Common doubts and spiritual clarification

1. Which forms of Deity should be worshipped in Navratri ?

Answer: According to one school of thought spiritual practice of Mahâkâlî having a tâmasik (tama predominant) temperament is undertaken on the first three days to reduce the tama component in oneself. In the next three days to enhance the sattva component in oneself Mahâlakshmî having a raja temperament and on the last three days to intensify the spiritual practice Mahâsarasvatî having a sâttvik temperament are worshipped.

2. Which flowers and in what number should they be offered to the Deity?

Answer: Specific flowers have potential to attract the principle of specific deities in abundant measure. While the Mogra attracts the principle of Shree Durgadevi, a Rose attracts Shree Lakshmidevi's principle. Therefore it is necessary to offer only the relevant flowers only to a specific deity. (On the same analogy, incense sticks of relevant fragrance only should be used in worship of a specific deity.) In the worship of Shree Durgadevi or any other form of the Divine Energy, nine flowers or flowers in multiples of nine should be offered.

3. What is the purpose of offering a saree and a blouse piece of specific colour to a specific Deity ?

Answer: When we offer a saree and a blouse piece of a specific colour to a specific deity, it attracts the principle of that deity in abundant measure in a short period of time. According to this theory, Shree Durgadevi should be offered red-coloured saree and a blouse piece.

4. Why should cotton or silk saree be offered to the Deity?

Answer: The potential to absorb and hold the sattva predominant rays of the Deity is more in the cotton or silk threads than other threads. Hence a cotton or silk saree should be offered to the Deity.

5. Why should the blouse piece to be offered to the Deity be in a triangle shape?

Answer: The triangular shape is associated with the Brahma. By offering the blouse piece in this shape means invoking Her grace to enhance our spiritual emotion and devotion towards Her and to attain progress in spiritual practice.

6. Why should Deity be offered a nine-yard saree?

Answer: The nine yards (nine levels) of the nine-yard saree symbolize the nine forms of Devi. Offering of nine-yard saree amounts to invoking Shree Durgadevi in all her nine forms for performing a particular task.