SRI NAVARATRI and DUSSERA MESSAGE

mong the Hindu festivals, Sri Navaratri and Dussera is considered to be the most significant occasion.

The Vedic Hindu Calendar marks two occasions of nine days each in a year i.e. Chaitra Ramanavami [April – May] and Ashwin Navaratri [September – October]. During Chaitra Ramanavami, Shri Ram is worshipped for nine days and during Ashwin Navaratri, Mata Durga is worshipped for nine nights.

Ashwin Navaratri is celebrated from Ashwin Shukla Prathama to Ashwin Shukla Navami i.e. for nine days followed by the tenth day i.e. Dussera [Vijayadashami]. During this period for the first three days and nights the Supreme Mother is worshipped in the form of Durga. Then for the following three days and nights the Supreme Mother takes the form of Mahalaxmi for us to perform `Laxmi Puja'. The subsequent three days and nights the Supreme Mother is worshipped in the form of Saraswati for us to perform' Saraswati Puja'. The last tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami which is said to be the most significant day of the occasion i.e. Dussera.

The Navaratri festival is mainly celebrated to commemorate the grand victory of the Almighty Durga over the Buffalo headed demon Mahishasur. Mother Durga had to fight for nine continuous days and it was on the evening of the tenth day that she overpowered Mahishasur and killed him.

Hinduism is the only religion for conferring `Motherhood' to God. Since we realize that it is only the Mother who can be nearest to Her child and who promptly answers the prayers of Her child, we give the highest `Godhood' to Her.

The Mother's Grace is boundless,
Her Mercy is illimitable,
Her Knowledge is infinite,
Her Power immeasurable,
Her Glory ineffable,
Her Splendor indescribable.

She grants Her devotees material prosperity and Spiritual freedom. Approach Her with an open heart, lay bare your heart to Her with frankness and utter humility. Be as simple as a child. Sing Her praise, repeat Her name and worship Her with faith and unflinching devotion. Perform special Puja during ‘Navaratri’ festival, the occasion when She is more vibrant to answer the prayers of Her devotees. Practice intense repetition of Her dynamic mantra `Om Sri Durgaaye Namah' at least 108 times for all the nine days. The Divine Mother is most pleased with this mantra during the festival.

The Almighty Durga conferred Her infinite power on Arjuna in the battle field of Kurukshetra on the Vijayadashami day for him to conquer the Kauravas. The same Almighty Durga conferred Her infinite power on Shri Ram on Navaratri day just before He fought and won against the mighty Ravan[Lankesh].

Dussera which has much to do with unique life of Shri Ram is celebrated with the greatest enthusiasm and devotion. Nowhere else in the history of the world there can be a parallel to the character of Shri Ram as

An ideal child,
An ideal brother,
An ideal student of Gurukul,
An ideal friend,
An ideal husband,
An ideal King and
An ideal warrior.

On this Vijayadashami day devotees do not miss to chant the `Ek Shloki Ramayan' for receiving the blessings of Shri Ram as follows :

Purvam Rama Tapovanani Gamanam,
Hatva Mrigam Kanchanam,
Vaidehi Harnam,
Jatayu Maranam,
Sugriva Sambhashanam,
Vali Nirdalanam,
Samudra Taranam,
Lankapuri Dahanam,
Paschad Ravana Kumbhakarna Hananam,
Eytadi Ramayanam Bhaje.

On this auspicious and most significant Navaratri cum Dussera festival, we invoke the Holy Spirit of God who is worshipped in different forms and by different names to protect us, to guide us and to lead us to the ultimate Liberation.