Sunyata and Buddha Nature –An excerpt

The underlying essence of phenomenal existence is Sunyata -the non-substantial undifferentiated state of being. 

Sunyata is the cause of all causes but itself has no cause.  That Sunyata is the cause by itself –the Dharma Dhatu, the potential from which both Samsara and Nirvana is possible. 

Sunyata is monistic absolute undifferentiated state.  Sunyata does not mean empty or refer emptiness.  And it is not independent of phenomenal existence. 

Sunyata is the underlying essence of every phenomenal existence.  It is undifferentiated –Sunya, and it is non-substance.  It is the essence of the Buddha Nature and as well of Ahankara -Ego. 

It is from Sunyata rolls out the phenomenal existence.  Once the phenomenal existence comes into being its existence is sustained by Pratitya Samutpada –the dependent co-arising. 

Sunyata is Alaya –infinity, the consciousness beyond conceptual mind.  That Alaya Sunyata is in every being.  Within that Alaya Sunyata there exist Buddha Swabhava; the Buddha Nature; an active principle, the potential for being enlightened.  Without the Buddha Nature, the sentient being would neither arouse aversion to Samsara nor desire for Nirvana. 

Buddha Nature is Pure Self, the Self Awareness, the purity of mind, and the potential for getting liberation from suffering and attaining eternal happiness, and bliss.

Buddha Nature is pure consciousness.  Perceiving life through and with pure consciousness unfolds pure awareness, and realising that pure awareness means living an enlightened life. 

Buddha Nature is the True Self.  It is Absolute.  It is not arisen from dependent co-arising and not subject to change.  Anything that has been caused by dependent co-arising and subject to change is not True Self, not absolute, and therefore not Buddha Nature. 

Buddha Nature is intrinsic and inherently existing within but it is not recognized by the ordinary beings because their mind is constantly deluded by Ego.  A deluded mind cannot recognise the Buddha Nature. 

Buddha Nature is a state of non-discrimination, non-substantial and imageless.  In that perspective Buddha Nature is Sunyata.  But it is not correct to say Sunyata is Buddha Nature, because Sunyata encompass all other potentialities and natures.

Buddha Nature is Sunyata in its nature.  It is real.  It is Nirvana itself.  It is where no false discrimination takes place, and no wrong perception takes place. 

Realizing Buddha Nature means realizing the Primordial Purity; the Bodhi Citta –the heart of enlightened mind.

With Buddha Nature the fear, the fear of being in hopeless state is cast away.  The cause of the fear is Ego, and when Ego is renounced, the Buddha Nature shines forth. 

Lord Buddha’s teaching on Tathagatagarbha –the womb of Buddha Nature, consolidates confidence that there is a way out from Dukkha, by setting life objectives on all positive attributes: Subha -the pure, Sukha -the happiness, and Nitya -the eternal. 

The teaching creates affinity to: (1) purity of mind (2) renounce arrogance: pride, anger, hatred, and aversion, (3) get rid of ignorance; (4) get rid of Ego that creates delusion with wrong perception which give rise to worldly desire, hatred, happiness, distress, fear and worry, and (5) severe attachment to belief on Atta or Atma, the substantial self; and instead cherish Buddha Nature.

When the Ego is renounced, the spur of (1) Purity of mind, (2) Prajna –wisdom, (3) Jnana –awareness, (4) Karuna –compassion, and (5) Reverence; and all other positive Karmic potentials begin to unfold. 

Discovering Buddha Nature is wisdom, while living with Ego is ignorance, the cause of illusion and suffering.

Buddha Nature is the wisdom aspect, while Ego is the ignorance aspect of existence.  Ego manifests and develops naturally, and dominates the life of a man while Buddha Nature has to be discovered, and nurtured. 

In Tathagata Garbha Sutra, Maha Parinirvana Sutra, Anuatyapurna Atvanirdesa Sutra, Srimala Devi Simhananda Sutra, Lankavatara Sutra, Ratna Gotra Vibhaga, Buddha Nature Treatise and others; Lord Buddha says; “Purity of mind is the manifestation of Buddha Nature.”

In Anguttara Nikaya (1:5), Lord Buddha says: “O Bhikkus! The mind is pure.  It is defiled by adventitious defilements.  O Bhikkus!  The mind is pure.  It obtains liberation from the adventitious defilements.”

When mind is not pure, the wrong perception prevails.  Any perception that is perceived by an impure mind can only be an error.  The Buddha Nature cannot be recognized with an impure mind. 

The root of suffering is the impure mind that yields wrong perception.  Searching happiness outwardly in sense pleasure is a mistake caused by wrong perception.  No one can correct that wrong perception but by oneself.  Do not think what is suffering is happiness.  That is a mistake. 

When one understands the nature of phenomenal existence, one understands Sunyata.  When Sunyata is understood, the purity of mind develops. 

Considering Anatma –not self as Atma –True Self, is a big mistake.  It had distorted the mind of the people and it had been the cause of suffering.  To correct this erroneous notion, Lord Buddha gave his teaching on Anatma or Anatta –not self. 

The doctrine of Anatta denies substantial existence of independently and eternally existing substantial Atma, neither in the physical mass nor in any of the fields of activities in the body.  It neither exists substantially in five sense organs, the five sense objects, the five sense consciousness i.e. seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching; the mind which is constantly perceiving and having either right or wrong perception, nor in the six emotional feelings, the living symptoms including desire, hatred, happiness, distress, fear and worry. 

Denying the existence of independently self-existing substantial Atma within the aggregate body of man or existing externally, Lord Buddha gave his sublime teaching on Buddha Swabhava –Buddha Nature. 

“Do not do what you do not want others to do on to you.” 

May you be Well.  May you be Happy…………….

Durga Puja –An occasion of Spiritual Journey

In Durga Puja the Goddess Durga is worshiped for nine days for spiritual cleansing, upliftment and enlightenment.  Worshiping Goddess Durga in spiritual sense is to attain Moktsa –liberation from Samsara, and in mundane sense Durga Puja is an occasion to draw inspiration from Goddess Durga, have right understanding and perception, and aspire to attain excellence.  

Goddess Durga, is primeval, absolute and complete.  Devi Kavacha, an auxiliary of Devi Mahatmaya describes nine aspects of Goddes Durga and her three primary aspects.  The three primary aspects of Goddess Durga are Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. In Durga Puja all the three are revered, which makes Durga Puja unique and of immense importance.

Durga Puja is an occasion to awake, rise and realize the goal of life.  It is an occasion of spiritual journey to: (i) self-purification, (ii) self-transformation and (iii) self-realization. 

The first three days are devoted to self-purification, the next three days for self-transformation, and the last day for self-knowledge.

Self-purification

During the first three days, Goddess Durga is worshiped in her forms that destroy all imperfections and faults in us and purify us such that we are ready as receptacle for her divine blessing.  To gain noble virtues, it is imperative that all evil tendencies in our mind and heart are destroyed. 

Goddess Durga is “Durgati Nasini –She who removes our sorrows.”  She is invoked to eradicate Tamo-Guna –the negative tendencies that haunt us as demons obstructing our way to peace and prosperity. 

Self-transformation

In the next three days, Goddess Durga, in her prosperity bestowing form of Goddess Laximi, is worshiped for positive attributes and divinities in our mind and heart.  Goddess Laxmi, not only bestow material prosperity but also grant spiritual values.  For her blessing in the form of mental preparedness and knowledge to dawn within us, we have to prepare our minds.  Our mind must be pure, concentrated, and single pointed. 

Blessing of Goddess Laxmi enables us to re-orient our consciousness, and cultivate and preserve moral, ethical, and spiritual values.  The spiritual values of self-discipline, self-control, calmness of mind, self-withdrawal, single-pointedness, forbearance, loving kindness and compassion are the real values with which Goddess Laximi is embodied. 

Self-Knowledge

During the last three days, Goddess Gurga is worshiped in her form as Goddess Saraswati -the true light of knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  The real wisdom is to know ourselves and have the Self-knowledge and remain aware of it –self awareness.  When we know ourselves inwardly, at the deepest level of our inner consciousness and remain aware of it, our outer consciousness –the ego, dictating our mind and heart are purified and transformed. 

Saraswati, as Goddess of Learning, embodies knowledge, skills, intelligence, creativity, splendor, harmony and wisdom.  She gives the Sara -knowledge of our own Sva- Self.  Goddess Sarasvati is Brahma-Jnana, the knowledge and Wisdom forever victorious over ignorance and delusion. 

Goddess Saraswati bestows us self-realization which sets us free from illusion and ignorance.  Goddess Saraswati manifest as one of the forms that confront Mahishasura, at the time of its annihilation.  Goddess Saraswati does not actually destroy, but the moment she manifests in the glory and brilliance of her light, all the demons, manifesting the evil thoughts and actions get destroyed as the root causes of evil thoughts and actions are dispelled, the darkness of ignorance annihilated. 

Nine aspects of Goddess Durga

Goddess Durga has nine aspects and all other goddesses are manifestations of one or another aspect of her.  In Navaratri Durga Puja, the nine aspects of Goddess Durga are worshipped in the following sequential order. 

1…Shailaputri

Shailputri is the first aspect of Goddess Durga.  She is the embodiment of primeval purity.  She is Citta Shakti, who is unborn and resides deep in our inner consciousness. 

The human consciousness is characterized by constantly outward flowing energy.  With deep dedication and concentration on Sailputri Durga, the out flow of our energy turns inward in search of perfection in our inner consciousness and eventually stilled. 

With veneration of Sailputri Durga, the devotees are able awaken her and with her begins our spiritual energy and progress through successive steps in pursuit of eternal peace and happiness. 

2…Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini is the second aspect of Goddess Durga.  Brahmacharini Durga is the embodiment of purity of mind which is the cumulative energy resulting from practicing of stillness and silence with continuous effort. 

Parvati as Brahmacharini did super natural austere penance.  As she attained the ultimate level of her austere penance, the whole universe was shaken.  With the blessing of Brahmachaini Durga our mind remains unshaken and do not deviate from the path of duty even in the most critical periods of physical and mental pressures.  By worshipping Brahmacharini Durga we cultivate self-confidence, ethical conduct and resolute determination.

Brahmacharini Durga bestows her devotees with purity of mind devoid of Ego and we are able accept things or situations as they are with humility.  She is the giver of spiritual wisdom for moving into the boundless space of pure awareness.  She personifies love and loyalty, and provides knowledge and wisdom. 

3…Chandraghanta

Chandraghanta is the third aspect of Goddess Durga.  Chandraghanta Durga is the embodiment of inner vibrations of the accumulated energies.  She signifies the inner call for entering into the poised mental state of pure consciousness.

Chandraghanta Durga provides peace and her worship is instantly fruitful.  As soon as a devotee invokes Chandraghanta Durga, she immediately takes her devotees in her refuse.  She bestows her devotees with bravery and fearlessness attributes along with serenity and humility.

Chandraghanta Durga provides justice, protects from evil forces, removes obstacles on the spiritual path, and enables to cultivate courage and fearlessness.  By contemplating on her divinity, her devotees are able to purify their body, speech, mind and actions, and get rid of worldly sorrows. 

4…Kushmanda

Kushmanda is the fourth aspect of Goddess Durga.  Kusmanda Durga is the core of our inner consciousness, referred as Surya Loka.  She is our deepest inner consciousness.  She embodies our Sankalpa, the mental projection, and the underlying energy with which the universe is created, and the phenomenons that continue without end.

Kusmanda Durga gets rid of ailments and sorrows and bestows with long life, good health, name and fame, and strength. 

5…Skandamata

Skandamata is the fourth aspect of Goddess Durga.  She is the embodiment of liberation, the energy that accelerates the single-pointed yearning for liberation.  It is in this manifestation Parvati gives birth to Skanda or Kartikeya, who destroys the formidable demon Tarakasura -the impeder of liberation.

With her blessing our mind becomes pure bereft of thought waves.  At the purest state of mind, the actions, both internal and external, are completely stopped and her devotees are liberated from illusion and begin to experience supreme joy –Sat-Citta-Ananda. 

6…Katyayani

Katyayani is the sixth aspect of Goddess Durga.  Katyayani Durga is the embodiment of faith and confidence.  She is the Citta-Shakti –power of our inner consciousness. 

With spiritual vision of Katyayani Durga, we receive blessing for being confident in our own ‘self’ and decisive in our actions.  Being confident in our own ‘self’ and decisive in our actions, we get rid of fear and doubt, the root causes of defeat and failure and become fearless and confident of successes. 

One who worships Katyayani Durga becomes immune to suffering caused by fear and doubt.  She signifies inner looking awareness and she is worshiped for self confidence and victory. 

7…Kalaratri

Kalratri or Kali is the seventh aspect of Goddess Durga.  Kalaratri is the most wrathful form of Goddess Durga and she takes this wrathful form to eliminate evils which are otherwise difficult to destroy.  Goddess Durga in this form of Kalratri Durga destroys the demon Raktabij, who is the embodiment of fleeting thoughts and desire that remains dissatisfied even after fulfilling it. 

In wrathful form Kalratri Durga provides protection and enables our ability to discern between the underlying truth and surface illusion as she is the embodiment of discerning wisdom.  The eminence of wrathful form of Kalratri Durga is to care, thus she is bountiful and benevolent. 

Kalratri Durga is the destroyers of most powerful demon entities residing in us.  With Kalratri Durga invoked, our Ego enters the dark space of our attention -the inner consciousness, where it experiences self-destruction.  With the vision of Kalratri Durga, the devotee becomes fit to earn all kinds of virtues. 

Kalratri Durga is the embodiment of spiritual energy that supports our mind –the outer consciousness, in facing the innermost deepest level of consciousness to which everything dissolves.  This event is referred to as Kal -death, and that is why she is referred as Kalratri –dark night.

Goddess Durga in her manifestation as Kalratri Durga destroys nescience in order to bestow knowledge.  She destroys darkness –the nescience so that we realize light, the spiritual knowledge and Sanskar –the human values.  She destroys Dukha -sorrow, misery, earthly travails and tribulations.  She destroys all those factors that bind us to Samsara.

8…Mahagauri

Mahagauri Durga is the embodiment of the purity of our inner consciousness and inherently resides in our heart.  She is the eternal light of Supreme Being.  Mahagauri Durga is also the embodiment of great vows Parvati had taken in this form.  Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful.  

Mahagauri Durga signifies soaking our mind in the eternal light of Supreme Being after crossing over the utter darkness of the deepest level of our unconsciousness where our Ego in all its denominations, are considered dead. 

With blessing of Mahagauri Durga we are purified in all respects and become fit for inexhaustible virtues.  It was in this form Goddess Parvati married Lord Shiva as her eternal husband.  At the moment Lord Shiva adored Goddess Parvati in the form of Mahagauri, all gods had chanted:

“Sarva Mangala Mangalyae, Shiva Sarwartha Sadhike;

Saranyai Trei-Ambikae-Gauri Narayani Namustutey.”

‘Salutation to all auspicious Goddess Gauri,

eternal consort of Shiva and his principle.  You are Narayani. 

We take refuse unto you.’

9…Siddhidhatri

Siddhidhatri is the ninth aspect of Goddess Durga.  She is the ultimate form of Durga.  She is the embodiment of success.  She is the purest and absolute Vidya –knowledge.

Siddhidhatri Durga is the wish fulfilling Goddess and giver of all forms of successes.  She is the giver of Siddhi –perfections, and Riddhi –supernatural powers.  As giver of Siddhi, she is depicted as being always worshipped equally by Gods, Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yaktsas, and Raktsas -demon.  With the Siddhi bestowed by her,  the devotees realize equanimity across all beings and the universal oneness.

With Siddhis and Riddhis bestowed by Siddhidatri Durga, her devotees transcend all material desires and necessities.  They are completely out of lust and enjoyment.  The absolute nearness of the perfect Supreme Being becomes the only aim of her devotees.  After attaining all Siddhis and Riddhis there remains nothing to require.

Siddhidhatri Durga signifies that with continuously merging into the light of Supreme Being with Yoga Sadhana, we attain absolute ground of existence.  At that state, the only intension that remains is to help and free others from illusion and influence of negative Karmic forces. 

About Goddess Durga

Eons after Sati, Adi Shakti manifested again in Sagun Roop, in form, as Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya. 

As Parvati, Adi-Shakti once again marries with Mahadev, and becomes eternal consort of Mahadev.  The eternal union of Mahadev and Parvati are worshipped as Shiva and Shakti, in the form of immutable, non-dual supreme primeval absolute Supreme Being represented by Shiva Lingam, the formless aspect of the cosmos. 

In Parvati complete cosmic energies of Adi-Shakti are converged.  Parvati is the complete incarnation of Adi-Shakti, and she is Goddess Durga.  In Goddess Durga, the other two primary manifestations of Adi-Shakti, the Laximi and Saraswati, and all other feminine divinities of past and future of Hindu theology are converged. 

Goddess Durga is Para Brahmn, the embodiment of Atma-Jnana, the knowledge of self, and Yoga Sadhana –the skillful means to realize Atma-Jnana. 

It is with Sati and Parvati begins the evolution of Yoga Sadhana.  With Yoga Sadhana the divine powers and pure perceptions are realized.  Yoga Sadhana is a skillful mean for transcending the imperfections and impurities of human nature and ascending upward into and partaking of the divine nature, the pure consciousness.

Devi Mahaatmya, known as the Durga Saptashati is the supreme scripture glorifying the Goddess Durga.  It is known by the name Saptashati because it is a book of 700 verses.  It is a part of the Markandeya Puran.  It is also popularly known as Chandi, since it narrates the glory of the Goddess Chandi, one of the manifestations of the Primeval Adi-shakti.  Devi-Bhagavata Purana is another supreme scripture that retells the glory of the Goddess.

It is in Chandi, the origin of the name Durga in writing is found where it has been described; “She, who saves us from all that is calamitous; She who saves us from danger and trouble, is Durga.  Because She saves Her devotees from all sorrows, dangers and calamities, She is Devi Durga.  Devi Durga is Dur-Gati Nashini; She who destroys all that is undesirable.” 

In Chandi, Rishi Medha gives his wondrous exposition of the greatness of Divine Mother.  He says; “A mysterious delusion dwells in the mind of man, by which his pure perception is blinded, by which he is again and again made to cling and go back to those very objects from which he is subject to so much pain and suffering.” 

Rishi Medha upon expounding the mystery and secret of the supreme nature of the Divine Mother, tells us to worship the Divine Mother, pray to Her and meditate upon Her and propitiate Her.  Thus propitiated Devi Durga becomes manifest to them and bestows Her Grace and liberate them from the cosmic illusion and grant pristine transcendental state of Pure Being.

Goddess Durga manifests in us in the form of pure perception, will power, a Guru, an aspirant aspiring to rise to a higher plane, and self-examination revealing the lower instinctive egoistic self.  To root out the evil tendencies of ordinary human nature determined by its ego, and reach out to the pure perception, we invoke Goddess Durga by resolute determination with Yoga Sadhana and make progress with the blessings of Goddess Durga.

We live our lives with a host of defects, misperceptions, misconception and we are not aware of them.  With Yoga Sadhana we can be aware of our defects and have right perception and develop irrevocable determination to completely root out defects we live with.  It in our determination Goddess Durga manifests Herself in the form of pure perception and will power and enables us fight evil tendencies in every moment of our life; in our thoughts, dealings with others, attitudes and behavior. 

In us there co-exist negative Karmic forces as demons, also reside in us and manifest in our thought, speech and action.  In us lives the demons as adverse negative Karmic forces thriving, colliding and creating disorder and suffering. 

In us there co-exist positive Karmic forces.  Goddess Durga, embodied as undivided energy of self awareness and mindfulness, resides in our inner consciousness, as positive Karmic forces.  Goddess Durga continuously destroy our impurities and negative Karmic forces, and bestow spiritual wealth.  She protects us and guides us in our spiritual journey on self-purification, self-transformation, and self-realization. 

Goddess Durga is the Citta Shakti, pure blissful consciousness, the Mother Nature.  She is the Nature itself, the supreme power of eternity and perfection underlying the whole existence.  She is the supreme source of all energies, the Being in every action.  She is the dynamic active Being and her manifestations are infinite. 

According to Hindu theology, the ultimate goal of life is Moktsa –liberation from Samsara, being free from negative Karmic forces that drive a man from birth to death.  The negative Karmic forces as demons are nothing external but inherent within us, in our mind, in our thoughts, in our perception, speech, behavior and action.  Being in us embodied as demons the negative Karmic forces haunt us throughout our life and keep us bound to Samsara, being dissatisfied even when the desires are fulfilled. 

Devi Mahatmaya narrates the battles between the Goddess and the demons and describes the obstacles that a human soul encounters in its journey towards Moktsa.  It glorifies the triumph of Goddess Durga over the most potent demons: (1) Madhu and Kaitabha, (2) Chiksura and Chamara, (3) Mahishaasura, (4) Sumbha and Nisumbha (5) Dhoomra Lochna, (6) Chanda and Munda, and (7) Raktabeeja.  These demons manifest in our thought, speech, and behavior in the form of: (i) Delusion and irrationality, (ii) Pride and vanity, and aggressiveness and defensiveness, (iii) Greediness and possessiveness, and envy and betrayal, (iv) Attraction and aversion, lustfulness and unclear vision, and (v) Fleeting thoughts and desires. 

The benevolence of the Goddess Durga in destroying the evil forces narrated in Devi Mahatmaya is excerpted as: 

1…Delusion and Irrationality 

Delusion and irrationality are embodied as demons Madhu and Kaitabha.  They are Tamasic, the demoniac aspect, who creates obstacles to orderly process of creation and creativity. 

Goddess Durga is Satvic Shakti -the divine Shakti, the embodiment of knowledge, intellect, sustenance, righteousness, harmony, peace, tranquility, refinement, and victory over evils. 

Goddess Durga, the power of pure consciousness is invoked to destroy the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, the embodiment of delusion and irrationality, the first ever obstacle for right understanding for having right perception. 

2…Pride and Vanity –the Ego 

We are ruled by our Ego –Ahangkar, the Rajasik aspect of Shakti.  Our Ego has been depicted as demon Mahishasura –the embodiment of self pride and ignorance, passion, ever deficient and dissatisfied, which constantly changes its masks in order to foster its own security, superiority and sensual pleasures. 

Mahishaasura denotes our fickle mind and desires that manifest in all possible manners.  That is why while Goddess Durga is combating Mahishaasura, it instantaneously changes its forms from its original form of buffalo. 

The demons relentlessly attacks gods -the positive energies of natural balance, welfare and harmony, to take over the control of worldly affairs and create an unbalanced chaotic world design.   When Ego defies the forces of nature and misappropriates nature for its selfish pursuits of pleasures instead of universal welfare, peace and harmony, the imbalance in nature occurs. 

In Navaratri Durga Puja, Goddess Durga, the absolute combined energy, the Supreme Satvic Power, the pure consciousness, is invoked to vanquish the demon Mahishasura.  To defeat Mahishasura, Goddess Durga first eliminates the generals of Mahishasura, the Chiksura and Chamara, the embodiments of pride and prejudice.  Then, the root cause of all evils, Mahishasura, the Ego, is subdued by Goddess Durga with her sword of spiritual wisdom.  

The rationale for presenting Ego as buffalo is the fact that the base animal instinct is imbedded in our Ego and buffalo represent anger, the primary negative Karmic force.  

3…Greediness and Possessiveness

Greediness and possessiveness are the two brothers embodied as demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.  The two brothers once overpowered the gods, the harmonious order of universal welfare, and made them slaves of destructive forces. 

To destroy Sumbha and Nisumbha, Goddess Durga manifested as Ambika, the embodiment of the light of pure consciousness, the Citta Shakti.  Goddess Ambika with all grandeur of her power destroyed the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha. 

In us, the Citta Shakti, the light of pure consciousness, is eternally present.  It is the divine light of pure consciousness that emanates from complete stillness and silence of the attentive mind.  It is with Citta-Shakti we are able to defeat the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha, the embodiment of vanity and possessiveness. 

4…Attraction and Aversion, and Lustfulness and Unclear Vision

The evil forces of attraction, aversion, lustfulness and unclear vision have been embodied as demons Chanda and Munda.  Once, Chanda and Munda attempted to appropriate the Goddess in her most beautiful divine form for self-gratification of their Ego’s vanity and possessiveness.

Goddess imposed a condition that the one, who would conquer and humble her in the battle and becomes her match in strength, shall be her master and lord.

The demons, Chanda and Munda were crude psychic energies, and they tried to overpower the Goddess by force and thus engaged in a war.  In the battle the demon leader Dhumralochana, the one with smoke in the eyes, who was the embodiment of veiled and unclear vision of limited selfish consciousness, was destroyed first.  Then the demons Chanda and Munda, dwelling in limited selfish consciousness were destroyed. 

As destroyer of Chand and Munda, the Goddess is revered as Goddess Chamunda or Chamundeswary.  In Navaratri Durga Puja, Goddess Chamudeswari is invoked to remove the veil of our unclear vision and selfish consciousness. 

5…Fleeting Thoughts and Desires

The demon Raktabija is the embodiment of fleeting thought and desire.  As the embodiment of fleeting thoughts and desires, Raktabij has the capacity to multiply itself endlessly in the egoic mind.  In physical form, Ratkabija has the capacity of multiplying himself from every drop of his blood falling on the ground, which means it multiplies as it faces mortal danger.

To defeat the formidable demon Raktabija, the Goddess gathers all her denominations –Matris.  In the war, Raktabija is injured by Matris Kalika -the dark space of meditative attention.  Matris Kalika then absorbs all the blood dripping from the wound of Raktabija and debars him of the possibility of multiplication.  Finally, Matris Kaushiki -the light of pure awareness burns Raktabija to death.

In our ordinary mundane life we can generate and sustain divine awareness through Yoga Sadhana.  With Yoga Sadhana the thinking process of the reflective mind is absorbed by spiritual absorption into divine awareness by which the demon Raktabija, embodied as fleeting thought and desire can be subdued.

We experience sorrow when these demons rules on us.  To exterminate these demons, we need to accumulate the disaggregated and dissipated positive Karmic energies.  We need un-fragmented, single-pointed attention with a strong resolve and decisiveness in our thought, attitude and behavior. 

Goddess Durga is worshipped with Vedic rituals for nine days twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn.  The period of worship is called Navaratri.  From spiritual point, Navaratri means living in divine consciousness for nine days and experiencing the loving kindness and compassion of Goddess Durga.  During Navaratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped for her benevolence in destroying the demons inherently present in our being and realize mutual prosperity, harmony and happiness.  For her blessing the devotees embrace righteousness and exercise self discipline, self-control and sacrifice.

The autumn Navaratri is observed with festivities and the tenth day is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami, Dassera or Dassain to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over demons, the embodiment of evils; the negative Karmic forces.