Shubh NAVRATRI :)
What is Navratri?
''Nav''- NINE, ''Ratri'' - NIGHT
This is an Indian festival, where the ultimate power or goddess Aadhiparashakthi is celebrated in 9 different forms. This festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
In general, many people are only aware of one navratri that is Sharrannavratri which is celebrated in month of Aswayujam. But Sanathana Dharma states that Aadhiparashakthi should be prayed/celebrated every month from the next day of amavasya to the following pournami. So this indicates that there are 12 navratris in a year.
There are some famous navratris that are celebrated throughout India in different months. They are :
- Sharan navratri in Aswayujamasam where the goddess is celebrated as Sharadha Devi
- Vaarahi navratri in Ashadamaasam where the goddess is celebrated as Shakambari Devi
- Shyamala/Matangi navratri in Maghamasam where the goddess is celebrated as Aadhiparashakthi
- Vasantha navratri in Chaitramasam where the goddess is celebrated as Rama but incarnation of Lalitha
- 2 Gupt navratri.
Now on the occasion of Sharan navratri, I would like to put forth my understandings and the things I've learnt from the elders of my family.
The mantra that we commonly recite is,
तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम् ॥
पंचमं स्कंदमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनी तथा ।
सप्तमं कालरात्रिश्च महागौरीति चाष्टमम् ॥
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः ।
उक्तानयेतानि नामानि ब्राह्मणैव महात्मना ॥
this mantra explains what are the 9 avataras of goddess.
- 1st is SHAILAPUTRI
- 2nd is BRAHMACHARINI
- 3rd is CHANDRAGANTHA
- 4th is KUSHMANDA
- 5th is SKANDAMATA
- 6th is KATYAYANI
- 7th is KALARATRI
- 8th is MAHA GOWRI
- 9th is DURGA
According to sanathana dharma the number 3 is a sign of accomplishment/attainment/fullfiment. The perfect example would be "ॐ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति:।।" and this is recited at the end of a pooja, homam or any auspicious things. Which means let there be peace in every occasion and everywhere.
Now, there would be a question what is the relation between navratri and number 3. I would like to explain it with an another sloka
Karagre vasate lakshmi, Karamadhye Saraswati
Karamoole Sthitow Gowri, Karapushtu Govindaha
Prabhate Karadarashanam
The meaning is,
“On the tip of the hand resides Goddess Lakshmi, at the middle of the palm resides Goddess Saraswati.
At the base of the hand lives Goddess Gauri, It is auspicious to look at the palm in the morning.”
This sanskrit sloka should be recited after waking up in the morning by joining and raising your hands in the air to your eye level and chant with bhakti to seek divine manifestations.
As the sloka mentions about three female deities, the navratri is also divided into 3 parts and each part is dedicated to above goddesses. The first three days are the avataras of Parvati Devi, the next three days are the avataras of goddess Lakshmi and the last three days are of the goddess Saraswati Devi.
This Navratri, I hope Goddess Durga bless each and everyone of us with power and strength to fight our battles and win over evil.
Shubh Navratri 🙏🙏💫💫
This Navratri, we hope Goddess Durga blesses
posted by Swetha at
12:59 AM
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Finally, it's time to ride on DAD!!!!
