What is Vasant Navratri?

[Guest guest]

Namaste!

 

Today is the Vernal Equinox, which is celebrated in my tradition in

many ways. Some of the celebrations revolve around the image of the

Great Goddess as the force of life, rising back up from under the

ground, bringing to fruition our hopes and dreams. Because of this, I

was thinking this morning about lines that I have read from the Devi

Gita and in this forum about the Goddess as being "wish-granting" and

"gift-giving." Truly my worship of the Goddess has been enriched by

venturing out on this path.

 

Coincidentally, I called a woman friend of mine this morning to greet

her on this holiday and she mentioned that she had been introduced to

Saraswati (I don't know if I spelled that correctly) and has been

exploring Her image in her explorations of the Goddess's essence. My

friend and I hadn't spoken in a very long time so I didn't realize our

lives had this interesting parallel. It was a pleasant reminder of Her

power in my life.

 

Can you tell me about this holiday: Vasant Navratri? I know nothing

about it and I'm very interested.

 

Blessings to all,

 

Prainbow

[Guest guest]

*** Today is the Vernal Equinox, which is celebrated in my tradition

in many ways. ***

 

Right you are, prainbow! Happy Spring and thanks for a great question.

I think Devi is strongly associated with the vernal and autumnal

equinox in many traditions. It only makes sense, doesn't it?

These are the symbolic passages of death (the passing of summer

into autumn) and birth (the re-emergence of life from the "death" of

winter) -- the two major landmarks of earthly existence, and naturally

integral to any vision of Devi as Mother.

 

*** Can you tell me about this holiday: Vasant Navratri? I know

nothing about it and I'm very interested.***

 

The Navratri festivals are closely associated the equinoxes as well.

These are the times when She is said to be especially receptive to Her

devotees. However, astrological considerations dictate, and so the

festivals -- though tied to the equinoxes -- may not actually coincide

with the equinox.

 

Navratri means, in Sanskrit, literally, "Nine Nights" -- and it refers

to two major Hindu holidays centered on Goddess. The big one is the

autumnal Navratri; it's an all-India bash (though particularly

associated with West Bengal), and racously celebrated anywhere in the

world where you find Hindus. The upcoming Vasant ("Spring") Navratri

is a much more low-key affair, celebrated mainly in the Northern

India, and not so much in the South.

 

The actual dates of celebration in any given year are determined based

on the phases of the moon. The vernal Navratri takes place during the

first nine days of the "bright" (i.e. waxing) half of the Hindu lunar

month known as Caitra (March/April) -- this year, that falls in

mid-April (I entered the exact dates for 2002 into the Group Calendar;

check it out for specifics). The more famous autumnal Navratri falls

during the bright half of the lunar month of Ashvina

(September/October) -- the exact dates for this year are also in the

Group Calendar.

 

Both celebrations revolve around the image of Devi as Durga,

particularly in Her role as Mahishasura Mardini, "Slayer of the

Buffalo Demon" -- who is, as it happens, our current "Goddess of the

Week." The battle between Sri Durga and Mahishasura is, of course, the

central myth of the Devi Mahatmyam. And so observances of Navratri

usually involve daily chanting of that scripture. Some chant it in

nine parts, completing the recitation over the nine nights of the

festival. Others chant the entire DM one or more times on each day of

the festival (it takes most people an hour or two to complete a

recitation). In India, there are great processions and public

ceremonies associated with the holiday as well (but that's more

associated with the autumnal festival; Vasant Navratri is more

about personal observance, in my understanding at least).

 

Another interesting parallel, since your post mentioned your current

study of the Devi Gita. Well, at Chapter 1.26-29 of DG, you'll see an

interesting spin on the myth of Uma Haimavati from the Kena Upanishad

-- which Colin and I discussed recently, as you might have seen. DG

borrows imagery from KU to show Devi revealing Herself to the gods as

the infinite Brahman -- adding the little detail that this revelation

happened "suddenly, on the ninth lunar day in the month of Caitra" --

yup, the culmination of Vasant Navratri.

 

Circles within circles, huh? Well, hope that gave you some orientation

anyway. Once again, I'm sure we'll be seeing much more detailed posts

on various aspects of the festival in the days and weeks ahead. In the

meantime, keep asking those great questions, prainbow. Thanks again!

 

Aum Maatangyai Namahe