This katha has a great symbolic meaning.
Mahishasur resides in the hearts of every human being and suffocates the righteousness within a person. It is essential to worship Maa Shakti in order to recognise Mahishasur within us and gain the power to free from this demon.
We have a false belief that a demon is one with large teeth and eyes and is terrifying. However, a demon is actually one who only lives life to enjoy worldly pleasures. In addition, ‘Mahish’ means a buffalo; a buffalo will selfishly only think about its own happiness. This nature of a buffalo is spreading in the society, and the whole society is becoming selfish, merciless and without love. Self-centredness and selfishness is dancing within people in the form of Mahishasur. Therefore, the nine days of Navratri are to ask Maa for the power and courage to win over Mahishasur.
Also, it is not just important to think and act divine, but it is also essential to protect this divinity. This is also why we worship Maa Durga during Navratri.
Let us all get together and pray to Maa:
Ya devi sarva bhuteshu budhi rupen sansthita,
Namastasye namastasye namastasye namoh namah
Maa, my intellect has retarded. We have lost the knowledge between good and evil. Please give us the power of knowledge.
Ya devi sarva bhuteshu shradha rupen sansthita
Namastasye namastasye namastasye namoh namah
Maa, we have lost faith in ourselves and others. Please provide us with faith.
Ya devi sarva bhuteshu shakti rupen sansthita
Namastasye namastasye namastasye namoh namah
Maa, we have lost our strength in our worthless pleasures. Give us the strength to defeat the demon-like nature within us.
Remember that although we begin to worship Maa Jagdamba during these nine days, let us not stop after the nine days.
You can now view and enjoy the Navratri Anushthan by Pujya Bhaishri from day 5 of Navratri and also the highlights via the following links:
Navratri Anushtan Day 5
Navratri Anushthan Day 5 Highlight
