Navaratri

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Scene from the Veda Purusha Jnana Yajna held during Dasara, October 1988

( Esoteric Significance of the Veda Purusha Jnana Yajna )

What is the inner significance of Devi Navaratri? People worship the Triune

Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvathi during these nine days. Who is Durga?

She is the embodiment of all powers. Sarasvati is the presiding deity of speech

and wisdom. The Gayatri Mantra begins with "Om Bhur Bhuvah Suvah." 'Bhuh' means

materialisation. It represents matter which is subject to change. Bhuvah

represents life principle, i.e., vibration. Savitri is the presiding deity of

life principle. You must have heard the story of Savitri, who restored her dead

husband back to life with the power of her devotion and surrender. Sarasvati is

worshipped as 'Jnana Devata' as she confers good intellect and wisdom. This is

described in the Vedas as Prajnanam Brahma. Prajnana does not mean worldly

knowledge. It is Constant Integrated Awareness, which is changeless and

eternal. The divine mother has three names: Gayatri, Savitri and Sarasvati.

Gayantham Trayathe Iti Gayathri (Gayatri protects those who sing her glory).

Gayatri, being the presiding deity of our senses, helps us to master the

senses. Savitri, being the presiding deity of the life principle, protects our

life. Sarasvati bestows on us the changeless and eternal wisdom. Gayatri,

Savitri and Sarasvati are present in every man, but he is not able to

understand and experience their presence. Consequently, he is giving room to

wicked qualities and indulging in evil deeds, thereby ruining his life. His bad

habits are responsible for his downfall. First of all, man has to develop good

habits and transform himself. How could Savitri revive her dead husband back to

life? She transformed the vibration in her into divine vibration by

contemplating on God incessantly. That led to the resurrection of her husband.

When you develop divine feelings, nothing is impossible for you. Any mighty

task can be accomplished through pure and selfless love.

The Yajna that we are performing now is meant for Loka Kalyanam (good of the

world). Do not think that we are performing the Yajna just because people are

performing Yajnas elsewhere. This Yajna is being performed with total spirit of

sacrifice. We have no desires or expectations. Our only desire is that everyone

should be happy. People perform Yajnas and Yagas to overcome famine and drought

situations. But I don't take such things into consideration. I do not give scope

for such constricted vision. Famine, drought, etc., come and go. Whatever you do

should confer everlasting happiness on all. It should help you to attain Divine

grace.

Divine Discourse: October 9, 2002

Divine Discourse: October 10, 2002

Divine Discourse: October 11, 2002

Divine Discourse: October 12, 2002

Divine Discourse: October 13, 2002

Divine Discourse: October 14, 2002

Our ancients have prescribed the worship of Maha Kali, Maha Durga and Maha

Saraswati during these Navaratris (nine nights). Durga is the embodiment of all

powers. Durga represents the combination of all the powers of body, mind and

soul. Maha Kali symbolises destruction of evil with the help of these powers.

Maha Kali and Maha Durga are not elsewhere. They reside in every man. When the

mind and the senses, instead of following the dictates of conscience, follow

wicked qualities, man becomes a slave to evil habits and turns wicked. The main

purpose of celebration of Navaratris is to annihilate cruelty and wickedness in

man to bring forth the principle of the Atma in pristine form

Having absorbed the divine vibrations out of the seven days of Yajna, try to

achieve spiritual transformation. Wherever you go, do not give up God and pray

for the welfare of all. Tanks, bombs and other armaments do not provide the

protection that a constant contemplation of God yields. A true human is one who

has strong faith in the Self (Atmabhimanam). Therefore, comprehend this faith in

the Self. That is the nature of the bliss that Swami confers on you on this

sacred occasion of the Poornahuti.

Divine Discourse: October 20, 2001

Divine Discourse: October 21, 2001

Divine Discourse: October 22, 2001

Divine Discourse: October 23, 2001

Divine Discourse: October 24, 2001

Divine Discourse: October 25, 2001

Divine Discourse: October 26, 2001

Navaratri is dedicated to Maha Durga, Maha Kali and Maha Lakshmi. These three

deities are not different but one and the same. They are the forms of energy.

Saraswati is the presiding deity of speech. Lakshmi is the form of Ananda. All

three are present in every man. We do not have to search for them elsewhere.

Man is Divine, humanity is Divinity. Consider man as Divine and the body as

temple of Divinity, enjoy the bliss of God.

The proper study of mankind is man. There should be unity of thought, word, and

deed. Especially students should recognize this. It is not enough to praise

Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati in poems and songs. When you cultivate good

qualities, you yourself will become Lakshmi. Once you control your senses, you

will become Lakshmi. When the mind is under your control, you will become

Durga. When you speak words of truth, you will become Saraswati. The other name

of Saraswati is Bharathi. Some people say that our country Bharat is named after

Jada Bharata or the brother of Rama. But who named them? There should be a basis

for all these names. That basis is the name of Saraswati i.e., Bharathi.

Brahma is the creator, but the one who sustains the creation is Saraswati.

Bharathi is her name. This country is named after her. But this is not very

widely known. Indian culture has many such secrets. But none endeavors to know

these secrets inherent in the Vedas, Sastras and the Itihaasaas. What is the

significance of Ayudha puja? After the slaying of Mahishasura and other demons

by Chamundeswari, there was no more use for Her weapons. So the weapons were

kept aside and worshipped. This Ayudha puja is being celebrated since ancient

times. But of what use are such weapons to us? In fact, our weapons are the

values of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema. Prema is more powerful than the

hydrogen and atom bombs of today. Why worry when such power is within us?

Divine Discourse: October 1, 2000

Divine Discourse: October 2, 2000

Divine Discourse: October 3, 2000

Divine Discourse: October 4, 2000

Divine Discourse: October 5, 2000

Divine Discourse: October 6, 2000

The purpose of the Veda Purusha Sapthaha Yagna is to attain truth. God is the

Veda Purusha. This Yagna is performed for seven days. Seven is an auspicious

number for it corresponds to the number of

Rishis (Saptha Rishis), oceans (Saptha Samudras), colors (Saptha Varnas) and

sounds (Saptha Swaras).

Since ancient times various types of Yagnas have been performed in this sacred

land of Bharat. Yagno Vai Vishnuhu (Yagna is the very form of Vishnu). Some

people are under the mistaken notion that they can please God by offering

highly valuable items. What one has to offer God is the pure heart. Yad Bhavam

Tad Bhavati (as is the feeling, so is the result). If you are aspiring for good

results, offer only good feelings to God and there should be perfect harmony in

your thought, word and deed.

Manasyekam Vachasyekam Karmanyekam Mahatmanaam (he is a noble soul whose

thought, word and deed are in perfect harmony). Adveshtaa Sarva Bhootaanaam (Do

not hate anybody).

Divine Discourse: October 19, 1999

Today is Vijaya Dasami. This is the Samaapthi (conclusion) of sacred Navaratri

festival. Samaapthi is that which confers Praapthi (deservedness) in every

possible way. This also happens to be the day on which Shirdi Baba left his

mortal coil. Having left His mortal coil on this day, Shirdi Baba reincarnated

here after 8 years. This is an ample testimony to the existence of Divinity in

humanity.

Divine Discourse: October 1, 1998

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

such as Devi Bhagavatha, Ramayana and Mahabharatha. People also worship the

deities Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. This Trinity is present in the principle

of Truth. Goddess Gayathri has three heads. They are: Gayathri, Savitri and

Saraswathi. Gayathri is the presiding deity of your senses. Savitri is the

presiding deity of Life Principle. Saraswathi is the presiding deity of speech.

All these three are within the same principle of Truth. Gayathri Mantra begins

with "Om Bhur Bhuvah Suvah". 'Bhu' means Materialisation (Body); 'Bhuvah' means

Vibration (Life Principle}; 'Suvah' means Radiation (Atma).

During these nine days Goddess Shakthi (Principle of Energy) is worshipped.

Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Forgiveness are all the expressions of the

Principle of Shakthi. 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, "Sathyam Vada; Dharmam Chara",

which means speak Truth and follow Righteousness.

Divine Discourse: September 25, 1998

Navarathri 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 enquiry is made, it will be found that mankind is dependent on the planets

(grahas). Although astrologers speak about nine planets, in reality, there are

only two "planets" that matter. They are raaga (attachment) and dwesha

(hatred).

In the worship of the deities during Navarathri, every day, one of them should

be worshipped, not externally but with one's heart and soul. Bodily actions are

ephemeral. The body derives its value from the spirit within. Hence it should be

regarded as a sacred temple. During the Navarathri festival, for the purpose of

eradicating one's demonic tendencies, the deities were worshipped with kumkum

(sacred 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.

Therefore, the Navarathri festival is observed, by contemplating on God for ten

days, cleansing one's self of all 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.

Divine Discourse: October 14, 1994

Bharatiyas have been celebrating the Navarathi festival from ancient times as a

mode of worship of Devi, the Divine as Mother. They worship Durga, Lakshmi, and

Saraswati during those nine days. Who are these three? They are the three forms

which have fascinated man. Their esoteric significance is represented by three

potencies or

shakthis. They are: Karma, Upaasana and Jnana.

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

The three represent three kinds of potencies in man.

Ichchaa Shakti, will power, Kriya Shakti, the power of purposeful action, and

Jnaana Shakti - the power of discernment.

Saraswati is manifest in man as the power of speech, Vaak. Durga is present in

the form of dynamism. Lakshmi is manifest in the form of will power. The body

indicates Kriya Shakti. The mind is the repository of Ichchaa Shakti. The Atma

is Jnaana Shakti. Kriya Shakti comes from the body, which is material. The

power that activates the body that is inert and makes it vibrant is Ichchaa

Shakti. The power that induces the vibrations of Ichchaa Shakti is Jnaana

Shakti, which causes radiation of energy. These three potencies are represented

by the

mantra: Om Bhur Bhuvah Suvaha. Bhur represents Bhuloka, the earth. Bhuvah

represents the life force, conscience in man. Suvaha represents the power of

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

dwell in the human heart.

Men are prone to exhibit rajasic qualities like anger and hatred. They are the

menacing manifestations of Durga. The extolling of the Divine in song and

poetry and the pleasing vibrations produced by them indicate the power of

Saraswathi. The pure qualities that arise in man such as compassion, love,

forbearance and sympathy are derived from Lakshmi.

When people worship Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi 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 recognizing

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. The remedy for man's life is

contained within himself. But man seeks remedies from outside.

What is it you should do during these ten days of the

Navarathri festival? Convert your ichchaa sakthi into a yearning for God.

Convert kriya sakthi into a force for doing Divine actions. Convert your Jnaana

Sakhti into the Divine Itself.

Divine Discourse: October 9, 1994

The term Devi represents the Divine power which has taken the Rajasic form to

suppress the forces of evil and protect the

Satwic 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

Sakti, taking on the Rajasic quality, seeks to destroy the evil elements. This

is the inner meaning of the Dasara festival.

When the Divine Goddess is in dreadful rage to destroy the wicked elements, She

assumes a fearful form. To pacify the dreaded Goddess, Her feminine children

offer worship to Her with red kumkum (sacred red 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 Dasara, the Rakshasas (demons) in the form of wicked

qualities have been routed. Rakshasas do not mean demonic beings. The bad

qualities in men are the demons. Arrogance is a demon. Bad thoughts are demons.

Ravana is depicted as the king of Rakshasas. He is said to have ten heads. He

was not born with ten heads. Who is this Ravana and what are his ten heads?

Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Moha (delusion), Lobha (Greed), Mada (pride),

Maatsarya (Envy),

Manas (the mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta (Will) and

Ahamkara (the Ego) - these ten constitute the ten heads. Ravana is one who has these ten qualities.

Each one can decide for himself whether he is a Ravana or a Rama according to

his qualities. Rama is the destroyer of the bad qualities. When engaged in this

act of destruction of bad qualities, He manifests His

Rajo-guna. But His Rajasic quality is associated with His Satwic quality. Even

in cutting off Ravana's ten heads, Rama showed His love. This was the only way

Ravana could be redeemed.

When the Lord metes out a punishment, it may appear harsh. But what appears

externally as Rajasic is in reality Satwic. In a hailstorm, along with rain

there will be hailstones. But both the rain and hailstones contain water.

Likewise, there is Satwic quality even in the Lord's Rajasic actions. Similarly

there may be Satwic quality even in Tamasic actions. These depend on the time,

place and the circumstances in which the Lord acts. Butter can be split with a

finger. But a powerful hammer is needed to break a piece of iron. The Lord

deals with Satwic persons in a Satwic way. He applies the Rajasic weapon

against Rajasic persons.

People worship the Lord as Roudraakaara, attributing dreaded forms and qualities

to the Divine. This is not proper. The Divine has only one attribute: the

embodiment of Love. It has been said: "Love is God. Love pervades the Cosmos."

Hence, one should not view the world from a worldly point of view. It should be

viewed through the eyes of love.

Embodiments of Divine Love! All the festivals of Bharatiyas have been designed

to promote Divine love among the people. It is to confer such love on the

people that the Lord incarnates on earth. He Himself demonstrates how love

should be expressed. He showers His love and teaches everyone how to love.

Hence, experience this love and joy in your life and live in peace.

Divine Discourse: October 18, 1991

In the human body the Divine flows through all the limbs as

Rasa (The Divine essence) and sustains them. This Divine principle is called

Rasaswaroopini (Embodiment of Divine sweetness). Another name for the same is

Angirasa. These Divine principles that permeate and sustain the physical body

should also be worshipped as mother goddesses. Then there are the great sages,

the Maharishis, who investigated matters relating to good and evil, right and

wrong, what elevates man or degrades him, and, as a result of their labors and

penance, gave to mankind the great scriptures, indicating the spiritual and

mundane paths and how humanity can redeem its existence. These sages have also

to be revered as Divine Mothers.

The cow, the earth, the presiding deities for the body, the sages and the guru

are all worthy of worship as the embodiments of the Divine Motherhood. Although

these five appear in different forms and names, they have one thing in common

with the mother. They play a protective and sustaining maternal role for

mankind and hence should be revered and worshipped as Divine Mothers.

Conversely, the mother of every child displays in relation to the child the

attributes of these five entities. The mother nourishes the child, provides the

necessaries for its growth, teaches the child what it should know and what it

should avoid and leads it on the path of righteousness.

The life of a man who cannot respect and love such a venerable mother, is

utterly useless. Recognizing 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, the nine-night 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. And Saraswati bestows on us intelligence, the capacity for intellectual

inquiry and the power of discrimination. The Navaratri festival is celebrated

in order to proclaim to the world the power of the goddesses. One's own mother

is the 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.

Divine Discourse: October 14, 1988

Other Dasara Discourses by Bhagavan Baba

|25 Sep 1998| |26 Sep 1998| |27 Sep 1998| |28 Sep 1998| |29 Sep 1998| |30 Sep

1998| |1 Oct 1998| |5 Oct 1997| |6 Oct 1997| |7 Oct 1997| |8 Oct 1997| |9 Oct

1997| |11 Oct 1997|Source:

http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/dasara.html