Symbolism behind Navaratri Celebration

[Guest guest]

Navaratri (Festival of Nine Nights)

 

Navaratri is a joyous festival which is celebrated every year by

Hindus, during early fall season (occurs during late September and

early October). The Goddess in the form of the Universal Mother is

worshiped for nine nights and hence the name ‘nava-ratri.’ On the tenth

day, the festival comes to an end with a special puja called Vijaya

Dasami. During the ten days of the Dasara festival (ten days and nine

nights), it is common for Hindus to read and recite slokas on the

greatness of Mother Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Mother Durga

symbolizes the power of purposeful action (Kriya Sakti). Lakshmi

represents the will power (Itchaa Sakti) and Saraswati stands for the

power of knowledge (Jnana Sakti).

 

Celebration in Different Parts of India

 

Open air stages are usually erected and a variety of entertainments

enliven the cool nights. In many parts of the country, notably Bengal,

Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, clay idols depicting Durga

finishing off the wicked demon Mahisha are installed. After the

celebrations are over on the 10th day, the idols are ceremonially taken

to the nearest river, beach or lake and immersed into the waters. In

the northern parts of India, people also read Ramayana during this time

because it is believed that on the Vijaya Dasami day, Rama returned to

Ayodhya Victorious after killing the evil king Ravana. It is considered

‘auspicious to start new ventures especially on education and other arts

on Vijya Dasami day. It is also common in India to see children start

their first music or dance or other educational ventures on Vijaya

Dasami.

 

We the human beings are prone to exhibit rajasic qualities like anger

and hatred which are the menacing manifestations of Durga Devi to

destroy the evil. Our interest in music, arts and knowledge are the

pleasing vibrations produced by the power of Saraswathi Devi. The pure

qualities which include compassion, love, forbearance and sympathy are

derived from Laxmi Devi. When we worship Durga, Laxmi and Saraswathi

externally in pictures or icons, they are giving physical forms to the

subtle potencies that are within them. It is unfortunate that we fail

to recognize the importance of the symbolism behind the festivals and

celebrations. We are too quick to go after the material aspects of the

celebrations instead of focusing on the spiritual message. We seem to

look for remedies from outside instead of looking for the answers

inside.

 

We ignore the Divinity within and seek the external objects in search of

Divinity. There is no need to go in search of the Divinity outside. We

must develop firm faith in the Divinity within and turn our attention

inward to experience the True Human Nature. What is that we should do

during these days of the Navarathri festival? We direct our Itchaa

Sakti to direct our mind toward Divinity within. We apply our Kriya

Sakti to conduct Dharmic Actions - unselfish service to the humanity.

Finally, we turn our Jnaana Sakti to attain the Divine Self. Hindu

Festivals and Celebrations constantly remind us our True Human Nature

through symbolic messages. The purpose of the celebrations is not for

external pleasures but for inward peace and tranquility.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/17/1999 10:36:26 PM Central Daylight Time,

chandran writes:

 

<< We the human beings are prone to exhibit rajasic qualities like anger

and hatred which are the menacing manifestations of Durga Devi to

destroy the evil. >>

 

Namaste,

 

Thank you Ram Chandran for the information on Navaratri symbolism. I would

like to add a clarification to the above statement:

It is my understanding that Durga does not "hate" so this can not be a

quality of Hers. Humans may interpret Her killing of the demon as done out of

hatred (since this is how we can be), but as Mahisha is a symbol for the

"ego," She then is acting out of Love when she destroys him.

 

<<Hindu Festivals and Celebrations constantly remind us our True

Human Nature through symbolic messages. The purpose of the

celebrations is not for external pleasures but for inward peace and

tranquility.>>

 

Well said. Durga then is the aspect in ourselves that is fierce enough to

take on the ego and loving enough not to stop until it is vanquished. When

this is done, then peace and tranquility will be the natural state,

satcitananda.

 

Jai Sri Durgama,

sincerely,

Parvati