Friday, October 10, 2014

Why should we worship Goddess "Durga" ... माँ दुर्गा की आराधना क्यों जरुरी है ?

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए क्लिक करें

        Goddess "Durga" is "Aadishakti" (आदिशक्ति) means Original Power. Every person in this world or other requires the power to do work of any type. May the person be human, God, demon, or any creature. And the work may be constructive or destructive. This power and energy have many forms. Some forms are as we know in physics. But we see in our daily life that there are other forms of power too, for example - Power of wealth, power of body strength, political power, power of spirituality, power of love, etc. In our life we practically follow many persons holding power, we have to. We aspire for power, we want to hold power. In fact knowingly or unknowingly we worship power whatever be our religion. In 'Sanatan Hindu' religion the power in every creature, human, God, or even in demons are manifestations of the Original Power called "Durga" or "Aadishakti" (आदिशक्ति). The "Tridev" who create, maintain, and destroy this universe, hold vast powers. Their power or 'शक्ति' has special names. The power of Brahma is 'Brahmani' (ब्रह्माणी), the power of Vishnu is 'Vaishnavi' (वैष्णवी) and that of Shiva is 'Shambhavi' (शाम्भवी) ie 'Parvathi'. All these Gods and others are worshiped because they have these powers and they can fulfill the desires of their followers. So in the root is this "Aadishakti" (आदिशक्ति) who is also called "Durga". The God of Gods ie. 'Shiva' (Mahadev) is so powerful but it is said that without "शक्ति" 'Shiva' is "Shav"(शव -lifeless). The worshipers of power (ie. शक्ति) are called "Shaakt" (शाक्त). Once "Durga" killed a very terrible demon called "Durg" (दुर्ग) so got named as "Durga" (दुर्गा). It is said that when "Durga" (दुर्गा) is pleased She can give "ज्ञान" (True knowledge), "मोक्ष" (emancipation) "स्वर्ग" (Heaven), or even worldly desires to her followers ("भक्त"). The best way to please her is by reading (पाठ) of "Durga Saptashati" as per rules. "Durga Saptashati" (दुर्गा सप्तशती) is a religious book that contains seven hundred verses devoted to Mother Durga. There is a description in this holy book how two persons 'Surath' -( a Kshatriya king) and 'Samadhi' - (a vaishya rich man) both devoid of powers ('Surath' devoid of state power and 'Samadhi' devoid of wealth power) went to the forest and found a "Muni" with his disciples. They asked the "Muni" some ways to get out of their distress "विपत्ति". The "Muni" advised them to go in the protection ("शरण") of Goddess "Durga", pray Her, because when She is pleased She can give "ज्ञान" (True knowledge), "मोक्ष" (emancipation) and "स्वर्ग" (Heaven) or anything. (तामुपैहि महाराज शरणं परमेश्वरीम्, आराधिता सैव नृणां भोगस्वर्गापवर्गदा ). Both of them did as the "Muni" had told and the Goddess being pleased gave them boons. Samadhi the vaishya got the boon of "ज्ञान" (True knowledge) and "मोक्ष" (emancipation) while Surath the Kshatriya got the boon of continuous state power in this life and for the next life, he will be the "Manu" of the next 'Manvantara' named 'Savarni'.

Durga Saptasati - The Holy Book



           In "Durga Saptashati" (दुर्गा सप्तशती) there is a description of Goddess saving Gods from 'asuras' (असुर) many times. A total of seven hundred verses are placed in three "Charitras" (चरित्र) -
1. First "Charitra" ie. प्रथम चरित्र - It has only one chapter
2. Middle "Charitra" ie.मध्य चरित्र-It has three chapters.
3. Last "Charitra" ie.उत्तर चरित्र - It has Nine chapters




         See the number of chapters in each "Charitra" (चरित्र). One, three, nine. The mystery shows as geometric progression. Thus the total of thirteen chapters having seven hundred "shlokas" constitute "Durga Saptashati" (दुर्गा सप्तशती).



       The Goddess in the form of "Mahakali" is brought in "Dhyana" in the first "Charitra". She as "Mahamaya"(महामाया) has taken God Vishnu in its spell and he is in the state of sleep. Ear wax from 'Vishnu' transform into two "Asuras" -- 'Madhu' and 'Kaitabha' and seeing 'Vishnu' sleeping they ran to kill God Brahma who was sitting on lotus flower emerging out of the navel of God Vishnu. Now Brahma prayed to Goddess "Mahamaya" and requested to break her spell over Vishnu and bring him out of sleep. Goddess being pleased by the prayer "स्तुति" of Brahma does so. God Vishnu fought for five thousand years with those "asuras". Seeing no result Goddess shows her spell over "asuras" and they being in a confused state of mind told Vishnu that they are very pleased with him and want to give him a boon whatever he asked. Vishnu said"ok, be killed by me". 'Madhu' and 'Kaitabha' saw that the whole world was submerged in water so he gave Vishnu as desired with a condition that he can only kill them where ever there is no water. Thus Vishnu took them on his thigh and cut off their heads with his "Chakra" and saved "Brahma".

   



       In the Middle "Charitra" Goddess in the form of "Mahalakshmi" is brought in "Dhyana". Goddess saves Indra and other Gods from "Mahishasur" and his army. The destroyer of "Mahishasur" and her army is named as "Mahishasurmardini" (महिषासुरमर्दिनी).



            In the Last "Charitra" ie. उत्तर चरित्र, Goddess in the form of "Mahasaraswati" is brought in "Dhyana". She had emerged out of the body of Goddess "Parvathi" when Indra and other Gods prayed her to come and save them from very powerful 'asura' kings -"Shumbha and Nishumbha". She took different forms and names to kill 'asura' kings -"Shumbha and Nishumbha" and their many commanders (Dhumralochan, Chand - Mund, Raktabeeja, etc)



          Thus Goddess " Durga" saved Gods and humans whenever they called her with full devotion. The twelfth chapter (Under "Uttar Charitra") is the details of the importance (माहात्म्य) of reading (पाठ) or hearing (श्रवण) of the "Devi Charitras". Even only hearing (श्रवण) of the twelfth chapter has many deep good effects. May it be diseases, epidemics, ill effects of different bad "Grahas" (ग्रह), fear of robbers, fear of death in different situations or anything; it keeps them away. She herself says that even in the future whenever demons grow she will come in different forms and names to save Gods and humans. Some of her names will be "Durga, Bhramri, Shakambhari, Bhima, Chamunda" etc. The last shlokas of the twelfth chapter thus say,




भवकाले नृणां सैव लक्ष्मीर्वृद्धिप्रदा गृहे।
सैवाभावे तथाSलक्ष्मीर्विनाशायोप जायते।।



स्तुता सम्पूजिता पुष्पैर्धूपगन्धादिभिस्तथा।
ददाति वित्तं पुत्रांश्च मतिं धर्मे गतिं शुभाम्।।




(During the rise of a person in materialism She is the one who comes as Lakshmi in his house and makes him rich and She is the one who in the time of scarcity comes as poorness and destroys him. 
If worshiped with flowers, incense, and perfume followed by prayer (Stuti), She gives wealth, sons, religious mind, and the best after-life.)







          In the Hindu calendar "Tithi" (Dates) of 'Ashtami' (अष्टमी - 8th), 'Navami' (नवमी -9th) and 'Chaturdashi' (चतुर्दशी -14th) are important for reading (पाठ) of "Durga Saptashati" as per rules. The yearly worship done in the month of "Ashwin" of the Hindu calendar is very fruitful when done with the religious reading (पाठ) of "Durga Saptashati" along with "होम" (offerings into the holy fire with 'Mantras') and feeding of 'Brahmana' (ब्राह्मण भोजन). This time of nine days (new moon day to the ninth day of the month of "Ashwin" of Hindu calendar) is also called 'Navratra' (नवरात्र). Though there are three more "Navratra" periods in the year (at an interval of three months) this yearly 'puja' is the most important. The Goddess says "whenever there is an event of worship, "होम" or 'जप', the religious reading (पाठ) of "Durga Saptasati" should be done. I am very pleased with this and fulfill the desires of that person. If somebody does the religious reading (पाठ) of "Durga Saptasati" as per rules (विधि पूर्वक) at the time of sacrifice of an animal (बलिपूजा), even if he knows or not the rules of it, I accept it and get pleased. I never leave the temple where daily reading (पाठ) of "Durga Saptasati" is done".


             Geeta Press, Gorakhpur has done an excellent job in making available the "Durga Saptasati" book to the general public at a reasonable price. Rules of reading (पाठ) of "Durga Saptasati" have been described in it. It has also printed a list of "Saptsati Mantras" in last pages for different desires (कामना). Every devotee of Goddess must have this book.


              It is a saying in Sanskrit that "कलौ गौरी विनायकौ " (Kalau Gouri Vinayakow). It means in the "Kaliyug"(कलियुग) only 'Gouri' (गौरी -Parwathi that is "Aadishakti") and 'Vinayaka' (विनायक - Son of 'Gouri' named Ganesh) can help us and fulfill our desires (मनोकामना). These two are also members of "Panchdevata"(पंचदेवता). "Panchdevata"(पंचदेवता) are five Gods/Goddess whose worship is a must in every "Pujan". The other three Gods of "Panchdevata"(पंचदेवता) are "Shiva" (शिव), "Narayana" (नारायण), and "Surya"(सूर्य - The Sun God).


         Through the daily reading of "Durga Saptasati" as per rules (नियमपूर्वक) is time taking and not possible for everyone, even then we should pray in someway daily that is less time consuming because our worship/prayer never goes in vain (may it be short) if done with full devotion. There are many prayers printed in the book "Durga Saptasati" that are short, for example - "Saptshloki Durga"(सप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा -seven verses of 'Durga'), "Durga Ashtottar Shatnam"(दुर्गा अष्टोत्तर शतनाम -One hundred and eight names of "Durga"), "Devya Atharva Shirsh"(देव्यथर्वशीर्ष), "Ratrisukta"(रात्रिसूक्त - Prayer done by "Brahma" to Goddess in the first chapter), "Devisukta"(देवीसूक्त -Prayer by Gods to save them from "Asur" kings: Shumbha -Nishumbha"), "Durga manas puja"(दुर्गा मानस पूजा - A worship done mentally in which all the offerings are done by imagination), "Durga Dwatrinsh Nam mala"(Thirty-two names of "Durga"), etc. One can pick one or more of these for daily prayers.
"Akshmala" (अक्षमाला - a garland of small beads of "Rudraksha")


              There is also given "Durga beej mantra"(दुर्गा बीज मन्त्र) in the book which should be repeated at least 108 times with the help of "Akshmala"(अक्षमाला - a garland of small beads of "Rudraksha"). This "Mantra" is:--

"ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुंडाय्यै विच्चे" 

( "aum ain hrin klin chamundayyai vichche")



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