Navaratri - An Exposition by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

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NAVARATRI - An Exposition by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

 

Navaratri

 

Meaning

 

"Navaratri means nine nights. Darkness is associated with night.

What is this darkness? It is the darkness of ignorance." Sai Baba,

SS, 11/92, p. 267

 

"Navaratri means 'nine nights'. What does the nine signify? There

are nine 'Grahas' (planets according to astrology). The human body

has nine openings. If a deep inquiry is made, it will be found that

mankind is dependent on the planets (Grahas). Although astrologers

speak about nine, in reality, there are only two planets that

matter. They are 'Raga' (attachment) and Dwesha (hatred)." Sai Baba,

SS, 11/94, p. 289

 

"The six enemies of man are eating into his vitals, embedded in his

own inner consciousness. They are the demons to be killed. They are

lust (Kama), anger (Krodha), greed (Lobha), attachment (Moha), pride

(Mada), and malice (Matsarya). They reduce man to the level of a

demon. They have to be overpowered and transmuted, by the Supreme

Alchemy of the Divine Urge. Then, the nine (Nava) nights (Ratri) of

struggle will become new (Nava), a new type of night, devoted to the

purification of the mind, illumination of the soul - the night

described in the Gita as "the day of the worldly". What is clear and

attractive to the ordinary man is uninteresting and unknown to the

Yogi. What is clear and attractive to the Yogi is uninteresting and

unknown to the worldly man. This is the nature of this topsy-turvy

world." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VIII, dis dtd 12-10-69, p. 107

 

Shirdi Sai Baba Was Born On The First Night Of Navaratri

 

"All festivals have been designed to teach men how to lead a godly

life while carrying out worldly activities. It is to teach this

truth to mankind that Avatars and saints made their advent on earth

from time to time. This day (the first day of Navaratri) has another

special significance. Shirdi Sai Baba was bom on 27 September 1838.

He was born in a poor Brahmin family in a village of Aurangabad

District".

 

Sai Baba, SS, 11/92. p. 255. Discourse date: 27 September 1992

 

Purpose

 

'The Navaratri is a festival to commemorate the victory of the good

over the evil. The Embodiment of Divine Power (Para-Shakti), in its

various manifestations, Satwic (as Maha- Saraswati), Rajasic (as

Maha-Lakshmi), Tamasic (as Mahakali) was able to overcome the forces

of vice, wickedness and egoism, during the nine days' struggle and

finally, on Vijaya Dashami (Dasara, the tenth Day commemorating

victory), the valedictory worship is done". Sai Baba, SSS, Vol.

VIII. discourse on 12-10-69, p. 107

 

The purpose of the Navaratri celebration is to enable man to get rid

of nine types of darkness, which have taken hold of him. Sai Baba,

SS, 11/92, p. 267

 

"The Navaratri festival is observed by contemplating on God for ten

days, cleansing one's self of all the impurities to experience the

Divinity within." Sai Baba, SS, 11/94. p. 291

 

"This festival (Navaratri) is intended to make man realise his true

worth as the most precious object in creation. All things in the

world derive their value from the labour and skill of man." Sai

Baba. SS, 11/94. p. 289

 

"It is a festival of thanksgiving. Gratitude is Divine. Ingratitude

is demonic. But while offering the homage of gratitude, you must

also try to discover who was killed, who was saved, and why." Sai

Baba, SSS, Vol. VIII, discourse on 12-10-69, p. 107

 

"The Navaratri celebration is an occasion for revering nature

(Prakriti) and considering how natural resources can be used

properly in the best interest of mankind. Resources like water, air,

power and minerals should be used properly and not misused or

wasted. Economy in the use of every natural resource is vital.

Pollution of the air has many evil consequences. The inner

significance of observances like Nagar Sankirtan and Bhajans is to

fill the atmosphere with sacred vibrations and holy thoughts. The

inauguration of the Navaratri celebrations means that you should use

this occasion for offering worship to nature and resolving to make

sacred use of all natural resources." Sai Baba. SS, 11/92, p. 269

 

"So, the Navaratri is to be dedicated by all for the propitiation of

the outer as well as the inner divinity, so that the outer and the

inner worlds may have peace and joy. By means of systematic Sadhana,

it is possible to tap the inner resources that God has endowed on

man, and elevate yourselves to the purer and happier realm of the

Reality. That is the message of Navaratri, the Nine Day's Festival

celebrating the victory of the Primal Energy. That energy, when it

is manifested in its quiet aspect (Satvic), is delineated as the

Great Teacher and Inspirer, Maha-Saraswati; when it is active and

potent (Rajasic), the great Provider and Sustainer, Maha-Lakshmi;

when it is dull and inactive, but latent and apparently quiet

(Tamasic), as the Great Dark Destroyer and Deluder, Mahakali. Since

Shakti is all-pervasive, omni-potent, infinitesimal as well as all-

comprehensive, it can be contacted everywhere, in outer nature or

inner consciousness. Prahlada told his doubting father: 'Why doubt,

discuss and delay? Seek it anywhere; you can see It.' It is near and

far, before, behind, beside and inside, everything in the known and

the unknown world. People dare describe Her or Him, as thus and

thus; that reveals only their faculty to guess. No description can

portrait in full." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VI, discourse on 4-10-67, p.

83

 

"Our Vice-Chancellor described Swami's love as that of a thousand

mothers. But, one who cannot understand the love of one mother, how

can he understand the love of a thousand mothers? So, first and

foremost try to understand and experience the love of your physical

mother. Go on adding to the physical mother's love a millions times.

The divinity principle of the God lies in this love, which is your

life principle. Experience this love and understand the significance

of mother worship in Navaratri." Sai Baba, SS, 7/99. p. 186

 

Three Phases Of Navaratri Celebrations

 

"The Navaratri has been divided into three parts. The first three

days are dedicated to the worship of Durga, next three days to the

worship of Lakshmi and last three days to the worship of Saraswati.

All Hindu festivals have a sacred purpose. Unfortunately, now-a-days

the festivals are observed only with external rituals without

understanding their inner meaning. In the performance of all forms

of worship, there should be steadiness of mind and body. Only then

concentration can be achieved. Today men are unable to maintain

steadiness of body and mind." Sai Baba. SS, 11/92, p. 268

 

Purpose Of Devi Worship

 

"Ichcha-Shakti (the Will Power) arises from thoughts. This 'Iccha-

Shakti' is the source of several other potencies like intellectual

power, the discriminating capacity and others. To develop

this 'Ichcha-Shakti' (Will Power), one has to worship Devi. This

calls for the cultivation of renunciation or detachment. For

instance, if one has a desire for various drinks, he can bring the

desire under control by giving up, to begin with, the desire for

some of them. Thereby the Will Power (Ichcha-Shakti) is developed,

and in due course, it becomes easier to give up other desires. In

Vedantic parlance, this is described as 'Vairaagya' (renouncing all

attachments). Vairaagya is not abandonment of hearth and home and

retiring to a forest. It means developing godly thoughts and

reducing worldly feelings. It is when this balanced development

takes place that one acquire-control over the powers of nature

(Praakrita Shakti). When these powers are got, the mental power in a

person increases." Sai Baba, SS, 12/92, pp. 304 & 305

 

"The Devi Puja performed during Navaratri is intended to get rid of

worldly attachments and divert-the mind towards God." Sai Baba, SS,

12/92, p. 305 -

 

Devi Is Satya-Swaroopini

 

"You worship Devi (goddess) in these nine days of Navaratri. You

consider Devi as your Divine Mother. This Devi is called 'Sathya

Swaroopini', which means she is the embodiment of truth. So,

worshipping Truth amounts to worshipping Devi. If you understand and

follow this truth, you will be successful in every field. The Vedas

also proclaim this Principle of Truth." Sai Baba. SS. 11/98, p. 283

 

Symbolism Of Devi Worship

 

"The world is a manifestation of three Gunas (Satva, Rajas and Tamas

qualities). The Divine is worshipped as "Devi". The term "Devi"

refers to the feminine aspect. The term "Stree" is used to denote a

woman. There are three syllables in this term: "Sa", Ta"

and "Ra". "Sa" symbolizes the Satvic aspect of a person. The Satvic

quality is the very first quality that manifests in man. The feeling

of love develops from the mother. It is impossible to describe the

nature of maternal love. The mother converts her own blood into love

and gives it as milk to feed the child. Therefore, the first quality

represented by "Sa" is the Satvic quality. The second syllable

is "Ta". This does not represent "Tatva" or "Taamas" as eating and

sleeping. In the term "Stree", the syllable "Ta" represents

bashfulness, modesty, self-esteem and other such traits which are

the characteristics of women. Shyness is a predominant trait in

women. They attach great value to their honour and reputation. It is

because of these sacred qualities that her "Tamasic" aspect is

significant. The common view regarding the "Tamasic" quality does

not apply to them. The third quality symbolized by the syllable "Ra"

is Rajas. Such qualities as sacrifice and high-mindedness in women

reflect the Rajasic aspect of their nature. When necessary, women

will be prepared even to sacrifice their lives to safeguard their

honour. Without regard to the difficulties and troubles they may

encounter, women are ready to make any sacrifice to protect their

honour and self-respect. When the "Tamasic" elements attempt to

subvert the Satvic qualities, they are ready to combat and vanquish

them.

 

The term "Devi" thus represents the Divine Power which has taken the

Rajasic form to suppress the evil forces and protect the Satvic

qualities. When the forces of injustice, immorality and untruth have

grown to monstrous proportions and are indulging in a death dance,

when selfishness and self-interest are rampant, when men have lost

all sense of kindness and compassion, the Atmic principle, assuming

the form of Shakti (energy/ power), taking on the Rajasic quality,

seeks to destroy the evil elements. This is the inner meaning of the

Festival. When the Divine Goddess is in dreadful rage assumes a

fearful form, to pacify the dreaded Goddess, her feminine children

offer worship to Her with red kumkum (sacred powder). The Goddess

seeing the blood-red kumkum at Her feet, feels assured that the

wicked have been vanquished and assumes Her benign form. The inner

meaning of the worship of "Devi" with red kumkum is that thereby the

Goddess is appeased. During the ten days of the (Navaratri and)

Dasara, the demons in the form of wicked qualities have been routed.

Rakshasas (demons) do not mean demonic beings. Arrogance is a demon.

Bad thoughts are demons". Sai Baba. SS, 11/91, pp. 284 & 285

 

Forms And Manifestations Of Shakti

 

"During these sacred nine days (Navaratri), people go through the

sacred texts such as Devi Bhagavatam, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

People also worship the deities Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Goddess Gayatri is the presiding deity of our senses. Savitri is the

presiding deity of speech. All these three are within the same

Principle of Truth. Gayatri Mantra begins with 'Om Bhur Bhuvah

Svah'. 'Bhuh' means materialization (Body); 'Bhuvah' means Vibration

(Life Principle); Svaha means Radiation (Atma).

 

During these nine days, Goddess Shakti (Energy Principle) is

worshipped. Truth, righteousness, peace, forgiveness are all

expressions of the Principle of Shakti. Truth is the primal cause.

There is nothing other than this. All faculties of energy are

present in this Truth. So, consider Truth as your mother and follow

it. The Vedas proclaim, 'Satyam Vada; Dharmam Chara', which means

speak the truth and follow the righteousness. Unfortunately, today

people do not follow this. On the contrary they follow Asatya

(untruth) and Adharma (unrighteousness)" Sai Baba. SS, 11/98, p. 284

 

Durga, Lakshmi And Saraswati Symbolize Three Potencies

 

"Bharatiyas (people of India) have been celebrating the Navaratri

festival from ancient times as a mode of worship of Devi (the Divine

as Mother). They worship Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati during these

nine days. Who are these? They are three forms, which have

fascinated man. Their esoteric significance is represented by three

potencies (Shaktis). They are Karma (action), Upaasana (worship) and

Jnana (wisdom). Their potencies have been given other names". Sai

Baba. SS. 11/94, p. 282

 

"The significance of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati has to be rightly

understood. Three represent three kinds of potencies in man. Ichchaa

Shakti (will power), Kriyaa Shakti (the power of action) and Jnana

Shakti (the power of discrimination). Saraswati is manifested in man

as the power of speech (Vaak). Durga is present in the form of

dynamism (the power of action). Lakshmi is manifested in the form of

will power. The body indicates "Kriyaa Shakti". The mind is the

repository of"Ichchaa Shakti". The Atma is "Jnana Shakti". "Kriya

Shakti" comes from the body, which is material. The power that

activates the body, which is inert and makes it vibrant, is "Ichchaa

Shakti". The power that induces the vibrations of'khchaa Shakti"

is "Jnana Shakti" which causes radiation (of energy). These three

are represented by the Mantra "OM Bhur-Bhuvah-Svah". "Bhu"

represents Bhu-loka (earth). "Bhuvah." represents the life-force

(also means conscience of man), "Svah" represents the power of

radiation. All the three are present in man. Thus, Durga, Lakshmi

and Saraswati dwell in the human heart." Sai Baba. SS. 11/94. pp.

283 & 284

 

"The Vedas declare that whenever the mind wanders, the three worlds

will be perceived. What are these three worlds? All are familiar

with the pronouncements in the Gita and in the Gayatri Mantra. The

three worlds are: Bhu, Bhuvah, Svah (the Bhu-loka,Bhuvar-loka and

Swarga). These three are present in man: Aadibhoutika, Aadidaivika

and Aadhyatmik). These three worshipped by our ancients are: Durga,

Lakshmi and Saraswati. Every form is that of Durga, the deity that

is associated with energy (Shakti). There is infinite power within

man, power that is beyond comprehension and which is divine. But he

makes no effort to recognise it. What is the power that makes the

earth revolve round itself? It is not any machine or mantra. The

power is within the earth itself. This energy, present in man and

other objects, has been characterized as cosmic power. The sun

derives its energy and effulgence from this cosmic source. It is the

same cosmic source that accounts for the power of the human mind and

the marvellous power of the eye to see the most distant stars." Sai

Baba, SS, 11/94. p. 287 & 288

 

"The energy in man is a primordial power (AdiShakd). It is

termed 'OM'. This power permeates the physical world (Prakriti) of

matter. There is another power, which animates this material

substance. This is the power of vibration. It is termed 'Prana

Shakti (the Life-force). It is this Life-force which activates every

part of the human body. This is termed 'Bhuvah'. Lakshmi symbolizes

this power. Lakshmi is the embodiment of that power, which enables a

human being to see, to hear and to do many things. Lakshmi

represents the power to see what is good, to hear what is good, to

speak sweet words, to entertain good thoughts and to do good deeds.

The Lakshmi principle accounts for the good, happy, auspicious

happening in the world. The third form of energy is symbolized by

Saraswati. She is regarded as the Goddess of Speech (Vak Devata)

Lakshmi is Praana Swaroopini (the embodiment of the life-force)

Durga is Shakti -Swaroopini (embodiment of physical energy). (These)

three in their unified expression represent the Atmic Principle."

Sai Baba, SS, 11/94, p. 288

 

Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati Symbolize Three Qualities

 

"Men are prone to exhibit Rajasic qualities like anger and hatred.

They are menacing manifestations of Durga. The extolling of the

Divine in song and poetry and the pleasing vibrations produced by

them indicate the power of Saraswati. The pure qualities that arise

in man such as compassion, love, forbearance and sympathy are

derived from Lakshmi. When people worship Durga, Lakshmi and

Saraswati externally in pictures or icons, they are giving physical

forms to the subtle potencies that are within them. The unfortunate

predicament of man today is that he is not recognising the powers

within him and developing respect for them. He goes after the

external, attracted by the physical forms. The relationship between

the material and the subtle has to be understood." Sai Baba, SS,

11/94, p. 284

 

Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati Natural Powers

 

"During the Dasara festival, three goddesses - Durga, Lakshmi and

Saraswati -are worshipped according to certain traditional

practices. Durga represents the prodigious power of nature (Prakrit-

shakti). As against this power of nature is the Paraa-Shakti (the

power of the spirit). When spiritual power is predominant, the power

of nature is kept under control. When spiritual power is weak, the

power of nature becomes predominant. This is illustrated by the

example of smoke and fire. When smoke is predominant, the fire is

suppressed. When the fire is blazing, the smoke vanishes. Hence, to

enhance the power of spirit and limit the power of nature, man has

to cultivate detachment (Vairaagya). To the extent that power of

nature is under control, to that extent spiritual power

grows. "Ichchaa-Shakti" is one of the of several other potencies

like intellectual power, the discriminating capacity and others. To

develop this "Ichchaa-Shakti" (will power), one has to

worship "Devi". This calls for the cultivation of Tyaaga (detachment

or renunciation). For instance, if one has a desire for various

drinks, he can bring the desires under control by giving up, to

begin with, the desire for one of them. Thereby the Will Power

(Ichchaa-Shakti) is developed and in due course, it becomes easier

to give up other desires. In Vedantic parlance this is described

as "Vairaagya" (renouncing attachments). Vairaagya is not

abandonment of hearth and home and retiring to a forest. It means

developing godly thoughts and reducing worldly feelings. When this

balanced development takes place, one acquires control over the

powers of nature (Praakrita-Shakti). When these powers are got, the

mental power in a person increases. Durga represents the Praakrita-

Shakti and Lakshmi represents the Thought Power (Sankalpa Shakti).

Vaak-Shakti (the power of speech), is represented by Saraswati. In

order to acquire these three powers, various forms of worship are

performed during the Navaratri festival. But prayers alone are not

enough. Prayers should not be just from the lips. They should

emanate from the heart. The heart (Hridaya) symbolizes the Ocean of

Milk (Ksheera-saagara). When Lakshmi emerges, purity of speech

follows. Whatever you speak should conform to truth." Sai Baba, SS.

12/92. pp.304 & 305.

 

Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati Symbolize Mother

 

"Recognising one's mother as the very embodiment of all divine

forces, one must show reverence to her and treat her with love. This

is the true message that the Navaratri festival gives us. The

Supreme Shakti manifests herself in the form of Durga, Lakshmi, and

Saraswati. Durga grants to us energy - physical, mental, and

spiritual. Lakshmi bestows on us wealth of many kinds, not just

money, but intellectual wealth, the wealth of character, and others.

Even health is a kind of wealth. She grants untold riches to us.

Saraswati bestows on us intelligence, the capacity for intellectual

enquiry and the power of discrimination. The Navaratri festival is

celebrated in order to proclaim to the world the power of these

goddesses. One's own mother is a combination of all these divine

beings. She provides us energy, wealth, and intelligence. She

constantly desires our advancement in life. So, she represents all

the three goddesses that we worship during the Navaratri festival.

If the Pandavas were able to become so dear to Krishna and make

their lives worthy by serving Him, it was not on account of their

own merit or austerities. It was Kunti Devi's love for them that

brought to them such a great fortune. Even when they had to live in

the forest or in the House of Wax, she always stayed with them and

prayed for their welfare. The Pandavas also reciprocated her love,

and that accounts for their final victory. Lakshmana, likewise, was

able to dwell in the forest with his brother Rama, serving

ceaselessly, only because of his mother Sumitra's blessings". Sai

Baba, SS, 11/88. p. 290

 

"There is no need to propitiate Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati for

material prosperity, energy and worldly knowledge. If we love and

adore the mother, we shall be showing our love and devotion to all

these goddesses. One's mother is greater than heaven itself. Sri

Rama himself declared that one's mother and motherland are greater

than even heaven. The Navaratri festival teaches this profound

truth. One must remember that reverence to one's own mother is one's

paramount duty. If one's mother is unhappy, all expenditure one

incurs and all the worship one offers in the name ofDurga, Lakshmi

and Saraswati in the Navaratri festival will yield no fruit". Sai

Baba, SS, 11/88. p. 291

 

Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati Symbolize The Supreme Divine

 

"The Navaratri festival should not be observed as a festival for

worshipping the consorts of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. These

goddesses symbolize divine potencies. All these potencies are

derived from Vishnu. The entire cosmos is a manifestation of the

myriad forms of Vishnu. People must recognise this oneness

underlying the different forms. All beings breathe the same air as

their life-breath. Likewise all the five basic elements are the

stuff of nature. But in the Para-Tatwa (the Supreme Principle, the

Divine), these do not exist. The elements are mortal. The Divine is

immortal. To proceed from the mortal to the immortal, the easiest

means is the cultivation of the Divine Love (Prema). The heart is

like a sky wherein the clouds in the form of thoughts hide the

Buddhi (the intellect) and the mind representing the sun and the

moon. Vairaagya (detachment) is the means to get rid of thoughts and

desires arising from them. The Devi Puja performed during Navaratri

is intended to get rid of worldly attachments and divert the mind

toward God. There are four different qualities in man: humanness,

the animal nature, demonic nature, and divine nature. When man

follows the dictates of the body, he is a prey to his animal nature.

When he is subject to the vagaries of the mind, he becomes demonic.

When he is following the Atma (conscience), he is manifesting his

divinity. When he is governed by all the three- the body, the mind

and the Atma, he is human". Sai Baba, SS, 12/92, p. 305

 

"Vishnu pervades the cosmos as His body. All things in the cosmos

are limbs of the body of Vishnu. Hence, no one should have any

aversion to anything in the universe. He should not hate anyone,

because the same Divine is present in you and in everything in the

universe. The cosmos has three forms: the gross, the subtle and the

casual. The physical universe represents the gross form. The subtle

form is the mind, and subtler than the mind is the Atma". Sai Baba,

SS. 11/92. p. 270

 

Lakshmi Puja

 

"Let me tell you frankly, I do not like this Lakshmi Puja, which

people do, expecting to grow rich and accumulate wealth. They even

speak ofDhana-Lakshmi and special Stotras to propitiate her. Lakshmi

or wealth accrues by fair means as well as foul. Money is earned by

gambling, by various forms of deceit, by highway robbery itself, by

high and low, by all and sundry. Worship Lakshya (goal), I shall

appreciate you. Keep the Lakshya, the goal of expanding your love

till it embraces all beings, till it sees every being as your own

self. Keep it ever steady before your mind's eye, then Lakshmi will,

other own accord, favour you to the extent necessary for realising

the goal. Never doubt that. Never falter at that." Sai Baba. SSS.

Vol. III. p. 35

 

Significance Of Tripura-Sundari Puja

 

"During the Navaratri festival, Tripurasundari is worshipped.

Unfortunately, from ancient times people have been observing only

the external forms of worship without understanding the inner

significance of these festivals. The entire cosmos is a temple. The

Lord pervades the cosmos. Nature (Prakriti) teaches the spiritual

truth about Navaratri. Realise the love of Sai through spiritual

practice (Sadhana). The Lord has to be realised through Sadhana.

Sadhana does not mean adoring God in a particular place or in a

particular form. It means thinking of God in all that you do

wherever you may be. It may be asked whether this is possible. The

answer is that it is possible by dedicating every action to God".

Sai Baba, SS. 11/92. pp. 270 & 271

 

Significance Of Anga-Arpana Puja

 

"During Navaratri there is a form of worship called Angaarpana Puja.

In this form of worship, all the limbs of the body are offered to

the Divine in a spirit of surrender (Sharanagati). Surrender means

offering everything to the Divine and giving up the idea of

separation between oneself and the Divine. There can be no true

surrender if there is a sense of separation. There must be

conviction that it is the same Divine who dwells in all beings (Ekam

Vasi Sarvabhuta-antaraatma). In the performance of Anga-Arpana Puja,

there is a form of self-deception. When a devotee says: "Netram

Samarpayaami"(I offer my eyes to the Lord) and offers only a flower

to the Lord, he is indulging in a kind of deception. The proper

thing would be to say that he is offering a flower. Actually Mantras

like "Netram Samarpayaami" arc intended to indicate that one is

using his eyes only to see God. The real significance of the Mantra

is that you think of the Divine whatever you see or do. Therefore,

the true meaning of Anga-arpana puja is to declare that you offer

all your limbs in the service of the Lord. This means that whatever

work you do should be done as an offering to God. Now-a-days

selfishness is rampant among devotees and they love God, not for

God's sake but to get their selfish desires fulfilled. As long as

selfishness prevails, the Divine cannot be understood". Sai Baba,

SS, 11/92. p. 271

 

Significance Of Aayudha Puja

 

"The Navaratri festival is observed by contemplating on God for ten

days, cleansing one's self of all the impurities to experience the

Divinity within. The penultimate day of the festival is dedicated to

what is termed 'Aayudha Puja' (worship of weapons). The weapons to

be worshipped are the divine powers in man. When the Divine is

worshipped in this way, one is bound to progress spiritually." Sai

Baba, SS, 11/94, p. 291

 

"Today is Ashtami. Ayudha Puja is performed on this day. What is the

significance of this Ayudha Puja? After Mahishasura and other demons

were slain by Chamundeshwari, there was no more use other weapons.

So, the weapons were kept aside and worshipped. The Ayudha Puja is

being celebrated since ancient times. But of what use arc such

weapons to us? In fact, our weapons are Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and

Prema. Prema is more powerful than hydrogen and atom bombs of today.

Why worry when such power is within us." Sai Baba, SS, 6/2001. p. 191

 

Significance Of Using Kumkum For Worship

 

"During the Navaratri festival, for the purpose of eradicating one's

demonic tendencies, the deities are worshipped with Kumkum (sacred

red powder). The red powder is a symbol of blood. The meaning of

this worship is offering one's blood to the Lord and receiving in

return the gift of peace from the Lord." Sai Baba, SS, 11/94. p. 290

 

Devi' Compassion And Grace

 

Among the many lessons driven home to the students in Brindavan by

Bhagavan Baba in His evening discourses in April, 1997, in Trayee

Brindavan', one was concerned with the need for firm determination

on the part of a devotee to earn the grace of the Lord. Bhagavan

related an episode from the life of Adi Shankara as a young lad.

 

"The great Acharya was barely four years old at the time. His

father, a devout scholar, used to offer daily worship to Goddess

Raajeshwari every morning. Meditating before the Goddess with closed

eyes, he would offer a bowl of cow's milk to her. When he opened his

eyes after meditation, he would find that bowl was only half-full,

the other half having been accepted as an offering by the Goddess.

One day, he had to go to a neighbouring village for three days. He

told his wife to arrange worship of the Goddess in the customary

manner with the offering of milk, with the young Shankara deputizing

him in the worship. In accordance with his father's instructions,

the young lad sat in front of the Goddess in the sanctum and

performed the prescribed ritual. After meditation, when he opened

his eyes, he was astonished to see that the bowl of milk offered to

the Goddess remained full. He felt sad and cried out: 'Divine

Mother! What wrong have I done? I cannot bear this punishment.

Please show your grace on me as you did for my father.' He prayed

intensely for some time with closed eyes. When he opened his eyes he

saw that the bowl was now totally empty. All the milk had gone. He

was in distress again and cried out: "Devi! You have consumed all

the milk. Where is our share of the Prasadam? If we are denied this,

what mother will say and what will others think? I will not leave

this place till the bowl is refilled.' In response to fervent

prayers, the Goddess spoke: "Dear child! When the river has joined

the river, how can it be redirected? Shankara said: 'Nobody will

believe me when I say that no milk was left in the bowl after my

worship. They may think that I drank all of it. I cannot face them.

Devi! Without your Prasad, I will not leave this place. I will lay

down my life at your Feet.'' Swami concluded this moving account of

the episode with the following finale: "Devi Raajeshwari's heart

melted on hearing the young boy's appeal. She took the bowl and

poured her Divine breast-milk into it and gave it to the young

devotee.' The compassion of the Divine, Swami said, has no limits."

Sai Baba. SS. 6/97. p. 153

 

How To Celebrate Navaratri?

 

"The Navaratri festival should be used as an occasion to examine

one's own nature whether it is human, animal, or demonic, and strive

to transform the animal nature into the human, and divinise the

human nature. Wisdom cannot be acquired from outside. It has to be

got through inward Sadhana". Sai Baba, SS, 11/92, p. 271

 

Sai's Message On Navaratri

 

"The Navaratri festival should not be observed as a festival for

worshipping the

 

consorts of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. These goddesses symbolize

Divine potencies. All these potencies are derived from Vishnu. The

entire cosmos is a manifestation of the myriad forms of Vishnu.

People should recognise the oneness underlying the different forms.

All beings breathe the same air as their life-breath. Likewise, all

the basic elements are common to all. These elements are the stuff

of nature. But in the Paratatwa (the Supreme Principle, the Divine),

these do not exist. The elements are mental. The Divine is immortal.

To proceed from'the mortal to the Immortal, the easiest means is the

cultivation of the Divine love." Sai Baba, SS, 12/92, p. 305

 

"It is essential to celebrate festivals in a sacred spirit. It is

not enough to do this for only 10 days during the Navaratri

festivals. It should become the rule throughout one's life, even as

one draws one's life-breath till the end." Sai Baba, SS, 11/94, p.

291

 

Glimpses Of Navaratri Celebrations At Prasanthi Nilayam

 

"To celebrate the Navaratri, new (Nava) as well as nine (Nava), at

Prasanthi Nilayam, is indeed a rare chance, replete with wonder and

joy. For, this is the Abode of Peace, the peace that ensues when six

enemies are destroyed forever. The Prasanthi Flag, which now will be

hoisted, is the symbol of this consummation - the conquest by man of

the six enemies and the illumination within him of the flame of

wisdom installed in the Lotus of Heart. It is the Flag of Swaraj,

dominion over oneself, the true independence, when you genuinely

claim to be Master of the Realm most related to you." Sai Baba, SSS,

Vol. VII, discourse on 12-10-69, p. 108

 

>From the book - Festivals at Prasanthi Nilayam - An Exposition by

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Compiled and Edited by Suresh C

Bhatnagar.

 

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