a)Nava means ‘nine’ and Ratri is made up of Ra which also means ‘night’ and Tri meaning the ‘the three aspects of our life, Body, Mind and Soul. So Navaratri means ‘giving rest to all the three aspects of our life, for nine days’.
The first three days of Navaratri, are Tamasic days, followed by three Rajasic days and ending with three Sattvic days. At night all the artis are performed for the Devi – the enjoyer of everything. So there is classical dance, music and various musical instruments being played. Each day has special implications, yagnas, poojas and homas are performed.
Among the things offered to the fire are hundreds of different herbs, fruits, garments, and mantras, all creating a gloriously divine atmosphere to drown in. Our ancestors felt the inadequacy of words and so they expressed themselves with symbols. For instance, we offer flowers and fruit to God. The flower is a symbol of what we are – so full, attractive and so light – so beautiful. Fruits are symbols of completeness. In the life cycle of a plant, fruits signify completeness. Also the fruit is the ultimate result. That is how we feel when we offer the symbolic fruit to God with all the gratitude for contentment in life.
We also light lamps. Indian tradition involves tall brass lamps with a swan carved at the top. This is a very beautiful symbol. It means that with the light of knowledge, one attains Viveka a characteristic of the swan. In Sanskrit, it is called Neerakshiraviveka meaning a swan can differentiate between milk and water even though both may be mixed. Similarly, in the context of Navaratri, there is a symbolism behind the ‘bull’ being destroyed by the Devi. What do we call someone who is very dull, thick skinned and insensitive? A buffalo!
Only the Mother Divine can destroy this buffalo with the collective energy of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh! Just as a baby takes nine months to be born, the Devi took nine days to rest and what was born on the tenth day was pure love and devotion, with which the Devi conquered the buffalo of inertia and dullness! Devi Ma is not somebody holding a big ‘trishool’ in one hand. She is a form of energy, a manifestation of the Divine itself.
Therefore, sometimes, the forms taken by this Divine may be that of Ganesha, Chandi (Devi), Vishnu, Shiva… and the manifestation, in this creation, happens in a mother’s womb… in silence, secretly. So during these nine days of Navaratri when the Master goes into silence, the energy is in the process of getting more and more refined, well-tuned, to welcome the Mother Divine. This is called Aradhana.
Now these yagnas are not for the sages who perform them, but for the entire Universe for all the misery, sorrow, and pain in the world. The blessings of the yagnas and poojas teach the whole of humanity and a lot of good comes out of these – peace, strength, prosperity, success and faith – which by itself, is the best blessing. Gurudev says that the ninth day is a day for honoring everything that we have, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and the tenth day is Vijaya Dashmi the ‘victory day’. It is only after we have honored something that we can gain victory over it. This day is celebrated as the victory of the Devi over the evil forces – which is also just Maya.
warmpinkglow says:
My birthday is the day before Durga Pooja starts this year. 😀
It is my favorite holiday for sure. 🙂
September 11, 2006 — 11:10 pm
Lakshmi says:
That’s great…:-)
September 12, 2006 — 5:49 pm
bhuvi says:
Thanks.. This was very informative 🙂
September 12, 2006 — 4:50 am
Lakshmi says:
Pleased to share.
September 12, 2006 — 5:49 pm
indianethic says:
i never heard about that before.
thnx for sharing with us.
September 12, 2006 — 6:05 am
Lakshmi says:
You’re welcome!
September 12, 2006 — 5:50 pm
arunshanbhag says:
thank you for a beautiful synopsis (and reminder).
so when is Vijaya Dashami this year, and when does Navratri start? I need to start reading the Devi Mahatmya (you read it over the nine days).
victory of the Devi over the evil forces – which is also just Maya.
philosophically then, ALL is maya and there is no good and evil? maya (defined as the saguna aspect of paramatman) incorporates ALL, and we pray to Devi to help us recognize that maya and liberate us from it. i.e. recognize and fully believe in the nirguna aspect of Paramatman!
would this be right?
September 13, 2006 — 2:59 pm
Lakshmi says:
Not sure about the dates for Navratri. There should be a reading of Devi Mahatmyam at the Hindu temple in Atlanta – should go for that one.
philosophically then, ALL is maya and there is no good and evil? maya (defined as the saguna aspect of paramatman) incorporates ALL, and we pray to Devi to help us recognize that maya and liberate us from it. i.e. recognize and fully believe in the nirguna aspect of Paramatman!
would this be right?
Now that’s a question for Guruji, I think…:-)
September 13, 2006 — 8:10 pm
sat_chit_anand says:
Maya
Maya as per my Master is “all that can be measured”. And all that is measured is relative. He gives an example “something that weighs 6 lbs on earth weighs 1 lb on moon”. Our measurements are also not absolute but relative and that is maya. That which is unchanging is not maya.
September 14, 2006 — 3:26 am
sat_chit_anand says:
Navaratri
I think this year it starts on Sept 23rd and goes on till 1st Oct.
September 14, 2006 — 3:28 am
arunshanbhag says:
Re: Navaratri
hey, thanks
September 14, 2006 — 12:50 pm