Ayudha Pooja – What Is Its Significance?

“Ayudha Pooja means, every implement that you use, whether it is in industry, agriculture or anything else, you approach it respectfully.”

—Sadhguru

We look at the significance of Ayudha Pooja, as yogi and mystic, Sadhguru, explains how this festival can be an important tool for growth, and much more than just a ritual.

Sadhguru: Ayudha Pooja is one of the most significant aspect of Navaratri. In Indian culture, we set up this aspect that whatever tool it may be, if you want to use your plough, first bow down to it and then use it. If you want to use a book, first bow down to it and then use it. Ayudha Pooja means, every implement that you use, whether it is in industry, agriculture or anything else, you approach it respectfully. Unless you approach something with a certain sense of reverence and a deep sense of involvement, it will not yield. The same musical instruments become different things in different people’s hands. In one person’s hands it becomes noise, in another person’s hands it becomes absolutely enthralling music because of the way you approach it.

But of all the instruments you use, the most fundamental instrument is your body and mind. Ayudha Pooja means to become reverential towards your own body and mind. If you become reverential towards something, reverence naturally brings a certain distance. If you become reverential towards your own body and mind, you will establish a clear distance between what is you and what is your body, and what is you and what is your mind. If there is a clear distinction between you and your body and mind, this is the end of suffering. Any suffering that you have known has entered you either through the body or the mind. If it is a living experience for you that you are not the body, you are not the mind, can suffering touch you? If there is a certain distance, it gives you the freedom to do whatever you want with life, but life leaves you untouched. It does not wound you in any way.