Navaratri is a festival of Goddess.Shakti is nothing but energy and creativity.Because of which world is originated and exists as it is.Navaratri is 9 nights followed by tenth day,Dassera.It is the only festival in India which speaks about nights in Hinduism.There are many stories related to it.Some say during this period Rama had war with Ravana ,other story talks about war of Durga,Mahishasurmardini (Devil Killer Goddess )Both fighting with evil,enemy of human,God society.As symbol of their fighting people follow 9 days fast.In fact all our enemies within us like desire,attachment,ignorance and anger,hatred,jealousy,frustration,
depression,anxiety are manifestation of them.For 9 days,9 nights it is time to win over war with enemies inside you.
During these 9 days many people follow full or partial fasting.It has scientific reason to fast this time.Most of the festivals in India are related to agricultural society in India.It is end of rainy season.Crops are yet to be ready.There is no much work in the farms.Winter is to start.It is Sharad Ritu in India.Due to change in season body has to adjust.There are chances of infective diseases like Influenza,sore throat,Gastric disorder etc.Fasting when season changes protect people from diseases.Therefore there are two navaratris,other at the end of winter season,beginning of Spring season i.e Chaitra Navaratri.Fasting detoxifies body.It removes toxins.Fasting improves immunity.Apart from medical benefits it has spiritual benefits.Fasting wins over desires of body and makes mind very strong.In many psychological ailements like frustration,depression,anxiety Fasting is very effective remedy.In Navaratri fasting is specified with prayer,worship…
When fasting is practiced with prayer it is simply Divine.
Mythologically Durga,Goddess tells in Durgasaptashati how to practice fasting.There is a story of woman who gets married to ugly man due to curse of Father.Utimately she remains without food,water and her spouse becomes handsome.Story has a meaning in today’s world.Fasting scientifically gives disease free beautiful,slim body.It is effective technique in Naturopathy,Yoga to detoxify body with fasting.Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie loses 21 pounds in 21 days.We are amazed to see her in new vibrant form.
What she does in 21 days?She fasts scientifically on Juices..
Navaratri fasting,in short to make yourself healthy and beautiful.Fast can be without water i.e.Nirjala or with water,fruit juices,milk producrs.Now the latest trend is gluten free Diet.Amaranthus(Rajgira) flour,samo rice(varai),Yam(Suran),Sweet potato ,Sago(Sabudana)all are very rich in nutrients.Sago is rich in calcium.If one eats delicacies made up of all these things then it is Gluten free Diet.Best thing in Navaratri to remain on Juice diet.One should drink plenty of water.Can also take coconut water,Lemon water,Kokum juice to keep body hydrated.During fasting on juice in 2-3 days person can take enema.If not possible to remain on juice diet then can add buttermilk, yoghurt,milk to diet.
During fasting person should do light yoga,Pranayam and meditation.Person can take light walk.Chanting on Durga Chant can bring peace,calmness to mind.It will help to win over desires,addiction to tasty food.Alcohol,tobacco should be prohibited during fasting.Due to busy life if such fast is difficult,then can eat delicacies of fast products.e.g Amaranthus,Sweet potato,Sago etc.Samo or varai rice is very light,it is very nutritious with minerals.Fasting or Vrata must make body alkaline and sattvik. Therfore one should avoid eating oily,spicy food in Navratri.World is full of foodies where people are distorting meaning of fast by making tasty food like Sabudana Vada,Fast pakoda,Fast puris etc..There is no end to man’s imagination in the’ world of Food’…The Vrata need to have austerity.Mahatma Gandhiji once said there is no real prayer without Fasting and there is no fast without prayer.
Fast is basically to crucify your body from where all ego,superego arises.
We have five koshas or layers.External kosha is Annamaya kosha and inner most kosha is Ananda Kosha.Fasting with prayer,faith on Goddess is an attempt to break desires of mundane life in Annamay Kosha to enter Bliss of Anamdamaya Kosha.Therefore navaratri vrata when performed with chanting, meditation,faith brings happiness to mankind.It is ages old technique to search self and feel beautiful.
Written by Smita Somane–IRS,Additional Commissioner, GST audit.
