Navratri

1. Navratri Tithi

Ashwin Shukla paksha Pratipada to Navami.

2. History of Navratri

A. This vrat (Vowed religious observances) 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.

B. The Devi fought with the demon Mahishasur for nine days from Pratipada to Navami and finally killed him on the night of Navami. Since then, She came to be known as Devi Mahishasurmardini, the annihilator of Mahishasur.

3. Importance

A. Whenever the tamasik, demoniacal and cruel people become powerful and start troubling the sattvik, righteous humans, the Devi incarnates to reinstate Dharma. This is the vrat of this Deity.

B. During Navratri, the Devi Principle is a thousand times more active than usual. To benefit most from this Principle, one should chant || Shri Durga Devyai Namaha || as much as is possible during the period of Navratri.

4. Method of performing the Navratri vrat

In several families, this vrat is undertaken as a family tradition. This vrat begins on Ashwin Shukla paksha Pratipada.

A. In a sanctified place in the house, a vedi (sacrificial fireplace) is constructed and the Devi with eight arms seated on a lion and the Navarna yantra are installed. Beside the yantra a pot (also known as ghat) is installed and puja of both the pot and the Devi is performed.

B. In the festival of Navratri, as per the tradition, rituals of ghatsthapana and mala-bandhan should be performed. A square base with height equal to that of two fingers should be prepared with sand brought from a farm and (five or) seven types of food grains should be mixed in it. These food grains are barley, wheat, sesame seeds, lentils, grams, rale and save (foodgrains found specially in Maharashtra).

C. In the pot of sand or copper, substances such as water, gandh, flowers, durva, akshata, betel nut, five specific leaves, five gems or coins should be put.

D. If one does not know the Vedic mantras for installation of the seven food grains and the kalash (signifying Varun, the Deity of rain), then mantras from the Purans should be recited. If one does not know even these, then one should say I offer ‘समर्पयामि’ (the name of the substance offered) and chant the Deity’s name. A garland of flowers should be tied in such a way that it reaches inside the pot.

E. A kumarika (virgin) is worshipped daily for nine consecutive days and is offered meals. A married woman signifies manifest energy while a kumarika represents unmanifest energy. Since some amount of manifest energy is utilised in a married woman, the total energy in a kumarika is more than that in a married woman.

F. The festival of Navratri is celebrated according to ones financial capacity and ability, with various programmes including akhand deep-prajvalan (continuous burning of a lamp), Chandipath (recitation of verses of the Devi), Lalita-puja (ritualistic worship of Devi Lalita) and Saraswati-puja (ritualistic worship of Devi Saraswati), fasts, staying awake as a ritual etc.

G. Even if a devotee is fasting, naivedya should be offered to the Devi as usual.

H. During this period, as part of good conduct one should not shave, should observe strict celibacy, should not sleep on a bed or mattress, should not cross the border of the village and should not wear footwear.

I. Attributing significance to the number of the day in the Navratri, some observe it even on the last day; although according to the scriptures it should be concluded on that day. On that day, after the prasad in the form of food is served to people, if time permits then all the Deities should be removed and abhishek & shodashopchar-puja should be performed. If there is no time, then the abhishek and puja of all Deities should be done on the following day.

J. During the immersion of the idol of the Devi, the germinated seeds are offered to Her. Women carry those small plants for immersion, as the Devi Shakambhari, on their heads.

K. When installing and concluding the Navratri, it is necessary to sanctify the Deities. As usual lemon, bhasma etc. are substances used in the abhishek. One should not use rangoli or powder used to clean vessels for the abhishek.

L. Finally the installed ghat (pot) and the Devi should be immersed in flowing water.

M. In any religious ritual like Navratri, when a lamp is lit continuously as a part of puja, if it blows out because of the wind or due to lack of oil or carbon formation etc. those causes should be corrected and the lamp should be lit again. As penance, the Name of the presiding Deity should be chanted one hundred and eight or a thousand times.

N. Prayer :’Devi, we have become powerless, attached to Maya (The great illusion) by pleasure and sensual enjoyments. O Mother, be the source of our strength. With Your strength we will be able to destroy evil tendencies’.

O. Blowing into the pots: On the day of Ashtami, women worship Devi Mahalakshmi and blow into the pots.

P. Regional variations: In Gujarat to symbolise the matrushakti during Navratri, a deep-garbh (lit lamp placed in an earthen pot with many openings) is worshipped. The word garbha-garbho-garbo or garba deleting the word deep became prevalent because of the ‘deep-garbh’ worshipped during the nine days, to represent female reproductivity.

5. Meaning

The word asur is derived from 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 Navratri. This victory is celebrated on the day of Dashmi and is called Dussehra.

6. Curb malpractices during Navratri and preserve the sanctity of the festival!

In ancient times, during the Garbha dance, songs of the Devi (Goddess), Krushna-lila and compositions of Saints only used to be sung. Today, this collective dance worship of God has acquired a distorted form. The Garbha is danced with obscene body movements and to the tunes of film songs. There are instances of chewing tobacco, alcohol consumption and noise pollution at the site of the puja of the Devi. These malpractices are harmful to our Dharma and culture. Today, putting an end to these is a part of abiding by Dharma. For the past few years, Sanatan has been conducting public awareness campaigns against such malpractices; you too can participate in these campaigns !