Respect Nature And Purify Thought, Word And Deed
The Devi Navaratri or the Sharad Navaratri is one of the most important festivals observed in the Bharatiya tradition. Different regions of the subcontinent celebrate it in their own unique ways, but it goes without saying that this indeed is an auspicious nine-day period for all. Since the early 1940s Dasara (another name for this festival) has been observed with much gaiety and reverence in the presence of Bhagawan too. For devotees of Bhagawan, the Dasara festival was an occasion to adore Swami as the Divine Mother Principle. Yes, we wish to worship Him during this festival! Yes, we wish to celebrate His matchless Divine Persona! But if worship is offered to please the Lord, isn’t it important to worship Him in the manner that pleases Him? Isn’t it essential to offer what He expects rather that what we wish to give? Bhagawan explained lucidly what is the true worship we must offer during this sacred Navaratri festival, during a discourse delivered on 27 Sep 1992.
Interestingly, Swami speaks of the importance of Nature. What is the relationship between nature and God? But why should we worship and adore Nature? Let us hear what Swami had to say.
On the other hand, if you do not sow the seeds and keep them in your hands, what is the use? So, if you want the seeds to bear the fruits in future, you should sow them in the ground. It is Earth which makes the seed grow into a tree and later on bear the fruits. So for all the existence, earth is the basis. So, if man has to remove his ignorance, he has to worship the nature. You should worship the nature and receive the grace of the lord.
Bhagawan beautifully explained that for anything to be successful, one needs both human effort and Divine Grace. And that is why it is most essential to worship Nature, a practice which is part of all ancient cultures. This reverential attitude will also ensure that we do not misuse Mother Nature. But how is the worship of nature related to the worship of the Divine Mothers? What is the relationship between the Devis and Prakruti?
Prakruti (Nature) is made up of the three qualities, Satwa, Rajas and Tamas. Lakshmi represents the Satwa Guna. Saraswathi represents the Rajo Guna and Parvathi represents the Tamo Guna. As Prakruti (Nature) is made up of these three qualities (Satwa, Rajas and Tamas), to get control over Nature and to receive grace from Nature, man has been offering worship to Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. These are not goddesses but deified symbols of the three qualities. This Prakruti is made of these three qualities, and the worship of this Prakruti is the very purpose of human life.
Indeed a profound message – True Devi Puja is the observance of Trikarana Shuddhi (Unity and Purity of thought, word and deed). If this is how we should offer worship, why do we observe festivals? If not for praising and worshipping God, what are these festivals meant for?
