Story Behind Origin of Vasanta Navaratri

Vasanta Navaratri is also known as Chaitra Navaratri. This year it will begin from 2nd April and continue until 10th April 2022. It is a belief that during these nine days, the power of the Supreme Goddess comes to Earth to bless her devotees. Hence those who revere her or observe a fast get blessed by the grace of the Goddess. This brings abundance, health, and prosperity to their life.

 

Navaratri - The Devotion to Shakti

 

The Spring and Autumn season brings these important nine days of Navaratri. The female power or Shakti is worshipped in her different avatars all these days. This way, devotees receive the grace of all nine avatars of the Goddess. Worshipping the Goddess brings the devotees courage, power, and liberation to end their sorrows of life.

 

Goddess Durga, however, remains as the prime Goddess that is worshipped other than her nine forms. She is the Universal Mother who protects every living being on this plane against every evil power. Goddess Laxmi and Saraswathi are also two prime Goddesses worshipped during Navaratri. Being the possessor of wealth and knowledge, devotees worship them to have the grace of these Goddesses.

 

Significance of Navaratri

 

Navaratri happens twice a year, one is Chaitra (March-April) which is also called Vasant Navaratri, and another one is during Ashwin (September-October), which is called Sharad Navaratri.

 

Along with the arrival of Navaratri, changes of the season also happen. These are two major season changes where nature introduces significant colors and blossoms. This is also the duration of harvesting where the whole of nature, including birds and animals, becomes active. Such an active vibrance rushes through everything during these seasons, making Navaratri an important occasion to celebrate.

 

These are when people take out the sacred Vedas and read them. Those in the path of spirituality find these periods intuitive to heighten their power and make progress. Moon also changes its course and travels in the zodiac signs like Pisces, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini during Spring Navaratri.

 

The Goddess awakens the important traits in humans, such as integrity, authority, prosperity, and intelligence. That is why people worship the Goddess with utmost devotion and get served by these four essential characteristics. 

 

Legend Behind Vasant Navaratri

 

There was a King called Dhruvasindu of Kosala. When he was killed, his son Prince Sudarsana was about to lead the kingdom. However, he was attacked by two other kings, and the Prince had to escape with his mother in a sage's hut.

 

Days went by, and one of the kings went to the same hut. However, the sage protected the Prince and sent the cruel King back. During their residence, Prince got to know about a boy from whom he learned the word "Kleem." Since this was the root word of the Beej mantra dedicated to the Goddess, the divine mother showered her grace upon the Prince.

 

This is because the Prince used to say this word many times to learn it. The Goddess also bestowed the Prince with several powers and weapons. After some time, the Prince got married to a beautiful princess who was the daughter of a powerful king. Hence, with the King's support, the Prince fought against the two cruel kings and got his kingdom back.

 

Since that day, the Prince used to worship the Goddess to be grateful for his victories.