Chaitra Navratri 2020, Day 8: Maa Maha-Gauri, the 8th form of Navdurga, who rides a bull

During this time of Navratri Celebrations, Renooji (RenooNirula), has enabled us with knowledge and mantras to connect to, understand, and invoke the energies of Devi. It is a Journey that the Guru Invites You to take with Surrender and Devotion. (Below are extracts from Renooji’s lectures on Devi, Shakti, Durga and her many forms to empower you further)

MAHAGAURI :

“The Goddess who is formed as a beautiful young girl, riding a bull (symbolic of her husband Lord Shiva), holding a drum and a trident she radiates peace and compassion for all.”

‘As the 9 Nights and 10 Days of Worshipping and Glorifying the Feminine Divine continue and are coming to an end, with the Eighth Form of the Navdurgas – we must ask ourselves, have I surrendered completely to this mystical and magical force of Devi – how far have I gone in my search to connect to what or rather who are these Nav-Durgas?

They are the key-expansions of the Feminine Divine in Hindu Folklore, our Myths, Legends and Vedic Hymns describe them as Warriors, Mothers, Progenitors, Protectors, and Keepers of ALL Human endeavour -be it in the spiritual or then material realms.

For many, these adjectives will never be enough, and hence they refer to her in her energy form – as SHAKTI! As all that is movement, kinetic and frenetic in this world and the next. She is the Masculine Divine in motion – she is that combustible nuclear energy ACTIVATED! That is what Shakti is, and to know her, touch her, taste her and see her, we must first begin by inviting her, and approaching her with love in our hearts. The best way to do this is through Mantra, and so, we are sharing here two mantras from the Navratri Chanting from the 8th of October, 2016- led by Renooji. As we begin the mantra and meditation for the eighth Form of Durga – MAHA-GAURI, we surrender our entire beings, in complete surrender to the Devi – Shakti – Durga – Mother of this Universe, from whose womb all of creation is born. We approach her with a clear heart filled with devotion, beseeching her blessings of opulence and wealth – both in the material and spiritual realms. Affirming this, let us connect to her golden form and chant :

यादेवीसर्वभू‍तेषुमांगौरीरूपेणसंस्थिता I
नमस्तस्यैनमस्तस्यैनमस्तस्यैनमोनम: II
YA DEVI SARVA-BHUTESHU MAA GAURI ROOPEN SAMSTHITA I
NAMASTASYEYE NAMASTASYEYENAMASTASYEYE NAMO NAMAHA II

‘Devi in this form is of the most golden and fair complexion of all the manifestations of the Feminine Divine – of Durga and Shakti. She is in a young and nubile form, some believe her to be forever young, at the ideal age of 16 years. She is mounted on a bull, symbolic of her husband in the past and the future – Lord Shiva. Her spiritual teacher, her Guru as well as her guide, protector and lover.

In this form, Devi is unmarried and yet aware of all that has been, and all that shall be – she radiates creation from her being. Bestowing upon the devotee – progress, progeny, wealth, partners, and protection. She is all-loving, all peace bestowing, and all compassion. MAHA-GAURI is often depicted dressed in a white or green sari, to denote her purity and auspiciousness. As we are approaching the culmination of the descent of the Devi Shakti’s – connect to this benevolent form of the Devi and accept her blessing with an open heart, soul and mind. Move ahead in your day and all the days that shall unfold in the year ahead with great love and gratitude, affirming that you shall not complain, for its dark energy diminishes the divine blessings we are receiving. Know that Devi is always with you – hold her hand, heal & move to a giant place where the healing light is perfectly shimmering gold.’