Article | Goddess Durga Too Loves Barley The Coarse Grain | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

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Goddess Durga Too Loves Barley The Coarse Grain

         -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh

Writer, Author & Social Activist

Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

 

          With the beginning of Navratri, barley seeds are sown as 'Jaware'. Do you know how important grain barley is? You will say that yes! Nowadays emphasis is being laid on eating it in the form of coarse grains. It is being said to be good for health. Even in view of climate change, the need to promote sorghum cultivation is being felt. But do you also know that in our Vedic literature it has been considered as “Brahma’s grain”. It is mentioned in the Vedas that the oldest grain on earth is barley. That is why it is also included as a sacred grain in Yagya, Havan and Jawars and the godess mother Durga too loves Barley the coarse grain.

      At present, in view of the food problem and climate change all over the world, emphasis is being laid on the use and production of coarse grains. In our country India too, coarse grains are being seen as the basic basis of food grains. These coarse grains are Barley, Bajra, Ragi etc. All these grains were earlier included in our food plate. But due to modernity and western food style, they went away from our food plates. Whereas in our country, no matter which religion they belong to, everyone knows that 'Jaware' is sown at the beginning of Navratri. This is a kind of religious ritual. One meaning of sowing these seeds is that Goddess Durga is pleased with it and blesses her for a good harvest. Although different beliefs and stories are prevalent in different areas of the country in this regard. But everyone believes that by offering Barley  seeds to Mother Goddess, she becomes happy. It simply means that Goddess Maa Durga also likes coarse grain Barley. It is one of the oldest cultivated grains on earth. It has been used in religious rituals since ancient times. In Sanskrit it is called "Yava". It is mainly produced in Russia, Ukraine, America, Germany, Canada and India.

Sowing barley has special significance during Navratri. During Navratri, along with Kalash and Ghatasthapana, barley  (some times wheat) is sown in a Ghat. Mother Durga likes this very much. Let us know what is its secret. During Navratri, nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped with rituals and fasts are observed. During the nine days of Navratri, people light Akhand Jyoti in their homes. Also worship nine forms of Mata Rani. In Navratri, installation of Kalash and barley have great importance. On the first day of Navratri, barley is sown along with Ghatasthapana i.e. installation of Kalash. It is said that without this the worship of Maa Ambe remains incomplete. The tradition of sowing barley along with the installation of Kalash has been going on since a long time. In such a situation, let us know today why barley is sown during Navratri and what is the religious belief and scientific significance behind it?

Barley is considered a symbol of Lord Brahma. According to mythological beliefs, when Lord Brahma created this universe, the first crop to grow among the flora was 'barley'. That is why on the first day of Navratri, at the time of Ghat Sthapana, barley is worshiped first and is also installed in the Kalash. Barley is considered to be the first crop of creation, hence whenever worship or havan of Gods and Goddesses is done, only barley is offered. It is also said that barley is like food i.e. Brahma and food should always be respected. Therefore barley is used in worship.

Barley sown during the establishment of Kalash during Navratri germinates within two-three days, but if it does not sprout then it is not a good sign for in future. There is a belief that if sprouts do not sprout even after two-three days, it means that will get results only after hard work. Apart from this, if barley has grown but its color is half yellow from below and half green from above, it means that half of the coming year will be fine, but later will have to face problems. If sown barley is growing white or green in color, then it is considered very auspicious. This means that the puja was successful. The entire coming year will be full of happiness. During Navratri, barley or wheat is sown in soil in an earthen vessel in front of the Kalash and it is also worshipped. Later, when the 'Jaware' grows in nine days, they are immersed in the river. 

Along with Godess mother, worship of  whenever Havan is performed for other Gods and Goddesses, barley has great importance in it. By sowing barley, rain, crop and future of the person is also predicted. It is said that if barley does not grow in proper shape and length then the year will be short and the crop will also be less. It affects the future. The color of sown barley also gives auspicious and inauspicious signs. It is believed that if the upper half of barley is green and the lower half is yellow, it means that half of the coming year will be good and the other half will be full of difficulties. It is believed that if barley sprouts appear in 2 to 3 days then it is very auspicious and if barley does not grow till the end of Adi Jau Navratri, it is not considered good. However, sometimes it happens that even if have not sown barley properly, barley does not grow.  With this, if the color of barley is green or has turned white, it means that the coming year will be very good. Not only this, with the grace of Goddess Bhagwati, there will be immense happiness and prosperity in your life. It is said that the more the barley sown during Navratri grows, the more the blessings of Godess Durga are showered. This also indicates that there will be happiness and prosperity in the person's home.

The barley sowing ritual teaches us to always respect our food and grains. The scientific aspect of this is that in this way even a person who is not involved in farming is able to understand the work of farming. Even the children of the family are able to know and understand the precautions that are required in sowing sorghum and keeping it green. Healthy 'Jawara' also helps in understanding the weather for farming. Just imagine how important is the coarse grain of Barley , which is grown in front of the Mother Goddess to please her and then after nine days, those Jawaras are immersed in water along with the Mother Goddess. That is, those grains are sent along with the Mother Goddess, just as food is packed and given to a guest to eat on the way while bidding farewell. We should not have any hesitation in adopting such important grains in our everyday life. Scientists also say that coarse grains are good for health.

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Thank you Central Chronicle 🙏

 (15.10.2023)

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