Once again, the auspicious Navarathri has started. As mentioned earlier in this blog, Navarathri is the worship of Goddess in the forms of Durga , Lakshmi and Saraswathi on nine days followed by Vijayadasami on the tenth day. The first three days we worship Goddess Durga who is “Durgathi Haarini “, one who removes all evil thoughts and evil tendencies from our mind.The aspect of “Tamo Guna” characterised by Mahishasura – the embodiment of greed, absolute laziness(jadatwam) is completely destroyed. Hence she is described as Mahishasura Mardhini.
The next three days Goddess is worshipped as Lakshmi, who is very gentle and kind. She also showers material wealth. The term material wealth also means the “wealth of noble virtues” As per Adi Sankara’s Vivekachoodamani, the six forms of wealth that a human has to strive for are Calmness of mind, Self-control. Self withdrawal,Restrain and Tolerance, Faith and Single Pointedness to conquer the mind and thereby opening the path to attain jnana. At this stage, it is said that the mind is overflowing with purity after destroying the tamasic traits inherent in human.
The last three days, Goddess is worshipped as Saraswathi-the Goddess of Knowledge/Learning and Enlightenment to attain “Atma Jnana – Knowledge of Self”. The Sanskrit word SARA means “essence” and SWA means “self.” Thus, Saraswati means “the essence of the self.” SHE awakens the fire of Sattwa Guna deeply buried in all of us phewing away the ashes of Tamo and Rajo Gunas. Hence SHE is been called as the “Embodiment of Knowledge”.
The final day is Vijayadasami. The term Vijaya denotes “victory”. This victory is something special. It is the victory is of one’s own mind by destroying the Tamo Guna depicting Goddess Durga, attaining Purity of mind as mentioned by Adi Sankara -depicting Goddess Lakshmi, and finally reaching the goal of Spiritual Enlightenment and ABSOLUTE BLISS depicted by Saraswati.
Wishing All Friends / Visitors and Well Wishers a very Divine Navarathri.. 🙂
ANURADHA MAHESH 