Lord Brahma started creating the universe on the first day of the Chaitra Navratri. Jau (barley) was the first crop to be cultivated then. We sow Jau and grow Khetri in reverence of this crop and then offer it back to Mother Nature. King Vikramaditya was coronated King on this day. The Vikrami Samvat or the Hindu calendar is named after him.

Navratri literally means nine nights. These nights are symbolic of the darkness of ignorance. The purpose of celebrating Navratri is to enable humans to overcome this darkness. When we worship the Devi or the Mother Goddess, she is the unified form of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. These three forms together form Shakti (power). This Shakti is the energy that is emanant in Nature and the Lord himself controls it. The ninth day of the Chaitra Navratri is Ram Navami. This marks the birthday and the coronation of Bhagwan Rama.

The feminine aspect of Divinity is worshipped in Navratri. Sri Sathya Sai Baba says that the word Stree is made up of- Sa, Ta and Ra. Sa signifies Sattvic, Ta signifies Tamasic and Ra signifies the Rajasic nature of women. Stree thus represents the combination of the three gunas. You can judge a house by the Greh-Lakhmi (lady of the house), she represents the ‘everything’ of the house. The Vedas declare that where women are honoured, there divinity is present with all its potency. We worship five kinds of mothers. Firstly, we worship the Deha-Mata. She is the one who bore us for nine months and gave us the gift of life. Secondly, we worship the Gau-Mata. The cow is given the exalted position of a mother because she sustains us by converting her blood into milk. Thirdly, we revere the Bhu-Mata or Mother Earth. She is the one, on whom we are dependant for everything like shelter, water, food etc. Fourthly, we revere the Desh-Mata. Our country gives us protection, rights and the support system of society. Indians are perhaps the only people who revere the country as Mother India. Fifthly, we revere the Veda-Mata. We revere the Vedas as our heritage and as spiritual treasures. They tell us the purpose of life and guide us on the path of self-realisation.

For those who are not spiritually inclined, I would say that Navaratri is a time to revere nature and offer thanksgiving for all that nature has bestowed us with. Resources like the Earth, air, water, minerals, oils etc. should not be wasted or misused. It is important to conserve the environment for the generations to come.

Scientifically speaking, the Chaitra Navratri is placed at the intersection of winter and summer. The body needs to detox at this time to adjust itself for the upcoming summer season. And that is exactly why Navratri fasting is recommended. You can have fruits and nuts along with one meal of alternate grains (no cereals like wheat, rice etc.). Navratri foods include Kuttu ka atta, Swaank ke chawal, Singhaare ka aata, etc. And you cook with Rock salt which is an excellent detoxifying agent. But remember that a fast is a fast, as long as you don’t convert it into a feast!

So let’s do Devi Pooja in Navratri and revere the Mother Goddess in her beautiful Nav-Durga form. And while doing Devi-Poojan and Kanya-Poojan, do extend the respect to all the living goddesses around you … your mother, wife, sister, daughter, daughter-in-law and just any girl out there! Happy Navratri!