Gayatri Sadhana in Nava Durga

Although, winter, summer and rains have been described to be three seasons, strictly speaking there are only two seasons, namely winter and summer. The period of conjunction when one season ends and the other starts is known as Nava Durga.
The time when day and night meet is known as morning or evening twilight (Sandhaya-kal) and this is considered to be an important period. Taking of food, sleeping, indulging in sex, commencing journey and similar other works are, forbidden at the time of sunrise and sunset. This time has to be utilized in meditation, worship, Sadhana etc. for which it is best suited and yields wonderful results with minimum effort. The meeting period of summer and winter is an auspicious period like morning and evening twilight. As the story goes in Purans, seasons become menstruation during these nine days of Nava-Durga. Just as all precautions are taken in respect of food, rest, behavior etc. during the period of menstruation, similarly, precautions have to be taken during these periods of Nava-Durga.
Physician know it well that there is great impact on the body due to change in seasons in the month of Ashwin and Chaitra and several persons catch fever, influenza, small-pox, diarrhea, dejection etc. The hospitals remain flooded with patients these days. Vaidyas who deal in Ayurvedic medicine and naturopathy consider this period of Ashwin and Chaitra most suitable for stimulating vomiting, purgation, perspiration and similar other acts for purification of the body. Both Nava-Durgas are followed by important festivals of Dashaehra and Ramnawami. Goddess Durga manifested herself at the end of Ashwin Nava-Durga. Bhagwan Ram incarnated at the end of Chaitra Nava-Durga.
Apparently this period of change of season appears to be harmful because most of the people suffer from one ailment or the other. But in fact this is not so. The immune system of the body tries to set right all defects and diseases which develop on account of transgressions committed during the previous six months in food and daily routine. The process of self-purification manifests itself in the form of cough, cold, fever e tc. I f the body gets an opportunity to cleanse itself by observing fast and taking limited balanced diet and the mind remains engrossed in Jap and worship, physical and mental impurities can be easily thrown out and health fully restored. This small Anusthan of Gayatri is, therefore, extremely useful from health point of view also.
Nava-Durga falls in Shukla Paksha from pratipada to navami in Ashwin and Chaitra. This is the time best suited for Gayatri Sadhana. Jap of twenty-four thousand Mantras should be performed and fast should be observed during these days. This mini Sadhana is as useful as a big Anusthan.
Food consisting of cereals at one time and milk and fruits or milk or fruits should be taken at the other time. Those who can afford to remain on the diet of fruits and milk or milk along can do so if their health permits. The Sadhak should get up early and sit for Sadhana in the small hours of the morning (Brahma-Muhurta) after finishing daily routine like bath etc. in the manner already prescribed. Twenty-four thousand Japas are to be performed in nine days. This can be done by performing Jap of 27 rosaries daily, which would take three to four hours. If it appears to be strenuous to complete Jap in one sitting, a major portion of it should be finished in the morning and balance in the evening. Havan or Yagya of 108 Mantras should be performed on the last day. Offering of money in charity and feeding of Brahmans should also be done as mentioned earlier.
This small Anusthan of nine days should be performed by the Sadhak himself in both the Nava-Durgas every year. If for some reason it is not possible for a person to do it himself, it can be got accomplished by some competent capable Brahman, Sadhana done during these days proves to be extremely useful for getting rid of anxieties, fulfilling desires and developing spiritual power.
This small Anusthan can also be done at any time besides Nava-Durga. Anusthan of 1, 25,000 Jap in forty days is a complete Anusthan and the smaller one of nine days is its one fifth parts, which should be done according to convenience and need. The wealth of Tap, devout austerity, should be amassed in as large a measure as may be possible.