Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati,
The three deities, the holy Trinity.
Three days dedicated to each of the Three,
Nine nights of celebration, the 'Navratri'.
The significance of Navratri can be found,
In legends and stories which abound.
Of Gods and Goddesses, of trials and tribulations,
Good over evil, the triumph, the jubilation !
Goddess Durga encounters Mahishasura, the demon,
To curb his misdeeds, to get even.
With trident pointed, with a flowing mane,
Symbolically crushing the 'ego' and its reign.
Like a lion pouncing on a victim dazed,
The darkness, the ignorance, the 'Tamas Guna' in us is erased,
When Goddess Durga aids,
And showers us with grace.
Adi Shankara's voice rang out clearly begging for alms,
The poor lady offered a gooseberry in her palm.
Nothing else she had to give..to share.
Her larder was empty and totally bare.
She would be hungry for days, for weeks,
The thought in her mind did not even peek.
With devotion she served, a selfless deed,
From one who herself was in dire need.
Goddess Lakshmi showers 'gold', the 'Kanakadhara',
Moved by her gesture and the pleas of Adi Shankara.
Like a lotus that out of the dirt blooms,
Actions subtle should be honed and pruned.
The 'Rajas Guna', the 'Actions' when you direct with care,
Gifted you are with spiritual wealth, more than your share.
Savitri was plunged in a pall of gloom,
It had been ordained that Satyavan, her husband would die soon.
Into herself she goes.. in search of her soul,
Insight she gains into it as a whole.
In the cycle of birth and death she finds,
The soul to the source eternally binds.
The soul merges losing its humanity,
The essence remains..pure divinity.
A symbol of the 'Sattva Guna', of 'Purity' is Savitri,
An incarnation of Goddess Saraswati.
She shines her wisdom, she shines her light,
Night and darkness vanish out of sight.
The soul stands luminous reflecting the inner deity,
Lord Yama bows before the radiance of her purity.
Satyavan's soul is set free,
Back to timeless eternity.
Like a swan which milk from the water draws,
On your true self, the 'Sattva Guna' makes you pause.
Clearly is seen the pure nature of the soul,
When deep self-enquiry' you make your goal.
Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati,
Embodying the qualities of the 'Tamas', the Rajas', the 'Sattva'...the Gunas three.
From 'Jagruti', to 'Swapna', to 'Sushupti',
From 'Waking', to 'Dream', to 'Sleep'...the states of being three.
From the gross, to the subtle, to the ultimate reality,
The journey through...the realms of consciousness three.
The significance of 'Navratri',
Through the symbolism of...the Devis three.
