The Musings of a Millennial

 The 8th day of Navaratri is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, the 8th form of Maa Durga. It is said that on this day, Maa Durga slayed the demons and freed the world from them.  The story goes as follows:  The Rise of Maa Ambika & Maa Kalaratri Two demons named Shumbh & Nishumbh defeat Indradev and conquer all the three worlds. They start discharging the duties of Sun, Moon, and other gods etc. Then all the gods went to Himalayas and pleaded Goddess Parvathi to help them. She was bathing at that time and created a powerful form called Ambika —a shining goddess armed with divine weapons and surrounded by heavenly beings. Born of Ma Parvati’s body (Kosha or sheath), she is also known as Kaushiki . After giving rise to this form, Maa Parvathi's whole body turned dark, who is also known as Kalki/Kalika/Kaalaratri . The Goddess thus born was supremely beautiful and when Chanda and Munda , the disciples of the demon brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha set eyes upon her, they ...

  The 7th day of Navaratri is dedicated to Maa Kaalratri, the 7th form of Maa Durga. Here, Kaala means time and ratri means death and Kaalratri means the One who is the Death of Kaal. She is destroyer of evils. She is of dark complexion, rides a donkey, and is depicted with four hands - her right hands in Abhaya and Varada Mudra and her left hands holding a sword and a deadly iron hook. Maa Kaalratri governs the Crown Chakra or Sahasra and provides the Siddhi to the seeker. The Crown chakra is the centre of absolute consciousness, which is located at the top of the head. In reality, it is not a chakra at all, as it is beyond the mind itself. Sahasrara represents the highest point in human evolution. It is a control centre which controls the awakening of all the other chakras. When Kundalini reaches Sahasrara is when self-realisation or enlightenment take place. Individual consciousness is replaced by Universal consciousness at this level. एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता,  ल...

  The 6th day of Navaratri festival is dedicated to Maa Katyayani, the 6th form of Goddess Durga. Trinity of Gods thus bestowed all their energies and created this form of Goddess Durga, who thus had the powers to slay Mahishasura. Hence she is also referred to as "Mahishasura Mardhini." She was born as daughter of sage Katyayan, hence the name Katyayani. Goddess Katyayani has four hands, holding a sword, lotus flower in two hands, and other hand is in the form of Abhaya Mudra and rides on a lion. Maa Katyayani is ascribed to the sixth Agnya chakra or the ‘Third Eye Chakra.’ The development of the third-eye is of great importance and it is at this level that prana is experienced in the form of light. The three main nadis or energy channels: ida (which carries mental energy), pingala (which carries prana or vital energy) and sushumna (which carries Kundalini energy) converge into one channel of consciousness at the third-eye chakra. This single stream then flows up to Sahasrar...

  The 5th day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Skandamata, the 5th manifestation of Goddess Durga and the mother of Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by the devatas as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. Maa Skandamata has four arms, with two holding lotus flowers, and is often seen with her child, Lord Kartikeya, sitting on her lap as she rides a lion. Her image reflects compassion, purity, and strength, qualities devotees seek when they offer prayers on this day. Maa Skandamata resides in the Vishuddhi Chakra or Throat Chakra symbolizing the aspects of creativity and communications. Vishuddhi chakra is the centre of purification and longevity, also known as “the fountain of youth.”Vishuddhi is predominantly influenced by sattva – purity, luminosity and serenity.At the level of Vishuddhi, negative experiences can be transformed into a state of bliss. The level of consciousness rises to a point in which external happenings no longer affect inner peace. सिंहासनगत...

  Maa Kushmanda, the fourth form of Goddess Durga, is worshipped on the 4th day of Navratri. Ku means "a little", Ushma means "warmth" or "life energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg" and she is considered the creator of the universe (Brahmandam). She is also called as Asthabhuja Devi, often depicted with eight hands, holding a chakra, gada (mace), lotus flower, bow and arrow, kamandalu, amrita Kalash (pot of immortal nectar), and japa mala. The Japa mala has all the Asthasiddhis and Navaniddhis. Maa Kushmanda represents Anahata Chakra or Heart Chakra in spiritual practice. It is responsible for the awakening of higher emotions. This is the centre which converts emotion into devotion. At this level, once one is freed from emotional attachment, the mind becomes calm, steady and peaceful. This level of peace, gives one greater control over one’s life and future.   या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता।  नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः...

On the third day of Navratri, Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped. Maa Chandraghanta is the married form of Goddess Parvati. After getting married to Lord Shiva, Maa started adorning her forehead with half moon and that's why she is known as Maa Chandraghanta Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta helps us to attain spiritual enlightenment . She governs the Manipura chakra in the navel also known as Solar Chakra. Like the Sun which radiates light and heat, Manipura radiates and distributes energy throughout the body, powering and controlling all of the life's process. One who has activated this chakra no longer sees the world through personal prejudices and complexes. One is able to see higher possibilities of human consciousness. Thus the Manipura chakra embodies the change from simplicity to complexity.  पिण्डजप्रवरारुढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।  प्रसादं तनुते मह्यां चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥ Pindaj Pravara Rudha Chand Kopastra Keyurta Prasadam Tanute Maham Chandra Ghanteti Vishruta..!!