Navratri literally means nine nights. According to Hindu mythology, Navratri signifies nine nights and ten days that are spent in commiserating the victory of Goddess Durga over demons. During Navratri, the nine forms of the Goddess Durga: Shailaputri, Bharmacharini, Chandra Ghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kaal Ratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri are worshipped.
In the year, Navratri comes five times a year. They are as follows:
• Vasanta Navratri: Celebrated in the month of (March–April).
• Ashadha Navratri: Celebrated in the month of (June–July).
• Sharada Navratri: Celebrated in the month of (September–October).
• Paush Navratri: Celebrated in the month of (December–January).
• Magha Navratri: Celebrated in the month of (January–February).
Among these five Navratri, the most important are Sharada Navratri and Vasanta Navratri are famous, and three are secretly observed and known as ‘Gupt Navratri’.
Legend Behind Navratri:
Once there was a demon named Mahishasura and he got the boon from Lord Brahma indicating that no man would be able to kill him. He began empowering Gods and finally he overturned the throne of God Indra. At that time, all Gods went to the Hindu trinity Gods: Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva for seeking their help.
All the three Lords along with other Gods united their powers to create Goddess Shakti. She and demon Mahishasura fought for nine days, and on the tenth day, Goddess Durga beheaded him to conclude the war. These nine days are celebrated as Navratri.
According to another legend, Goddess Uma, consort of Lord Shiva and daughter of King Daksha of Himalayas once came to know the fact that her father had organized Yagna at his palace and intentionally not invited her. Lord Shiva suggested his wife Uma that she should not visit her parental home as an uninvited guest but all his efforts went in vain. She had great bonding with her parents that made Godddess Uma ignore her husband's wishes. Finally, when she visited her parental home to be a part of Yagna, she was insulted by her father. He used obscene words for Lord Shiva. Uma got raged by that, she jumped into the fire of Yagna, from where she gained prominence as ‘Sati’. In her next birth, she again got herself married to Lord Shiva and concluded the conflict of her past life by making peace with her parents. It is believed that during the nine-day period of Navratri, she visits her parents.
How People Celebrate Navratri:
Navratri is celebrated all over India but the way of celebration is different though the fervor and enthusiasm remain same in all the places. People usually pray, sing, dance and eat special dishes and enjoy the blissful moments with Goddess. This exhibits India’s Identity and that is “Unity in diversity”.
During these days, many people keep fast and amidst great celebration, they meditate and concentrate their mind and seek the blessings from the Goddess. They can experience the joyful silence with awareness.
The first three days of Navratri are tamasic, the next three rajasic, and the last three sattvic. In life, all these three qualities co-exist and we have to lead towards Sattvic nature. These nine days are a reminder of this. Now let’s discuss all the above three qualities.
Sattvic Means:
• Spiritually inclined.
• Caring, respectful, and considerate for others.
• Punctual, Intelligent and focused towards the goal.
• Remain calm, gentle, honest, humble, flexible, happy, and peaceful in any situation.
• Eat vegetarian food that can be easily digestible and like to have milk, fruit juices and vegetarian soups.
Rajasic Means:
• Temperament is dynamic and seeks to control and dominate others.
• Value prestige and authority and so seek power, status, fame, wealth, and recognition.
• Seek continual gratification of desires (sex, food), stimulation of the senses (music, color, fragrance), and entertainment (parties, functions, festivals).
• Highly active and industrious.
• Brave and courageous.
• Like to eat non-vegetarian food along with royal delicacies that are strong and excessive in flavor (spicy, hot, and salty) is preferred. Use of stimulants such as coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco are consumed regularly.
Tamsic Means:
• Temperament is apathetic and insensitive, inconsiderate with others.
• Exhibit dishonesty, arrogance, and laziness.
• Indulge in different crimes.
• They almost engaged in drinking, sleeping, sex and idleness.
• Little or no desire to improve physically or mentally, or lack the will power and discipline to do so.
• They overeat, and consume food that is overcooked, sweet and heavy in taste and “Fast food” or “Junk food” constitutes a large part of their diet.
In a nutshell, Navratri symbolizes that Goddess Durga like our mothers loves us irrespective of our qualities. She helps us in awakening the divinity and nurtures the good qualities in us that can help in straightening good qualities in us and skillfully removing the negative qualities from us. This can happen only when we pray sincerely during these days. These nine days are a reminder to be a seeker of true knowledge and of course, it cannot be contemplated without the grace of the right teacher and we are very fortunate to have the teacher like Goddess Durga. These nine days are an opportunity to be completely indulged in the color of divinity of Goddess. We should thank Goddess Durga by praying, singing, and dancing in praise of Goddess. She came on Earth; free us from the sorrows, protect us from our enemies, and lead us towards our goal in our life. She gave us the reason to celebrate, prepare sumptuous feast and revel in merrymaking.
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