Gauri Puja (Jyeshtagouri Vrat)

Contents

• 1. Jyeshthagouri Vrat
  • 1.1 Spiritual reason underlying invocation of Gouri
  • 1.2 Science underlying invocation of Gouri during the pre-determined time
  • 1.3 Method of vrat
  • 1.4 The ritualistic worship of the metal pot (kalash) during Gouripujan

1. Jyeshthagouri Vrat

        All the wives of Deities harassed by the battle between the Deities and the demons prayed to Srimahalakshmi. Appeased by the prayer, Srimahalakshmi vanquished the demons on Ashtami, that is, the eighth day of Bhadrapad and relieved the Deities of the danger. In the memory of this incident and for the protection of their husbands by Srimahalakshmi, the women perform the vrat of Jyeshthagouri on the day of Shukl Ashtami of Bhadrapad

1.1 Spiritual reason underlying invocation of Gouri

        The spiritual science underlying the invocation of Gouri is the welcome of the Deity of Knowledge and the supernatural powers which accompany Sri Ganeshji and to surrender to them with a sense of gratitude. Gouri is invoked to conserve the frequencies of energy generated in the house by the worship of Sri Ganeshji. The worshipper gets the benefit of these frequencies with the worship of Gouri.

1.2 Science underlying invocation

of Gouri during the pre-determined time

        According to the Scriptures, the time of invocation of Gouri is pre-determined. Gouri is to be invoked during that time only. The principle of a specific Deity comes on Earth in higher proportion during a specific time. On invocation of the Devi principle in the time pre-determined by the Scriptures, the principle is attracted at the venue of the worship in higher proportion and the family members get its benefit for a longer period.

1.3 Method of vrat

        Gouri is installed on the Mul constellation that comes after Rushipanchami. This vrat is observed for three days. On the first day, when Gouri is invoked, the replicas of the Holy feet of Gouri are drawn on the main gate and everywhere in the house. For this turmeric powder-vermilion or rangoli is used.

In some regions, Devi is ceremoniously installed on the first Friday of the month of Shravan. On the day of Gouripujan that comes after Sriganeshpujan in the month of Bhadrapad, Jyeshthagouri is ceremoniously installed.

In some regions on the day of Gouri invocation, women worship the Deity of Water, that is, Jaladevata near the source of water. A kalash, that is, a copper pitcher is filled with water and the leaves of mango tree, champak tree etc. are placed in it. Five stones are also put into it. They worship the kalash. This is also called ‘Gangagouri’.

On the second day, Gouri is worshipped and offered ‘mahanaivedya’.

On the third day, Gouri is immersed in flowing water.

Married women are invited to the home as per convenience on one of the three days for the ceremony of haldi-kumkum.

Spiritual experience – While taking darshan of the consecrated Gouri, experiencing one Gouri in a saviour form and the other in a destroyer form and being advised by the Gouri in the saviour form to do sadhana with full dedication: On 2^nd August 2006, during Gouripujan when I took darshan of Gouri, I experienced one Gouri in a saviour form and the other in a destroyer form. The Gouri in the saviour form said, “Get detached from the materialistic world, that is, Maya and do sadhana with full dedication”. She told me this same thing 3-4 times. At that time, my spiritual emotion was awakened and I began to go into a meditative state. – Lata Dhavalikar, Goa

1.4 The ritualistic worship of

the metal pot (kalash) during Gouripujan

• In the metal pot of Gouripujan there is 1 % Divine principle, 2 % Chaitanya and 2 % Energy (Shakti).

• A flow of Divine principle and Chaitanya in the form of Apa-tattva is attracted in the metal pot of Gouripujan.A. Spirals of Divine principle and Apa-tattva are generated in the metal pot of Gouripujan.

• A flow of Energy (Shakti) is attracted.

  A. A spiral of Energy (Shakti) is generated and it moves in active form.

  B. A flow of Energy (Shakti) is emitted into the environment.

  C. Particles of Energy spread into the environment.

Other points:

• At the time of Gouripujan two types of Gouri, namely Jyeshtha and Kanishtha are worshipped. It was perceived that Jyeshtha and Kanishtha are the saviour (tarak) and destroyer (marak) Energies of Sri Ganeshji respectively.

• Gouri does the task of sustaining the Ganesh Principle in the environment after Ganesh Chaturthi.
• Due to the masks made in the metal pot, the married woman is benefitted of the presence of the Deity. The Sagun form of the Deity was perceived in the masks made in the metal pot. Hence, the Nirgun principle of the Deity is attracted in the metal pot in the Sagun form and the woman who worships it is benefitted.

• Due to Gouripujan Energy is emitted in a greater proportion into the environment.

For more information on this article, read Sanatan Sanstha’s publication – ‘Holy festivals, Religious festivals and Vowed religious observances’