the 9 Divine _Vights Nava ~ that also means ‘new’ ~ denotes ‘nine’ the number to which cages attach special significance. Hence, we have Nava-ratri (9 nights), Nava-patrika (9 leaves / herbs / plants), Nava-graha (@ planets), and Nava-Durga (9 appelle- tions), Here're the 9 manifestations of Goddess Durga. Each goddess has a different form and a special signifi- cance. Nava Durga, if worshipped with religious fervor, itis believed, lift the divine spirit in us and fill us with renewed happiness. What's the Significance of Navratri? During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mather, commonly referred to.as "Durga," which literally means the remover of mic- cries of life. She ie also referred to as "Devi" (goddess) or “Shakt" (energy or power). It is this energy, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, pres- ervation and destruction. In other words, you can say ‘that God is motionless, absolutely changeless, and the Divine Mother Durga, does everything, Truly speaking, our worship of Shakti re-confirms the scientific theory that energy is imperishable. It cannot be created or destroyed. It is always there. Why Worship the Mother Goddess? This energy is a form of the Divine Mather, who is the mother of all, and all of us are her children. "why mother; why not father?", you may ask. Let me just say that we believe that God's glory, his cosmic energy, his groatness and supremacy can bost be depicted as the motherhood aspact of God. Just ac a child finds all thase qualities in his or her mother, similarly, all of us look upon God as moth er. In fact, Hinduism is the only religion in the world, which gives so much importance to the mother aspect of God because we believe that mother is the creative aspect of the absolute. Why Twice a Year? Every year the beginning of summer and the heginning of winter are two very Important junctures of climatic change and solar influence. These two junctions have been chosen as the sacred opportuni- ties for the worship of the divine power because: (2) We believe that it is the divine power that provides energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing the changes in the outer nature and that this divine power must be thanked for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. (2) Due to the changes in the nature, the bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change, and hence, we worship the divine power to bestow upon all of us enough potent powers to maintain our physical and mental balance. Why Nine Nights & Days? Navaratri is divided into sats of three days to adore differant aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as powerful force called Durga in ordar to destray all our impurities, vices and defects. The next three days, the Mathar is adored as a giver of spintual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees the inexhaustible wealth. The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the mother as the godess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order have all-round success in life, we need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine moth- er; hence, the worship for nine nights.The Nava Durgas SHAILAPUTRI The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides ¢ bull and carries a trident and lotus in her two hands. |B RAHMACHARINI IShe is the one who practices devout austerity. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to eman- cipation ~ Moksha. CHANDRAGHANTA Sha is the apostle of bravery; she rides a lion, and has ten arms. She drives away all evildoers and demoniac incarnation. KUSUMANDA Seated on a lion, she has 2 magnanimous presence, and possesses eight arms. Her abode is the Solar region. SKANDAMATA she is the Goddess of Fire, She has four arms and three eyes. She rides a lion, KATYAYANT ‘The chasen goddess of Vrindavan, she is alluring in her golcien form. She has four arms and three ‘eyes, she is seated on a lion. KAALRATRI [This four-armed form rides an ass. She dissipates darkness from amidst her devotees, and bestoms jireedom from fear and adversity, MAHA GAURT Sho is like an eight-year-old girl. She is intelligent and peaceful, possesses thrae eyes and four arms, and uses the bull as her vehicle. JsroDHIDATRE rhe bestawer of accomplishments, this manifastation is warshipped as one blessed with glory. Seated on 2 lotus, she has four arms.Durga Puja To gain the grace of Mother Divine and receive Her blessings to remove ignorance, provide pratec- tion frem adversity and eliminate suffering on an individual and cosmic level. Durga Pujas can be of various lengths, from two hours to six hours or more, and may be performed on 2 single day, or on consecutive days. The recitation of selections from the Durga Saptashati, a collection of beautiful hymns ta Mother Divine, is an especially enjoyable part of this Puja Chandi Homa This is a more elaborate Yayga that is understood to have powerful effects on the cosmic, global and individual levels. It is traditionally performed to alleviate the adverse affects of the planets, liberate man from all troubles, restore friendships, gain blessings of wealth and beautiful children, and to avercome enemies and evil planetary influences, Performance of the Chandi Hama includes Puja two to three hours long and 2 Homa (‘ire ceramony) that lasts approximately fours hours. It includes the recitation of all 700 verses of Durga Saptashati, a collection of beautiful hymns to Mother Divine. How to fast for Navaratri? Strict fast is observed in Navaratri only Fruit and Liquids are allowed. No Grain or Flour is allowed. One meal should be taken. If for health reasons you are unable to fast in the above manner than you can have one meal but try to avoid grains. Puja 1. Commence worship and fast on the first day of Navaratri (morning and evening), 2. An Akanda deep should be kepted burning all tha time throught the whole Navaratri. 3. Puja should be done as follows. Recte the following mantra Aun Namo Bhagvaty Maha Durgaye Namha: (Puja to be done on a mutie orn front of a picture of Mother Durga. 1. Offer water thrice. 2. Offer pancha Amrit six times 2. Offer water twice 4. Cleanse murtie or sprinkle wateron the picture 5. Offer Kum Kum (red] rice and Flowers Agarbatti Prasad (Fruit) all should be done reciting the following mantra ©. Conduct Aarti using wicks dipped in Ghee Jap Mantra AUM AIM HRING KLEENG CHAMUNDAYE VICHCHEY ‘This mantra should be recited 108 time to gain the greatest Baneft from the Fast. Mantra to offer Dhaar alo Aun Jayanti Mangala Kali Badra Kali Kapelini Durgev Kshanaw Shiva Dhatri Swaha Swadha Namostute, On the tenth day Vijay Dhashmi/ Day of Victory Viserjan to mother Durga is done and the Fast is complete and salt can be eaten. ‘Tha above fast is based on the scripturas and should be followed according te your means and capabilities.