Navratri is one of the major religious celebrations in the Hindu tradition.
Navratri is one of the major religious celebrations in the Hindu tradition. It is celebrated differently in different parts of the country based on local traditions and rituals but Goddess Durga remains the main deity.
Goddess Durga (Shakti) is considered to be the feminine aspect of the primordial universal energy which is the cause of the creation, its sustenance and destruction.
Primordial universal energy broadly has nine aspects to it. Three aspects each of creation, sustenance and destruction abilities and these nine aspects are active during these nine nights of Shardiya Navratri. These nine aspects of energies are worshipped as Nava Durga.
According to history, Mahishasura was bestowed with a boon by Brahma that he will not be killed by anybody except by a female as Mahishasura thought that no female could defeat or kill him. Upon achieving this boon, Mahishasura started torturing and killing innocent people in order to rule over the whole world and later even tried to rule over heaven. Troubled by this, all devas sought the shelter of the Holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The holy trinity combined their primordial powers and created a female form through their shaktis. This female form was known as Durga and eventually she only could kill the fierce demon Mahishasura.
The gruesome war between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura lasted for nine days. On the ninth day, Durga achieved victory over Mahishasura and the 10th day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.
From the knowledge aspect, Mahishasura represents the inner demons in every being. Ego, hatred, jealousy, enmity, violence etc. are the demonic qualities many human beings carry with them and unless they get rid of these demonic aspects they will not be able to enjoy their lives.
To fight and overcome these demonic aspects within us, we seek the divine intervention during these nine nights by worshipping Nava Durgas. As the primordial universal energies are active during these nine nights it is easy and effortless to attract them and strengthen ourselves.
From the story of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, we should learn the following lessons; Never underestimate the power of a woman. She is the combined creation of the Trinity and carries their powers within her. When she becomes angry then even the fiercest demons cannot stand before her. One day, the excesses committed by the ego, hatred, jealousy, and violence will be eliminated or brought to justice by some power of the universe in some form or the other. Remain grateful and surrender to the higher divinity for protection and well being. Eventually, good wins over evil.
To win over the inner negativity (the inner demon) and empower positivity we should seek the support of an enlightened guru, like the devas took support of the holy trinity, who can guide us by helping us invoke the divine powers within us.
Human beings are bestowed with all the spiritual powers the universe has but due to their negative aspects they are not able to utilise those powers to their real potential and thus remain subdued.
Only when we completely win over these negative emotions by our own positive and divine qualities, we truly become worthy of celebrating Vijayadashmi in its true sense.
So, without any further ado, go and conquer your inner demons!
Sadguru Rameshji is a modern age spiritual guru and founder of Poorna Ananda, a centre for spiritual evolution and joyful living. Visit www.poornaananda.org
