goddess Durga story: The Significance and Story of Durga pooja & Navratri
The significance of Navratri puja is not just limited to the worship and devotion of Goddess Durga over nine days, but it is also associated with the honor and power of a woman who single-handedly vanquished the mighty demon Mahishasura, whom no male deity of creation could defeat. When all the gods were failing against the demon, a power took an incarnation to eliminate him, for which all the gods armed her with their respective weapons. Thus, a woman engaged in continuous combat with the demon for nine consecutive days, and when she saved the world from his destruction, the worship of her nine divine forms became the tradition known as Navratri.
However, the significance of Navratri is not only spiritual but also scientific, and it is connected with our nine planets, which we will discuss further. But first, let's understand that four Navratris are celebrated in a year, including two direct Navratris and two hidden Navratris. The Navratris observed in the months of Chaitra and Ashwin are direct Navratris, during which worship of the nine forms of Shakti is performed.
The Navratris observed in the months of Ashadha and Magha are called hidden Navratris, and they involve worship of the ten forms of Shakti. The Navratris observed in the months of Chaitra and Ashwin are called direct Navratris because the worship of the nine forms of the goddess is presented directly to everyone, named - Goddess Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, and Mahagauri. However, the Navratris observed in the months of Ashadha and Magha, which are hidden Navratris, are not presented to everyone. Because in it, the worship of those ten forms of Shakti is performed which are associated with tantric practices and hidden knowledge. These ten great forms of knowledge include Goddess Kali, Tara, Chinnamasta, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Tripura Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Baglamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala. Since the ten forms of the goddess are very fierce and terrifying, their worship is done very specially and secretly. Only the practitioner and their guru are present in the worship place, and there is no crowd.
Navratri affects our nine planets, such as Shailputri, who is called the daughter of the mountain king, her worship removes the affliction of the moon. Brahmacharini, who is the goddess of education, penance, and fasting, her worship removes the affliction of Mars. Goddess Chandraghanta, who is the deity of valor and courage, her worship removes the affliction of Venus. Kushmanda Devi, who resides at the center of the sun, her worships removes the affliction of the sun. Skand Mata, who is considered the deity of name, fame, and progress, her worship removes the affliction of Mercury. Goddess Katyayani, who enhances wealth and prosperity, her worship removes the affliction of Jupiter. Kalratri, who is time for the wicked, her worship removes the affliction of Saturn.
Mahagauri, who relieves pain and suffering, her worship keeps Rahu's affliction at bay. Siddhidatri, who fulfills all accomplishments, her worship removes the affliction of Ketu. Worshiping Navratri gives us both power and accomplishment. Lord Rama also performed Navratri puja on the advice of Narada before the battle with Ravana, and on the tenth day, he killed Ravana, which is called Dussehra. Therefore, this is also associated with Lord Rama. Therefore, on this day, Ravana's effigy is also burnt. The ritual of worship and fasting is made so that it can purify our body and soul. By eating vegetarian food and maintaining purity and tranquility for nine days during Navratri, all the diseases of the body are eradicated, and we gain new energy for a year, so the importance of worship and fasting is not only spiritual but also scientific.
