Vasant navratri- a time for spiritual cleansing?

[Guest guest]

our beloved devi_bhakta has posted an eloquent description of

what 'vasant navaratri' means! may i also add a few comments, if you

would permit me, dear db?

 

vasanta means spring - among all seasons, spring is considered a

season of joy and ecstasy - flowers are in full bloom, trees have

branches with green shining leaves on them, th grass ids greener, the

sky looks more bluer than before, nightingales are singing - in fact,

nature looks its best during the spring season... read

kalidasa's 'ritu samhara' to learn the glories of the spring

season...

 

springtime is for lovers!!! this love is just not mundane 'love' one

is talking about- this'love' is the eternal love for the 'divine' -

the god and the goddesses!

 

this is the time for cleansing - not only cleaning the house ,

throwing all clutter out - what we call 'spring' cleaning... this is

the time for spiritual 'cleansing' - internal purification... getting

rid of all evil qualities like jealousy, false pride, lust, greed,

coveteousness, anger , false ego etc... these are the internal

demons... these are the shumnha, nishumbha, mahisasur, raktabija ....

 

The vasnat Navratra's will be celebrated from 13th April to 21st

April 2002.

 

Navratra literally means '9 nights'. These days are astrologically

very powerful for spiritual upliftment.

 

During these 9 days and nights, prayers are offered to 'MAA (MOTHER)'

who is

the manifestation of the Absolute Energy that pervades the universe.

 

As 'DURGA MAA' sitting on a Lion, she is a manifestation of 'Shakti'

or the primordial Energy. The power to breath, walk, digest etc,

comes from Maa Durga.

 

As 'LAXMI' She is abundance. Not only material, but of Air, Land,

Space etc. The fact that you have understood what is written so far

is due to the Grace of 'MAA SARASWATI' the Goddess of Knowledge. She

is the 'OM', from where all sound emanates.

 

'MAA' is the 'Garba (Womb)' from where the Universe manifests. The

word 'Garba' stems from 'Garbha' and symbolises the 'Dance of

Creation'.

 

The first 3 days of HOLY NAVRATRA are dedicated to 'MAA KALI' to

anihilate the enemies within.

 

The next 3 days are dedicated to 'MAA LAXMI' and the last 3 days

to 'MAA SARASWATI'.

 

On the 10th day a bonfire is lit to burn the Self arrogating Ego.

Whether we pray to 'MAA' or not, she thinks of us all the time. She

holds us in our arms when dejected, gives us various gifts from time

to time, but admonishes us when we cross our line.

 

WAY OF OBSERVING THE HOLY NAVRATRAS

To keep fast during the period, eat one meal a day and on one

sitting. The food should be cooked without onions and garlic and

should be pure vegetarian meal. First the devotee may offer the

prayers and food to MataRani and then eat the meal as prasad. Do

chant "JAI MATA DI" nine times before starting and after finishing

the meal. It should preferably be taken after sunset. (If the time

after sunset is not possible, then any other time is also fine, but

should be taken after offering prayers and as prasad.) During the

rest of the day, fruits, juices, milk and kheer could be taken.

(However, some devotees keep fast for all the days by consuming only

fruits or liquids This is purely the devotee's choice and offering to

the Great Maa Vaishno Devi.) Please be noted that it is not a

compulsion to keep fasts for devotees who have health problems,

medical reasons or for any other problems. MataRani is all-knowing

and kind and showers her blessings on all her devotees.

 

 

All the time during the period of Holy Navratras, the devotee must

keep his mind, body and thoughts pure. Try and visit MataRani temples

and offer prayers and Aarti daily during this period. You should

start the prayers with the name of LORD GANESHA with GANESH VANDANA.

 

 

Try and light a JYOT in front of MataRani picture or statue. MataRani

is also called JYOTA-WALI and is present in the flame which becomes

holy. Visit a MataTemple (if possible), or pray to MataRani at home.

 

 

Try and sleep on a sheet on the floor during this period.

 

 

Do not shave or cut hair or use sharp objects (like nail cutters

etc.) during this period.

 

 

Try and avoid wearing black cloths and leather during the period of

fasting. (Like leather cloths, belts, handbags etc.)

 

 

The devotee observing the fasts should avoid sensual and procreation

activities during this period.

 

Offer prasad of Halwa/Poori/Channa to MataRani.

 

If possible, feed a little adolescent girl (kanya) daily OR feed 9

Kanyas on the last day of fasting. If this is not possible,

distribute dry fruits (specially AKHROD and RAISINS) and fresh fruits

to Kanyas. (kanyas mean young girls)

 

Eat one vegetarian meal on one sitting. Avoid Garlic, Onion, Eggs.

(If you have any health problems etc, do not avoid any food or

medicines. MataRani is all knowing and blesses everyone who has

sincere devotion).

 

it is also believed that shree durga herself prayed in a cave for

shri rama's victory over ravana for nine days!!! all legends!!

 

this festival is observed in this fashion in north india... but in

sout india it is observed differently specially in andhra pradesh..

 

in andhra pradesh the last day of navratri is celebrated as the

birthday of shri ram "ram navami" - april 13th is the start of telugu

new year based on lunar calender... in the nine days following this,

people read ramayana, sing the glories of shri rama and attend

sankirtans and on the ninth day shri ramanavami is celebrated!!!

 

in tamil nadu, the new year sarts on april 14th (based on solar

calender) and shri ramanavami is celebrated with pomp !

 

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all in all, starting on the 28th of march , we have 'holi' the

festival of colors! also celebrated as shri chaitanya mahaprabhu;s

birthday by hare krishna devotees!

 

this is followed by tamil and telugu new year's day and sree

ramanavami ! then we have hanumasn jayanti and vaisakhi !

 

all in all , a time to celebrate and rejoice and pray!!!!

 

 

(some portions are borrowed from web sources)

 

 

enjoy the season!!!

 

love