NAVARATRI OR THE NINE-DAY WORSHIP OF 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, known as Navaratri Puja, is in the
nature of a Vijaya-Utsava. The nine days’ triumphs are offered to the Mother for Her successful
struggle with the formidable demons led by Sumbha and Nisumbha. But, to the spiritual aspirant in
his life of Sadhana, the particular division of the Navaratri 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 recognise your identity with That, to attain union with That, is
verily to grow into the very likeness of the Divine. The Sadhaka has, 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 lofty virtues and auspicious divine qualities. Thus purified
and rendered full of Sattva, Knowledge flashes upon him like the brilliant rays of the sun upon the
crystal waters of a perfectly calm lake.
WORSHIP OF DURGA
The Eradication of Vices
This process of Sadhana 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. 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 Sadhaka, 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.
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WORSHIP OF LAKSHMI
The Cultivation Of Virtues
Once you have accomplished your task on overcoming 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 Sampat—that Lord Krishna enumerates in the Bhagavad-Gita have to be
acquired. The Sadhaka 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. Hence, this stage is as
important in an aspirant’s career as the previous one. The essential difference is that while 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 Sampat. Lakshmi is the Sampat-Dayini aspect of Brahman. She is
Purity Itself. Thus, worship of Goddess Lakshmi is performed during the second set of three days.
WORSHIP OF SARASVATI
The Dawn Of Supreme Wisdom
Once the aspirant succeeds in routing out the evil propensities and in developing Sattvic,
pure, divine qualities, he becomes an Adhikari. He is ready now to receive the Light of Supreme
Wisdom. He is fit to obtain Divine Knowledge. At this stage comes the devout worship of Sri
Sarasvati, who is Divine Knowledge personified, the embodiment of Brahma Jnana. The sound of
Her celestial Vina awakens the notes of the sublimeMahavakyas and the Pranava. She bestows the
knowledge of the Supreme Nada and then gives full Atma-Jnana as represented by Her pure
dazzling snow-white apparel. To propitiate Sri Sarasvati, 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 Knowledge by the grace of Goddess Sarasvati. The Jiva
rests in its 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! I
am He! Chidananda Rupah Sivoham, Sivoham; Chidananda Rupah Sivoham, Sivoham.
AN ARRANGEMENT THAT ENSURES SPIRITUAL SUCCESS
This arrangement has also a special significance in the aspirant’s spiritual evolution. It
marks the stages of evolution which are indispensable for every Sadhaka, through which every one
should pass. One naturally leads to the other, and to short-circuit this would inevitably result in a
miserable failure. Nowadays, many ignorant Sadhakas aim straight at the appropriation of
Knowledge without the preliminaries of purification and acquisition of Daivi Sampat, and
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complain that they are not progressing in the path. How can they? Knowledge will not descend till
the impurities are washed out and purity is developed. The Sattvic plant can grow on no impure soil.
Follow this arrangement and your efforts will be attended with sure success. This is your
path. No other path is known for salvation. Destroy all evil qualities and develop their opposite
virtues. By this process you would soon bring yourself up to that perfection which would culminate
in the identity with Brahman, which is your Goal. Then all knowledge will be yours, you will be
omniscient and omnipotent, and you will feel your omnipresence. You will see yourself in all. You
will be a Jivanmukta. You shall achieve eternal victory over the wheel of birth and death, over the
demon of Samsara. No more of pain, no more of misery, no more of birth, no more of death for you.
Victory, victory be yours!
Glory unto the Divine Mother! Let Her take you, step by step, to the top of the spiritual
ladder and unite you with the Lord!!