What makes this Navratri so special?

The Bhagwad Gita says, learn the Truth by approaching a guru. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an enlightened teacher can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth.

Blessed are those who find a living guru. For other lesser mortals, Guru Brihaspati, Jupiter, is sparkling with wisdom in the Pisces area of the sky, urging us to seek the inner truth.

The Sun is transiting through Pisces. Here it is imaginative, visionary, broad-minded and inclusive. It is getting connected to Jupiter – a guru guiding us through the illusions of maya and search for the final Truth. The Sun and Jupiter conjunction will take place on April 12. Together they channelise the intuitive guidance that can open the gateway of jnana. It is a time when the prayer, ‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference,’ seems most apt.

Each year, the Sun in conjunction with the Moon symbolises the end of the zodiac and the year. The same Moon, as it moves forward, brings the most auspicious Padwa in the form of Gudi Padwa. This, we all know, is a new beginning. Each ending brings a new beginning and thus begins the Samvatsar, the traditional Indian New year, celebrated with the Navratri, a prayer to all forms of Shakti, Maa.

Sri Aurobindo’s prayer to Maa goes like this: ‘Aum Anandmayi Chaitanyamayi Satyamayi Parmey’ – Om – She, the Delight/ She, the Consciousness/ She, the Truth/ She, the Supreme.

This year, the lunar tithis of Amavasya and Padwa, representing the end of the old year and new beginnings, respectively, were on the Vernal Equinox. Again, a powerful combination, of focussing on the purification of mind through meditation and merging seamlessly in celebrating the new start.

Living through the maze of Maa’s lila, we often find ourselves straying because of her maya, even though we may have the most sattvic of intentions. It is this reality which we need to grasp and attempt to surrender to Her during Navratri. It is this surrender to nature in the infinity of the mystic Pisces, in the presence of the Sun denoting Shiv and Moon denoting Maa that one finds the energy and resources to move to the New Year. We move ahead with fresh vigour by seeking blessings in the Navratri through prayers. This is the special nature of this month and the nine days.

Every 12 years, Jupiter comes to Pisces and enhances its auspiciousness, when the Sun and the Moon traverse through this zodiac space. Presently, the Sun has already joined Guru in Pisces. This Gudi Padwa, the blessings of Guru on the Vernal equinox, additionally increased the spiritual significance of the day.

If you have a guru, spend time with her. If you don’t have one, spend time with yourself, meditating on Shiv. As Adi Shankara guides, ‘Chidanandroopa Shivoham Shivoham’. Even in the mundane, material world, wisdom, correct decisions, and a sense of joy will prevail, provided you pause and listen.

The writer is former director of CBI Navratri will continue till March 30