The science behind Navratri: Connecting the Macrocosm with the Microcosm

The science behind Navratri: Connecting the Macrocosm with the Microcosm

‘Nava’ has two meanings- nine’ and ‘new’ and it is an occasion that brings freshness and rejuvenation in our lives as we get back to our source for these nine nights, taking our mind off all the day-to-day botherations, and spend time in self-enquiry. Then we become more creative, you become victorious.

When negative thoughts enter the mind, or when we have moved away from our nature, that’s when we find we get disturbed, we are unpleasant to be around, and we become unproductive and non-creative. And you can find relief from this negativity only when you go to the source of energy within you – the Shakti.

The story of Raktabeejasura indicates that our qualities are embedded in our DNA. Just as from each drop of the demon, a new demon was born, which means each drop had the makings of the whole demon, who we are, and who we have been-it is all encoded in our DNA. So the transformation has to happen from the very basic level and it is only the Devi who brings this transformation in us. Mother Divine comes with her trident which represents 3 things – wisdom, love and action.

She frees us from the asuras, the negative qualities that are present inside. Even if they are present in our DNA, they will be eliminated by the grace of Mother Divine. So, when you do sadhana or spiritual practices, when the spiritual energy in you is awakened, it sets right your entire physiology, it brings you the right mindset, right thought and the right expression of life. It is not just on the thinking level; it is on the existential level that the transformation occurs.

One in the many

Your mind is a small part of a big mind; your body is a part of the entire existence. If there is some problem in the air, not only one person is going to get affected but everything around will be affected. The environment is our first body, our food is from the environment, that’s why it’s called Annamaya Kosha. Vedanta and quantum mechanics are very close, very similar. Quantum mechanics says this whole universe is just made up of one wave function; Vedanta says the same thing – the whole universe is just vibrations, spandana, and pulsation. And the vibration in its many manifestations has formed this multitude of universe; and that One Vibration has manifested as millions of names and forms. That’s what the verses chanted in Navratri days are about, how the Divine Mother is manifest everywhere – all the qualities are Her; she is present in every atom of this creation, in the animals, trees, insects, galaxies and in many many worlds, and planets. Her glory is spread from an atom to the cosmos. So we adore the Mother Divine in all forms and feel the energy in the Annamaya Kosha.

When you listen to the story of Mother Divine, worship her; then the energy in you wakes up, prana wakes up; then you receive blessings, and all your desires come to you.—Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

So, they cognized elaborate methods to connect the macrocosm with the microcosm; wherein every aspect of life is involved and that is what is called yagya. The yagya here is done for the whole world, for the welfare of all human beings; and the procedures are laid down in the scriptures – How many herbs should be bought? Which materials should be used? What chanting and mantras should be used? It’s all very precise, when it is done in the way it should be done, the impact of it is very imminent.

Our mind is tired of swaying between cravings and aversions, and the right and wrong. Navaratri is the time to just drop everything, and when we drop everything and repose in ourselves then deep meditation, samadhi, happens. That is the basis of all success in life.

Offering all the good and bad qualities; the past, present and the future to the Divine Mother, we repose in ourselves. And that is the essence of Navratri, to give deep rest to our mind and soul.

Source: https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/navratri/science-behind-navratri