What is the goal of all the Sadhana we undertake? As we commence the auspicious Navaratri festivities, Bhagawan reminds us how we must use this sacred time.

During the Navaratri festival, for the purpose of eradicating one’s demonic tendencies, the deities are worshipped with kumkum (sacred red powder). The red powder is a symbol of blood. The meaning of this worship is offering one’s blood to the Lord and receiving in return the gift of peace from the Lord. There are four kinds of tendencies in man: the animal, the demonic, the human, and the Divine. Of the three constituents of man—the body, the mind, and the Atma—when a man ignores the mind and the Atma and identifies himself with the body, he manifests only his animal qualities. When the body and the Atma are forgotten, and only the mind alone is predominant, one becomes demonic. When the body and the mind are forgotten, and one is immersed in the Atmic consciousness, one becomes Divine. If in this manner, one explores the potentialities in man, it will be found that they include everything. Man, therefore, has to know himself. There he will find everything. Arjuna saw all the worlds in the Cosmic form of Krishna. He saw that the Lord resides in every human being. He is nearer than one’s closest kith and kin and is dearer than anyone else. He is the sole saviour and refuge of man. Therefore, the Navaratri festival is observed by contemplating God for ten days, cleansing oneself of all impurities, to experience the Divinity within.