NEED FOR CELEBRATION OF NAVDURGA
HUMAN LIFE
There are two aspects to human life:
1. Physical body, the material,
2. The inner self or the soul, the spiritual
In order to function to fulfil both the aspects properly, human-being require four types of energy:
- Physical energy: Depends upon eating habits, exercise, proper sleep, etc.
- Mental energy: Depends upon mental alertness and focus of mind.
- Emotional energy: Negatively charged or positively charged
- Spiritual energy: Depends upon compassion, and enjoy the joy of others.
These energies do not depend solely on food or exercise. Our thoughts, will, feeling, muscular strength, proper action of organs and glands all depend for their existence on the Life Force.
Cosmic Energy and Life force
Cosmic Energy is within and around us, recharging the body at all times with the desired life force. Icchā Shakti (willpower) is the force that finally provides the impulse of the life force for the removal of the rocks of Karmas and cumbersome qualities once and for all.
The more we depend on the will and Cosmic Energy to sustain ourselves, the less are our food requirements; because the more we depend on food, the weaker our will and the less our recourse to Cosmic Energy.
Innate Energy from Mother: We receive 50% nuclear DNA from mother and 50% from father.
But we receive 100% mitochondrial DNA from mother. Mitochondrial DNA is the small circular chromosome found inside mitochondria. These organelles found in cells have often been called the powerhouse of the cell. The mitochondria, and thus mitochondrial DNA, are passed almost exclusively from mother to offspring through the egg cell.
Mitochondria produce ATP. ATP is energy currency of biological system. For everything we do, we require ATP. ATP is source of energy for doing all activities. It means we receive Power (energy DNA) from mother. Mothers had received from their respective mothers … And so on.
So, God of Power is Mother only. That is the reason energy is always called the Mother; such as ‘Ma-Adi-shakti’ or ‘Ma Durga’.
The Sanskrit word Durga (दुर्ग) means fort or a place that is protected and thus difficult to reach. It is derived from the roots ‘dur (दुर्)‘ (difficult) and ‘gam (गम)‘ (pass, go through). Thus, DURGA refers to a fortress that we build to protect ourselves from marauders. Our body and mind acts as a fortress for us; and body’s immune system is the army that defends our body-systems from the outside environment and foreign bodies such as micro organism, bacteria and viruses.
Thus, Durga is the psychological fortress of our body and mind that we build with the help of the life energy by making a system leading life and get them audited regularly by regulating our life style.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES AND HUMAN-BEING: During rainy season Pitta पित्त is accumulated after that Pitta पित्त is provoked (कुपित) during the fall, when the winter approaches. During this period human body becomes more prone to diseases as it is less resistant, both physically and mentally to the attack of outside environment, micro organism, bacteria and viruses. In order to take remedial measures to combat the possible disease, we need to renew our body and mind i.e. fortress. So, this period has been termed as NAV DURGA.
After generations of observation or investigation, our great saints (Rishis) concluded that the “key lies in the heavens i.e. positions of stars in the sky”. Zodiac or Rasi Chakraराशि-चक्र is a circular path with constellations as mile stones.
After keen observation and research our saints recorded the properties of these constellations and designed rituals in symmetry with them.
Aswin Maasआश्विन मास is when Full Moon-day forms in Aswini star. During this month before sun rise on the horizon, we can visualise the constellation “Simha” सिंह-राशि (Leo) and later Kanya कन्या-राशि (Virgo) on the horizon as ascendants. Hence we can visualises the image as a “a young woman sitting on lion”. This is the image of Goddess Durga (देवी दुर्गा). Both the major planets the Sun and the Moon reaches to Kanya कन्या-राशि (Virgo). Earlier to that both the planets were on “Simha” सिंह-राशि (Leo). It is well known fact that the Sun affects the health our body and the Moon affects the health of our mind.
The lion is a symbol of uncontrolled animalistic tendencies such as anger, arrogance, selfishness, greed, jealousy, desire to harm others etc. The image of Durga on lion reminds us to have a control on these tendencies and protect our mind from vitiating from these evil tendencies.
NavDurga signifies that we should renew our body system (DURGA) by detoxifying through keeping fast, purifying the environment by HAVAN or YAGYA. Also we need to get rid of all the negative feelings and emotions. Our nervous system needs to be strengthened by performing a specific meditation (SADHANA) and prayer each night of NAVRATRI in the manner specified for that (NAV DURGA) day in order to rejuvenate our mind and nerves in order to make our body capable to fight disease and get success in life.
Thus, there are three rituals that are followed during Nav-Durga days in order to stregthen our own two fortress (Durga दुर्ग) body and mind:
1. Fasting
2. Yagya
3. Prayer and Celebration
According to Ayurveda, fasting enegises the digestive fire. An increase in the digestive fire burns the toxins in the body. When the toxins are flushed out of the body, it loses dullness and lethargy. It helps in de-stressing and building up immunity. All the cells of the body are rejuvenated. Fasting, therefore, is an effective therapy to cleanse our body.
When the body is cleansed, the mind becomes calmer and more peaceful and alert because of the deep connection between the body and mind. When you are fasting, you are detoxified, and your prayer becomes authentic and deep. Yagya and Havan purifies the environment from bacterias and viruses that may cause diseases. Prayer and celebrations fill us with the positive energythat strengthen our nervous system.
These celebrations motivate us to contribute for the society as a whole as we are enjoying today the fruits of the actions earlier performed by the society only. Prayer and celebrations for that fill us with the positive energy that strengthen our nervous system.
Celebration of Nav-Durga: The best way of celebrating is to energise the body and mind through prayer and focusing on sensing nerves and motor nerves passing through the spinal cord and connecting different parts of the body to the brain.
1st Day Goddess Durga Shailputri: The first chakra, muladhara, is located in the base of the spine. Here, the energy manifests as inertia or enthusiasm. The positive attributes of the Muladhara Chakra are vitality, vigour and growth. The negative qualities are laziness, inertia, self-centredness and domination by one’s physical desires. The root chakra rules the base of the spine, the rectum, lower limbs and supports the physical body, bones, and immune system. It also controls our mental and emotional thought patterns that can cause an imbalance. Physical dysfunction related to imbalances leads to chronic lower back pain, varicose veins, rectal tumour or cancer, depression, and immune-related disorders.
2nd Day Goddess Durga Bramhacharini: By worshiping this form of Goddess Durga, and balancing this chakra just below naval center, one becomes creative. Itis the sex centre just four inches above the base of the spine vibrating from the pubic bone. This chakra is linked with the Adrenal gland which secretes a hormone named Adrenaline. When this gland functions well and there is no blockage of energy, one is self- confident. Adrenaline induces enthusiasm, courage, faith and strength etc. and prepares the body and mind to endure or react in cold, heat, defence, struggle, self-defence etc. Under the influence of this hormone, one tries to create his own identity and existence. It is the seat of the subconscious mind where all life experiences and impressions since the beginning of our existence in the womb are stored. When negative emotions arise from the subconscious to the conscious state, we can be completely put off balance.
3rd Day Goddess Durga Chandraghanta: The third day, one should focus is in the navel region located on the solar plexus in the lower thoracic area, at the controlling point of the pancreas. This is closely tied to the digestive fire and heat regulation. Here energy manifests as four emotions: Generosity, joy, greed and jealousy (two positive and two negative emotions). Pancreas is the corresponding gland of this chakra. This chakra helps in producing digestive juices and a hormone named insulin which oxidises glucose and provides strength to the body. Imbalances may be in the form of liver and kidney disorders, diarrhoea, indigestion, and other digestive issues. In case of imbalance, one feels lonely and neglected are unable to think clearly, to express his thoughts and feelings. Numerous complaints such as Diabetes, skin diseases, cardio-vascular diseases, Gout, Arthritis, rheumatic diseases, many types of migraines, allergies and many more can trace their origin back to a lack of energy within the Manipūra Chakra and a badly functioning digestive system.
The energies of Prāna and Apāna meet at the naval point. They represent the two basic functions of giving and taking, expansion and contraction, assimilation and elimination. Apāna is the “eliminating power” that brings about detoxification through excretion, secretion and exhalation. Its seat is in the lower abdomen. If Apāna Vāyu cannot flow freely then it results in toxicity within the body. Illnesses or diseases that affect the lower abdomen, intestines, kidneys, urinary tract, legs, etc., result from a disturbance of Apāna Vāyu.
4th Day Goddess Durga Kushmanda: For this in the chest region where energy manifests as three emotions love, fear and hatred. The Thymus gland which motivates the body to fight bacteria and viruses is also located here.
The thymus gland, located between lungs, is only active until puberty. Thymosin is the hormone of the thymus, and it stimulates the development of disease-fighting T cells. Before birth and throughout childhood, the thymus is instrumental in the production and maturation of T-lymphocytes or T cells, a specific type of white blood cell that protects the body from certain threats, including viruses and infections. T cells gain their name as they mature in the thymus. The thymus gland is also helping the body protect itself against autoimmunity, which occurs when the immune system turns against itself.
After puberty, the thymus starts to slowly shrink and become replaced by fat. The thymus reaches its maximum weight (about 1 ounce) during puberty. by age 65, we are basically unable to make new T cells. As the organ shrinks, the T cell areas are replaced with fatty tissue. By age 75, the thymus is little more than fatty tissue. Fortunately, the thymus produces all of your T cells by the time you reach puberty. Though the thymus gland is only active until puberty, its double-duty function as an endocrine and lymphatic gland plays a significant role in your long-term health.
Anahat chakra is the centre of love and compassion — not possession or selfish emotions — located in the thoracic region, lies in the heart, (the solar plexus) and is associated with air (atmosphere) i.e. related with Vata. These represent the Divine qualities of the heart, such as bliss, peace, harmony, love, understanding, empathy, clarity, purity, unity, compassion, kindness and forgiveness. However, the Heart Centre is also the centre of emotions and feelings. It emits a mysterious cosmic vibration as of un-struck sound. That is sound beyond the realm of senses.
5th Day Goddess Durga Skand Mata: Poisons can enter through a wrong thought, emotion, idea, or impulse in our life. An active Vishuddhi saves us from all these influences. The vishuddhi Chakra is located in the throat region where energy manifests as two emotions gratitude and grief. Vishuddhi Chakra is the starting point of Udana Prana. It is a function of this Prana to purify the body of toxic substances while breathing. Thyroid and Para-thyroid glands are also positioned here which help in the physical and mental development. These glands keep on check on the level of iodine and calcium in the body and maintain the strength of the bones.
Blockage of the Vishuddhi Chakra produces feelings of anxiety, lack of freedom, restriction, thyroid and throat problems. There may be swallowing problems and speech impediments. If this chakra is inactive and unbalanced there may be diseases related to thyroid gland and throat and find himself in pain and sadness without any obvious reason. If the person is unable to express himself/herself freely, it causes a constriction of the windpipe, which could result in asthma.
6th Day Goddess Durga Katyayani: By worshipping Goddess Katyayani, the worshipper is bestowed with awakening of AGYA CHAKRA. The Agya chakra is located between the eyebrows It is also known as the “third eye”. The Agya Chakra is the centre of clarity and wisdom. It forms the boundary between human and Divine consciousness. It is the meeting point of the three principle Nadis, Ida (Moon Nadi), Pingala (Sun Nadi) and Sushumna (Central Nadi). The Ajna Chakra controls and energizes the pituitary gland, the endocrine glands and the brain to a certain extent. This chakra provides soundness to the mental state of a person. When a person’s Ajna Chakra is strong, he will smile even when he is under tremendous pressure. A strong Ajna Chakra ensures active intelligence- intelligence along with the ability to take action. The Ajna Chakra is the Master Chakra that controls all the hormone glands. One is able to accomplish his tasks with determination and zeal. It is the center where cosmic energy from the universe enters the body and feeds it with prana or conscious life force.
By group activities like exercise, music and dance and other creative activities in group, endorphins are produced by pituitary gland and central nervous system. Endorphins is the pain-killing molecules. These neurotransmitters act to increase feelings of pleasure and well-being and also to reduce pain and discomfort.
7th Day Goddess Durga Kaalratri: Devi Kalratri destroys all negative energies. In this form Goddess Kalratri killed Raktabeej. She has a divine light and is an eternal source of wisdom. On the seventh day, the goddess of art and knowledge, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. The Crown Chakra governs the top of the spinal cord, brain stem, pain centre and nerves. It is the centre of enlightenment, dynamic thought, truth and oneness. By this, all the ill effects caused due to diseases get permanently over. The hypothalamus, pituitary, and pineal glands play roles in spiritual experience.
The pineal gland produces melatonin, a serotonin derived hormone which modulates sleep patterns in both circadian and seasonal cycles. Pineal gland is considered to be the biological clock of the human body and it is also connected to the sight nerve. Melatonin which runs in the bloodstream and protects the body from cancer. Insufficient secretion of melatonin will lead to sleep problems. Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus. Oxytocin is the essence of affection, the hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain that bonds interpersonal relationship in couples as well as good psychological effects to one.
Endorphins is the pain-killing molecules
8th Day Goddess Durga Gauri: On 8th day (Astami) Navratri, the devotees worship Mother Gauri by experiencing that their mind is being filled with coolness emanating from the moon and slowly their mind is becoming quiet and calm. Success is achieved through positive thinking and positive doing i.e. attraction + action. If you want to transform yourself, you have to change on the inside (the mind) first and then everything else will follow. As you give access to your mind for new convictions, new thoughts are making their way in your subconscious.
9th Day Goddess Durga ‘Siddhidatri’: When the whole body has already been made free of toxicity and energised and also mind is calm and quiet, one is to pray the Goddess Siddhidatri to bestow with success in all walks of life. Siddhi means accomplishment, fulfilment, complete attainment, and success. It relates to the successful achieving one’s goal. In her ninth manifestation as Siddhidatri, she represents peace, knowledge and supernatural power. Devotee worship Durga to gain positive energy, to cleanse their mind so as to attain purity and salvation. A pure mind helps devotees concentrate on their routine. Durga embodies Shakti, the dynamic aspect of ultimate reality and its role in creation, protection and transformation. Durga also embodies empowerment of women and reverence for them. Durga gives the eternal message of hope and assurance for divine intervention in times of trouble.
Anything that changes is Prakriti. Mahishasur controlled all the divine power by enslaving nature. Thus, ecological balance of the nature resulting into draught. The Nature in the form of Siddhi-Datri restored all the blessings to the human-beings after killing Mahishasur in her Katyayani form. Shakti is the principal energy maintaining the balance of the universe.
Bhagwati Prasad Gupta 