Navaratri Navaratri

88thth Oct’10 Oct’10

TillTill

1616thth Oct’10 Oct’10

Navarathiri - Meaning Nine NIghts - Darkness - Ignorance

Nine - Grahas on planet, Human body has nine opening           Look Deeply, Human is dependent on the planet

Human's Enemy - Kama, Krodha, Lodha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya

Reduce human level to a DEMON

They have to be overpowered and transmuted, by the Supreme Alchemy of the Divine Urge

Nine (Nava) nights (Ratri) of struggle will become new (Nava) type of nightDevoted to the purification of the mind, illumination of

the soul

Navarathiri - Purpose

Navaratri is a festival to commemorate the victory of

the good over the evil.

The Embodiment of Divine Power (Para-Shakti), in its

various manifestations,

Satwic (as Maha- Saraswati),

Rajasic (as Maha-Lakshmi),

Tamasic (as Mahakali)

During the nine days' struggle and finally, on Vijaya

Dashami (Dasara, the tenth Day commemorating

victory)

Three Phases Of Navaratri Celebrations

Navaratri has been divided into three parts.

A) Durga - first three days are dedicated B) Lakshmi – next 3 days worshipC) Saraswati – last 3 days

All Hindu festivals have a sacred purpose. Now-a-days the festivals are observed only with external rituals without understanding their inner meaning. In the performance of all forms of worship, there should be steadiness of mind and body. Only then concentration can be achieved. Today men are unable to maintain steadiness of body and mind."

Purpose Of Devi Worship "Ichcha-Shakti (the Will Power) arises from

thoughts.

To develop this 'Ichcha-Shakti',one has to worship Devi.

'Ichcha-Shakti' - developed, becomes easier to give up other desires too.

Leads to 'Vairaagya' (renouncing all attachments). Vairaagya - not abandonment of hearth and home and retiring to a forest. It means developing godly thoughts and reducing worldly feelings.

Pooja during Navaratri is intended to get rid of worldly attachments and divert-the mind towards God

This festival is devoted to the Mother Goddess known with different names as Durga, Kali, Bhavani, Amba, and Chandika, has been celebrated in it's most unique and different ways in various parts of India and abroad with devotional songs, bhajans and cultural programs with the world renowned Garba or Dandiya Raas in the state of Gujarat.

Maa Durga

Maa Lakshmi Lakshmi is worshipped

for the next three days in her various aspects as the goddesses of peace, plenty and bliss.

Fulfillment is more important than wealth itself. As the goddess of wealth, she governs not just the bank balance, but also such basic things as family, friends, food etc.

Maa Saraswati

Saraswati is the goddess of

knowledge. Not just the

knowledge of how to earn a

living, but how to "live" as

well. She is the goddess of

the spiritual knowledge and

the knowledge that frees us

from this bind of Samsara.

She is worshipped during the

final three days of the

Navratri.

Durga, Lakshmi And Saraswati Symbolize Three Potencies

Three potencies (Shaktis). Karma,Bakthi and Jnana

Durga, Kriyaa Shakti (the power of action) Lakshmi, Ichchaa Shakti (will power), and Saraswati, Jnana Shakti (the power of discrimination)

The body indicates "Kriyaa Shakti". – MaterialThe mind is "Ichchaa Shakti". – Activates-vibrantThe Atma is "Jnana Shakti". – Energy

Durga,Shakti-Swaroopini(embodiment,physical energyLakshmi,Praana Swaroopini(embodiment of the life-forceSaraswati is Goddess of Speech (Vak Devata)  .

This represent the Atmic Principle!!!

Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati Symbolize Three Qualities

Power of Durga - Rajasic qualities (Anger, Hatred)

Power of Lakshmi - Pure qualities that arise in man such as compassion, love, forbearance and sympathy

Power of Saraswati - Divine in song and poetry and the pleasing vibrations

Worship Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati externally in pictures (subtle potencies that are within them)

Man today is not recognizing the powers within him

and develop respect for them

Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati Symbolize Mother

What does Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati gives?

MOTHER is a combination of all 3 DEVIs. MOTHER represent all 3 goddesses

No need worship DURGA, LAKSHMI and SARASWATI - Love and adore OUR mother - Shows our love to GOD

One's mother is greater than heaven itself

Sri Rama himself declared that one's mother and mother land are greater than

even heaven

Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati Symbolize The Supreme Divine

Navaratri - get rid of worldly attachments - mind toward Go

There are four different qualities in man: 1.humanness,2.animal nature, 3.demonic nature, and 4. divine nature.

When man follows the dictates of the BODY, he is a prey to his animal nature.

When he is subject to action of the MIND,he become demonic When he is following the ATMA (conscience), he is manifesting his divinity.

When he is governed by all the three- BODY, MIND and ATMA -  HE IS HUMAN!!

How To Celebrate Navaratri?

"The Navaratri festival should be used as an occasion to examine one's own nature whether it is human, animal, or demonic, and strive to transform the animal nature into the human, and divinise the human nature. Wisdom cannot be acquired from outside. It has to be got through inward Sadhana".

Sai's Message On Navaratri

"It is essential to celebrate festivals in a sacred spirit. It is not enough to do this for only 10 days during the Navaratri festivals. It should become the rule throughout one's life, even as one draws one's life-breath till the end."

This festival is

celebrated in most

unique and different

ways in different parts

of India and abroad

with devotional songs,

bhajans and cultural

programs

with the world

renowned Garba or

Dandiya Raas in the

state of Gujarat.