Navratri
 

Festivals-of-India-Shivratri-Holi-Diwali-Navratri-Rakshabandhan-Janmastami

Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvartha sadhike l
Sharanye trayambake gauri, Narayani namostute ll

Meaning: O Mother ! You are the personification of all that is auspicious, You are the benevolent form of Lord Shiva, You bestow Divine energy and help people achieve Righteousness, wealth, fulfill desires and Liberation, You are worthy of being surrendered to. Three eyes adorn You. O Narayani Devi, I pay obeisance to You !

Goddess Durga is the mother of the universe and believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation, and destruction of the world. Since time immemorial she has been worshipped as the supreme power of the Supreme Soul Shiva and has been mentioned in many scriptures - Yajur Veda, Vajasaneyi Samhita and Taittareya Brahman.

The Meaning of "Durga"
The word "Durga" in Sanskrit means a fort, or a place which is difficult to overrun. Another meaning of "Durga" is "Durgatinashini," which literally translates into "the one who eliminates sufferings." Thus, Hindus believe that goddess Durga protects her devotees from the evils of the world and at the same time removes their miseries.

The Many Forms of Durga
There are many incarnations of Durga: Kali, Bhagvati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri, Kandalini, Java, Rajeswari, et al. Durga incarnated as the united power of all divine beings, who offered her the required physical attributes and weapons to kill the demon "Mahishasur". Her nine appellations are Skondamata, Kusumanda, Shailaputri, Kaalratri, Brahmacharini, Maha Gauri, Katyayani, Chandraghanta and Siddhidatri.

Durga's Many Arms
Durga is depicted as having eight or ten hands. These represent eight quadrants or ten directions in Hinduism. This suggests that she protects the devotees from all directions.

Durga's Three Eyes
Like Shiva, Mother Durga is also referred to as "Triyambake" meaning the three eyed Goddess. The left eye represents desire (the moon), the right eye represents action (the sun), and the central eye knowledge (fire).

Durga's Vehicle - the Lion
The lion represents power, will and determination. Mother Durga riding the lion symbolises her mastery over all these qualities. This suggests to the devotee that one has to possess all these qualities to get over the demon of ego.

Durga's Many Weapons
The conch shell in Durga's hand symbolizes the 'Pranava' or the mystic word 'Om', which indicates her holding on to God in the form of sound.
The bow and arrows represent energy. By holding both the bow and arrows in one hand "Mother Durga" is indicating her control over both aspects of energy - potential and kinetic.
The thunderbolt signifies firmness. The devotee of Durga must be firm like thunderbolt in one's convictions. Like the thunderbolt that can break anything against which it strikes, without being affected itself, the devotee needs to attack a challenge without losing his confidence.
The lotus in Durga's hand is not in fully bloomed, It symbolizing certainty of success but not finality. The lotus in Sanskrit is called "pankaja" which means born of mud. Thus, lotus stands for the continuous evolution of the spiritual quality of devotees amidst the worldly mud of lust and greed.
The "Sudarshan-Chakra" or beautiful discus, which spins around the index finger of the Goddess, while not touching it, signifies that the entire world is subservient to the will of Durga and is at her command. She uses this unfailing weapon to destroy evil and produce an environment conducive to the growth of righteousness.
The sword that Durga holds in one of her hands symbolizes knowledge, which has the sharpness of a sword. Knowledge which is free from all doubts, is symbolized by the shine of the sword.
Durga's trident or "trishul" is a symbol of three qualities - Satwa (inactivity), Rajas (activity) and Tamas (non-activity) - and she is remover of all the three types of miseries - physical, mental and spiritual.

Devi Durga stands on a lion in a fearless pose of "Abhay Mudra", signifying assurance of freedom from fear. The universal mother seems to be saying to all her devotees: "Surrender all actions and duties onto me and I shall release thee from all fears".

Director of the Santa Cruz branch of Brahmakumaris, Meera said, “Navratri is a festival that signifies the victory over the demons of vices and negative energy that are present around us in the form of falsehood, hatred, discrimination and greed. To win over these evils, we need to strengthen our minds through the practice of meditation. The true meaning of celebrating Navratri will only be achieved if we conquer the negative thoughts that arise within our minds.”

Aahar - One should always avoid non vegetarian foods and “Satvik” food like fruits, Kutu Ka Aata, Singara Ka Aata, Curd and Potatoes should be consumed. Usage of Onion and Garlic should be avoided.

Navratri, the festival of nine nights is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. According to the Hindu calendar, Navratri begins from the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin which usually coincides with the end of the rainy season.
The nine days have great religious significance as Goddess
Durga, the mother, had destroyed the evil force (in the form of the demon Mahisashura) during this period. The festival is celebrated with true devotion and purity all over the country. People from various sections of the society irrespective of caste and creed celebrate this festival by visiting temples and offering pujas at the Mother’s feet.
In some places special puja samarohas are also held by setting the images of Mother Durga on beautifully decorated pandals. Temples dedicated to Shakti also make arrangement for pujas and bratas to mark these nine days as true symbols of devotion and adoration towards the divine mother.

Nine days of Navratri

First Day
The first day is dedicated to the Goddess Durga is called Shailputri, the daughter of the Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the companion of Lord Shiva.

Second Day
The second day is dedicated to the Goddess Durga is known as 'Brahmacharini'. The name is derivative of the word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. She is also a form of Mata Shakti.

Third Day
The third day is dedicated to the goddess Chandraghanta, the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery.
Navratri.
 

Fourth Day
The fourth day is dedicated to the goddess Kushmandas, the creator of the entire Universe.

Fifth Day
The fifth day is dedicated to the Goddess Skand Mata, the mother of the chief warrior of the Gods army the Skanda.

Sixth Day
The sixth day is dedicated to the goddess Katyayani with three eyes and four hands.

Seventh Day
The seventh day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Kalratri', meant to make the devotees fearless.

Eighth Day
The eight day is dedicated to the Mata Rani or 'Maha Gauri', represents calmness and exhibits wisdom.

Ninth Day
The ninth day is dedicated to Durga also referred as Siddhidatri. It is believed that she has all the eight siddhis and is worshipped by all the Rishis and Yogis.


Forms of Shakti
Nine forms of Shakti are worshipped during the Navaratris. The Devis worshipped depend on the tradition of the region.

   Durga, the inaccessible one
   Bhadrakali
   Amba or Jagadamba, Mother of the universe
   Annapoorna devi, The one who bestows grains (anna) in plenty (purna: used as    subjective)
   Sarvamangala, The one who gives joy (mangal) to all (sarva)
   Bhairavi
   Chandika or Chandi
   Lalita
   Bhavani
   Mookambika

Father of Maa Jagdambe God Shiva Supreme Soul
Shivaratri — The most significant of all festivals Shivaratri is celebrated every year with a lot of religious fervour and devotion. Devotees keep fast, make offerings on Shivaling and stay awake all night (jagarari) to get the blessings of God Shiva. Unknown to most of the devotees the festival of Shivaratri holds the mystery to something most crucial namely, how God liberates the entire humanity from sorrow and suffering. Till this mystery is solved by God himself, Shivaratri is celebrated merely as an annual ritual sans its original significance and purpose. To truly celebrate Shivaratri it is vital to know as to who Shiva is and what the word ‘Ratri’ which means night has to do with Shiva. 

The Supreme Soul is one and souls are many. The Supreme Soul is the Creator and Director of the eternal World Drama and souls are the actors in it. By becoming pure souls can become a great soul (mahatma), religious soul (dharamatma) and a divine or deity soul (devatmd) but they cannot become Supreme Soul i.e. paramatma. Souls are the progeny and not a part of the Supreme Soul. God Shiva is the creator of all deities even Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar. Devotees worship them as devtaya namaha (salutations to the lords or deities). In comparison, Shiva is always worshipped as Shiva Paramatmay Namaha (Salutations to God Shiva) and Om Namaha Shivay (I salute Shiva). Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are shown as worshipping God Shiva at Rameshwar and Gopeshwar respectively. The light form of God Shiva has been idolized as jyotirlingam (pillar of light) in 12 famous jyotirlingam Shiva temples in India viz. in Kedarnath, Somnath and Mahakaleswar etc. The light form of God is worshipped in most of the faiths in the world. Interestingly, Shivaratri does not mean Shiva’s night. The festival commemorates God’s descent on earth to end the unlimited Ratri (night) of ignorance and suffering and to usher in the golden dawn of peace, harmony and happiness. Here Ratri connotes that critical juncture in eternal world drama cycle when unrighteousness reaches its extreme and all human efforts to redeem the situation fail. It’s a period of extreme sorrow and suffering when the vices of ego, lust, anger and attachment rule human thoughts and actions.
In Hindu scriptures there is mention of the night of Brahma (Brahma ki raaf) and
also the night of the shaktis or goddesses (Navratris). The night of Brahma signifies the age of ignorance and unrighteousness in which God’s first and purest creation, Brahma and the Brahmins, are clouded by ignorance and vices. When God Shiva comes and opens their third eye of wisdom by bestowing divine intellect, they are able to forge a mental link with Him and draw His power. They thus become Shiva Shaktis who destroy ignorance and vices in the world with the help of Shiva. The Navratri (festival of nine nights) is a memorial of the end of the unlimited ratri in which devotees invoke the blessings of Shiva Shaktis and sing praise of their divine actions. It is at such a time when God intervenes to perform the divine acts of re-creating the new world order of purity, peace and prosperity and destroying the old world order of viciousness, violence and deprivation, as described in the Gita. Just as night ends and day dawns when the sun rises, in the same way to end the night of ignorance God Shiva, the Sun of Knowledge (Gyan Surya) incarnates at the fag end of Kaliyuga, in Bharat. This period of spiritual enlightenment is sailed Sangamyuga (Confluence Age) in which the most auspicious confluence of the Supreme Soul Shiva and human souls takes place. This is the most elevated period in human world when God incarnates in an ordinary nan’s body and names him Prajapita Brahma through whom He reveals the most profound cnowledge about the Creator and His Creation. He reveals the supreme wisdom of Rajyoga .vhich helps human beings absolve their sins and attain their original purity and perfection. That s why God Shiva is knowledgeful and patitpavan (purifier).    He is also the liberator and guide whose incarnation sets in process the destruction of the /icious, unrighteous iron-aged world - the present Kaliyuga - and consequently the liberation of ill souls from sin and suffering. God Shiva guides all souls to the land of liberation - the souls vorld where freed from their bondages they live in peace and silence. Thus He is also called \4ahakaal (the great death or the eternal time) whose advent signals the return of everything in Creation to its original state.This purification leads to the creation of a new pure world order Satyuga. it is tne lime world drama cycle (Srishti Chakrd) which is remembered as Paradise, Heaven, Vaikunth, lahisht or Swarg where complete purity, peace and prosperity prevailed. That is why the iupreme Father of all souls is called the Creator and Shiva, which
means the benefactor of all, vho does good to every soul by incarnating in this world. And the happiest news is that this golden key which opens the gates of the Golden age, Satyuga or Paradise is being given right now by Supreme Soul God Shiva himself to His spiritual children who have recognized His incognito incarnation in the human medium of Adi Dev Prajapita Brahma. It is now that we have to awaken the soul (jagarari) and stay in the remembrance of God Shiva (up-vas means to stay close) take the oath of celibacy, sacrifice the bitterness of vices on Shiva (the uck flower) and let the divine knowledge of Shiva flow drop by drop to all souls. By adopting this true method of celebrating Shivaratri we should claim the greatest blessing ol iiKovatirm anrl liheration-in-Hfe from God Shiva in this birth.


Introduction of the First Goddess, World Mother Saraswati
Dada Anand Kishore ji Brahmakumaris

World Mother Saraswati & Mateshwari Jagdamba

Each one of us has our own lokik (physical) mother who gave birth to the body, but as souls our mother and father is the one Incorporeal Parlokik Supreme Father, Supreme Soul, the point of light, Shiva, who is also the mother and father of our physical parents. We all know about both sets of parents— the lokik
and parlokik — but human beings today do not have the true introduction of the name, form, abode, duty etc. of the Supreme Parent. There comes a time within the world drama cycle of 5000 years when we find our alokik (spiritual) Mother. We get to know this spiritual mother for only a short period once in the cycle; her name isJagadamba (World Mother) Adi Devi (First Goddess) Mother Saraswati.
THE WORLD MOTHER The Incorporeal Supreme Soul, Shiva, is the Eternal One and therefore Father of us souls. But how can Jagadamba, a bodied being, be Mother of the World?  The answer lies in understanding Jagadamba’s spiritual task. The name of this Alokik Mother, based on her duty, is “Shiv Vanshi Brahma Kumari Adi Devi Jagadamba Saraswati” (“The Creation of Shiva, Brahma Kumari First Goddess, World Mother Saraswati”). Everyone sees her as the “Goddess of Knowledge.”
The ornament of the ‘veena’ in her hands is symbolic of her playing the veena of knowledge. But if the Supreme Father Supreme Soul Shiva is the Ocean of Knowledge, then where and how did Mother Saraswati attain said knowledge? She would definitely have received the vast knowledge from none other than the Supreme Soul Shiva, and then become Gyan-Gyãneshwari, the Goddess of Knowledge herself! When the world drama cycle reaches the completely impure time of Iron Age (Kaliyug) and the urn of sin is full, the God of the Gita, Incorporeal Supreme Soul Shiva, incarnates by entering the corporeal chariot of Prajapita Brahma (Bhagirath, the lucky chariot) in order to purify the impure humanity and re-establish the world of Satyug (Golden Age). People do believe that the Supreme Soul created a new world through Brahma. Mother Saraswati becomes the Commander of the Non-Violent Shiv-Shakti Army, manned by the mouth-born creation of Brahma (the true Brahmins— Brahma Kumars and Brahma Kumaris). They personally listen and imbibe the real Godly Gita knowledge, imparted through Brahma’s mouth, and then battle against the vices. Along with other Brahma Kumars and Brahma Kumaris, she imbibes the knowledge from the Ocean of Knowledge, the Lord of Immortality, Supreme Soul Shiva in her kalash (pot)-like intellect. Thus, she becomes the living Ganges of Knowledge and engages herself in alokik service of purifying human souls with the nectar of knowledge. This spiritual service transforms the corrupt, Iron-Aged world from a jungle of thorns into an elevated Golden-Aged garden of divine flowers. The rivers of Bharat have been named Ganga, Jamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Kãveri, Brahma Putra etc., in memory of this spiritual task. Saraswati is an incognito river, implying that Prajapita Brahma and the creation of Shiva, Brahma Kumari Saraswati, establish the new Golden-Aged world once again with the power of Godly knowledge and yoga. Consequently, they are considered to be the spiritual Father and Mother of the world. Their spiritual task occurs at the meeting point or Sangam (Confluence) of the end of Iron Age and beginning of Golden Age. This is why Saraswati is seen at the ‘confluence’ (of rivers). Today, people believe the meeting of rivers in Allahabad to be the true ‘confluence’, which is merely a memorial ofSangam Yug (Confluence Age) created on the path of devotion. As this task took place at the ‘ãdi’ (beginning) of the new world, the World Mother is also known as ‘Ãdi Devi’ (the first Goddess).
THE FESTIVAL OF NAVRATRI & RATRI JAGRAN (STAYING AWAKE ALL NIGHT)On instructions of Supreme Soul Shiva, Jagadamba and other Shiv-Shaktis distanced themselves from the impure Iron-Aged world. Following which, they carried out the spiritual service of enabling human souls to receive the deity status of liberation-in-life for future 21 births, in the Golden-Aged Land of Paradise.
This task was so elevated that along with celebrating the festival of ‘Shiv Ratri’ (the memorial of Supreme Soul Shiva’s incarnation to destroy the Iron-Aged night of ignorance), the festival of Navratri is celebrated twice in commemoration of Shiv-Shaktis. The tradition of devotees worshipping the Goddesses through the night began in memorial of the task they accomplished by sharing knowledge with others and awakening souls from Kumbhakarna’s sleep of intense ignorance, at the end of the Iron-Aged night. Throughout India, one can find temples dedicated to Spiritual Mother Jagadamba in the forms of Durga, Amba, Kali, Saraswati and many other names. Today, however, the devotees neither know anything about these Goddesses nor the significance of the festivals connected with them. It is also important to note that although the Raj-Rajeshwari (Royal Empresses) Goddesses of the Golden and Silver Ages —Shri Radhe, Shri Lakshmi, Shri Sita and others – are praised and worshipped extensively, the festivals held for the Confluence-Aged Gyan-Gyaneshwari (Goddesses of Knowledge) –
Durga, Amba, Kali, Saraswati etc. – and attended by hordes of devotees, honour these Shaktis who inculcate the nectar of knowledge from Supreme Soul, Shiva, in the Confluence Age and then distribute the same to others. As fruit of their actions, they become the Empresses of the future Satyug and Tretayug (Golden and Silver Ages). While devotees merely ask Empress Shri Lakshmi for wealth, they pray to Jagadamba for wealth, long life, fortune, children and much more. In fact, Mother Amba is the permanent source providing these facilities of complete happiness and peace; she is “Kãmdhenu”. These attainments are not achieved by merely praising and worshipping her non-living images, but rather by listening and inculcating the knowledge of the Supreme Soul Shiva given to her in the Confluence Age. This is why it is said, “There can be no salvation without Godly knowledge”, and Mother Saraswati is the Goddess of Knowledge. Human beings today do not have the slightest knowledge about the activities of both Confluence-Aged Goddesses of Knowledge and Golden-Aged Empresses, nor the difference between their times of existence.

Just as devotees remember Supreme Soul Shiva as Amarnath (Lord of Immortality), Somnath (Lord of Nectar), Vishwanath (Lord of the Universe) etc. according to His activities, so too have they named Mother of the World as Amba, Durga, Kali, Sheetala, Saraswati and so on. The Mother is called ‘Durga’ since she had strengthened her mind, words and actions like a ‘durg’ or fortress, to the extent that Maya (negativity) did not have the courage to even face her. Human beings with vicious traits were ashamed of standing before her and would immediately lower their heads in deference. Having deeply connected in yoga with Supreme Soul Shiva (who gives strength to the helpless), she adopted the form of the fearless Lioness Shakti, and therefore has been shown seated on a lion. Mother has also been given the fearsome form of Kali since she had inspired human beings with devilish attitudes to sacrifice the vices before her. But the astounding fact is that rather than sacrifice their own vices, devotees violently sacrifice innocent goats in a fruitless endeavour to gratify the Mother, the living image of non-violence!

The Mother shared Supreme Soul Shiva’s knowledge and gave solace to souls, which is why she is named Sheetala and Saraswati. Extreme irreligiousness rules the present time. True knowledge of the time period and duty of the deities has disappeared for a very long time. A number of misconceptions have spread about them. Many books have made false accusations about them and thus drowned Bharat’s ancient, golden civilization. Saraswati is Brahma’s daughter; in reality, she is his adopted daughter. Father Brahma was very pleased with how Saraswati had inculcated the knowledge and divine virtues, and appointed her ‘Yagya-Mata’(Mother of the Yagya) seeing her worthy of looking after the sacrificial fire of knowledge. Since the establishment or creation of the new world occurs through Brahma and Saraswati, they become ancestors to all human souls who descend on the world drama stage after them. This is why Christians, Muslims and people of other religions believe that they, Adam and Eve or Adham and Bibi (Hawa) etc. existed at the beginning of the universe. Nonetheless, they are completely unaware of their era or task. But since residents of Bharat themselves have forgotten their spiritual Mother and Father, how can we accuse souls of other religions who came much later?

As the world cycle is once again nearing the end of the Iron Age and preparations for its destruction through atomic weapons are underway, Supreme Soul Shiva has created His Rudra Gita-Gyan Yagya (the sacrificial fire of knowledge of Rudra) through Prajapita Brahma in order to create the new world as done exactly a kalpa (5000 years) ago. This yagya is also called Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. Brahma Kumari Saraswati became the Yagya-Mata created by the Supreme Being, and thus fulfilled the task of World Mother, before leaving her body. This is why the path of devotion portrays Saraswati as being incognito. We, Brahma Kumars and Brahma Kumaris, are the mouth-born creation (created through knowledge) of this Spiritual Mother.

Mateshwari – A Unique Personality In The World
Brother Jagdish Chander ji Brahmakumaris

Mama’s love, affection, and personality were so effective that she symbolised all the teachings received through Baba. A yogi has a personality that gives joy to others, whose mind has good wishes and love for all, who never thinks ill but positively of everyone. I saw these qualities practically in Baba’s life too; they were not merely preached. Baba treated even those who defamed him as his friends. Baba used to say, “He too is my child, isn’t he? It is not his fault that he is ignorant of the knowledge. He has this role according to drama because he has not yet had realisation. When he understands, he won’t behave in this way any more. Therefore, there is no need to feel bad about what he does.”

Mateshwari was Our Hridayeshwari (Goddess of the Heart)
--Dadi Hriday Mohiniji Brahmakumaris
Sweet Mama, whom we used to call Mateshwari, was the Goddess of our Hearts. Her expert organizational skills in constructing the New World were unique and incomparable. On one hand, Mama sustained so many young girls like a mother but was also adept at bringing about transformation in their lifestyles. When Mama found out something wrong had occurred and the kumari involved was hesitating to come before Mama out of shame, her parental affections would emerge. She would gather all the children of the yagya together and make them aware of the incident, so that they too would consider it to be a insignificant. The person would then own up to his or her mistake and reform themselves forever. The mirror of their heart would become clean.

The Birth of Saraswati, And The Spiritual Significance Of Her Praises
Brahma Kumar Jagdish Chandraji Brahmakumaris

The Shrimad Bhagwad Gita says, the Supreme Father, Supreme Soul created the world through the yagya (sacrificial fire), established through the medium of Prajapita Brahma. There are various types of yagyas, but the “gyan-yagya” (sacrificial fire of knowledge) is considered the most elevated of all. Undoubtedly, the Supreme Being would have established the sacrificial fire of knowledge in order to create the elevated Golden-Aged deity world. In other words, the Supreme Being established a world spiritual university. Along with ‘gyan’ (knowledge), the word ‘yagya’ has been associated because people who listen to spiritual knowledge gradually offer the sacrifice of lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego, as well as body-mind-wealth in the gyan-yagya. If these offerings (sacrifice) are not made, it cannot be acknowledged as a ‘yagya’, since a sacrificial fire requires that an offering or sacrifice of some kind be made. This is why ‘sacrificial fire of knowledge’ holds more importance than the term ‘university’.
 

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