What to do on Day-4 of Navratri?

Navratri Day 4: Worship of Goddess Kushmanda

Navratri, the festival of nine nights, continues on its fourth day with the worship of Goddess Kushmanda, the fourth form of Goddess Durga. Kushmanda, often referred to as the “creator of the universe,” is believed to have created the world with her radiant smile. Her name is derived from three words: “Ku” (little), “Ushma” (warmth), and “Anda” (egg), symbolizing the cosmic egg from which the universe was born. She is revered as the source of all energy in the universe, and her worship on this day is associated with health, wealth, and prosperity.

Significance of Goddess Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda is depicted with eight arms, holding various weapons, a rosary, and a pot of nectar. She rides a lion, symbolizing courage and strength. Her radiant smile and glowing form illuminate the entire cosmos, symbolizing the power of creation and the sustaining energy of life. She is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi due to her eight arms, and is often depicted as residing in the core of the sun, where she generates energy.

Kushmanda is the goddess who brings light and warmth into the world. Worshipping her is believed to eliminate darkness and negativity, and to bestow happiness, health, and wealth upon her devotees. She is also the giver of spiritual knowledge and inner strength.

Rituals and Prayers on Day 4

  1. Ghatasthapana Continuation:
  • The rituals for Day 4 continue with the ongoing worship of the Kalash (sacred pot), which was installed on the first day of Navratri. The Kalash represents the goddess’s presence and is worshipped daily as part of the Navratri rituals. The diya (lamp) lit on Day 1 continues to burn, symbolizing the eternal light of the goddess.
  1. Invocation of Kushmanda:
  • The primary ritual on this day is the invocation of Goddess Kushmanda. Devotees begin the puja by chanting specific mantras and shlokas dedicated to her, seeking her blessings for health, wealth, and prosperity.
  • The mantra commonly recited on this day is:
    ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah
  • Devotees also recite the Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmya, which narrates the stories of the goddess’s powers and her role in the creation and protection of the universe.
  1. Offering to the Goddess:
  • Offerings to Goddess Kushmanda typically include fresh flowers, especially marigolds, which are considered auspicious. Fruits, sweets like malpua (a type of sweet pancake), and panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee) are also offered to the goddess.
  • The color of the day is yellow, symbolizing brightness, energy, and happiness. Devotees often wear yellow clothes during the puja to align with the goddess’s radiant energy.
  1. Lighting the Akhand Jyot:
  • The Akhand Jyot, or the eternal flame, continues to burn as part of the Navratri rituals. This flame symbolizes the goddess’s protective and sustaining presence and is carefully maintained throughout the nine days of Navratri.

Fasting and Dietary Observances

Fasting on the fourth day of Navratri is an important spiritual practice that devotees observe with dedication. Fasting is believed to purify the body and mind, helping devotees to focus on their devotion and spiritual practices.

  1. Types of Fasting:
  • Nirjala Fast: Some devotees continue to observe a Nirjala fast, refraining from both food and water for the entire day, breaking the fast only after the evening puja.
  • Phalahar Fast: Many devotees opt for a Phalahar fast, consuming only fruits, milk, and water. This type of fast is less intense but still spiritually beneficial.
  • Satvik Food: For those who choose to eat, the focus remains on satvik food, which is pure and simple, excluding grains, onions, garlic, and non-vegetarian items. Popular dishes include sabudana khichdi (tapioca pearls), boiled potatoes, and fruit salads.
  1. Special Foods for Day 4:
  • Pumpkin Dishes: Pumpkin, known as “Kushmanda” in Sanskrit, is considered especially auspicious on this day. Dishes made from pumpkin, such as pumpkin curry or pumpkin halwa, are commonly prepared and offered to the goddess.
  • Yellow Foods: Foods that are yellow in color, such as saffron rice, turmeric-flavored dishes, or yellow sweets like boondi ladoo, are also favored as they align with the day’s color and the goddess’s radiant energy.
  • Dairy Products: Milk, curd, and other dairy products continue to play an essential role in the Navratri diet, providing nutrition and energy during the fast.

Meditation and Spiritual Practices

The fourth day of Navratri is dedicated to connecting with the creative and sustaining energy of the universe, as embodied by Goddess Kushmanda. Devotees engage in meditation, prayers, and other spiritual practices to align themselves with the goddess’s energy and to receive her blessings.

  1. Chakra Meditation:
  • On this day, devotees focus on the Anahata chakra, which is the heart chakra located in the center of the chest. This chakra is associated with love, compassion, and emotional balance. Meditating on this chakra helps in opening the heart to love and compassion, and in healing emotional wounds.
  • The mantra “Yam” is chanted during the meditation to activate and balance the Anahata chakra.
  1. Bhajans and Kirtans:
  • Devotional songs and kirtans are sung in praise of Goddess Kushmanda. These songs not only glorify the goddess but also create a spiritually uplifting atmosphere, allowing devotees to immerse themselves in divine energy.
  • Popular bhajans include “Jai Ambe Gauri” and “Kushmanda Vandana,” which invoke the goddess’s blessings for health, wealth, and happiness.
  1. Offering Donations:
  • Charity remains an important aspect of Navratri, and on Day 4, devotees are encouraged to offer donations, especially to causes related to health and education. This act of giving is believed to bring blessings from the goddess and to enhance the well-being of the devotee.
  • Donating food, clothes, or money to those in need, particularly children or the elderly, is considered highly auspicious on this day.

Special Observances for the Day

  1. Reciting the Kushmanda Stotra:
  • The Kushmanda Stotra is a sacred hymn dedicated to the goddess. Reciting this stotra on the fourth day of Navratri is believed to bring health, wealth, and prosperity to the devotee. It also helps in removing obstacles and negativity from one’s life.
  • Devotees chant this stotra with devotion and faith, seeking the goddess’s blessings for a prosperous and fulfilling life.
  1. Visiting Temples:
  • Many devotees visit temples dedicated to Goddess Durga on this day. Special pujas and rituals are conducted in temples, and the atmosphere is filled with the sound of bells and chanting, creating a powerful and spiritual ambiance.
  • Offering prayers at a temple dedicated to Goddess Kushmanda is believed to enhance the effectiveness of one’s devotion and bring divine blessings.

Conclusion

Navratri Day 4 is a day of creation, energy, and prosperity, marked by the worship of Goddess Kushmanda. Her radiant form represents the life-giving energy of the universe, and her blessings are sought for health, wealth, and happiness. By worshipping her, devotees seek to eliminate darkness and negativity from their lives, and to invite prosperity and joy.

Through rituals, fasting, meditation, and charity, devotees aim to purify themselves and connect with the divine energy of Kushmanda. This day emphasizes the importance of inner strength, creativity, and the sustaining power of the goddess, as devotees continue their spiritual journey through the sacred festival of Navratri. The worship of Kushmanda inspires devotees to harness their creative potential, to spread light and warmth in the world, and to live a life of health, wealth, and fulfillment.

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