Effects of Navratri Celebrations & Fasting on our  BODY MIND SOUL ENERGY

I have always wondered why festivals are celebrated in a particular way on a particular day of the year.  For example, why is Navratri celebrated?

We celebrate Navratri four times a year during the four seasons of the year. Many viruses are more likely to thrive and cause disease during seasonal changes when daily temperature changes are frequent. By observing pujas, homas, fasts, dancing, chanting and singing bhajans, we show our respect to the Divine Mother or Shakti and increase our energy to cope with the change of seasons.

Navratri has been recommended by our ancient sages very thoughtfully during a seasonal transition to intensify our efforts for bodily, emotional and spiritual detoxification.

Navadurga, the nine forms of Goddess Durga represent nine different qualities.  Shakti means energy and Devi Shakti is the primordial source of invisible energy that maintains and sustains this creation.  Navratri celebrates nine different aspects of the Divine Mother, also known as Nava Durga. The Devi Shakti, or the feminine spirit, manifests itself in many forms. It encompasses and supplements qualities such as strength, transformation, anger, beauty, compassion, fear, and power. These qualities are reflected in each individual, in different events, and in this universe as a whole.

Navratri celebrates and honors the nine different aspects of Mother Divine, also known as Navdurga. The Devi Shakti, or the feminine spirit, manifests itself in many forms. It encompasses and supplements qualities such as strength, transformation, anger, beauty, compassion, fear, and power. These qualities are reflected in each individual, in different events, and in this universe as a whole

Navratri spiritual practices helps to overcome 9 Obstacles to yogi on the Path of Yoga.

Nine Qualities of the Nine Devi Avatars

• 1. Strength – Sailaputri – My name means born out of the peak. I represent the highest highest level of consciousness. The form of Devi who represents the highest level of consciousness and the one who grants strength.
• 2. Determination- Brahmacharini – I am the embodiment of beauty and charm. I am always ready to get rid of enemies. The celibate form of Devi who grants determination and steadfastness to her devotees.
• 3. Clarity of mind – Chandrakhanta – I have a benevolent and blissful face and represent the strength of a mother’s love. She represents the oneness of thoughts and emotions in our minds. The form of Devi grants clarity of mind.
• 4. Health & Intelligence- Khusmanda – I represent movement in infinity. I also represent newness and freshness. She represents the manifest and unmanifest forms of the universe. The form of Devi grants well-being and intelligence.
• 5. Knowledge- Skandamata – I am a ball of energy. I symbolize happiness and prana. She is the form of Devi who grants knowledge.
• 6. Vision of wisdom – Katyaini – I am born out of the seer. I am that energy that sees beyond the senses and knows beyond logic. The form of Devi who grants intuitive abilities.
• 7. Fearlessness – Kalaratri – My powerful energy is very destructive. I bring solace to every heart and soul. The form of Devi who grants fearlessness.
• 8. Freedom & Knowledge – Maha Gouri – I am the epitome of beauty. I took a female form called Kaushiki and went on to slay the demons. The form of Devi who grants freedom and knowledge.
• 9. Wisdom- Siddhidhatri ( Durga, Para Sakthi) – I have a benevolent and blissful face and represent the strength of a mother’s love. The form of Devi who grants skills or siddhis.

THE NINE OBSTACLES ON THE PATH OF YOGA

Patanjali Yogasutra Chapter 1, Sutra 30.

व्याधि स्त्यान संशय प्रमादालस्याविरति भ्रान्तिदर्शना लब्धभूमिकत्वानवस्थितत्वानि चित्त विक्षेपास्तेऽन्तरायाः॥३०॥

vyadhi-styana-samsaya-pramada-alasya-avirati-bhrantidarsana-alabdhabhumikatva-anavasthitatvani citta-viksepah-te-antarayah.

Physical illness, mental illness, doubts, carelessness, laziness, overindulgence, illusion, non-attainment of yogic states, failure to maintain a yogic state are the obstacles to Yoga.

1. Removes vyadhi – physical illness
The practice of garba, fasting and chanting in the Navratri puja, improves your body’s immune system, helping to keep diseases away. A light stomach during fasting helps the system to heal itself. The stretches in garba enhance body flexibility. Homa and medicinal herbs used as ahuti (offering) help to heal many mental and physical illnesses.

2. Uproots mental discomfort and illness
Celebrations in Navratri such as pujas, homas, chants, meditation, garba and other cultural activities uplift the mood, interest and enthusiasm, helping to uproot any illness in the mind.

3. Clears away doubts
When the satva in your body increases with fasting and singing bhajans, you get clarity of mind and there is no room for doubts

4. Rid of carelessness
Navratri puja is performed with reverence and devotion to the Mother Divine, which takes care of this obstacle. The skill of doing the right thing at the right time dawns on you.

5. Overcome laziness
Garba dance attracts people from all age groups so much that laziness just disappears. The inertia of the mind vanishes with the devotional wave of garba. Healthy fasting repairs your cells to make you stronger and more vibrant. Mahishasura was the epitome of pramada and alasya. Mahisha means buffalo representing inertia. Intense activities of pujas and homas with sadhana remove inertia.

6. Prevents overindulgence
Rajas gets balanced with the rigorous physical movements in garba. Fasting helps establish a meditative state of mind. Mantra chanting and meditative silence during the festival help kindle wisdom. All of these, in combination, stop you from overindulgence in sensory pleasure.

7. Diminishes illusion
Mother Divine is herself the cause of bhranti or illusion of the universe. She is known as Mahamaya. In Devi Mahatmya, she is mentioned as a form of illusion, ‘ya Devi sarva bhuteshu bhranti rupena samsthita’. Mother Divine blesses you when you pray to Her to remove the false illusions of your mind and eventually be free from the illusions of mundane existence. The Navratri celebrations are high on energy and there is no space left for illusory thinking of the mind. Meditating during the mantra chantings in a Puja is a good way of settling the mind and clearing it from unrealistic perceptions.

8. Move on from non-attainment of yogic states

It is said, “Perfection in practice happens when you continue to practice with sincerity and respect for a long period without any interruption.” A period of uninterrupted nine days of Navratris is an opportunity to perfect your spiritual practice and attain higher awareness.

9. Overcome the failure to maintain equanimity
The activities during Navratri, such as fasting, help detoxify our bodies, bring stability to our mind and boost our willpower. You get inspired to continue your spiritual practices without failure. This way you attain new heights in your life.

The obstacles described by Rishi Patanjali are not just hurdles on the path of Yoga, but hurdles in life too. By the end of the ninth day of Navratri, these obstacles drop off when you feel connected to the supreme power and attain a higher state of bliss and tranquility.

The Benefits of Fasting During Navratri

Rich in colors, tradition, songs, and dance, Navratri is also a time for us to relax, turn inwards and recharge ourselves with new energy. Fasting during Navratri makes that inner journey towards bliss and joy easier to make. It reduces the restlessness of the mind and brings forth awareness and joy.

The dynamics of fasting
“We fast not to please the Divine, but to cleanse our body.”

According to Ayurveda, fasting rekindles the digestive fire. An increase in the digestive fire burns the toxins in the body. When the toxins are flushed out of the body, it loses dullness and lethargy. All the cells of the body are rejuvenated. Fasting, therefore, is an effective therapy to cleanse our body. When the body is cleansed, the mind becomes calmer and more peaceful because of the deep connection between the body and mind.

As fasting rekindles the digestive fire, it helps in de-stressing and building immunity. Usually, most of us don’t wait to feel hungry. Hunger is the way our body indicates that it is prepared to digest food. Eating even before feeling hungry weakens the digestive system, which in turn leads to stress and poor immunity. As fasting rekindles the digestive fire, it helps in de-stressing and building up immunity.

Fasting detoxifies the body, silence purifies the speech and brings rest to the chattering mind, and meditation takes one deep into one’s own being.

Plunge into deeper meditations with Navratri fasts
Navratri is the time to spend time with yourself, meditate, and connect with the source of existence.. When fasting decreases the restlessness of the mind, it becomes easier for it to turn inwards and meditate. However, make sure that you eat sufficient amounts of fresh fruits and other sattvic food to keep yourself energized

Reap the benefits of a sattva bloom
Fasting coupled with meditation increases sattva – the quality of tranquility and positivity within us. An increase in sattva makes our mind more peaceful and alert. As a result, our intentions and prayers become more powerful. A sattva bloom also makes the body lighter and energetic. We become more efficient. As a result, our desires manifest and our tasks get accomplished easily.

“Why fasting is combined with prayer all over the world and in all religions, is because when you are fasting, you are detoxified, and your prayer becomes authentic and deep.”

Note: Fasting is not recommended for certain body constitutions and health conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to consult an Ayurvedic doctor before you fast. Also, keep in mind that you must fast only as much as you are comfortable

The significance of Akhand Jyoti established during Navratri

Akhand Jyoti or the Holy flame represents wisdom and other qualities of the Mother Divine such as compassion, unconditional love, contentment and generosity that we need to imbibe, which will bring happiness and prosperity to our lives.

How do you maintain Akhand Jyoti?

1. The long flame on the wick of Akhand Jyot indicates that the baati is pulled out more on the Diya. It will consume the oil or ghee faster, and you will have to refill the Diya more often. So pull out the baati little by little so that the flame is small.

2. Ensure the inflamed end of the wick doesn’t get immersed in the fuel while you adjust its length.

3. More flowing air on the wick makes it burn faster. Keep the Akhand Jyot protected with a glass or metallic cover.

4. For Akhand Jyoti, use a long and thick Baati (cotton wick) or make it of Mauli.

5. Keep removing the overburnt portion of the inflamed end of the wick with a stick at regular intervals