The spiritual significance of Navaratri.

Chitvish · Sep 21, 2006

Thankyou, very much, Sudha !

Our religion gives room for the exercise of faith, devotion and love.
Our festivals have a deep spiritual import or high religious significance.
So better understanding will help us to involve ourselves & enjoy them better.
I am glad you liked this post.
Love & regards,
Chithra.

anjana · Sep 21, 2006

Even though I keep Golu,

Dear Dear Mrs CV,
I do this every year but to be honest had no clue whatsoever. This year it does make sense to me. You are there to clear my doubts. That is a personal blessing. PURVA JANMA PUNYAM. Am I a good student or what?????
You have summarised it so well in the end. Those three lines speaks volumes. I am really trying to follow at least a few to make life so fulfulling.
Apart from all the slokams that you have given I will read these three lines in my mind all those given days.
Wish you a happy Navarathri. Will miss you next week. In all this what does Golu signify???? If you could explain I will know what I am really doing.

Lots of love,

PS: That diety looks so cute........Will shop with you next time I am in Chennai. Be prepared.

Chitvish · Sep 21, 2006

Now, you have to tell me if I am a good teacher !

Here goes the significance of Golu:
Traditionall only clay dolls were used. They are special because they represent Pancha Bootha tatvam of all creations- of Akasham(sky), vayu(air), Agni(fire), water & earth(clay).
Dools are made of clay(earth).
Clay is mixed with water.
They are heated in fire or neruppu(furnace).
They are dried in the air (vayu).
To transport from one place to the other, there should not be any rain, the dolls being ,made of clay. For this, sky helps us ! This being the beginning of rainy season, sky-god has to be kind !
This is the order traditionally:
Lowest padi - plants ( pul, chedi, kodi etc)
Above - creatures living in sea
karaiyaan, ant etc
nandu, vandu etc - nalarivu kondavai
cow, goat etc - aintharivu kondavai
highly evolved human beings
saints & mahathmas
ashta dik palakars
Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma with their spouses
Adi parashakthi in the centre.
This shows the evolution.
I am just explaining, I know it cannot be followed practically.

As I always repeat, devotion & attitude are most important.
My best wishes for navaratri to everyone of you.
Love & regards,
Chithra.

safa · Sep 21, 2006

dear Friend!

It is said to be aayudha pooja and pusthaka pooja in our place. and nobody would touch it for two days, aayudham and pusthakam, ok?
Chithra, could you pls tell me what is Deepavali celebrated for? Haven't seen Keralites give importance for that festival.
And about Lakshmi Devi, when some one changes their house, they shouldn't leave the old house clean, because Lakshmi Devi is aiswarya devatha and likes clean places so she might not leave the old house with the dwellers. Is it a true belief among Hindus?

Chitvish · Sep 21, 2006

My dear Safa !

The ninth day of navaratri is Saraswathi pujai or ayudha pujai. Thebooks & implements are not supposed to be used that day, since they are in the puja !
Next thursday, there will be a posting on that. Please see.
I plan to post about Deepawali in the second week of October, why we celebrate it.
I pesonally do not believe what you have written about the house-shifting ! I feel it is just superstition !
Thankyou for your reply.
Love & regards,
Chithra.

anjana · Sep 22, 2006

You are my perfect teacher

Dear Mrs C,
Thanks for the step by step explanation. Wow there is a deeper significance in all this. This makes more sense to me. You are truly my perfect teacher. I hope I am able to follow this as your student.

Love,

Surya · Sep 22, 2006

Dear chitra,

Beautifully explained post on the significance of navarathri. The highlight is the photo of the three goddesses. epdi solradhu......manasukku neraiva irukku.
Thank you.

regards,
surya.

Kamla · Sep 22, 2006

How rich is our culture!

Yes, the richness of our culture amazes me and makes me proud. But more than that, it is your interpretation of it Chitra, which is truly commendable. How many of us would be thinking in this strain if not for your guiding articles. We sure are lucky here. I may have known some of it, heard some of it, but now, I am really registering these things and filing them away! My task as grandma is made very easy by you, thanks doubly
Your explanation of LakshmiDevi was impressive. So so so....were you testing me when you questioned me about my reference to Lakshmi kataksham??!! You know what I mean
Thanks for everything.

L, Kamla

Chitvish · Sep 22, 2006

Radha, you are very kind to me, as ever !

I can go on writing - there is so much about Navaratri !
Let me reserve a few points for next year - that is, pizachu kidanthaal! - ha ha ha !!
You appreciate so promptly, my friend !
Love & regards,
Chithra.

Chitvish · Sep 22, 2006

My dear dear Surya !

Even though I don't keep golu at home ( the children having left our nest), I love the festive feeling we get. It was to share that with you, that I posted this photo. I am glad you like it, Surya !
Love & regards,
Chithra.