Guest guest Posted October 3, 2003 Report Share Posted October 3, 2003 Namah Shivaya. Could someone remind us about when each aspect of the Goddess is celebrated during Navararti? It is Durga now? For exactly which days? And then which aspect for which days? Does anyone know what the recording was played during the AV50 Parade of Nations and how to get it? Could anyone post the rewrite of the Free Willy song? Thanks. In Amma's grace, premarupa Aum Amriteshvaryai Namah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 3, 2003 Report Share Posted October 3, 2003 Here is a nice explanation of Navratri from amritapuri.org. http://www.amritapuri.org/cultural/bharat/navaratri.htm Navaratri Among the popular festivals celebrated in India, Navaratri is among the longest. Like the other festivals of India, Navaratri is rich in meaning. At one level, Navaratri signifies the progress of a spiritual aspirant. During this spiritual journey, the aspirant has to pass three stages personified by Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Then, he or she enters into the realm of the infinite, wherein one realises one's Self. Navaratri, which literally means 'nine nights,' dedicates three days each to worshipping the Divine in the forms of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The tenth day, though, is the most important; it is known as Vijayadashami, the 'tenth day of victory.' The reason behind the worshipping of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati lies rooted in the philosophy that the attributeless absolute can only be known through the world of attributes—the journey is from the known to the unknown. Hence it is said that Shiva, who symbolises pure consciousness, can only be known through Shakti, who represents divine energy. That is why people worship Shakti, also known as Devi, in Her various manifestations. Inner Meaning of Navaratri Worship The different stages of spiritual progress are reflected in the sequence of celebrations during Navaratri. During the first three days, Durga is worshipped. She personifies that aspect of shakti which destroys our negative tendencies. The process of trying to control our senses is akin to a war for the mind which resists all attempts at control. So the stories in the Puranas symbolically depict Devi in the form of Durga as waging war and destroying the asuras. However, getting temporary relief from the clutches of vasanas does not guarantee permanent liberation from them. The seeds of the vasanas will remain within in latent form. Therefore, we should supplant them with positive qualities. The Bhagavad Gita refers to these qualities as daivi-sampat, literally "Divine wealth." Correspondingly, we worship Lakshmi during the next three days. Lakshmi is not just the giver of gross wealth or prosperity; She is the Mother who gives according to the needs of Her children. Only one endowed with daivi-sampat is fit to receive the knowledge of the Supreme. Accordingly, the last three days of Navaratri are dedicated to worshipping Saraswati, the embodiment of Knowledge. She is depicted as wearing a pure-white sari, which symbolises the illumination of the Supreme Truth. The tenth day is Vijaya Dashami, or the festival of victory, symbolising the moment when Truth dawns within. Thus, the significance of each stage of worship has clear parallels in the different stages of sadhana (spiritual practices): first, negative tendencies need to be controlled; second, virtues need to be ingrained; third, after gaining the necessary mental purity, spiritual knowledge needs to be acquired. Only then will the sadhak (spiritual aspirant) attain spiritual illumination. It is significant that Vijaya Dashami is considered auspicious for mantra initiation; advanced spiritual aspirants are also initiated into Sannyasa (vow of renunciation) on this day. Significance of Navaratri for Householders However, Navaratri is not only significant for spiritual aspirants; it has a message for those who lead a worldly life as well. They should invoke Durga's help to surmount obstacles, pray to Lakshmi to bestow peace and prosperity, and contemplate upon Saraswati in order to gain knowledge. These three ingredients are just as necessary for a full and complete worldly life. In reality, when we pray like this, we are but invoking the Shakti that is within ourselves. Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are not different entities, but different facets of the singular Divinity. Some of the spiritual practices associated with Navaratri include fruit and milk fasts, japa (mantra chanting), chanting of hymns dedicated to Devi in Her different forms, prayer, meditation and recitation of sacred texts including the Devi Mahatmya, Sri Lalita Sahasranama and the Durga Saptashati. Ayudha Puja The ninth day is also the day of the Ayudha Puja. The Ayudha Puja is a worship of whatever implements one may use in one's livelihood. On the preceding evening, it is traditional to place these implements on an altar to the Divine. If one can make a conscious effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses each day, it will help one to see one's work as an offering to God. 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.) Children traditionally place their study books and writing implements on the altar. On this day, no work or study is done, that one might spend the day in contemplation of the Divine. Saraswati Puja and Vidyarambham The tenth day is called Vijaya Dashami. Devotees perform a Saraswati Puja (ceremonial worship) to invoke the blessings of Saraswati. Some devotees also perform pujas dedicated to Durga to mark Her victory over the demon, Mahishasura. At another level, Navaratri also highlights the principles elucidated by the Ramayana. This is hinted at in the other name by which Vijayadashami is known in India, Dussehra. Navaratri, Dussehra and the Ramayana Navaratri highlights the principles elucidated by the Ramayana. This is hinted at in the other name by which Vijaya Dashami is known in India, Dussehra. "Dussehra" is derived from "Dasha-hara," which means "victory over the ten-faced one." This ten-faced being ("Dashamukha") is none other than Ravana, Lord Rama's adversary. His ten heads symbolise the ten senses (five of perception and five of action). Ravana's manifest extrovertedness stands in contrast to Dasharatha, Lord Rama's father, whose name can be taken to mean "one who has controlled his ten senses." That he is father to a Divine Incarnation suggests that only when one is able to subdue all ten senses can one realise the divinity within. In similar allegorical fashion, Sita, Rama's consort, represents the mind. As long as the mind remains wedded to the Self within, so long will bliss ensue. That is why Rama and Sita are depicted as enjoying a harmonious and satisfying relationship, both amidst palatial comforts and the privations of the forest. As soon as the mind withdraws from the Self and turns outwards to worldly objects, bliss ceases, and sorrow follows. In the Ramayana, Sita becomes distracted by a golden deer, actually an asura (demon) in disguise, and starts coveting it. Rama counsels her on its true nature, but Sita remains deaf to his words of wisdom, and insists that he captures it for her. Rama orders Lakshmana to remain with Sita and protect her from danger, while He pursues the deer. As soon as Rama hunts it down, the magical deer treacherously calls out, in Rama's voice, to Lakshmana and Sita for help. Hearing this, Sita is convinced that Rama's life is in danger and tells Lakshmana to hurry to Rama's rescue. Lakshmana, who represents tapas (austerity), recognises that the situation is a trap and tries to advise Sita accordingly. Sita arrogantly rebuffs his explanations and orders him to leave at once. Seeing no other way out, Lakshmana leaves in search of his brother. Before leaving, he draws a line on the ground and warns Sita not to cross the line. This line, the Lakshman rekha, marks the limits of morally permissible behaviour. Because Sita trespasses into forbidden territory, she has to suffer the consequences: she is taken captive by Ravana. Only after this ten-headed egoist gets destroyed, only after the ten senses are controlled, is Sita reunited with Rama. The story of the Ramayana is relevant to us as well. If we wish to progress spiritually, we have to first make efforts to control the negative tendencies. Only then can we cultivate the positive ones. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna enumerates the signs of a Jnani (one who has realised the Self), not because an ordinary person can recognise such signs, but so that we may cultivate those qualities. Likewise, Amma says that we should read stories about Lord Rama so that we may become Rama Himself, that is, imbibe His noble qualities. Ammachi, Kenna <kenna@m...> wrote: > Namah Shivaya. > > Could someone remind us about when each aspect of the Goddess is celebrated > during Navararti? It is Durga now? For exactly which days? And then which > aspect for which days? > > Does anyone know what the recording was played during the AV50 Parade of > Nations and how to get it? > > Could anyone post the rewrite of the Free Willy song? > > Thanks. > > In Amma's grace, > premarupa > Aum Amriteshvaryai Namah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 3, 2003 Report Share Posted October 3, 2003 Namah Shivaya. Thanks so much for the great resource. Do you know the exact dates for each? In Amma's grace, premarupa Aum Amriteshvaryai Namah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2003 Report Share Posted October 4, 2003 The exact dates vary from year to year because the dates are arrived at looking at the nakshatras of a particular lunar month. In this year, the dates are from Sep 27th thru Oct 05. If you were in India on Sep 27th taking Amma's darshan on her birthday, then you celebrated the start of Navaratri with darshan (read "in great and auspicious style")! Sep27th thru Oct 05th is actually 9 days only, but for some reason, the calendar shows that Oct 5th is VijayaDashmi (10th day). There are some complex astrological calculations which I could not figure out, whereby 10 days of the festival got crunched into 9 calendar days. But, I do know this: 1st 3 days - Durga Puja Next 3 days - Lakshmi pujua Last 3 days - Saraswati Puja (of which I know that Oct 3rd was 8th day - Ashtami, 4th is 9th - Navami) 10th day - VijayaDashmi (Oct 5th) If somebody knows more about how 10 days of the festival have been designated only 9 calendar days, please do explain. Jai Ma! Ammachi, Kenna <kenna@m...> wrote: > Namah Shivaya. > Thanks so much for the great resource. > Do you know the exact dates for each? > In Amma's grace, > premarupa > Aum Amriteshvaryai Namah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2003 Report Share Posted October 6, 2003 http://sanskrit.gde.to/doc_devii/ Navaratri is celebrated four times a year. They are Ashada Navaratri, the Sharada Navaratri, the Maha Navaratri and the Vasantha Navaratri. Of these, the Sharada Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and the Vasantha Navaratri of the Vasantha kala are very important. If you refer to the agni purana, then it is said that the Puratashi and Panguni (in Tamil months) i.e. Asvin and Chaitra are like the two jaws of Lord Yama. If one wants to escape the mouth of Yama, then one should celebrate Navaratri on these two occasions. A similar analogy is presented in the devi bhagavatam. Devi bhagavatam also talks in detail on how one should observe fasts, and how one should meditate/work on these days. According to legend, Durga sat on the tip of a needle for nine days, doing a severe penance to destroy the evil Asura Mahisha. On the first three days, she meditated as Herself, the next three days as Mahalakshmi and the last three days as Sarasvati. This signifies progression from tamsik, to rajasik to satvik and eventually obtaining liberation. The tenth day during Sharada Navaratri is called vijayadashami to signify the victory on the day of dashami. It is, however, a long tradition that one reads the devi-bhagavatam or the devi mahatmyam (Durga saptasati, 700 verses on Durga) during this period. Devi bhagavatam notes that Rama meditated and fasted for nine days after Sita was kidnapped by Ravana. There are numerous such incidents on how people's wishes were granted. The reading of Devi Maahaatmyam during Navaraatri is to be done follows: Chapter 1 (Madhu kaitabha samhaara) is to be read for 1st day, ch 2 thru 4 (Mahishhasura samhaara) to be read on 2nd day, ch 5 and 6 (Dhuumralochana vadha) on the 3rd day, ch 7 (Chanda Munda vadha) on 4th day, ch 8(Rakta biija samhaara) on 5th day, ch 9 and 10 (Shumbha Nishumbha vadha) on 6th day, ch 11(Praise of Narayani) on 7th day, ch 12 (Phalastuti) on 8th day, ch 13 (Blessings to Suratha and the Merchant)on 9th day ch 14 (aparaadha xamaapaNa) on 10th day On Fri, 3 Oct 2003, Kenna wrote: > Namah Shivaya. > Thanks so much for the great resource. > Do you know the exact dates for each? > In Amma's grace, > premarupa > Aum Amriteshvaryai Namah > > > > Sponsor > > [cruelty1_300x250.jpg] > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > Ammachi > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2003 Report Share Posted October 6, 2003 Hi Manoj and others, In US the dates are Sep 26 - Oct 4. Navratri is celebrated on the first 10 days of the Aswyuja lunar month - the new moon in sidereal Virgo(sun-moon conjunction in sidereal Virgo). The tithi(lunar day) at Sunrise is considered as ruling the day, so on sunrise, Sep 26, 67% of the first lunar day had already elapsed plus the fact that lunar days are a little bit shorter than solar days, so 10 days appeared to have fit in 9 days. The calendar day started at Sep 26 12:00 am, whereas the first day of Aswyuja started on Sep 25 08:10 pm, hence the discrepancy. Ravi - "manoj_menon" <manoj_menon <Ammachi> Saturday, October 04, 2003 6:16 AM Re: couple of questions > The exact dates vary from year to year because the dates are arrived > at looking at the nakshatras of a particular lunar month. > > In this year, the dates are from Sep 27th thru Oct 05. > > If you were in India on Sep 27th taking Amma's darshan on her > birthday, then you celebrated the start of Navaratri with darshan > (read "in great and auspicious style")! > > Sep27th thru Oct 05th is actually 9 days only, but for some reason, > the calendar shows that Oct 5th is VijayaDashmi (10th day). There are > some complex astrological calculations which I could not figure out, > whereby 10 days of the festival got crunched into 9 calendar days. > > But, I do know this: > 1st 3 days - Durga Puja > Next 3 days - Lakshmi pujua > Last 3 days - Saraswati Puja (of which I know that Oct 3rd was 8th > day - Ashtami, 4th is 9th - Navami) > > 10th day - VijayaDashmi (Oct 5th) > > If somebody knows more about how 10 days of the festival have been > designated only 9 calendar days, please do explain. > > Jai Ma! > > Ammachi, Kenna <kenna@m...> wrote: > > Namah Shivaya. > > Thanks so much for the great resource. > > Do you know the exact dates for each? > > In Amma's grace, > > premarupa > > Aum Amriteshvaryai Namah > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > Ammachi > > > Your use of is subject to > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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