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 Navarathri
(nine nights) is one of the greatest festivals of India. This
festival is celebrated for nine days (October 14th - October
22nd) , in which God is worshiped in the form of Mother. This is
a period of introspection and purification. Navarathri is
traditionally an auspicious time for starting new ventures.
During this period, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped
as three different manifestations of Shakti or Cosmic energy.
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 worshiping 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 worshiping 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 worshiping Saraswati, the embodiment of Knowledge.
She is depicted as wearing a pure-white sari, which symbolises
the illumination of the Supreme Truth.
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 fulfill 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.
Some devotees
also perform pujas dedicated to Durga to mark Her victory over
the demon, Mahishasura.
After the pujas
a rite known as Vidyarambham is performed by young and old
alike. The ceremony involves tracing each letter of the alphabet
in a plate of rice or even in sand on the ground. Traditionally,
the writing was alternately done on the tongue with a gold
dipped in honey. Vidyarambham literally means to begin the
acquisition of knowledge, and for the very young, it is just
that: an initiation into learning. For those who have already
begun to acquire knowledge, it is a reminder that only one who
can maintain a beginner's mind will be able to learn.
If one thinks
that one knows already, one will not be open to new ideas.
Whereas one who has the attitude of a beginner will always have
an open and receptive mind. With this attitude one can learn a
lot.
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.
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