Last Updated on January 25, 2025 by
In the Laxmi Puja, the Nine Durga section, we worship the Nine Durgas. I am curious about why we include this in an elaborate Laxmi Puja.
The Nine Durga Puja is a formula for success towards any goal which we define.
Our goals are what we value, our values are our wealth,
it is appropriate to worship the Nav Durga in this context as Laxmi is the Goddess of Wealth.
Please remember that the first is Inspiration,
second is learning, third is practicing,
fourth is refining, the fifth is becoming ever pure,
sixth is moving towards divinity,
seventh is overcoming ego, eighth is becoming One with the Great Radiant Light;
ninth is the Grantor of Perfection.
The Nine Durgas united in the path to accomplishing our every goal.
Nava Durga kavacham
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी।
तृतीयं चन्द्रघंटेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम् ।।
पंचमं स्क्न्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च।
सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम् ।।
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः ।।
The key differences between the Samasti Upasana and a Vyakti Upasana:
Vyakti or Vyashti Upasana means worship of one individual form of divinity,
Like a Laxmi Puja, or a Kali Puja, or Shiva or any one deity.
Samasti Upasana or Cosmic Puja means worshipping them all.
All worship will need inspiration and learning and practice, etc., to begin.
if we are worshipping one form of divinity or many forms,
we will need all the help we can possibly get.
No matter where or with whom we begin, we will all,
automatically, invariably, end up worshipping them all.
Reference Material:-
- https://soundcloud.com/devi-mandir/3-durga-puja-recitation-and-swamiji-joyously-sings-shiva-stuti-as-on-23-jan-2021
- https://shreemaa.org/divine-mother-devi-atharvashirsham/