Ayudha Puja - Significance of weapon worship

by Astro Ved Online Astrology Consultation

Ayudha puja is the day that takes place on the ninth day of Navaratri. This day is related to worship the weapons where they are recovered while getting the blessings of the Goddess. Ayudha Puja is celebrated all over India, but it is most common in Royal families or in the institutions where weapons are used.

People in the army and are police officers carry weapons, this Puja is more common in their houses too.

The day is also celebrated to express gratitude as well. For example, people worship instruments related to their profession, such as musicians worship their musical instruments and writers worship their pen.

People also worship their vehicles and tools to show gratefulness to Goddess Laxmi for the wealth and Goddess Saraswathi for the knowledge. Worshipping the instruments bring success in one's life and the sanctification of the Goddess.

Many people consider this day as a celebration where they exchange gifts among their family members and relatives. They gift people the idols of Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Parvati, and Goddess Lakshmi. Other items like holy books and other such gifts are given. Business people worship their shops and their deities; they then shut the shops and open them the next day.

The rituals may differ slightly from region to region; however, the essence remains the same: worshipping the Goddess, the female power that runs the Universe, and the deity of war.

Legends of Worship

In Hinduism, the tenth day of Navratri is Vijayadasami, which is related to Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya and Goddess Durga slaying the demon Mahishasura.

Another legend is about Pandavas, where they hid their weapons in a Shami tree and retrieved them after 13 years of exile. This is also why every year on this day, the Maharaja of Mysore pays his respect to Shami or the banyan tree. On this even, Dussehra is also celebrated, and huge processions happen.

Weapons Worship in Sikh Dharam

Weapons worship is also common in the Sikh religion, where Sikhs worship their shastras or weapons as encouraged by Guru Gobind Singh. In this Puja, all Sikhs worship their swords and evoke the Guru Gobind Singh. While honoring the swords, they also chant, "Chandi di Vaar" from the fifth chapter of Dasam Granth.

The Vaar for which the song depicts the time from the Sanskrit Markandeya Purana1. It indicates the war which happened between Devas and Asuras Shumba and Nishumba. During this great war, the female Goddess's power got transformed into the almighty sword, killing all the demons and their kings.

Nihang Sikhs especially evoke Chandi di Vaar, considered the most warlike soldiers among all Sikhs. Here the names Chandi and Bhagauti are derived from the Markandeya Purana; worshipping the Devi is common in Hinduism and Sikhism, signifying their close connection.

Ayudha Puja in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu as well, the tradition of worshipping the weapons is followed. They worship the war goddess Kotravai as per the Sangam. According to the people, it is the same Devi who killed Shumbha and Nishumba; this is also mentioned in Devi Mahatmyam and the Chandi di vaar. In Tamil Nadu, people worship the Devi Nishumba soodini (slayer of Nishumba).

The Chola Empire worshipped this Goddess; she was the prime deity they worshiped before a war. In respect of the Goddess, Vijayalaya Chola built Nishumba soodini temple near Kumbakonam.

On this day of Ayudha Puja, the people in Tamil Nadu also worship the war deity Lord Muruga. Muruga is the most revered deity in South India, and as he is also a war deity, people always invoke Muruga. Thai Poosam is one of the most significant festivals of Tamilians which is even celebrated by Tamilians living in Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and other parts of the world.

Worshipping the weapons and the deities bless us to be courageous and fight all our battles and become victorious in them. Therefore, the day is to seek sanctification and dissolve our impurities and demon inside us.