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How To Keep Ashtami In Hinduism?

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Observing Ashtami in Hinduism

Ashtami, the eighth day of the lunar fortnight in Hinduism, is considered highly auspicious for worship and spiritual practices. It is especially significant for devotees of Goddess Durga, Kali, and Nava Durga (the nine forms of Durga). Below is a detailed guide on how to observe Ashtami with devotion and discipline.

Preparation and Daily Routine for Ashtami

  1. Pre-Dawn Rituals:

    • Wake up early (Brahma Muhurta, around 4:00 a.m.).
    • Take a bath with water infused with tulsi leaves or sandalwood to purify the body.
    • Wear clean or preferably new clothes, usually in red, yellow, or white, which are auspicious colors for Devi worship.

  2. Home Preparation:

    • Clean the puja area thoroughly.
    • Set up an altar with a picture or idol of Goddess Durga, Kali, or Nava Durga.
    • Decorate the altar with flowers (marigold, lotus, or red hibiscus for Kali), lamps, and incense.

Fasting on Ashtami

  • Types of Fasts:
    • Nirjala Fast: No food or water for the entire day.
    • Phalahar Fast: Consumption of fruits, milk, and water only.
    • Satvik Food: Avoid grains, salt, and processed foods. Items like sabudana, fruits, and nuts are permissible.
  • The fast is broken after evening prayers, ideally with prasad offered to the Goddess.

Key Rituals and Methods

  1. Durga Ashtami Puja:

    • Begin with Dhyana (Meditation): Focus on the image of Goddess Durga and chant her name.
    • Perform a Sankalpa: Make a mental resolution to perform the puja with devotion.
    • Offer Pancha Upacharas or Shodashopachara Puja (offering 5 or 16 items like flowers, incense, diya, water, and food).
    • Recite Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names of Durga).
    • Perform Aarti with a lit camphor lamp.

  2. Kumari Puja (on Maha Ashtami):

    • Worship a young girl (aged 2-10) as the embodiment of the Goddess.
    • Wash her feet, adorn her with flowers, and offer food and gifts.

  3. Chandi Path:

    • Recite the Devi Mahatmya or Durga Saptashati (700 verses from the Markandeya Purana).
    • Focus on the verses describing the triumph of the Goddess over demons like Mahishasura.

  4. Kali Puja (if dedicated to Kali):

    • Offer red hibiscus flowers, sesame oil lamps, and rice mixed with sesame seeds.
    • Chant the Kali Mantra:
      "ॐ क्रीं कालिकायै नमः" (Om Kreem Kalikayai Namah).

  5. Nava Durga Worship (for Navratri Ashtami):

    • Dedicate prayers to all nine forms of Durga: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.

Mantras and Prayers

  1. Durga Mantras:

    • "ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः" (Om Dum Durgayai Namah): For courage and protection.
    • "जयन्ती मङ्गलाकाली भद्रकाली कपालिनी।
      दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते॥"       (For blessings and overcoming difficulties).

  2. Kali Mantras:

    • "ॐ ह्रीं क्रीं कालीकायै नमः": To invoke the fierce protection of Goddess Kali.

  3. Nava Durga Stuti:

    • Recite the stotra that glorifies each form of Nava Durga: "या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
      नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥"

Practical Suggestions for Discipline

  1. Mental Purity:

    • Practice truthfulness and avoid anger or negative thoughts on this day.
    • Meditate on the virtues of the Goddess, like compassion, courage, and wisdom.

  2. Charity:

    • Donate food, clothes, or money to the needy, as it pleases the Goddess.
    • Feeding cows or offering fruits to animals is also considered virtuous.

  3. Community Participation:

    • Join group prayers or havans at temples or community centers.
    • Participate in Garba or Dandiya Raas if observing during Navratri.

Lesser-Known Facts

  1. Chanting of Beej Mantras:

    • Each form of Durga has a specific Beej Mantra. For instance:
      • Shailaputri: "ॐ ह्रीं शैलपुत्र्यै नमः"
      • Kalaratri: "ॐ ऐं क्रीं कालरात्र्यै नमः"
    • Chanting these enhances the connection with specific energies of the Goddess.

  2. Significance of the Eighth Day:

    • The number eight (Ashta) represents Ashta Siddhis (mystical powers) and symbolizes balance and divine authority.

  3. Sacred Offerings:

    • Goddess Durga is pleased with offerings of haldi, kumkum, betel leaves, and coconut.
    • For Kali, tamasik items like liquor (symbolic, not for consumption) and meat are traditional in specific communities, but most offer fruits and sweets.

Evening Rituals and Concluding the Fast

  • Perform Sandhya Aarti with devotion.
  • Distribute Prasad (sweet dishes like halwa, kheer, or puri-chana).
  • Reflect on the day's prayers and seek the Goddess's blessings for strength and wisdom.

By observing Ashtami with these steps, one not only honors the divine feminine but also strengthens personal spiritual growth and discipline.