Every time when someone does Maa Durga Pooja they ask the same question, Pdt Ji, what is the ingredients to make the Durga Dhaar? Some are quite creative, they use whatever 9 ingredients they have; some may go to a store and buy a package of Durga Dhaar. I still need to figure out whats in the package. So the question is what constitutes the Durga Dhaar? Understand Durga Dhaar is a liquid mixture consisting of usually NINE auspicious ingredients (which VARY) it is also called the Pakkha Dhaar in some communities. This liquid mixture is prepared with much devotion, poured into a brass vessel known as a Lota and offered into a Yantra (Mystical Symbol) or a special spot by one’s Jhandi, or depends on the place, weather conditions in a plant of one’s choice. A little piece of Camphor is lit during the offering. Please do not get confused? In different traditions there are different customs and as such the ingredients which constitute the Dhaar may vary a little from area to area, region to region country to country, lineage to lineage. Tradition to tradition. What I have written is in NO way meant to suggest that my way is superior to your way that you have been thought since the underlying principle is summarized by the lord in Shrimad Bhagavat Gita as follows: Patram Pushpam Phalam Toyam, Yo Mey Bhaktya Prayachchati Tadaham Bhakt Yupahrutam Asnaami Prayataatmanaha Translation: (I accept a leaf, flower, fruit, water or whatever is offered with DEVOTION). Thus in this sense what is of utmost importance is “the love, or the devotion with which it is prepared and offered) Anyway: Durga Dhaar Ingredients 1). GREEN HARDI – Hardi is also known as saffron and is renowned for its purifying properties. In this way we are prayerfully saying O Mother may our mind, bodies and intellect and by extension our lives become as pure as you O Maha Gauri. Some may use saffron Powder. 2). WHITE CAMPHOR (NOT SMOKELESS CAMPHOR) Please, it smells horrible – The camphor when burnt leaves no residue, in this context we are prayerfully saying, O Mother may the sins of our actions in the past and present be burnt away. Forgive us O Divine; may our Tapas and perseverance be like you O Mother Bramhacharini that we may return to Thee. 3). WHITE RICE – This represent bounty and Nourishment. The outer husk of the rice must be removed before it is useful to us. In this way we are prayerfully saying, O Mother may our husky EGO which creates our bondage and takes away the clarity of vision be removed and liken us to these grains that we may spread bounty (Love, friendship, understanding etc.) and nourishment (wellbeing, nurturing actions, calmness of the mind, self-control, faith etc.) wherever we are. 4). CLOVES– These are very small yet spread a wondrous aroma. In this way we are prayerfully saying O Mother though I am so small and but one, may my life be divinely fragrant and an inspiration to the lives I touch. 5). JAI PHAL (Nutmeg ) – “Jai” means victory and “Phal” means fruit. The aromatic nutmeg is protected by an outer shell. In this way we are prayerfully saying O Mother may our lives having become “victorious” and sacred, may you O Mother protect our bliss. May we always have success and victory. 6). NEEM LEAVES – The Neem is famous for its antiseptic and other medicinal properties. It is well known in Ayurveda and expansively used in Indian medicine. In this way it is a representation of cleansing, purification and beautification. So we are prayerfully saying O Mother may our bodies be free from afflictions. May we be healthy in mind, body and intellect and may we have healthy habits that we are an inspiration wherever we are. 7). MILK as liquid base – From the celestial cow comes the milk, from the milk we have the Cheese (Paneer), Yogurt (Dadhee), and Butter (Ghee) amongst others. From one so many nourishing items evolve. So we are prayerfully saying O Mother may our lives flow in continuous harmony (like the way this offering flows), and may our actions be such that our entire LIFE is enriching to us and those that I touch. 8). HONEY – A golden nectar, pure and sweet and doesn’t become honey until it goes through a process. So in this way we are prayerfully saying O Mother help us through the “spiritual challenges” and processes we must go through so that every moment no matter what the situation or circumstance, we reside in the pure, sweet and ever blissful state of enlightenment. 9). ARAHUL Flower (Red Double Hibiscus) – The vibrancy of this red flower is a delicate beauty to behold. It is a flower which even when plucked from the shrub in its half bud state, it will still blossom. I have had to pick the flower sometimes a few days before and keep them in the refrigerator, as it is hard to get them sometimes when needed. In doing so I would be greeted by blossoms in the fridge on a morning. So this flower is placed at the top of the “lota” and represents the supreme Brahman. So like this we are prayerfully saying O Mother may we blossom ultimately realizing our true selves and merge with You who are verily no other than the supreme Brahman. Even if our blossoming is delayed you never forsake us O Mother. Protect us and bless our journey to the path of enlightenment. IF YOU DON’T HAVE THIS FLOWER ANY PINK, WHITE OR RED FLOWER WILL SUFFICE. The ingredients (1-8) are ground on a traditional ‘Sil” (Some of you may not know what a SIL or grinding stone is ASK YOUR ELDERS or use your modern day BLENDER. More importantly we pour with our prayer (which is our life breath) into the lota (representing the physical body) so that we may awaken and realise our true nature (symbolically crowned with the flower) the beauty, victory and glory of the Brahman that is Sat-Chit-Ananda (True Knowledge, True Consciousness, True Bliss) upon the image of Maa Jagadamba. As indicated variations: Some folks add the Sindhoor (which is a symbol of success and fertility, usually used by married women), Some Durva or Doob Grass (which symbolizes determination), Water (instead of milk) and Sugar (instead of honey). I have read that Doob Grass is not to be offered to Shri Durga Devi, but I have not come across verses from scriptural texts to substantiate. This could have originated with perhaps one manifestation of Devi Maa and Durva Grass but I am sure does not affect all manifestations of DEVI MAA. I will need to look further…… Here are some fervent prayer that can be used is this when making our offering...... This Mantra of Ma is one of my favourites as it can be said anytime of the day, and anytime during your life, to pray for benediction for yourself and all your loved ones. 1) Sharanaagata dinaarta, Paritraana paraayane Sarvasyaarti harey Devi, Naraayani namostute Salutations be to you, O Mother, You who are intent on saving the downtrodden, and distressed that come under your refuge. Oh Devi! you remove the suffering of everyone 2) Om Sarva mangala Maangalye, Shivey Sarvaartha Saadhikey Sharanye Trayambikey Gauri, Naraayani Namostutey Oh Gauri Ma!, consort of Lord Shiva, You, who bestow auspiciousness on all, And fulfill everyones wishes, I prostrate myself before Thee, Take me under your care………….Jaya Bhagavati Devi Namo Varade ………………..
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 01:26:44 +0000
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