Happy Navratri !

Navratri is a nine nights’ festival of devotion and bhakti, celebrated with a lot of fervour and faith, towards the great Goddess Amba Ma!

The devotees, during these nine days, observe total fasts, meaning they eat nothing at all; and at night, they celebrate by playing garba, a traditional Gujarati dance, performed to the tunes of the devotional songs in praise of the divine Goddess Amba.

In eastern India, this festival is also marked by the grand Durga Puja, done on the tenth day, to celebrate the splendid victory of Shakti of Maa Durga over the evil (of the demon Mahisasur).

Amba Mataji is presently a living celestial being, residing in the higher heavens (Devlok)! She is a symbol of Adhyashakti, meaning the original energy force. She represents the power of sahaj prakruti (the energy of the natural state of being). Therefore, if one knows how to worship her rightly, one stands to gain lots in his worldly life.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan explains, “Anyone who wants a prakruti that brings worldly benefits, they should worship Mataji, the Goddess Mother. And those who want Moksha [ultimate liberation] should worship the Soul [the real Self]. Those who want both should worship both.”

What is the right way to worship Amba Mataji?

Each celestial God or Goddess (Dev or Devi) have their set of rules. And one who abides by those rules, the celestial beings naturally remain highly pleased with them.

Gnanis never break or violate any of their rules. They give due respect to them and always consult them before taking any important steps. That’s the reason all Gods and Goddesses remain pleased with Gnani. They give them immense protection by being present around them all the time. The grace of the celestial beings constantly flows upon Gnani. They are always with Him, providing Him complete protection and endless support in the work for the salvation of the world!

Thus, abiding by the rules set by Goddess Amba Ma indeed is the right way of worshipping Her!

How do we abide by the rules of Goddess Amba Ma?

When we do not do anything that breaks the natural state of prakruti, we are said to have abided by the rules of Goddess Amba Mataji. In other words, when we try and maintain unity in our thoughts, words and actions, when we say what we think and do what we say, we are said to have abided by the rules of Mataji.

What are the benefits of abiding by the rules of Goddess Amba Ma?

• When our intention is pure and our efforts are sincere in maintaining unity in what we think, say and do, we are blessed with enormous power of the body-complex (mind, speech and body).
• Amba Ma is an embodiment of energy. So, when unity of mind speech and body energy happens, we attain the energy.
• Goddess Amba Ma gives us strength to destroy our worldly obstacles.
• Our prakruti (the worldly self) becomes natural, powerful and is energized.
• We experience peace and harmony within us.

So come, this Navratri, let’s strengthen the bond of our faith and devotion towards Amba Mataji by abiding by her rules very and seek her powerful blessings to progress well in life!