Navratri Campaign
Science* (shastra) behind Navratri
'Ratri' implies change. One of the Names of the female
deity (Devi) is Kalaratri. Kalaratri is the one who brings about change in Kalpurush,
the Absolute Being of time (kal). Rotation is the inherent nature of the earth.
Changes such as day and night occur on account of the rotation of the earth.
To be able to withstand such changes, vowed religious observances like Navratri
are undertaken.
Triratri (worship for three nights) and Navratri (worship
for nine nights) are types of spiritual
practice. In the navratri vrat, the triratri vrat is repeated thrice with
regard to the three female deities – Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Parvati or Kali.
Implied (actual) meaning of various features of Kalimata
| 1. |
Slaughtered head of Mahishasura |
To end ignorance (adnyan) and desire (moha) |
| 2. |
Necklace of heads |
String of alphabets, symbolic of Shabdabrahma
(God in Word form) |
| 3. |
Chain of slaughtered hands
worn around waist |
Slaughtered hands of seekers. It symbolizes
seekers' Liberation from willfull action (Kriyaman Karma) - the root cause of
bondage in the cycle of life and death |
| 4. |
Dance in the cemetery (smashan) |
Cemetery symbolizes freedom from desire
for objects and dance symbolizes Bliss (Anand) |
* Reference: For details, refer to the Sanatan's publication, Divine
Energy (Shakti), compiled by H.
H. Dr. Jayant Athavale
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