The nine nights of Navratri (nava=nine
or new, ratri=night), celebrated in
some parts of India, are
also known as Durga Navratras or Ashwain Navratras, as they are observed during
the Hindu month of Ashwin, from mid-September-mid-October. Navratri
is divided into three sets of three days to adore three different aspects of
the Supreme Goddesses: Durga as Kali, as Lakshmi and as Saraswati. The first
three days she manifests as the spiritual force of Kali, to destroy our
impurities. The second three days, she is adored as the giver of spiritual
wealth, Lakshmi: true spiritual wealth has the power of bestowing those devoted
to Spirit with inexhaustible material wealth because they learn how to
transmute energy into matter. The final
three days are spent worshipping Saraswati, the symbol of wisdom, which is
steady and triumphs all evils. To have well-rounded success in life, we must
look inside and develop all three aspects of the Divine feminine.
During Navratri, especially
Durgāshtami, one can achieve very high energy fields if worship of shakti is
done properly. This includes fasting with only fruits and clean water,
ingestion of sattvic foods that will allow one’s energies and chakras to flow
smoothly. During these nine nights,
Durga will give special attention to ghosts and spirits, resolving their
ignorance and darkness and transforming them into good things.
Narrated in ‘Devi Kavacha’ of the
Chandipatha scripture, the nine names of goddess Durga are Shailaputri,
Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmānda, Skanda-mata, Katyayani,
Kaalratri, and Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
The 9 Durga forms celebrated are the symbols of the 9 powers we
have within. These 9 incarnations are worshipped during Nav-ratri and symbolize
strength, austerity/brahmacharya, awareness, sacrifice, simplicity, knowledge,
fearlessness, patience and seva(service to others).
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