NAVARATRI FESTIVAL

Dear Sisters & Brothers, We are in the sacred month during which so many divine events happen to make us very busy with devotional singing, prayers, pujas for our own sake and our families and the society in general.

Tomorrow is MAHALAYA on Thursday, October 7 and please click the link below to read about Mahalaya

http://hinduism.about.com/cs/audiomusic/a/aa092003a.htm?nl=1

Please look a couple of audio links towards the end of the above link is a must to listen on Mahalaya early morning.

On Friday, October 8, starts the divine 9 nights (NAVARARATRI) followed by VIJAYADASHAMI on Sunday, October 17 to celebrate the event of victory over evil.

A MUST article to read on the evening of Mahalaya, before the start of Navaratri to know the magic and importance of AMMA which is a poorva janma sukrutam (The gift of our past births) by clicking the link below

http://www.exoticindia.com/article/navaratri/

To know what is Navaratri? and many aspects of these divine 9 nights, please click the link below to read

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri

To read about the nine Avataras of DURGAMMA and the power of various powers, please click the link below to read
http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=2&nav=display&webtag=ab-hinduism&tid=2231

Another useful link about Navaratri by clicking the link below

http://www.theholidayspot.com/navratri/

Some of our dear sisters might want to know the latest 9 colours to wear during Navaratri for 2010 by clicking the link below

http://hindupad.com/vratas-pujas/9-colours-of-navratri-2009-nine-colours-of-dresses-to-wear-in-saran-navratri-2009/

At least some of our sisters would like to observe for all the nine days & night, how to prepare, what they need etc, please click the link below and read TODAY to get ready for Friday

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/09/how-to-do-or-perform-navratri-puja.html

THE FIRST 3 DAYS ARE DEDICATED TO DURGA:


The first three days of Navaratri are dedicated to Devi Durga. SALUTATIONS to the Divine Mother, Durga, who exists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe.

Shakti is the omnipotent power of the Lord, or the Cosmic Energy. The Divine Mother is represented as having ten different weapons in Her hands. She sits on a lion. She keeps up the play of the Lord through the three attributes of Nature, namely, Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas. Knowledge, peace, lust, anger, greed, egoism and pride, are all Her forms.

You pray to Mother Durga to destroy all our impurities, our vices, our defects. She is to fight with and annihilate the baser animal qualities in the spiritual aspirant, the lower, diabolical nature in him. Also, She is the power that protects our spiritual practice from its many dangers and pitfalls. Thus the first three days, which mark the first stage or the destruction of impurity and determined effort and struggle to root out the evil tendencies in our mind, are set apart for the worship of the destructive aspect of the Mother.

Let us recite or at least listen 'Lalitha Sahasra Namams on all the 9 days if possible during the puja in the mornings. Most of us already have a cd of this divine song in our Homes and some of the dedicated devotees these thousand names by heart! But the most important thing that Durga Ma wants for Her devotees is nothing But devotion to get Her grace.

Those of us who do not have a cd, please click the link below to listen Lalitha Sahasra Namams

http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/34C9MP50IgIYMdwESIJjWWRM/?done_detect


During these first 3 days, it is highly desirable to recite Durga Stuti which is as follows in English, so that we all can recite without much problem of language!

Sarve Mangal Mangalye, Shive Sarvarth Sadhike |
Sharanye Trambake Gauri, Narayani Namo Stute ||
Shakti Do Mujhe, Karoon Tumhara Dhyan |
Path Nirvignya Ho Tera, Mera Ho Kalyan ||
Hridya Sinhasan Par Aa, Betho Meri Maa |
Suno Vinay Mam Din Ki, Jag Janani Vardan ||
Sundar Deepak Ghee Bhara, Karoon Aaj Tayaar |
Gyan Ujala Maa Karo, Metto Moh Andhkaar ||
Chandra Surya Ki Roshni, Chamke Chaman Akhand |
Sab Mein Vyapak Tej Hai, Jwala Ka Prachand ||
Jwala Jag Janani Meri, Raksha Karo Humesh |
Dur Karo Maa Ambike, Mere Sabhi Kalesh ||
Shradha Aur Vishwas Se, Teri Jyot Jalaoon |
Tera Hi Hai Aashra, Tere Hi Gun Gaoon ||
Teri Adhabhut Gaat Ko, Padhoon Mein Nischay Dhar |
Sakshat Darshan Karoon, Tere Jagat Aadhar ||
Man Chanchal Se Baat Ke, Samay Jo Aogun Hoye |
Dati Apni Daya Se, Dhyan Na Dena Koye ||
Main Anjan Malin Man, Na Jano Koi Rit |
At Pat Vani Ko Hi Maa, Samjho Meri Prit ||
Chaman Ke Aogun Bahot Hai, Karna Nahi Dhyan |
Sinhvahini Maa Ambike, Karo Mera Kalyan ||
Dhanya Maa Ambike, Shakti Shiva Vishal |
Angh Mein Rum Rahi, Dati Din Dayal ||



Let us have a lovely time during these three days, talking, reading the story of Maha Kali by clicking the links below to read in these 10 days! Even if you cannot read in these 10 days, we can read after words. The important thing is to read with devotion and try to practice in our daily life as much as we could.

Devi Mahatmyam longer version

http://sdbbs.tripod.com/devi.html

Shorter version for the busy Bees!

http://www.sivanandaonline.org/graphics/activities/navaratri_04/durga_saptasati.htm

To read the esoteric significance of Devimahatmyam, please click the link below

http://www.celextel.org/stotrasdevi/devimahatmyam.html

Those who would like to listen/sing the divine sthotras or songs of AMMA in audio form, please click the link below


http://www.andhravilas.com/moviedetail.asp?fid=%7C54%7C76%7C128%7C90

Two important things to do during Navaratri are GARBA & DANDIYA Please click the link to watch videos of these
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhWu50m03bc&feature=related

http://www.indiaparenting.com/video/display.cgi?v1=577&v2=YjQjrpGBgec

http://www.dandiyazone.com/cms/

You have plenty to read/listen/watch and you have the chance of NO MESSAGES UNTIL MONDAY as we are away to see family, friends and to attend an important celebration on Saturday at the New SHIVA TEMPLE in Birmingham.

With Love, Light & Peace to all,
SivaRamaKrishna