Navaratri: more info

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Navaratri Navratri, the festival of nights, lasts for 9 days with three days

each devoted to worship of Ma Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Ma Lakshmi, the

Goddess of Wealth and Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. During the nine

days of Navratri, feasting and fasting take precedence over all normal daily

activities amongst the Hindus. Evenings give rise to the religious dances in

order to worhip Goddess Durga Maa.1st - 3rd day of Navratri

On the first day of the Navaratras, a small bed of mud is prepared in the puja

room of the house and barley seeds are sown on it. On the tenth day, the shoots

are about 3 - 5 inches in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out

and given to devotees as a blessing from god. These initial days are dedicated

to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and energy. Her various manifestations,

Kumari, Parvati and Kali are all worshipped during these days. They represent

the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl

and the mature woman. 4th - 6th day of Navratri During these days, Lakshmi Maa,

the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped. On the fifth day which is

known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all

literature available in the house, light a lamp or 'diya' to invoke Saraswati

Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art. 7th - 8th day of Navratri These final

days belong to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual

knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly bondage. But on the 8th

day of this colourful festival, yagna (holy fire) is performed. Ghee (clarified

butter), kheer (rice pudding) and sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess

Durga Maa. Mahanavami The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this

day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of

Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the

Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This

ritual is performed in most parts of the country.

 

Durga Puja Fast

Devotees of Goddess Durga observe fast on the occasion of nine-day-long Durga

Puja celebrations every year with full faith and sincerity. The purpose of

observing fast is to propitiate Durga Ma and seek her divine blessings. Having

been religiously carried out since ages during the festival of Navratri or

Durga Puja, the fast has become an intrinsic part of the festival. Purpose of

Observing Fast

Hindus have high regards for Goddess Durga whom they look upon as Ma or Mother

of all. Fast to them is a denial of the physical needs of the body and a means

to attain spiritual gains besides blessings of the Mother Goddess. Hindus

sincerely believe that fasting helps in establishing a harmonious coordination

between body and soul. Besides, fasting is also considered to be good for the

body. It helps to keep body healthy by giving digestive organs some rest and

cleansing the body of toxic materials. Durga Puja Fast Rituals

The custom of observing Durga Puja Fast is particularly prevalent in Northern

India. In the state of Punjab people observe fast for seven days of the

nine-day-long Durga Puja Festival. The fast is broken only on the ashtami or

navmi day. Some devotees of Durga Ma consume only milk during the fasting days

while some only live on fruits. Some devotees observe ‘Ekana’ which means

that they take one complete meal during the day. Non-vegetarian food,

intoxicating substances and other forms of entertainment are completely avoided

during the fasting days. Men observing fast are not supposed to shave. Some also

believe in sleeping on the ground and thereby deny themselves all luxuries and

comforts. Fasting during Durga Puja festival is also quite popular in the state

of West Bengal and several other Southern states. At the end of the fasting

period devotees feed beggars and worship little girls who spell the Shakti of

Mother Goddess. At several places there is a tradition of sowing barley seeds

during the Durga Puja fasting period. In this a small bed of mud is prepared in

a little container and barley seeds are sown in it. This is placed in the Puja

room and cared for during the fasting period. At the end of the fast the shoots

reach a height of 3-5 inches. These are pulled out and given to devotees as form

of blessings.Modern Fasting Trends

It is interesting to note that the present generation has retained the custom of

fasting during Durga Puja. Though many observe fast in its true meaning some

have molded it suit their taste buds. Rush of people in the stall selling vrat

(fast) ki chaat and vrat ki namkeen is a common site especially in metropolitan

cities. Restaurants too offer a special menu to those observing Navratri fast.

While many look at the changing trends with skepticism others feel that such

transformation does not matter a lot as long as people have faith in Durga Ma.

 

The Rituals of Durga Puja The festival of Durga Puja starts with Mahalaya, the

first phase of the waxing moon in Aswin. Thousands offer prayers to their

ancestors at the city's river banks, a ritual called Tarpan. The inauguration

of the Goddess idol starts on Mahashasthi. The main puja is for three days -

Mahasaptami, Mahaastami, Mahanavami. The puja rituals are long and very

detailed and complicated. Three days of Mantras and Shlokas and Arati and

offerings - needs an expert priest to do this kind of Puja. Because of these

facts, the number of Pujas held in the family has reduced and Durga Puja has

mostly emerged as a community festival. MahashashthiOn this day Goddess Durga

arrives to the mortal world from her heavenly abode, accompanied by her

children. She is welcomed with much fanfare amidst the beats of dhak. Unveiling

the face of the idol is the main ritual on this day. Kalaparambho, the ritual

performed before the commencement of the puja precedes Bodhon, Amontron and

Adibas. Mahasaptami Saptami is the first day of Durga puja. Kola Bow or

Nabapatrika is given a pre-dawn bath. This is an ancient ritual of worshiping

nine types of plants. They are together worshiped as a symbol of the goddess.

The main Saptami Puja follows Kalparambho and Mahasnan. Mahaastami The day

began with a recital of Sanskrit hymns in community puja pandals as thousands

of devotees offered anjali to the goddess. Kumari Puja or the worship of little

girls as the mother goddess was a special part of the rituals observed in a

number of traditional and household pujas. As the day wore on, it was time for

the important Sandhi Puja, which marks the inter-linking of the Maha Ashtami

and Maha Navami. Mahanavami This is the concluding day of Durga Puja. The main

Navami puja begins after the end of Sandhi Puja. The Navami Bhog is offered to

the goddess. This is later partaken as prasad by the devotees. DashamiAfter the

three days of Puja, in Dashami , in the last day, a tearful farewell is offered

to the Goddess. Most of the community pujas postpone the farewell as long as

possible and arrange a grand send-off. The images are carried in processions

around the locality and finally is immersed in a nearby river or lake. Vijaya

Dashami is an event celebrated all over the country.

 

 

The Five Days of the Durga Puja :

The five festive days of Durga Puja, welcoming Devi Durga is aplomb with rituals

and accompanied with dhak, dhunuchi and shiuli. "Shiuli" (small scented flowers

with cream petals and orange pedicle) and "Kaash" (flowers looking like the

willows, that cover the horizon with a milky white appearance) are synonymous

to the Durga Puja. Shiuli is a "must" part in the Devi-puja. The following are

the days of the Devi-puja, discussed vividly. Shashthi : Shashti, the sixth day

of the moon when Goddess Durga is welcomed with much fanfare and gusto. Look for

the 'Bodhon' rituals when the face of the Durga is unveiled.

Saptami : Saptami features the first day of Durga puja; commencement of rituals;

predawn bathing of 'Kola Bou'. On this day of Durga Puja, the Devi is worshipped

in the form of Cosmic Knowledge - as Mahasaraswati. Ashtami : Most important day

of Durga Puja; celebrating Durga's victory over Mahishasur; devotees recite the

mantras and offer flowers to Devi Durga (pushpanjali) and pray for her

blessings; rituals of animal sacrifices; animals are now substituted with

'chalkumro' (type of pumpkin), cucumber and banana. On this day of Durga Puja,

the Devi is worshipped in the form of Wealth, Sustenance, Good Luck and

Prosperity - as Mahalakshmi.

Nabami : Last day of Durga Puja; commencement of 'Sandhi Puja'. Nabami Bhog -

Goddess Durga is offered food ("bhog") which is later distributed among the

devotees. On this day of Durga Puja, the Devi is worshipped in the form of the

Forces of Destruction, and eventual Regeneration - as Mahalakshmi. Sandhi Puja

: 108 'pradeep' or earthen lamps are lighted. This is the time when Ashtami and

Nabami tithis unite (Ashtami ends and Nabami begins). This is the time for

Sandhi Puja. At this time Devi Durga transformed into Devi Camunda to kill

"Chando" and "Mundo", the two generals of Mahishasura (the Buffalo Demon ). At

this time, the Devi is worshipped with 108 lotuses. Dashami : Dashami is the

day when Goddess Durga accompanied with her children sets for Kailash, her

husband's abode. With a heavy heart the Bengalis immerse the clay idol of Durga

in the sacred Ganges bidding her goodbye and earnestly waiting to see her again

the next year. The immersion ceremony is called "Bishorjon".

 

 

http://www.durga-puja.org/durga-puja-fast.html

 

 

Navaratri is celebrated four times a year. They are Ashada Navaratri,the Sharada

Navaratri, the Maha Navaratri and the Vasantha Navaratri.

The beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important

junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as

sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. They are indicated

respectively by the Rama-Navaratri in Chaitra (April-May) and the Durga

Navaratri in Aswayuja (September-October). The bodies and minds of people

undergo a considerable change on account of the changes in Nature. Sri Rama is

worshipped during Ramnavmi, and Mother Durga during Navaratri.

A similar analogy is presented in the devi bhagavatam. Devi bhagavatam also

talks in detail on how one should observe fasts, and how one should

meditate/work on these days.

Navaratri (in September-October) is a festival celebrated with eclat in homes

and temples alike. According to ancients, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati signify

valor, wealth and learning, respectively, just as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

stand for creation, preservation and annihilation.

Navaratri is ideal for worshipping the Mother in her three roles. There is a

Vasantha Navaratri, on the nine days starting from sukla paksha prathama in

Chithirai month in spring, when Uma is worshipped. What is commonly called

Navaratri is the nine-day festival starting from prathama in sukla paksha of

Purattasi (September-October). According to the chandra mana measure, these are

the nine days from prathama to navami in the aswija sukla paksha. This is the

popular autumnal festival Sharada Navaratri when Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati

are worshipped.

There is a belief that the first three days are for worship of Durga and the

breeding of courage and valor in the world; the next three for worship of

Lakshmi for universal prosperity; and the last three for worship of Saraswati

for growth of learning.

Devi Bhagavatam has it that a special feature of Navaratri is doing puja to

virgins between the age two and ten as embodiments of Kumari, Thiru, Kalyani,

Rohini, Kalika, Chandika, Sambavi, Durga and Subhadra, offering them food and

clothes and jewelry. This is a festival that places emphasis on worship of

Shakti. Many fashion a large Durga idol out of clay, offer puja to the idol on

the three days starting with Durgashtami during Navaratri, and, taking out the

idol in a procession, immerse it in the sea on Vijaya Dasami. This is the

observance in the northern parts of India. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra, beautiful

clay figurines of gods and goddesses are worshipped during Navaratri, viewing

art as Divinity. This is the bommai kolu of the south.

Bhavishyad Puranam lays down one way of observance of Navaratri. Young maiden

should be offered combs and other such articles on prathama; fragrant hair oil

on dwithiya; mirror and kumkum on truthiya; kohl on chaturthi; sandal, turmeric

and other cosmetics on panchami. On sashti Durga should be worshipped under a

bilva tree, with bilva leaves. On saptami, the goddess should be invoked in a

kalasam and worshipped. Ashtami, the eighth day of the festival, is

Durgashtami. Navami is for worship of Ugra Chandi. The puja on the final three

nights - saptami, ashtami and navami - is Saraswati puja.

Traditionally, puja is done on the nine days as follows: 1 - Kalasa sthapanam; 2

- Devata puja; 3 - Sapta sati puja; 4 - Akhanda deepa; 5 - Mala bandana; 6 -

Upavasa during daytime; 7 - Suvasani puja; 8 - Kumari puja; and 9 - Stotra

mantra homam. We can each worship the Mother according to our capacity.

following are the regular features during the celebrations:

1. A special ritualistic worship of the Mother is conducted daily, which

includes the recitation of the Durga Saptashati.

2. Laksharchana for the Mother in the temple, with recitation of the Sri Lalita

Sahasranama, is also conducted.

3. All are exhorted to do the maximum number of Japa of the Navarna Mantra, Aim

hreem kleem chaamundaayai vichche, or the Mantra of their own tutelary Deity.

4. An elaborately decorated altar is set up for the evening Satsangs, with the

picture of Mother Durga for the first three days, Mother Lakshmi for the next

three days, and Mother Saraswathi for the last three days. Many sacred verses

from the scriptures are recited and many Kirtans are sung. The Durga Saptashati

or the Devi Mahatmya is recited and explained in discourses. The function

concludes with the formal floral worship and Arati. Sometimes scenes from the

Devi Mahatmya are also enacted.

5. Earnest spiritual aspirants fast with milk and fruits only on all the nine

days, or at least once in each of the three three-day periods.6. Besides the

books representing Saraswathi, all instruments and implements like typewriters,

printing machinery, etc., are also worshipped on the ninth day.

7. On the Vijaya Dasami day, all aspirants en masse are given initiation into

various Mantras according to their tutelary Deities. Deserving aspirants are

initiated into the holy order of Sannyas. Initiation in the study of the

alphabets is given to young children, and to the old children also! New

students commence their lessons in music, etc. During the morning Satsang the

books which were worshipped on the ninth day are again worshipped and a chapter

from each of the principal scriptures like the Gita, Upanishads, Brahma Sutras,

Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagavatam is recited.

8. On the Vijaya Dasami day, there is Kanya Puja also. Nine girls below the age

of ten are worshipped as the embodiment of the Divine Mother. They are fed

sumptuously and, amongst other things, presented with new clothes.9. On this

last day a grand havan is conducted in the temple, with recitation of the Durga

Saptashati and other verses in praise of the Divine Mother.

However, Navaratri is not only significant for spiritual aspirants; it has a

message for those who lead a worldly life as well. Grahsthas should invoke

Durga's help to surmount obstacles, pray to Lakshmi to bestow peace and

prosperity, and contemplate upon Saraswati in order to gain knowledge. These

three ingredients are just as necessary for a full and complete worldly life.

In reality, when we pray like this, we are but invoking the Shakti that is

within ourselves.

Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are not different entities, but different facets of

the singular Divinity.

Some of the spiritual practices associated with Navaratri include fruit and milk

fasts, japa (mantra chanting), chanting of hymns dedicated to Devi in Her

different forms, prayer, meditation and recitation of sacred texts including

the Devi Mahatmya, Sri Lalita Sahasranama and the Durga Saptashati.

Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja

The ninth day is also the day of the Ayudha Puja. The Ayudha Puja is a worship

of whatever implements one may use in one's livelihood. On the preceding

evening, it is traditional to place these implements on an altar to the Divine.

If one can make a conscious effort to see the divine in the tools and objects

one uses each day, it will help one to see one's work as an offering to God. It

will also help one to maintain constant remembrance of the divine. (In India it

is customary for one to prostrate before the tools one will use before starting

one's work each day; this is an expression of gratitude to God for helping one

to fulfil one's duties.)

Children traditionally place their study books and writing implements on the

altar. On this day, no work or study is done, that one might spend the day in

contemplation of the Divine.

Vijaya Dashami and Vidyarambham

The tenth day is called Vijaya Dashami. Devotees perform a Saraswati Puja

(ceremonial worship) to invoke the blessings of Saraswati. Some devotees also

perform pujas dedicated to Durga to mark Her victory over the demon,

Mahishasura. Every endeavor started on this day is guaranteed success,

according to elders. On this basis, the young are given aksharabhyasam

(instruction in alphabet) on this day. And new works are launched.

In the Virata parva of Mahabharata, Pandavas had to live incognito in ajnata

vasam for a year. During that period, Arjuna cached away his weapons in a vanni

tree in a Kali temple. On dasami thithi after Navaratri, when the incognito

duration was over, Arjuna who was also known as Vijaya retrieved his hidden

arms and began practicing with them; and went on to triumph in the Mahabharata

war. This day is therefore traditionally marked for starting arms training.

Vijaya Dasami is a special festival in Mysore. At some places, as the decorated

utsava idol is taken out in procession from temples, there is an observance in

which arrows are shot. Elsewhere, in what is called makara nonbu, there are

observances like pinnal kolattam. In north India, this day is called Dussehra.

Navaratri highlights the principles elucidated by the Ramayana. This is hinted

at in the other name by which Vijaya Dashami is known in India, Dussehra.

"Dussehra" is derived from "Dasha-hara," which means "victory over the

ten-faced one." This ten-faced being ("Dashamukha") is none other than Ravana,

Lord Rama's adversary. His ten heads symbolise the ten senses (five of

perception and five of action). Ravana's manifest extrovertedness stands in

contrast to Dasharatha, Lord Rama's father, whose name can be taken to mean

"one who has controlled his ten senses." That he is father to a Divine

Incarnation suggests that only when one is able to subdue all ten senses can

one realise the divinity within.

Dassera festival is also known as Durgotsav and during the ten days, the many

splendoured goddess Durga is worshipped in one of her many forms differently in

different regions. With religious rituals and chantings of mantras followed by

"KATHA" or story-telling told by Pandits who by reading passages from religious

texts awaken religious fervour in the minds of the listeners.

It is believed that Goddess Durga manifested herself to relieve and protect the

good from the evil. The evil form is demon Mahishasura. This festival

commemorates the victory of the goddess Durga (an incarnation of Parvati,

consort of Shiva) over the demon Mahisasura. It is also celebrated as a

remembrance of the victory of Lord Rama (an incarnation of Vishnu) over Ravana,

the king of Lanka who had abducted Sita, wife of Rama.

Ravana abducts Sita, keeps her captive in his house. His efforts to violate her

chastity are all in vain. Rama with the help of King Bali and his vanar sena

succeeds in getting his wife back.

The war lasts for ten days and on the tenth day Rama kills the ten-headed demon

Ravana. This day is called Vijaydashmi or Dassera. It is one of the most

important festivals in India.

Throughout the country, effigies of Ravana, his son Meghnath and brother

Kumbhakaran are stuffed with crackers and set to fire. People rejoice as the

effigies are reduced to ashes. Symbolically this means the victory of 'good´

over 'evil´.

As per our great epic Mahabharat, Pandavas after wandering in the forest for 12

years, hung their weapons on a Shami tree before entering the court of king

Virat to spend the last one year in disguise. After the completion of that year

on Vijayadashmi the day of Dassera they brought down the weapons from the Shami

tree and declared their true identity. Since that day the exchange of Shami

leaves on Dassera day became symbols of good, will and victory.

The founder of the Hindu Swarajya Chatrapati Shivaji before any military

expedition always invoked the blessings of Durga in the form of his goddess

Bhawani. The Sikh guru Gobind Singh introduced the worship of Durga into his

cult of the sword.

This festival has immense mythological significance. As per Ramayan, Ram did

"chandi-puja and invoked the blessings of Durga to kill Ravana, the ten-headed

king of Lanka who had abducted Seeta and had charmed life. Durga divulged the

secret to Ram how he could kill Ravana. Then after vanquishing him, Ram with

Seeta and Laxman returned victorious to his kingdom of Ayodhya.

Durga Puja hinges around Mahalaya day, a week before the actual celebrations

begin. It was on this day that Durga was assigned the task of eliminating evil.

So the familiar pose of Durga unleashing her wrath on an outpowered assura.

Shakti wields the power of ten hands in the sole form of Durga. Each hand

carries a deadly weapon of destruction bestowed on her by the various gods of

Hindu mythology, on the occasion of her battle with evil.

The kamandal is said to be received from Brahma, the chakra from Vishnu, the

trishul from Shiva, the Vajra (lightning) from Indra, the kuthar from

Vishwakarma, the Kaladanda (mace) from Yamraj, the nag from Vasuki, the kharga

and dhal (shield) from Surya and the Dhanuswar (bow and arrow) from Vayu. There

has also been a tradition of offering 108 lotuses during the daily puja, which

goes on for five days ending with the immersion of Dassera.

Dassera day is considered a most auspicious day. It is a time-honoured belief

that if any new venture is started on this day, it is bound to be successful.

Hence, all the undertakings be it laying-in of foundation of a new building,

opening of a new commercial establishment or even initiating a child into the

world of learning- are started on this day. Also on this day implements of

agriculture, manufacturer's machines, the intellectuals pens, the household

articles, the children's school books are placed before the idol of Durga and

worshipped.

Let us, therefore, examine in detail the spiritual significance of Navaratri.

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. To recognise your

identity with That, to attain union with That, is verily to grow into the very

likeness of the Divine. The aspirant, therefore, as his initial step, has to

get rid of all the countless impurities, and the demoniacal 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, knowledge flashes upon

him like the brilliant rays of the sun upon the crystal waters of a perfectly

calm lake.

This process demands a resolute will, determined effort, and arduous struggle.

In other words, strength and infinite power are the prime necessity. Thus it is

the Divine Mother who has to operate through the aspirant.

Let us now consider how, on the first three days, the Mother is adored as

supreme power and force, as 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 spiritual aspirant, the lower,

diabolical nature in him. Also, She is the power that protects your spiritual

practice from its many dangers and pitfalls. Thus the first three days, which

mark the first stage or the destruction of impurity and determined effort and

struggle to root out the evil tendencies in your mind, are set apart for the

worship of the destructive aspect of the Mother.

Once you have accomplished your task on the negative side, that of breaking down

the impure propensities and old vicious habits, the next step is to build up a

sublime spiritual personality, to acquire positive qualities in place of the

eliminated demoniacal qualities. The divine qualities that Lord Krishna

enumerates in the Gita, have to be acquired. The aspirant must cultivate and

develop all the auspicious qualities. He has to earn immense spiritual wealth

to enable him to pay the price for the rare gem of divine wisdom. If this

development of the opposite qualities is not undertaken in right earnest, the

old demoniacal 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: 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

divine wealth or Deivi Sampath. Lakshmi is the wealth-giving aspect of God. She

is purity itself. Thus the worship of Goddess Lakshmi is performed during the

second set of three days.

Once the aspirant succeeds in routing out the evil propensities, and develops

Sattwic or pure, divine qualities, he becomes competent to attain wisdom. He is

now ready to receive the light of supreme wisdom. He is fit to receive divine

knowledge. At this stage comes the devout worship of Mother Saraswathi, who is

divine knowledge personified, the embodiment of knowledge of the Absolute. The

sound of Her celestial veena awakens the notes of the sublime utterances of the

Upanishads which reveal the Truth, and the sacred monosyllable, Om. She bestows

the knowledge of the supreme, mystic sound and then gives full knowledge of the

Self as represented by Her pure, dazzling snow-white apparel. Therefore, to

propitiate Saraswathi, the giver of knowledge, is the third stage.

The tenth day, Vijaya Dasami, marks the triumphant ovation of the soul at having

attained liberation while living in this world, through the descent of knowledge

by the Grace of Goddess Saraswathi. The soul rests in his own Supreme Self or

Satchidananda Brahman. This day celebrates the victory, the achievement of the

goal. The banner of victory flies aloft. Lo! I am He! I am He!

This arrangement also has a special significance in the aspirant's spiritual

evolution. It marks the indispensable stages of evolution through which

everyone has to pass. One naturally leads to the other; to short-circuit this

would inevitably result in a miserable failure. Nowadays many ignorant seekers

aim straight at the cultivation of knowledge without the preliminaries of

purification and acquisition of the divine qualities. They then complain that

they are not progressing on the path. How can they? Knowledge will not descend

until the impurities have been washed out, and purity is developed. How can the

pure plant grow in impure soil?

Therefore adhere to this arrangement; your efforts will be crowned with sure

success. This is your path. As you destroy one evil quality, develop the virtue

opposite to it. By this process you will soon bring yourself up to that

perfection which will culminate in identity with the Self which is your goal.

Then all knowledge will be yours: you will be omniscient, omnipotent and you

will feel your omnipresence. You will see your Self in all. You will have

achieved eternal victory over the wheel of births and deaths, over the demon of

worldliness. No more pain, no more misery, no more birth, no more death!

Victory, victory be yours!

Glory to the Divine Mother! Let Her take you, step by step to the top of the

spiritual ladder and unite you with the Lord!

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