This text written by Bhanumathi Narasimhan, sister of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Navratri is historically celebrated in honour of Devi, the Divine Mom. The Divine Mom is symbolic of power, a manifestation of the Divine itself. Every day of Navratri we honour particular qualities of divinity with totally different homas and with totally different intentions. It is that this power, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation and destruction. Shakti means power, energy and power, the womb for all creation, expressed because the mom facet of the Divine. Shakti is the seed for all dynamism, radiance, magnificence, equanimity, peace and nourishment.
Shakti is the life-force. There are 5 features of creation: Asti, is-ness; bhati, data and expression; Preeti, love; nama, title and rupa, kind. Matter has two features, title and kind. Consciousness has three features, asti, bhati and preeti. Maya is ignorance or delusion, not being conscious of the three features of consciousness and getting caught up in title and kind. Completely different purposeful features of the divine power, Shakti, have totally different names and kinds. The “i” (ee) in Shakti is power.
Shakti means power, energy and power, the womb for all creation, expressed because the mom facet of the Divine. Click on To Tweet
With out the “i”, “Shiva” turns into “shava” which in Sanskrit means lifeless. There are seven centres of power or Shakti within the physique known as chakras in Sanskrit. Within the Saktha system of worship, there’s concentrate on all of the power facilities. The Sri Chakra is assumed to symbolize the entire physique with the Devi in numerous kinds, residing in numerous chakras. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has spoken intimately concerning the chakras. He says, “Completely different feelings are linked with every of those power centres”.
The primary chakra, muladhara, is situated within the base of the backbone. Right here, the power manifests as inertia or enthusiasm. The Devi residing on this chakra is five-faced representing the 5 sense organs. Musical devices are additionally related to these power centres. Sound vibrations produced by bass drums are linked to this chakra. The second chakra, swadhistana is the intercourse centre simply 4 inches above the bottom of the backbone. Right here power manifests as pro-creativity or creativity. Right here, the Divine mom has 4 faces representing the 4 Vedas.
The third chakra, manipura, is the navel centre the place power manifests as 4 feelings: Generosity, pleasure, greed and jealousy (two constructive and two unfavorable feelings). Right here, Devi has three faces representing srishti (creation), stith (upkeep) and laya (dissolution). Wind devices like trumpets and clarinets are linked to this power centre. The fourth Chakra, anahata, is situated within the chest area the place power manifests as three emotions- love, worry and hatred. Devi is represented with two faces, signifying inward and outward focus.
This power centre is influenced by the sound vibrations of string devices just like the violin and harp. The fifth Chakra, vishuddhi, is situated within the throat area the place power manifests as two feelings – gratitude and grief. Within the vishuddhi chakra, Devi’s kind has a single face. She is past all duality. The melody of the flute connects with this chakra. The sixth Chakra, ajna, is situated between the eyebrows the place power manifests as anger and application. Right here, Devi is six-faced, representing the 5 senses (sight, listening to, scent, contact, style) and the thoughts. Cymbals, chimes and bells join with this power centre.
The seventh chakra, sahasrara, is situated on the highest of the top the place power manifests as bliss. Additionally it is known as brahmarandhra. Devi is represented as a completely blossomed lotus of a thousand petals. All of the qualities in creation belong to her and are blossomed to their full potential. The conch is the musical instrument linked with this power centre.
