Navaratri

Navaratri means nine days  where goddess Durga is worshipped in different forms.

History of Navratri

• This vrat was advocated by Sage Narad to ShriRam, so that He could kill Ravan. After completion of this vrat, ShriRam attacked Lanka and finally killed Ravan.
• The Goddess fought with the demon Mahishasur for nine days from Pratipada to Navami and finally killed him on the Navami night. Since then, She came to be known as Mahishasurmardini, the annihilator of Mahishasur.

Importance

• Whenever the tamasik, demonical and cruel people become powerful and start troubling the sattvik, righteous humans, the Goddess incarnates to reinstate Righteousness. This is the vrat of this Deity.
• During Navaratra, the Goddess Principle is a thousand times more active than usual.

                                                    

Significance of worshipping Shakti 

The word asur is derived from ‘असुषु रमन्ते इति असुर: |’, meaning ‘the one who remains engrossed only in enjoying life and in the indulgence of pleasure of the objects is an asur (demon)’. Such a Mahishasur is present in each human heart. And he has taken control over internal Divine qualities of the human being. It is necessary to perform puja of Shakti to become free from the trap of Mahishasur, by realising the illusory form of this Mahishasur. Therefore, Shakti should be worshipped in the nine days of Navratra. This victory is celebrated on the day of Dashami and is called Dussehra.

Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Himavana - the King of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

                             
She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. Brahmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation - Moksha.

The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.
                                                                                                     
Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day ofNavaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.


The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ - the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. The left arm is in pose to grant boons with grace and in left lower hand which is raised also holds a lotus. She has a bright complexion and often depicted as seated on a lotus.

                                                                                                

The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshipped on the six day of Navaratri. The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Her vehicle is the donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all worshippers and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying fears. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and there is a dragger in the lower left hand. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles. So she is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does good.
                                                                                        

She is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life. Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely white. She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in the pose of allaying fear and her right lower hand holds a trident. The left upper hand holds a ‘damaru’ (a small rattle drum) and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.


Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all Siddhis (supernatural powers). By her blessings his half body became female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara.



Saraswathi Pooja Vidhanam And Katha  (pdf) ---- Saraswathi pooja is performed on 7th day of Navaratri "Saptami Tithi".
                       
                        On eighth day "Durgashtami" which falls on Ashtami tithi ,where goddess Durga is worshipped and also kumari puja is also performed by inviting 9 girls (age of 4-7)to house.

How is the ritual of Kumarika pujan performed?

A. During each of the nine days of Navratri, respectfully invite a kumarika (a young virgin) to your house. If this is not possible, the custom is to invite nine kumarikas on any one of the days in Navratri.

B. Offer them a mat made of wool to sit on.

C. Perform their padyapuja (Ritualistic worshipping of their feet) with a bhav (spiritual emotion) that the Goddess principle in them is activated.

D. Offer them a meal of their liking on a banana leaf. It is believed that the Goddess likes kheer (a sweet made of milk and rice) and puris (type of fried Indian bread).

E. There is a custom of offering all kumarikas new clothes, consider them to be representative of Shakti and pay obeisance with utmost bhav. - Ms. Kavita Patil

Significance and science underlying the worship of kumarika

  Kumarika symbolizes Shakti in unmanifest form.Worshipping a kumarika activates the Shakti present in her and helps attract the absolute Fire principle frequencies from the Universe. Later, this principle is transmitted very easily to the atmosphere through the medium of the kumarika in the form of frequencies carrying chaitanya (Divine consciousness) and benefit the people. To accumulate the frequencies of the Goddess principle active during Navartri, the kumarika is worshipped with utmost bhav and efforts are made to appease her as she is considered as the manifest form of the Goddess' principle. The degree of manifestation of impressions on subconscious mind of the kumarika is less too and this helps in deriving maximum benefit of the 'with attribute' form of the Goddess; hence the importance of kumarika pujan during Navratri.

On the eighth day all the astras (weapons) of the goddess Durga are worshipped .On 9th day (ayudha pooja)  all vehicles, chariots and pallakki are worshipped.

It is a worship of whatever implements, one may use in our day to day life.     It will also help one to maintain constant remembrance of the divine. In India it is customary for one to prostrate before the tools one will use before starting one’s work each day;  this is an expression of gratitude to God for helping one to fulfil one’s duties.  Almost all the weapons which we use in our day to day use like knife, scissors, stoves, and in factories all machineries, computers, vehicles will be washed and done the pooja with a request and nothing harm shall be done from these utensils and do good to everything.

According to Hindu Mythology, after the killing of Mahishasura and other rakshasas by Mahishasura mardhini –  Chamundeswari, there was no more use for her weapons. So the weapons were kept  aside and worshiped. This Ayudha puja is being celebrated since time immemorial.

. In ancient times, Kings and soldiers used to perform Ayudha Puja for their weapons. They considered their weapons as their protectors and as Gods. Nowadays, people related to mechanical and electrical work, keep their operators and instruments in their puja room and worship them with utmost devotion.

ಆಯುಧ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನ -
ಸರ್ವಾಯುಧಾನಾಂ ಪ್ರಥಮಂ ನಿರ್ಮಿತಾಸಿ ಪಿನಾಕಿನಾ |
ಶೂಲಾಯುಧಾನ್ ವಿನಿಷ್ಕೃತ್ಯ ಕೃತ್ವಾ ಮುಷ್ಠಿಗ್ರಹಂ ಶುಭಂ |
ಛುರಿಕೆ ರಕ್ಷಮಾಂ ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಶಾಂತಿಂ ಯಚ್ಚ ನಮೋಸ್ತು ತೇ |

ಕಲಶ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನ -
ದೇವದಾನವಸಂವಾದೇ ಮಧ್ಯಮಾನಾಂ ಮಹೋದಧೌ |
ಉತ್ಪನ್ನೋಸಿ ತದಾ ಕುಂಭ ವಿಧೃತೋ ವಿಷ್ಣು ಸ್ವಯಂ |
ತ್ವಯಿ ತಿಷ್ಟಂತಿ ಭೂತಾನಿ ತ್ವಯಿ ಪ್ರಾಣಾ: ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಟಿತಾ: |
ತ್ವತ್ಪ್ರಸಾದಾತ್ ಇಮಂ ಯಜ್ಞಂ ಕರ್ತುಮಿಹೇ ಜಲೋದ್ಭವ|

āyudha prārthana -
sarvāyudhānāṁ prathamaṁ nirmitāsi pinākinā |
śūlāyudhān viniṣkr̥tya kr̥tvā muṣṭhigrahaṁ śubhaṁ |
churike rakṣamāṁ nityaṁ śāṁtiṁ yacca namōstu tē |

kalaśa prārthana -
dēvadānavasaṁvādē madhyamānāṁ mahōdadhau |
utpannōsi tadā kuṁbha vidhr̥tō viṣṇu svayaṁ |
tvayi tiṣṭaṁti bhūtāni tvayi prāṇā: pratiṣṭitā: |
tvatprasādāt imaṁ yajñaṁ kartumihē jalōdbhava|

On the previous day of Vijayadashami i.e. 9th day, Goddess Saraswati should be worshipped through the mediums associated with Her origin. But on the day of Vijayadashami the Saraswati principle becomes active in a larger proportion, adopts a 'with attribute' existence and then dissolves to a dormant state. So it is desirable that Goddess Saraswati be worsh-ipped on that day prominently.

Thus on Vijayadashami, first the rite of Her worship and then that of immersion are carried out ceremoniously. From the Ashthami(8th day) to Vijayadashami (10th day) the Energy form of Goddess is adorned with all Her knowledge-filled genius. When Goddess Saraswati's saviour frequencies touch the devotee, his soul-energy is instantly activated and is transformed into a flow of genius. 
                                              SHAMI TREE (BANNI VRUKSHA)

Shamee” or” banni”was the kula devate for Paandavaas and even Srinivasa also told that it is his kuladeva.

शमी शमयते पापं शमी शत्रुविनाशिनि ।
अर्जुनस्य धनुर्धारि रामस्य  पियदाश्रशिनी ।

करिष्यमाणयात्राया यथाकालम् सुखम् मया ।
तत्रनिर्विघ्नकर्त्रीत्वं भव श्रीरामपूजिता ॥

shamI shamayatE paapaM shamI shatruvinaashini |
arjunasya dhanurdhaari raamasya priyavaadini |

karishyamaaNayaatraayaa yayaakaalam sukham mayaa |
tatranirviGnakrtrItvam bhava shrIraamapUjitaa ||

(Shami,the remover of all sins, the destroyer of all enemies bore witness to Arjuna taking his bow and Lord Rama coming back to his near and dear ones.)

# Arjuna's  Gandeeva bow was one among them.

*  It is said that the shami tree chosen by the Pandavas stood inside a cremation ground.It was chosen to make detection difficult. The Pandavas wrapped their weapons in a whitecloth and concealed them on that Shami tree making the weapons look like a dead body.

Shamee tree destroys our paapa, it destroys our enemies. It was holding the Dhanas of Arjuna for one full year and it is Sri Ramachandra’s favourite tree.

Pandavaas after being cheated by kauravas, and having finished their 12 years “vanavaasa” (stay at forest), had to observe Agnathavasa, (i.e., to stay in a well known place, but their identity not to be traced by any).  So, in order to stay in Viratanagar, they kept all their weapons in a Shamee tree.  When they returned from Agnathavasa, the weapons were safe there, so, to express their gratitute, they started worshipping Shamee tree.  The same custom is being practiced even today.

There is a custom on Vijayadashami Day to do the pooja for Shamee Tree.  People also exchange shamee leaves among other friends and elders with the shloka ”Shamee shamayate paapam………………..”.  In  Mysore on the Dasara procession day, i.e., on Vijayadashami day, the Procession starts from palace grounds and ends at Bannimantap,  Mysore, wherein we can find Banni trees, and which Mysore kings used to worship.

There is a story about Guru Dakshine & shamee Tree-

An young brahmin  named Kautsa in Ayodhya, during Tretayuga,  once after completing education from Guru asked his Guru to accept a Guru Daskhina – a present offered by students to Guru named Varatantu, after completing their studies.

Guru Sri Varatantu at first said he did not want any Dakshina. But young Kautsa insisted that he should take a Dakshina.   Guru Varatantu to get rid of Kautsa asked him for 14 crore (140 million) gold coins. One hundred million for each subject taught.

The student then went to Sri Ramachandra devaru,  who was ruling Ayodhya and asked for the gold coins needed to pay his Guru Dakshina.  Sri Ramachandra promised to help Kautsa and asked him to wait near the Shamee  (Shamee Tree is favourite for Ramachandra).   In three days time, Sri Ramachandra with the help of Lord Kuber, the God wealth, showered gold coins from the leaves of Shamee Tree. The leaves of the trees became gold coins.

Kautsa collected the coins and gave 140 million gold coins to Guru Sri Varatantu. The rest of coins were distributed to the needy by Kautsa. This happened on a Dussehra day. To commemorate this event even today people collect leaves of Shamee tree and present it as  gold.