Hindus celebrate Navratri festival every year religiously. Why? There are only a few who clearly know its genuine reason. Most devotees observe it as a customary tradition. And, many have nothing to say but the only excuse, i.e. to follow the footprints of their ancestors blindly.
Spiritual Reasons:
- Invoking positivity:
Our ancestors found reasons for everything. They were scientifically as well as spiritually aware. They saw infallible force in divinity. It’s not hidden from them that solar & climatic changes influence our body profoundly. This is why they took shelter in devotion & meditation to level up energies.
According to them, Bhadro (in Bengali language) is the month when we notice great dip in our energy level. Sorrow, grief, stress, greed, jealous and hatred overlap our positive energy. To end it, our ancestors invoked lord Ganesha by performing Ganapati Puja for 10 days in the same month.
Even today, people dedicate these days to the sweet memory of spending good times with ex-grandparents. They don’t forget performing special rites and rituals from anywhere. Let’s say devotees in Brisbane hire priest for Tarpan (a ritual). It results in bumping positive energy.
Likewise, the first 9 days of Ashwin month are dedicated to the source of power, i.e. Devi Durga. She killed Mahishasura (a demon) who embodied Kaam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment), Ahankaar (ego), Darr (fear), Irshyaa (jealous), Jadta (inertia), Nafrat (hate) and Pashchaataap (guilt). All these negativities low the energy level in a human body. This is why each night of Navratri ends these evils. And when the 10th night falls, people celebrate victory of good (positivity) over bad (negativity) on Dussehra or Durgapuja.
- Pulling life force:
Each night of this festival kills an evil thought in us. Why is it observed in night? The actual reason behind it is clear. It’s peaceful. The evil thoughts begin to grip amid such peaceful environment. It’s also believed that negative forces travel at night. This (peace) is the reason. When we light the lamp and meditate, our mind revives and gains focusing power.
Autumn season ends while leaving several germs and disease-causing microbes. The chanting of mantras (hymns), sound of conch & bells and fragrance of incense kill germs in the air. The aura of devotees improves. It begins to repel negativity. Positivity sweeps it fully within 10 days.
Apart from these spiritual reasons, there are some facts that confirm its advantages. Let’s catch them also.
Scientific Reasons
- Detoxification: Detoxify means free from toxin. Hindus abandon eating spicy food. They swap ginger, garlic, onion, non-vegan food with complete Satvik (fruit diet) food. Since winter onsets with this festival, the body needs detoxification according to Ayurveda. Otherwise, our immunity weakens. For gaining power to fight diseases, it’s better to take off from the routine diet. The fruit diet works as a cleanser & purifies the body.
- Correct metabolism: Metabolism keeps our body in function. It is our body’s mechanism that can stop working. Careless munching produces extra kilos. Consequently, the fat deposits under skin.
Fasting helps in shedding those kilos. In the absence of diet, our body breaks down the deposited fat to fuel up. Thereby, extra calories get burnt. Our metabolism gets invigorated.
- Self-awareness: It’s common to feel like starving now & then. Hunger pangs everyone. But untimely gobbling is the root cause of obesity. Indigestion and acidity can make a person bed-ridden anytime.
So, fasting is recommended. It’s what the saints advocated for. They entrusted us the secret to inflow the pure thoughts. We receive mindfulness while fasting. It makes us feel good. We feel in love with self. It bestows us a chance to come closer to divinity that dispels negativity. Thereby, confidence boosts up and brain regains sharpness.
- Self-discipline: Suspending the daily pattern of eating showcases miraculous results. The fasting person learns how to welcome the changes for wellness. It’s a positivity that he embraces. Junk or spicy food is termed as taamasik diet. Eating it regularly incites ego, jealous, anger, hatred, and greed. By accepting satvik food, one sheds demon self and becomes a disciplined person.
Remember, as you eat as the thoughts come in.
