Today is the 7th day of Navratri celebrations. We entered into the 3rd phase i.e Sattva.
Navratri - Significance of Yagyas
There are three levels of existence - Outer world, subtle world of different energies and Divinity or God. All the yagnas being performed here aim to achieve both spiritual and material benefits. When you go deep inside yourself, from where everything has come from, you experience the Supreme Peace. Only when you are in deep meditation, these mantras have effect. These are very powerful and beautiful and enrich the subtle creation. We are so fortunate to be able to be a part of this.
There are pundits from all Vedas, and they will chant mantras. It is happening from thousands of years. These are done to benefit the whole world. We have gathered here as one body, one mind and one spirit, totally immersed in what is happening. Even if we don’t know the meaning, we know these are doing something good at subtle levels of our life, and for the whole mankind.
The intellect may not understand but the subtle body understands the depth. And the vibrations that are produced are doing good to all the subtle layers of existence. This energy creates benevolence, benefits the whole mankind, washes away our bad karma, promotes harmony in the world and desires get fulfilled. Desires get fulfilled when there is strength in the subtle. These bring us close to self- realization and also to achieve success in the world.
As one body, one mind, established in the Ultimate Truth, fulfilling your worldly duties and relax in the depth of peace. Immerse in this love and devotion with the feeling that everything is happening well, everything is being done for you. Like corn – when it is little warmed, it becomes pop-corn. In the same way, consciousness is all Divinity, and with the chanting of mantras, it blossoms and manifests. This is a beautiful occasion for letting the consciousness to blossom. Om Shanti! (Let there be peace)
Navratri celebrations in India Webcast (on - demand) - US $30: Register: http://www.vvmvp.org/NavaratriWebcast2010/tabid/98/Default.aspx
Feel free to join Art of Living for the Navaratri Celebration http://www.artofliving.org/us-en/navaratri-celebrations
Jai GuruDev
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Navaratri
‘Nava’ means ‘nine’ and ‘Ratri’ is made up of ‘Ra’ which also means
‘night’ and ‘Tri’ meaning the ‘the three aspects of our life, Body,
Mind and Soul. So ‘Navaratri’ means ‘giving rest to all the three
aspects of our life, for nine days’.
The first three days of Navaratri, are ‘Tamasic’ days, followed by
three ‘Rajasic’ days and ending with three ‘Sattvic’ days. At night
all the artis are performed for the Devi – the enjoyer of everything.
So there is classical dance, music and various musical instruments
being played. Each day has special implications, yagnas, poojas and
homas are performed. Among the things offered to the fire are
hundreds of different herbs, fruits, garments, and mantras, all
creating a gloriously divine atmosphere to drown in? Our ancestors
felt the inadequacy of words and so they expressed themselves with
symbols … for instance, we offer flowers and fruit to God. The
‘flower’ is a symbol of what we are – so full, attractive and so light
– so beautiful. Fruits are symbols of completeness. In the life cycle
of a plant, fruits signify completeness. Also the fruit is the
ultimate result. That is how we feel when we offer the symbolic fruit
to God with all the gratitude for contentment in life. We also light
lamps. Indian tradition involves tall brass lamps with a swan carved
at the top. This is a very beautiful symbol. It means that with the
light of knowledge, one attains ‘Viveka’ a characteristic of the swan.
In Sanskrit, it is called ‘Neerakshiraviveka’ meaning a swan can
differentiate between milk and water even though both may be mixed.
Similarly, in the context of Navaratri, there is a symbolism behind
the ‘bull’ being destroyed by the ‘Devi’. What do we call someone who
is very dull, thick skinned and insensitive? A buffalo! Only the
Mother Divine can destroy this buffalo with the collective energy of
Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh! Just as a baby takes nine months to be
born, the Devi took nine days to rest and what was born on the tenth
day was pure love and devotion, with which the Devi conquered the
buffalo of inertia and dullness! Devi Ma is not somebody holding a big
‘trishool’ in one hand. She is a form of energy, a manifestation of
the Divine itself. Therefore, sometimes, the forms taken by this
Divine may be that of Ganesha, Chandi (Devi), Vishnu, Shiva….. and the
manifestation, in this creation, happens in a mother’s womb…. in
silence, secretly. So during these nine days of Navaratri when the
Master goes into silence, the energy is in the process of getting more
and more refined, well-tuned, to welcome the Mother Divine. This is
called ‘Aradhana’. Now these yagnas are not for the sages who perform
them, but for the entire Universe for all the misery, sorrow, and pain
in the world. The blessings of the yagnas and poojas teach the whole
of humanity and a lot of good comes out of these – peace, strength,
prosperity, success and faith – which by itself, is the best blessing.
Gurudev says that the ninth day is a day for honoring everything
that we have, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and the tenth day
is ‘Vijaya Dashmi’ the ‘victory day’. It is only after we have
honored something that we can gain victory over it. This day is
celebrated as the victory of the Devi over the evil forces – which is
also just ‘Maya’.
THE NINE NIGHTS: NAVARATRI
Navaratri means nine nights and the new night. Creation happens in
darkness, in the womb of the mother and underneath the soil. Nine
months in the womb are like nine long nights where the spirit takes
human form.
Night provides rejuvenation and rest. People come home from work at
night and celebrate, rejoice and pray. At night, the entire creation
goes to sleep, including the Ashram night watchman.
These nine nights of Navaratri are precious; they are enriched with
subtle energy. Sixty-four impulses of the Divine Mother govern the
subtle creation and are responsible for restoring all earthly and
spiritual benefits. These impulses are contained within one’s
awakened consciousness. The nine nights of Navaratri are celebrated
to rekindle those divine impulses and to renew the inner depth of our
lives.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
CLEANSE YOUR BODY AND CLEANSE YOUR SOUL
CLEANSE YOUR BODY WITH WATER
CLEANSE YOUR SOUL WITH KNOWLEDGE, PRANAYAM, SUDARSHAN KRIYA AND MEDITATION
‘night’ and ‘Tri’ meaning the ‘the three aspects of our life, Body,
Mind and Soul. So ‘Navaratri’ means ‘giving rest to all the three
aspects of our life, for nine days’.
The first three days of Navaratri, are ‘Tamasic’ days, followed by
three ‘Rajasic’ days and ending with three ‘Sattvic’ days. At night
all the artis are performed for the Devi – the enjoyer of everything.
So there is classical dance, music and various musical instruments
being played. Each day has special implications, yagnas, poojas and
homas are performed. Among the things offered to the fire are
hundreds of different herbs, fruits, garments, and mantras, all
creating a gloriously divine atmosphere to drown in? Our ancestors
felt the inadequacy of words and so they expressed themselves with
symbols … for instance, we offer flowers and fruit to God. The
‘flower’ is a symbol of what we are – so full, attractive and so light
– so beautiful. Fruits are symbols of completeness. In the life cycle
of a plant, fruits signify completeness. Also the fruit is the
ultimate result. That is how we feel when we offer the symbolic fruit
to God with all the gratitude for contentment in life. We also light
lamps. Indian tradition involves tall brass lamps with a swan carved
at the top. This is a very beautiful symbol. It means that with the
light of knowledge, one attains ‘Viveka’ a characteristic of the swan.
In Sanskrit, it is called ‘Neerakshiraviveka’ meaning a swan can
differentiate between milk and water even though both may be mixed.
Similarly, in the context of Navaratri, there is a symbolism behind
the ‘bull’ being destroyed by the ‘Devi’. What do we call someone who
is very dull, thick skinned and insensitive? A buffalo! Only the
Mother Divine can destroy this buffalo with the collective energy of
Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh! Just as a baby takes nine months to be
born, the Devi took nine days to rest and what was born on the tenth
day was pure love and devotion, with which the Devi conquered the
buffalo of inertia and dullness! Devi Ma is not somebody holding a big
‘trishool’ in one hand. She is a form of energy, a manifestation of
the Divine itself. Therefore, sometimes, the forms taken by this
Divine may be that of Ganesha, Chandi (Devi), Vishnu, Shiva….. and the
manifestation, in this creation, happens in a mother’s womb…. in
silence, secretly. So during these nine days of Navaratri when the
Master goes into silence, the energy is in the process of getting more
and more refined, well-tuned, to welcome the Mother Divine. This is
called ‘Aradhana’. Now these yagnas are not for the sages who perform
them, but for the entire Universe for all the misery, sorrow, and pain
in the world. The blessings of the yagnas and poojas teach the whole
of humanity and a lot of good comes out of these – peace, strength,
prosperity, success and faith – which by itself, is the best blessing.
Gurudev says that the ninth day is a day for honoring everything
that we have, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and the tenth day
is ‘Vijaya Dashmi’ the ‘victory day’. It is only after we have
honored something that we can gain victory over it. This day is
celebrated as the victory of the Devi over the evil forces – which is
also just ‘Maya’.
THE NINE NIGHTS: NAVARATRI
Navaratri means nine nights and the new night. Creation happens in
darkness, in the womb of the mother and underneath the soil. Nine
months in the womb are like nine long nights where the spirit takes
human form.
Night provides rejuvenation and rest. People come home from work at
night and celebrate, rejoice and pray. At night, the entire creation
goes to sleep, including the Ashram night watchman.
These nine nights of Navaratri are precious; they are enriched with
subtle energy. Sixty-four impulses of the Divine Mother govern the
subtle creation and are responsible for restoring all earthly and
spiritual benefits. These impulses are contained within one’s
awakened consciousness. The nine nights of Navaratri are celebrated
to rekindle those divine impulses and to renew the inner depth of our
lives.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
CLEANSE YOUR BODY AND CLEANSE YOUR SOUL
CLEANSE YOUR BODY WITH WATER
CLEANSE YOUR SOUL WITH KNOWLEDGE, PRANAYAM, SUDARSHAN KRIYA AND MEDITATION
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