Nav DurgaThe significance of the nine forms of Durga by Bhanumathi Narasimhan

Nav Durga Bhanumathi Narasimhan

First Edition October 2015

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Having faith in the Divine Mother is the source of

the greatest strength.

is the sister of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, humanitarian leader and ambassador of peace, and shares his vision for a stress-free violence-free world. Bhanumathi is the Director of Women Welfare and Child Care Programs of the The Art of Living, a not-for-profit,

educational and humanitarian NGO engaged in bringing stress relief and service initiatives in 154 countries. She has deep roots in

spirituality and a broad vision for service to humanity.

Bhanumathi Narasimhan

The energy which is the womb of the entire creation, which has given birth to all that is there, is called Devi or Mother Divine. Everything in this creation - your body, mind, intellect, ego, the physical and subtle energies are all the manifestations of the one energy into many different forms. And this one energy is called Devi. The Mother Divine is also called Shakti which literally means energy.

Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati

In the Hindu tradition, all the different attributes of the divine have been given a form. Since we identify so much with form, the ancient Rishis devised a form for each attribute or quality of divinity. It is much easier to identify and pray to a form than to pray to an unseen energy. And this is the reason why Hinduism has multiple names and forms of one divinity.

Let’s take the example of a rainbow to explain this further. A rainbow is one entity but it has seven colors and each color has a different name. In the same way, there is one divinity and each quality of the divinity has a different name. The quality of the divine that is responsible for the physical manifestation of the creation is called Devi or the Mother Divine.

This one energy is then further classified into three different energies, which are:

Durga: The energy which transforms negativity into positivity. We all have Durga Shakti in us. If we see two people fighting, it is very natural to try to get them to stop fighting. This is Durga Shakti, which is the natural tendency of each person to turn negative situations, thoughts and emotions into positive ones.

Prologue

Lakshmi:The energy that brings abundance and prosperity. Abundance and prosperity is not only in terms of monetary wealth but also the wealth of courage, skills, talents, etc. The source of all kinds of wealth is from the energy called Devi Lakshmi and we all have wealth in some form or another.

Saraswati: The energy that bring knowingness and knowledge. The energy which brings forth knowingness is called Devi Saraswati. Every human being has a desire to know. When children are growing up, they question everything. This quest for knowingness and all that which is there to be known stems from Devi Saraswati.

The Nav DurgaThe Durga form of the Mother Divine has been further classified into nine different attributes, and each attribute has a form associated with it. It is these nine forms of Devi Durga that are worshipped during the festival of Navratri to ward off all negativity from our lives. This book has been put together to delve deeper into the symbolism behind each one of the nine forms of Nav Durga and give the reader a better understanding of the ancient festival in modern times.

This prologue has been inspired from and based on the talks by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The first among the Navdurga is Shailaputri. Shaila means stone, and putri means daughter. When the mind is wavering, chanting the name of this Devi

helps the mind to be centered and committed. It gives us strength, courage and composure.

Shailaputri

Brahmacharya means celibacy, and celibacy brings a lot of strength.

Brahmacharya also has a higher meaning than just celibacy. Brahma means infinity and charya means moving. Put together, it means moving in infinity, which signifies knowing your vast nature. You are not just the body, you are like a glow of light. When this truth comes to your awareness, then you are in Brahmacharya.

When we pray to this form of Mother Divine, we invoke the quality Brahmacharya. When our consciousness starts moving in the infinity, we become vast and

powerful with a lot of vigor, valor and strength.

Brahmacharini

On the third day of Navratri, the Divine Mother is worshipped in the form of Chandraghanta. This form of Devi is depicted as wearing a bell-like ornament in

the shape of the moon.

The moon is connected with the mind, and the Ghanta (or the bell) is an instrument connected with alertness. The ringing of the bell brings the mind to the

present moment. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, the mind also wavers. Chanting the name of this Devi brings the mind in our control with

increased alertness.

When the qualities of alertness and steadfastness arises, then the mind is like an adornment. Such a mind adds beauty to one’s nature.

Chandraghanta

Kushmanda means pumpkin. A pumpkin has many seeds and each seed contains the potential for many more pumpkins. This is representative of the

creative power and its eternal nature. The whole creation is like a pumpkin. As Kushmanda, the Devi contains the entire creation within her.

She is the Devi who can give you the highest prana (creative energy).

Kushmanda

Skandamata is the mother of Skanda or Subramanya (Lord Karthikeya). She is depicted as riding a lion with the baby Skanda on her lap. This signifies courage

and compassion. The lion signifies courage, while Mother Divine is theembodiment of compassion.

Skanda is the skillful one. Often when one is very skillful, they tend to be arrogant. Most of the talented people have arrogance. But here the skill is combined with a

humility that nurtures innocence.

When we pray to this form of Mother Divine, we are bestowed with the qualities of skill along with innocence and courage along with compassion.

Skandamata

Kathyayini represents the nurturing aspect of the Divine Mother. She embodies the values of sharing and caring. Young girls pray to her for a good husband. She signifies the finer qualities of being in a relationship. Marriage comes with a sense

of security, commitment, togetherness, team spirit and belongingness. But the ultimate relationship is the union with oneself (soul).

Kathyayini

Kaala is time. Time consumes everything in creation and time is a witness to everything as well. Ratri means deep rest, absolute rest at the level of the body, mind and soul. Without rest, how can you be bright? Kaalaratri represents the

deepest rest so that you can attain dynamism.

Kaalaratri

Gaura varna means white color. White represents purity, and purity comes out of innocence. Maha Gauri is the combination of brilliance and innocence.

Gau also means knowledge. When you pray to Maha Gauri, she gives you the wisdom that is the elixir of life.

Maha Gauri

Siddhidhatri is the one who gives you siddhis (perfection). When you want something, and before the want arises, if it is available to you, that is called Siddhi.

As a sadhak or seeker, you will get many siddhis on the path. However, if you misuse or run behind them, they will be lost.

Siddhidhatri fulfills all desires and bestows powers naturally. Perfection and enlightenment are the gifts of Siddhidhatri which are attained in the

presence of a Master.

Siddhidhatri

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