Navratri Symbolism

Faith Mysticism

oi-Priya

By Priya Devi

Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 13:00

Navratri is a widely celebrated festival across the country. The spirit of festivity is at its heights during the nine days dedicated to the Divine Mother. A peep into the essence of Navratri and its symbolism makes the observance of the rituals associated with it more meaningful.

Symbolism in the legend of Navratri

We celebrate Navratri owing to the slaying of Mahishasura by the Divine Mother. Mahishasura was born of a demon of Rajo Guna(a quality of immense restlessness and aggression) and a she buffalo possessing Tamo Guna (inertia and lethargy) It was no small wonder for Mahishasura to be possessed by the qualities of Rajo and Tamo Guna, who wreaked havoc in the three worlds.

Mahishasura represents the Jivatma or the individual soul with impurities owing to Rajo and Tamo qualities in one. It is Mother Durga (the Paramatma ) who slays Mahishasura or more aptly the inherent tendencies in the individual soul to merge with the Divine. The death of Mahishasura is symbolic of the ego ultimately giving way for the divine to take over.

Goddess Durga

The Divine Mother is worshipped in three forms owing to the functional aspects of the forms. Goddess Durga is worshipped during the first three days of Navratri. In the process of realising one's true self, the evil tendencies of the mind will have to be destroyed, as the first step. The worship of the Divine Mother, in the form of Goddess Durga represented by a fierce form, simply destroys the inherent evil in an individual

Goddess Lakshmi

A pure mind is a pre-requisite for attaining the ultimate truth. The destruction of the evil tendencies in one, makes room for a pure mind. The worship of the Divine Mother in the form of Goddess Lakshmi, the source of all virtues, renders a mind pure. She is the abode of all spiritual wealth apart from the material. She bestows on all those who worship Her with purity of mind, susceptible to receive the knowledge of the highest truth. Only a pure mind which is made subtle by steadfast adherence of virtues is suitable for self knowledge. Hence the second three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi during the nine days of Navratri in prayer for purity of mind.

Goddess Saraswati

Only a pure mind can itself become a tool for the destruction of its own vagaries with the aid of Jnana or knowledge. The Divine Mother in the form of Goddess Saraswati who represents the highest knowledge of Self knowledge, is worshipped for the destruction of the ego. She bestows on one, the knowledge of the self which destroys the delusion of the illusion of one's identity to realise the Supreme truth of oneself.

Vijayadashami

The tenth day of Navratri is celebrated as Vijayadashami or the day of victory owing to one's victory over the evil tendencies for the attainment of a pure mind which is suitable to receive the highest knowledge of the self for self realisation. The three forms of the Divine Mother are signifiant in their own right, eliminating any of them will not result in the realisation of the ultimate goal.

Hence Navratri is considered as a highly suitable period for the pursuit of one's spiritual sadhana for the bliss of one's being.

Let us thus pray to the Divine Mother as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati keeping in mind the symbolism and make our prayers more meaningful in pursuit of the ultimate.

Jai Matadi!