Day 5 (morning) proceedings of Athi Rudra Maha Yagna, Navarathri Homa and Durga Puja
Saturday, October 17, 2015 – Morning: Navarathri marks the auspicious times when the earth pulsates with 'Shakthi' or the power of the female aspect of consciousness.The foremost puja for the Navarathri Homa is the Shaneeshwara Shanti puja, and the main theme involves invoking the Jnana or Wisdom represented by the sun's light, to dispel the darkness ie., ignorance represented by Shani. This puja was performed today, day five of the holy Athi Rudra Maha Yagna, Navarathri Homa and Durga Puja. Swami graced the venue of the Navarathri Homa and Durga Pujo, and sat through all the rituals for more than an hour.
The priest explained about the science of astrology and the movement of planets. It is said there is a significant impact of these planets in our lives. He illustrated this by saying how there are many students in a class, but each responds to the teaching in a different way and have different capabilities and IQ. The priest explained the influence of the moon in human beings is quite significant. Vedic astrology considers moon as the governor of mind and thus the inner being itself -'Chadrama Manaso Jaatah'. Even Lord Rama had to go to the forest when he was supposed to ascend the throne due to the influence of his stars. He extolled the mother aspect of God in the form of Mother Bhoomi and how she bestowed the same benevolence on all without differentiating. Unfortunately, man has created divisions like religions, castes etc.
Arathi was performed and Swami proceeded to the Yagna Shaala, where the regular proceedings of the Athi Rudra Maha Yagna, Panchamirtha Abishekam, Rudra Homa, Rudra Abhishekam, Rudra Parayanams etc., were in progress. The sparkling white 'Hiranyagarbha Lingam' glowed in the ethereal hue and every person basked in the divine vibrations of the sacred chants! After Maha Mangala arathi, Swami retired for the afternoon.
Watch the proceedings below: