2022 Worshipping the Devī during Navarātri festival: “Navarātri is to accept the powers of the Śhakti.”

5 minute read

"So the ascent starts evolving. In that, the play of the Devī is the Navarātri – in your ascent – from ages. Navarātri that’s why is the most important Pūjā. In Sahaja Yoga, Navarātri is the most important Pūjā, I would say. Though we can say in modern Sahaja Yoga Sahasrār Day is, because that’s how you started getting your Realization. But if you go to the whole historical events of evolution you’ll find Navarātri is the one which has brought you to Sahasrāra. Without the help of the Devī at different stages of your ascent, you could not have been in a position to receive your Realization. So all the steps that you took in the past are today worshiped and are used for thanking the Devī for what She did to bring you down here. So it’s like a thanksgiving. Without Her work, nothing could have happened."
1985-1019 Navarātri Pūjā (cusp between the 6th Day and 7th Day), Complete Dedication, Gymnasium, Weggis (19 kms E of Luzern on Luzern Lake), Switzerland
Nav Durgā kī
video

"Brahmadeva said:
Brahmin, there is Devī Kavach which is most secret and useful to all beings.
Please listen to that, O Great Sage.
The following nine names have been told by the Great Soul Brahmadeva
Himself. Durgā is known by these names:
1st ŚHAILAPUTRĪ (Daughter of the King of Himalayas)
2nd BRAHMACHĀRIṆĪ (One Who observes the state of Celibacy)
3rd CHANDRAGHAṆṬĀ (One Who use the Moon as Her bell)
4th KUṢHMĀṆDĀ (Mother's lap)
5th SKANDAMĀTĀ (Mother of Śhrī Kārttikeya)
6th KATYAYANI (Who incarnated to help the Devas)
7th KĀLARĀTRĪ (Who is even the destroyer of Kali)
8th MAHĀGAURĪ (Ādi Kuṇḍalinī)
9th SIDDHIDATRĪ (Giver of all Siddhis)
10th ŚHRĪ ĀDI ŚHAKTI (Śhrī Mātājī Nirmalā Devī)"
(from the Kavach of the Devī: Navarātri Nights, Pune 1988-10)

Navarātri Song (9 descriptions of 9 Avatārs of the Goddess and 10th is when She sits on the lion)
video

The first day of Navarātri this year falls on the 17th of October. This day is signified as God’s desire to create the universe which is called Ghaṭasthāpanā (laying of the foundation) and Śhrī Gaṇeśha is worshipped as the first creation. Ghaṭasthāpanā also involves symbolically growing grains around the Kalash.
For Ghaṭasthāpanā following guidelines have been suggested:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Jai Śhrī Mātājī!
We are going to worship Śhrī Mātājī during this Navarātri, starting from September 26th to October 5th.
These are very auspicious days in our spiritual ascent. Let's all surrender to the Holy Lotus Feet of Śhrī Mātājī, prepare ourselves through meditation, and offer our bhakti to our beloved Mother of the Universe.
The first day of Navarātri signifies God’s desire to create the universe which is called Ghaṭasthāpanā (laying of the foundation) and Śhrī Gaṇeśha is worshipped as the first creation. Ghaṭasthāpanā also involves symbolically growing grains around the Kailash.

Things required for Ghaṭasthāpanā:
* Ghaṭa (kalash) made of earth/Copper/brass
* Coconut- decorated as we decorate for Pūjā Kalash
* A big plate filled with 1/2 soil- Plate can be made of earth/copper/brass
* 10 Mango or Betel (Pan) leaves
* One handful Nine Grains (Nava-dhanya) or Whole Wheat Grains (soaked in normal water, night before the first day of Navarātri)
* A big lamp (diya) which we can keep lit for 10 days uninterrupted in front of Mother

On the first day of Navarātri: Ghaṭasthāpanā
All the members of the family or collective can sit and meditate. All the things mentioned above should be kept ready in front of Śhrī Mātājī.
A small Pūjā can be offered at the Holy Lotus Feet of Śhrī Mātājī.
Collectively recite Mahāmantras and then Śhrī Gaṇeśh Mantra.
Collectively recite Śhrī Gaṇeśha Atharvashirsha.
We can wash Her Holy Lotus Feet, decorate it with kumkum, offer fragrance, flowers, etc., while singing Devī bhajans collectively.

Performing Ghaṭasthāpanā:
Items listed above to be used in the following sequence:
Keep the big plate on the left side of Śhrī Mātājī (our right side when we face towards Śhrī Mātājī) on the floor. A little amount of akshada (rice mixed with turmeric) is to be put on the floor below a big plate.
* Fill in the big plate 1/2 full with the soil.
* Decorate Kalash and coconut by drawing Swastika on it.
* Fill in 3/4 full vibrated water in the Kalash, keep 10 leaves, and the coconut on the mouth of Kalash.
* Keep the decorated Kalash in the center of the big plate already filled with soil.
* Offer haldi and kumkum, akshada, flowers, and garland to the Kalash.
* Spread sowing the Wheat grains/ Nine grains in the big plate around the Kalash in the soil (earth element).
* Spread the soil in little quantity over the wheat grains and sprinkle some water over it.
Offer prasad and perform Āratī to Śhrī Mātājī. Then sit in meditation collectively.

Bolo Śhrī Ādi Śhakti Mātājī Śhrī Durgā Mātā Kī Jay!

Jai Śhrī Mātājī!
On behalf of the festivity team!