Significance of Navratri

SIGNIFICANCE OF NAVARATRI: Every year Hindus celebrate twice the period called ‘Navaratri’ for nine days and nights. The first period begins on the first day of Vikrami Samvatsar (this year it is 2069) and in the first day of the month “Chaitra” (pratipada), usually in the English month of March, and the second Navaratri is celebrated in the month of Ashwani’s pratipada, the English month of usually October. Thus the first is at the end of winter season while the second is at the beginning of winter season. Both of these periods are pleasantly moderate in North India. But Pandits correlate these two celebrations variously in different regions of our country. However I think these celebrations are eulogy or ode or worship and thanks giving to Supreme Power (Energy) whom Hindus address by name SHAKTI. Shakti is power (Energy) and this name Shakti being in feminine gender, though God is genderless, the Hindus gave a name of “DURGA” in her Nine Forms of Energy. These nine names or forms are: 1) Shailputri 2) Bramhacharini 3)Chandra Ghanta 4) Kushmanda 5) Skandhmata 6) Katyayani 7) Kaalratri 8) Mahagauri 9) Siddhidayani. They correspond to known verifiable form of Energy, but not in serial order,: 1) Gravity 2) Light 3) Heat 4) Sound 5) Magnetism 6) Electricity 7) Earth 8) Water 9) Space. Both these calibrations fall in a very nice season in north India and in the first Navaratra on the ninth day is Bhagwan RAMA’S birthday celebration and on second Navaratra is great Pooja festival in Bengal and on the 10th day is Celebrated Dussehra, Bhagwan Rama’s return to Ayoddhya after His Penance of 14 years in forest and killing of demon Ravana, with Ramlila and fan fare in whole India. In the story of Durga, the deity’s, killing of nine ‘demons’ named 1) Madhu 2) Kaitabh 3) Mahishasur 4)Dhoomra Lochan 5) Chand 6) Munda 7) Rakta Beeja 8) Nishumbha 9) Shumbha; symbolises the control of Nine Passions of human beings like: 1) Lust (Kama) 2) Anger (Krodha) 3) Greed (Lobha) 4) Selfish attachment (Moha) 5) Envy (Droha) 6) Jealousy (Eirsha) 7) Ill-criticism (Par-ninda) 8) False-pride (Abhiman) 9) i-ness (Ahankar). Hindus are thus advised to observe control over their worldly-passions by practicing ‘ YAMA’ and ‘NIYAM’ during these two periods of Navaratri celebrations by putting all ‘negative traits’ in shadow or burying them in darkness (Ratri). Now what are these Yamas & Niyams ? YAMA:- They are five: 1) Ahimsa (non-violence) 2) Satya ( the truth) 3) Asteya (non-stealing) 4) Bramhacharya (control of lust) 5) Aparigraha (non-hoarding of un-necessary wealth). NIYAMA:- They are also five: 1) Shaucha (cleanliness) 2) Santosha (contentment) 3) Tapa (control of sensual and other pleasures) 4) Swaddhyaya (practice to understand self or Atman) 5) Eishwar Pranidhan (surrender to Supreme Power or God). This is all about Navaratri. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. 9 hours ago