NAVRATRA SPECIAL z Friday z October 23, 2020 5 Maa – The Worship of the Fiercest Maa Maha Gauri Pooja on Ashtami in Forms of Godess on 7th Navratra Navratra Festival This form primarily depicts that life also has dark side - the violent Mother Nature and creates havoc and removes all dirt. She is also known as Shubhankari. arms. Her right upper hand is in the pose of allaying fear and In this form Goddess Kalratri killed Raktabeej. right lower hand holds a trident in it. The left upper hand holds Raktabeej was a demon who could multiply from every a tambourine and the lower one is in the pose of blessing. All drop of his blood which fell on the ground. The Goddess sins of devotees are washed away due to her worship. Her Kaalratri killed him by licking the blood before it could power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. reach the ground and hence conquered him. She endows The eighth day of Navratra Pooja has much importance. her devotees with calm and courage. Durga Ashtami is held in many parts of India. If a human The complexion of Maa Kalaratri is like dark night and worships after fast he/she gets fruits immediately. In front of has four hands. The left two hands hold a cleaver and a Portrait of Goddess Mother as in front of Mata in Lord torch, and the right two are in the of "giving" Temple one can worship Maa Maha Gauri. She appeared and "protecting". in the form of Maa Ambaji, Maa Kalika, Maa Bahucharaji etc. She has necklace shining like thunder and has human She stays in devotees' heart and gives best fruits if we worship skulls. She has three eyes which emanate rays like light- any form. Wearing red, saffron, yellow, white, pink color would ning. be auspicious for the devotees on this day. Maa can Flames appear through her nostrils when she inhales be seen in a temple at Kankhal near pilgrim center Haridwar. or exhales air. Her mount is donkey. Blue, Red, White She is like an eight-year-old girl. She is intelligent and peace- color should be used to wear on this day. ful, possesses three eyes and four arms, and uses the bull as her Appearance of Maa Kalratri is very dangerous. But she vehicle.The Eighth swarup of Ma Durga is Ma "Maha Gauri." always gives good fruits. So devotees should not get Her clothes and ornaments are white and clean. She rides on afraid of her. bull. The Ninth Swarup of Maa Durga is Mata Siddhidatri. Her worship on seventh day of Navratra has very much There are eight or accomplishments, they are- Anima, importance for Yogies and Sadhak. and Sadhaks Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva and penance on Shahtra on this day. For the wor- Vashitva. Maha gives all these Siddhis. It is said in shipers on this day door opens of every in uni- 'Devipuran' that the Supreme God Shiv got all these Siddhis by verse. aa Durga is worshiped as Maa Mahagauri on Eighth worshipping Maha Shakti. Just by remembering Maa ghost run away. If any neg- Navratra. Mahagauri is the eighth form of Goddess With her gratitude the half body of Shiv became of Goddess ative effect is arising due to planets then by worshiping MShakti. Her color is white. Whiteners is shown by shell, and there fore his name 'Ardhanarishvar' has became famous. on this day bad effects vanish. Any type of fear goes moon etc. Mahagauri means one clean and bright like a ray of This Swarup is depicted as seated on a lion and has four hands. away. lightning. She is the giver of all forms of accomplishments[Siddhis]. Subhankari Mata always give Subh good fruits. True This is the form of Goddess Parvati when she did penance to As per the Brahmavaivart Purana there are 18 types of faith, restraint and concentration is necessary for wor- get Lord Shiva as her husband. It is believed that due to the achievements which are Anima, Mahima, Garima, Ladhima, ship. intense performed by her without moving caused soil Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitva,Vashitva, Sarvakaamaal, The seventh Swarup of Maa Durga is Mata Kaalratri. and dust to collect on her body. Lord Shiva cleaned her with Saadhita, Sarvagynatva, DurShravana, Parkaayapraveshan, aa Kalaratri is the seventh Shakti of Maa She is black like night. Her Hair is always shown as pitch water from that's why she got whiteners as shine and VakaSiddhi, Kalpavrushatva, Shrishti, Durga. The seventh day of Navratra Pooja is black, long, loose and scattered. got the name as Maha Gauri. Purity is depicted in this form of Samharkaransaamarthya, Amaratva, Sarvanyayakatva, Mdedicated to Durga Kalratri. This is the most She is also shown as being seated on a Shava (dead Durga. Bhavana and Siddhi. Seated upon a lotus, most commonly, is violent form of Goddess Durga. Kalaratri is the one of body). The Goddess is in the form of eight-year old child with com- the possessor of different Siddhis /accomplishments to grant the fiercest forms of Durga and her appearance itself The destroyer of darkness and ignorance, Mata plexion as fair as a conch, moon and jasmine. Her clothes and her devotees. Mata Siddhiratri's famous pilgrim centre, is evokes fear. This form of Goddess is believed to be the Kaalratri is scourer of darkness; enemy of darkness. ornaments are white and pure. She has three eyes and four located in Nanda Parvat in the . destroyer of all demon entities. Mata Kaalratri's Shrine is in Calcutta, India. This Kalaratri means the One who is the Death of Kaal. four-armed swarup of Ma Durga dissipates darkness Here Kaal is dedicated as time and death. Kalaratri is from amidst her devotees, and bestows freedom from fear the one who destroys ignorance and removes darkness. and adversity.

Maha Ashtami Puja and its benefits

avaratra is the time when people can get rid of all the negative vibes from their lives and enjoy a free and Npositive life. Performing the Navaratra Puja bestows upon us the prosperity, wealth, knowledge, health and every- thing positive in life. This knowledge is however, not only lim- ited to the sacred and religious knowledge but also the secu- lar knowledge. The benefits: The period of Navaratra or the nine day and night long period in which Durga had killed the devil, is signified for a period of the victory of good over evil. Performing the Navaratra Puja during this time can have strong positive impact on the worshipper. People can have a victory over their enemies and any kind of adverse problems. Those who are suffering from a loan prob- lem, can eradicate the problem and bring a prosperous life. It will also help you to improve the healthy relationship between your family members. You can certainly get rid of all your financial difficulties and have a stable and prosperous life. Achieving success and self fulfillment is also a very common blessing and benefit that Navaratra Puja will bestow upon you. For a complete spiritual enlightenment, this puja is very beneficial. When is the Puja performed? There are three main Pujas that are performed during this time, especially on the day of Maha Ashtami. The Pujas that are performed in this period are Mahanisha Puja, Navratri Maha Ashtami and Maha Ashtami. The Maha Ashtami is performed on the eighth day of Navratra. It is on this day that the Pujas are performed on all the Shakti Peeths in India. Goddess Bagalamukhi and Maha Kali are worshipped on this day for physical, material and spiritual growth, courage, strength and confidence. Worshipping Devi Bagalamukhi: If you want to get rid of your adverse situations that your enemies are causing you, you must perform a Puja to Devi Bagalamukhi. She is the Goddess who can protect you from all harms. Whether it is some legal problem, the threat of a sudden bad event or incident or even an accident; Devi Bagalamukhi will protect you from that. By performing a Puja and a Homa to Devi Bagalamukhi on the day of Maha Ashtami will avoid any kind of bloodshed in the family and deaths. She is the Adi Shakti who has the occult powers to turn the evil into good. She can paralyse the speech of your enemy, destroy the bad intellect and mal-intention of your enemy. Maha Kali Puja: The consort of God Lord Shiva, Maha Kali or Maa Kali is the symbol of strength or Shakti. Therefore, worshipping her brings power to the mind. When you offer a Puja to her on this auspicious day of Maha Ashtami, you will be able to get rid of the fear in mind and thereby achieve success. She can help you escape the grip of Black Magic and evil. Therefore, offering a Puja to Maha Kali on Maha Ashtami can bring peace and success in your life and also in your family.