Sadhguru says in a Sadhguru Sannidhyan that Durga Puja’s intricate rituals are not merely acts of devotion but deeply rooted in the Tantric understanding of divine energy and cosmic balance. Each upachar offered during Durga Puja resonates with Tantric symbolism, invoking the primordial Shakti that fuels creation, preservation, and destruction.
Article | October 09, 2024
Sadhguru: Durga Puja, one of the most celebrated festivals in India, especially in West Bengal, Assam, and other parts of Eastern India, is not only a cultural extravaganza but a deeply spiritual event that transcends the ordinary realms of worship. While many see it as a grand celebration honouring the divine feminine, its roots are deeply embedded in Tantra—a powerful spiritual and esoteric tradition that emphasizes personal transformation through rituals, mantras, and mystical practices.
Tantra, often misunderstood and mystified, has an ancient history that intersects with the worship of Shakti (the primordial feminine energy). The very essence of Durga as the embodiment of Shakti, the cosmic force that creates, sustains, and dissolves the universe, directly links the festival’s rituals, known as upachar, to the core principles of Tantra. This article delves deep into how Durga Puja upachar (rituals) is closely related to the practices of Tantra, exploring the philosophical and mystical significance of each stage of the Puja.
Tantra and Shaktism: A Sacred Union
Before we delve into the details of Durga Puja upachar and its Tantric connections, it is essential to understand the symbiotic relationship between Tantra and Shaktism (the worship of the divine feminine). In Tantric philosophy, the universe is seen as a dynamic play of Shiva (pure consciousness) and Shakti (primordial energy). Shakti is considered the driving force behind creation, and all existence is believed to be her manifestation.
Durga, one of the most revered forms of Shakti, Durga is not just a warrior; she represents the ultimate transformative power of Shakti. The rituals performed during Durga Puja invoke this transformative energy, aligning the worshippers with cosmic forces through specific Tantric practices.
Durga Puja’s intricate rituals are not merely acts of devotion but deeply rooted in the Tantric understanding of divine energy and cosmic balance.
Durga Puja and Tantric Philosophy
The festival of Durga Puja is traditionally performed in accordance with Tantric principles. According to ancient Tantric scriptures, the universe is composed of five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—which are all manifestations of Shakti. The Puja rituals (upachar) symbolically represent the activation and purification of these elements within the worshipper's consciousness, creating a path to self-realization and union with the divine.
Tantric practitioners view Durga Puja as an opportunity to harness the energy of the goddess and direct it towards spiritual awakening. Each of the rituals during Durga Puja has a hidden Tantric meaning, involving the activation of specific energy centres (chakras), the balancing of cosmic forces, and the purification of the mind, body, and soul.
Each upachar offered during Durga Puja resonates with Tantric symbolism, invoking the primordial Shakti that fuels creation, preservation, and destruction.
Upachar in Durga Puja: A Tantric Perspective
The upachars (ritual offerings) performed during Durga Puja are not mere acts of devotion; they are precise spiritual practices that align the worshipper with the cosmic energy of the goddess. The upachars are divided into sixteen major rituals known as Shodashopachara, which are intricately tied to Tantric symbolism. Let us explore how each of these upachars relates to Tantric principles:
Avahana (Invocation of the Goddess): The process of invoking Goddess Durga is a deeply Tantric ritual. It involves focusing the mind and body to create a sacred space where the divine energy can be invited. In Tantric terms, avahana represents the activation of the Muladhara chakra, the root energy centre, which is essential for grounding and awakening the Kundalini energy. This invocation is the first step in the worshipper's journey towards spiritual transformation.
Asana (Offering a Seat): Offering a seat to the goddess symbolizes the stabilization of the mind and body in preparation for higher spiritual practices. In Tantra, this stage corresponds to preparing the physical body as a vessel for divine energy. The worshipper ensures that the energy invoked during the ritual has a stable foundation, aligning with the Swadhisthana chakra (the energy centre of creativity and emotions).
Padya (Offering of Water to Wash Feet): Water, a powerful symbol of purification in Tantra, is offered to wash the feet of the goddess. This act represents the cleansing of the worshipper’s consciousness, particularly the removal of ego and attachments. It is also connected to the purification of the Manipura chakra (the solar plexus), the centre of willpower and personal power.
Arghya (Offering of Water to the Hands): This offering serves as a reminder of the importance of surrender in the Tantric path. The hands are symbolic of action, and offering water to them signifies surrendering all actions and outcomes to the goddess. This stage is closely linked to the activation of the anahata chakra (heart centre), the seat of unconditional love and devotion.
Achamana (Offering Water for Sipping): The act of offering water for sipping represents internal purification. In Tantric practice, it signifies the purification of the Vishuddha chakra (throat centre), associated with truth and communication. The worshipper cleanses their inner self, preparing to speak and hear the divine truth during the rest of the rituals.
Snana (Bathing the Deity): Bathing the goddess with sacred water is a symbolic act of purification and renewal. In Tantra, this is the cleansing of both the body and the mind to remove impurities and negativities. The ritual is akin to purifying the subtle body, enabling the Kundalini energy to rise through the Sahasrara chakra (crown centre) for spiritual awakening.
Vastra (Offering of Clothes): Offering clothes to the goddess is symbolic of bestowing protection and dignity. In the Tantric tradition, this represents the enveloping of the worshipper in divine grace and the energy of protection, guarding the practitioner from distractions and negativity on their spiritual journey.
Anulepana or Gandha (Applying Scented Paste): The application of sandalwood paste or other scented substances symbolizes the activation of the third eye chakra (ajna chakra), which is the seat of intuition and higher consciousness in Tantric practices. This ritual signifies the opening of the inner eye to perceive the deeper truths of the universe.
Pushpa (Offering Flowers): Flowers, in Tantra, symbolize purity and the blossoming of consciousness. Offering flowers to the goddess is akin to offering one's heart in pure devotion. It also represents the flowering of the anahata chakra, through which unconditional love flows.
Dhoopa (Offering Incense): The offering of incense during Durga Puja is deeply rooted in Tantric symbolism, where fragrance is associated with the purification of the mind and the environment. Incense also represents the element of air, connected to the Anahata chakra, symbolizing the purification of emotions and desires.
Deepa (Offering Light): The lighting of lamps or Deepa is one of the most significant Tantric rituals in Durga Puja. It represents the inner light of consciousness, dispelling the darkness of ignorance. The flame is symbolic of the Kundalini energy rising towards the Sahasrara chakra, bringing illumination and spiritual enlightenment.
Naivedya (Offering of Food): Offering food to the goddess during Durga Puja is not merely a ritual act; it has profound Tantric significance. The food represents the physical body, and offering it to the goddess symbolizes the surrender of the ego and the offering of one’s life and energy for divine purposes. It is also a way of recognizing the goddess as the ultimate provider of sustenance, connected to the Muladhara chakra, the energy centre responsible for survival and material existence.
Tambula (Offering Betel Leaves): In Tantra, betel leaves are often associated with the activation of the sensory faculties and the balancing of energies. Offering them to the goddess represents the harmonization of the senses and the control over sensory distractions, which is essential for spiritual progress.
Mantra Japa (Recitation of Mantras): The chanting of mantras during Durga Puja is a quintessential Tantric practice. Mantras are vibrational sounds that invoke specific energies and deities. In Tantric rituals, mantras are used to activate chakras, align energies, and purify the mind. The repetition of Durga’s mantras connects the worshipper to her cosmic energy and awakens the divine presence within.
Mudra (Gestures): Tantric mudras, or hand gestures, are often performed during Durga Puja to channel energy and symbolize specific aspects of the goddess. Mudras represent the flow of divine energy through the body and are used to direct this energy towards spiritual goals, activating the chakras and balancing the inner forces.
Visarjan (Immersion of the Deity): The immersion of the idol at the end of Durga Puja is perhaps one of the most profound Tantric rituals. It symbolizes the dissolution of the physical form into the formless. In Tantra, this represents the ultimate realization that all forms are temporary and that the true essence of the goddess is beyond the physical, residing in the infinite and formless consciousness. This act of immersion is akin to the merging of the individual self into the universal consciousness, achieving the highest state of spiritual liberation.
Through Tantric rituals in Durga Puja, the practitioner awakens the dormant energies within, aligning their inner world with the cosmic power of Shakti.
The Power of Kundalini Awakening in Durga Puja
One of the most significant connections between Durga Puja and Tantra is the awakening of Kundalini energy. Kundalini, the dormant spiritual energy coiled at the base of the spine, is a key concept in Tantric practices. Durga, as the embodiment of Shakti, represents this powerful energy. The entire ritual of Durga Puja, when performed with devotion and understanding, can act as a catalyst for awakening the Kundalini.
Each of the upachars in Durga Puja, when seen through the lens of Tantra, is designed to purify the energy centres (chakras) in the body, gradually leading to the awakening of the Kundalini. This energy rises through the sushumna nadi (central energy channel), piercing through each chakra until it reaches the Sahasrara chakra, where the individual experiences the ultimate union with the divine.
Durga as the Supreme Tantric Deity
In Tantra, Durga is revered not just as a goddess of power, but as the supreme deity who bestows liberation upon her devotees. The Navaratri period during which Durga Puja is celebrated is considered highly auspicious for performing Tantric rituals, as the goddess is believed to be more accessible during this time.
Tantric practitioners often view Durga as the ultimate source of both creation, sustenance and destruction. She is the cosmic force that can liberate the soul from the bondage of illusion (Maya) and lead it to enlightenment. The rituals of Durga Puja are a way to tap into this divine power and experience spiritual transformation.
Durga Puja – A Tantric Celebration of Transformation
Durga Puja, while celebrated as a cultural festival, is deeply embedded in Tantric principles. Every ritual, every offering, and every mantra chanted during the Puja is a step towards aligning oneself with the cosmic forces represented by the goddess. The upachars are not merely ceremonial acts; they are powerful Tantric practices that purify the body, mind, and soul, awakening the divine energy within.
Through Durga Puja, the worshipper embarks on a journey of transformation, moving from the physical to the spiritual, from the individual to the universal. Durga, as the embodiment of Shakti, becomes the guiding force that leads the devotee to self-realization and ultimate liberation. In this way, Durga Puja is not just a celebration—it is a profound Tantric sadhana, a practice of awakening and transcendence.
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