Whatshot
Time To Honour The Divine Mother
Time To Honour The Divine Mother
Date: 2023-10-28
Navaratriis one of my favourite festival on the Hindu calendar and the best part of theyear for me. This year I had the honour of celebrating Durga Ashthami with mynear and dear, and celebrated the divine mother with glory and abundance.
Thisprayer is a powerful prayer according to the Vedas as Durga Sapthashathi is acomplex Tantra Pooja that occurs for the mother with various verses andstanzas, explaining the power and glory of the mother. It also shows you thatno matter what you endure in life, your faith, even if it is the size of amustard seed, can get you through any tribulation.
Themother divine is present for each one of us no matter cast or creed. She ismerciful and compassionate and showers us with love and abundance. The Poojacommences with an invocation to the various deities and various forces andenergies, then proceeds to the recitation of an armour of protection known as akavach. Thereafter proceeds to mantras for each joint, chakra, meridian andNadis Energy.
Thencomes the main part, which if a fire oblation of various ingredients as mantrasare unlocked and recited. After completion a prayer of songs known as Pachrasare sung to glorify the mothers various aspects, and begging her for mercy andblessings.
WhileI danced across in a sarie glorifying her as a divine embodiment. This part issignificant to show that the mothers love and presence is everywhere.
Thereason I dress up as an embodiment of her, is to signify the balance betweenmasculine and feminine energies. Denouncing worldly attachments and beingengulfed in a cocoon of pure love.
Onthis day, all the weapons and artillery that were used for killing Mahishasur(a demonic energy) by Goddess Durga are worshipped along with the enchanting ofmantras. This ritual is known as Astra puja.
Duringthe worship of the Mother, the eight avatars of Durga called Ashtanayikas arealso worshipped which include Brahmani, Indrani, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi,Kameshwari, Maheshwari and Chamunda.
GoddessDurga is worshipped by establishing a 'ghat' in front, red sandalwood paste,fruits, flowers, sweets, betel leaves, cardamom and coins are distributed amongthe kin.
TheGoddess is shown a lighted lamp for 7 times and the special Durga Satshatimantra is recited for 108 times.
64Yoginis who are considered the Devi's associates are also worshipped. Otherminor deities and guards of the Mother are also worshipped on this day thatalso includes Bhairava.
Onthis day, the deity is worshipped as Goddess Gauri. To observe this, nine smallvirgin girls are worshipped, their feet are washed and they are offered halwa(a sweet disk made of semolina, milk, ghee and nuts), puri and kheer a part ofthe ritual.
Durgashtamiends with the Sandhi Puja that ushers the next day Mahanavami.
Itis believed that people who observe a staunch fast on this day to please MotherDurga are always taken care by her benevolence and such people are always freeof delusions of any kind in life.