Navaratri: The 9 Divine Nights

India is a country of festivals and celebration having very rich historical and cultural background. Each Indian festival has a proper meaning, reason and significance behind its celebration.
"Nava-ratri" literally means "nine nights". It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, the deity of Power. Like other festivals of India, Navaratri also has a significance and meaning attached to it. Navaratri is celebrated four times a year. They are:-
Vasanta Navaratri celebrated in the spring season (March–April). It is also known as Chaitra Navaratras.
Ashadha Navaratri in the month of Ashadha (June–July) also called as Gupt Navaratras.
Sharada Navaratri most important of the Navaratris celebrated in the month of Ashvina (beginning of winter, September–October),
Magha Navaratri also referred as Gupta Navaratri, celebrated in the month of Magha (January–February).  
Of these, the Sharada Navaratri in the month of Ashvina at the onset of winter and the Vasanta Navaratri in the month of Chaitra in the beginning of summer are very important.  Each day of the nine-day festival are dedicated to the worship of different forms of Goddess Durga, which unfolds the religious importance of the occasion.

What's the Significance of Navaratri? 

"Whenever evil and demonic tendencies start becoming dominant in society; troubling the pious, righteous and the spiritually inclined, the Divine Energy (Shakti) principle incarnates to destroy these unrighteous elements."

During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as "Durga" which literally means the remover of miseries of life. She is also referred to as "Devi" (goddess) or "Shakti" (energy or power). It is this energy, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation and destruction. Truly speaking, our worship of Shakti re-confirms the scientific theory that energy is imperishable. It cannot be created or destroyed. It is always there.

Why Worship the Mother Goddess?

We think this energy is only a form of the Divine Mother, who is the mother of all, and all of us are her children. God's glory, his cosmic energy, his greatness and supremacy can best be depicted as the motherhood aspect of God. Just as a child finds all these qualities in his or her mother, similarly, all of us look upon God as mother. In fact, Hinduism is the only religion in the world, which gives so much importance to the mother aspect of God because we believe that mother is the creative aspect of the absolute.

Why Nine Nights & Days?

Navaratri is divided into sets of three days and nights to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. The next three days, the Mother Lakshmi is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees the infinite wealth. The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the mother Saraswati as the goddess of art and knowledge. Prayers are offered with an aim to seek spiritual knowledge. In order to have all-round success in life, we need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights.

Throughout these nine days, various spiritual practices are performed; such as the recitation of holy verses in praise of the Goddess principle, the continuous burning of a clarified butter (ghee) or oil lamp, garlanding of the Goddesses, etc. Rituals and penances that help in spiritual progress are also undertaken with keen devotion. Thus worship "Ma Durga" during the Navaratri. She will bestow on you wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, knowledge, and other potent powers to cross every hurdle of life. Remember, everyone in this world worships power, i.e., Durga, because there is no one who does not love and long for power in some form or the other.

During Navaratri, the Divine Energy (Shakti) principle is about 1000 times more manifest than normal. Therefore one should chant “Durga Stuttis” as much as possible during this period.

Things to remember always

24 Things you should always remember...and 1 Thing you should never forget.

1. Your presence is a present to the world.
2. You are unique and one of a kind.   
3. Your life can be what you want it to be.
4. Take the days just one at a time.
5. Count your blessings, not your troubles.
6. You will make it through whatever comes along.
7. Within you there are so many answers.
8. Understand, have courage and be strong.
9. Don't put limits on yourself.
10. So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
11. Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
12. Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize.
13. Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
14. The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
15. Don't take things too seriously.
16. Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.
17. Remember that a little love goes a long way.
18. Remember that a lot ... goes forever.
19. Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
20. Life's treasures are people ... together.
21. Realize that it's never too late.
22. Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
23. Have health, hope and happiness.
24. Take the time to wish upon a star.
 

And don't ever forget ...

             For even a day ...

              How very special you are.

Shiv Yog Toronto Shivir Canada

Thank you Baba Ji for coming to Canada and giving us lots of blessings.

We all are having a great experience and lots of healing by your Divine presence during Shivyog Shivir happening these days.
 
Lots of unconditional love to all

Significance of Holi

Holi is celebrated from the full moon day (pournima) of the Hindu lunar month of Phalgun until the fifth day (panchami). Holi means the triumph of good over evil and conquest of sensual values by spiritual values.

Going to temple, Performing rituals and puja cannot make up for a lack of honesty, compassion and unconditional love. The goal is not just to perform rituals; the goal is to become spiritual. Thus, on this divine occasion, we should pray to be filled with the purity and devotion of Prahlaad. We should commit ourselves to performing our puja, meditation and japa with focus, dedication and deep love for God.

One meaning of the word Holi is sacrifice. On Holi we light so many bonfires to revel in joy and to burn the image of Holika. The meanings of these bonfires are to burn that which is devilish and impure, leaving only the purity and divinity after Holi. However, we must remember not only to partake in the merry-making of a bonfire. We must remember to sacrifice that within us which is devilish and impure. There is some demon-nature in all of us. We must burn that demon-nature on Holi and emerge as pure and pious as divine Prahlaad.

The fire of purity and divinity which we light on Holi must burn continuously in our hearts throughout the year. We must have an ever-burning bonfire of impurity, so that we are continuously renewed, continuously purified and continuously rejuvenated.

Burn all the impurities of the mind, such as egoism, vanity and lust, through the fire of devotion and knowledge. Ignite cosmic love, mercy, generosity, selflessness, truthfulness and purity through the fire of Yogic practice. This is the real spirit of Holi. Rise from the mire of stupidity and absurdity and dive deep into the ocean of divinity. The call of Holi is to always keep burning the light of God-love shining in your heart. Inner illumination is the real Holi.

Holi is an extremely powerful night for spiritual practice and one of the most significant days of the year for sadhana practices such as chanting, japa, puja, and meditation. The spiritual significance of the festival of Holi is to mark the burning of self-conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, and hatred—in fact, all the undesirable tendencies, propensities, thoughts and behaviors. Holi is the night when we consciously focus upon that and burn our ego.

Let us truly pray to God that on this day “I” may become holy. Let us pray that “I” may become pious, pure and devoted as Prahlaad”. In that way our lives and our hearts and our souls will be forever protected, forever sheltered at His holy feet.

Let us also pray that our “eye” may become holy, that we may be granted the divine vision by which we behold Him in all whom we see. Let us pray that through our holy eye, we never are led toward anger, greed, lust or jealousy.

Happy Holi to all.

BABA JI's QUOTES (Shree Vidya 2---Delhi 2011)

• Motive of your birth is not delving into outward incidents but being a mere witness to them.
• Develop so much Unconditional love within yourself through sadhna that expectation of love from the outside ceases. Have a giving nature Vis a Vis everything in life. And "giving" encompasses love also.

• Attachment to matters is a sign of weakness. Be strong enough to let go. Stay detached. Don’t think about incidents too much.
• A Shiv Yogi always witnesses the Action and overlooks the reaction. Braham gyan is detachment from an action.
• संभाव or uniform perception of each incident. Always radiate unconditional love.

• प्रेम का संभाव होना आवश्यक है! Never be selective in love. Love everyone despite any misgiving that may be there in your mind.
• कुछ लोग कहते हैं की मेरे पिता जी तो समझदार हैं मैं उनको प्रेम करूँगा माता मेरी थोरी कम अछी हैं तो उन्हे इतना नही करूँगा या फिर मेरे पिता जी तो बड़ा डाँटते हैं उन्हे मैं स्नेह नही करता माँ कुछ नही कहती तो उनसे ही प्यार करता हूँ!
• Never be selective in love. While giving love, no logic. Just give love.
• Negative emotions in us come to the fore since the consciousness is stuck in Mooladhaar.
• Connection to Shiva and Guru is broken the moment intention becomes impure.

• कभी किसी से ईर्षा का भाव मत रखना ! अपने लक्ष की ओर अग्रसर होना ! जो उन्नति कर रहे हैं सो करें ! तुम सिर्फ़ अपने गंतव्य को देखो ! Help others achieve their goal while simultaneously accomplishing yours but if otherwise, प्रकृति ऐसे व्यक्ति का विकास रोक देती है ! Be happy with others in their moment of glory and success. Never compete with others. Competition should only be with your own self.

• कुछ लोग मुझसे आकर कहते हैं बाबा जी मैं तो दूसरों के भले में मारा गया ! यह वाक्य अज्ञानी का है ! मुझे बताओ औरों में तुम भी आते हो के नही ? याद रखो ये शरीर तुम नहीं हो यह शरीर तुम्हारा है !  तुम तो वो ज्योतिर्मय आत्मा हो ! सो किसी का हित करने निकलना तो अपना हित ज़रूर कर लेना ! गुलाम नही बनना ! !

• Power struggle and lobbying for your group is the preserve of the close hearted.
• Develop your inner voice by meditations so that the Guru element gets activated and everything that you do is in consonance with nature's laws.
• गुरु बाहर से नही मिलता वह तो तुम्हारे भीतर के गुरु तत्त्व का बाहरी रूपांतरण है ब्रह्म ज्ञानी गुरु का अर्थ है की तुम्हारा गुरु तत्व प्रबल है 
• जब अंदर वाला बाहर आएगा तो सुख ही सुख होगा
• दुख में सिमरन सब करे, सुख में करे ना कोए जो सुख में सिमरन करे, तो दुख काहे को होये

• A Shiv Yogi always sustains the attitude of gratitude and thanks God even in difficult circumstances for giving him the courage to fight so adversity does not linger around him.
• The person who is really confident and powerful is unaffected by threats and brow beating since he knows that others cannot harm him. So always remember that aggression and anger is a sign of weakness.

• मैं तो बहुत अच्छा व्यक्ति हूँ मगर दुनिया तो बहुत बुरी है ! मुझे खा जाएगी ! ये एक अधम व्यक्ति की सोच है!
• Always give love to all and more importantly keep your intention pure. Never judge, criticize and analyze others. See qualities in all.
• श्रद्धा और भक्ति के भाव अपने लिए भी लेकर के आओ ! अपने को आदर से रखो क्योंकि आप नारायण बनने की यात्रा प्रारंभ कर चुके हैं ! आप श्री विद्या की ब्रह्म विद्या के साधक हो ! इसका मतलब यह भी नही की दुनिया भर से अपने बखान गावाओ और पैर छुआओ ! हर हुमेशा विनम्र रहना !
• Worship the Shiva within. Worship the Guru element, the God element.

• जीवन धन्य हो जाता है यदि:
• एक भी गाय की सेवा ले ली जाए
• एक भी बच्चे की पढ़ाई का ज़िम्मा उठा लिया जाए
• एक भी ग़रीब की लड़की का घर बसा दिया जाए
• देना सीखो ! निष्काम सेवा करो ! कर्म कटेंगे !
• दोस्ती करनी है तो उस शिव से करना ! संसारिक दोस्ती में वैर तो आना ही है ! जब दोस्त तुम्हारी बात ना सुनेगा, तुम्हारी इच्छानुसार नही चलेगा तब वो दुश्मन बन जाएगा ! मगर शिव से दोस्ती करोगे तो सब तुम्हारे मित्र स्वतः ही बन जाएँगे ! और मजेो की बात ये है की ऐसी दोस्ती में लगाव नही वैराग्य रहेगा !
• भाग्य-रचैइता बनो भाग्य-वादी नहीं