Episode 22 - The Yoga of Time: Navaratri and Goddess Worship with Prashanti de Jager
Introduction to the episode.
This episode is all about the Vedic celebration known as Navaratri – the nine nights of worshipping the goddess at the two new moon equinoxes of the year. We wanted to share with you some of the deeper meanings and understandings of this celebration and how you can tap into this flow of time to create greater health and vitality for yourself, your family and your community.
We asked the wonderful teacher Prashanti de Jager to share some of the wisdom he has gained over the last 32 years of engaging in, studying, teaching and worshipping Navaratri and the Goddess. Firstly, this was recorded in a little Ganesh hotel in San Cristobel in Mexico, without a proper microphone for Prashanti, so please bear with the sound quality! What I hope gets communicated is Prashanti’s enthusiasm and devotion to life that is really contagious.
He has studied a broad range of the Vedic sciences including Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology, Yoga, Vedic Architecture, Advaita and Dhanurveda, and sat at the feet of many great masters including Sri H.W.L. Poonja. He was the original founder of Organic India – who’s teas and herbs you may have in your home – with a deep intention to preserve the Himalayas from where these wild-crafted herbs are grown. He now has an online school called The Veda Mandala where he shares wisdom from the Vedic sciences in a really flowing, feminine, and practical way.
For those that are unfamiliar with Navaratri, we thought to briefly share the mythological story so you can have the background understanding of what we unpack in this episode.
So the story goes, there was a great battle between the Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura had been granted immortality by Brahma and had been told that he could only be defeated by a woman. Mahishasura began to attack the three worlds and not even the devas – the divine beings - could defeat him. It all came down to Goddess Durga – the shakti of the fullness of life. She fought with him but the demon kept changing form to confuse her. Finally, when he turned into a buffalo Goddess Durga took her trishula – her lance – and killed the demon. Navratri symbolizes the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, expressive of the victory of good over evil.
This is one for those interested in deeper Vedic wisdom and understanding the mythology of the wonderful time of the year known as Navaratri. If you’re keen to explore Prashanti’s Navaratri Restorative Cleanse check out the show notes after you listen for all the details of how you can participate each year.
What we talk about.
The yoga of time
Who is Durga and Kali
How to live in the goddess flow state
Shiva + Shakti
What Navaratri is actually about and how to engage with it
Goddess Worship
Vedic restorative cleanses
The bi-monthly celebration of ekadashi – what is it and how to gain its benefit
The mantra of the goddess
The 4 levels of truth
The process of dharma
The purpose of sangha
The goddess known as Tulsi
Connect with Prashanti.
Explore the Veda Mandala to learn more about the Vedic sciences with Prashanti
Prashanti de Jager