Nawraatri.....
Nawraatri also called Nawraatam,means nine nights.In
Sanatan Dharma
(the Hindu way of life), these nine nights are the first nine nights of the Hindu month of
Chaitra
in
Shukla Paksh
(the bright forthnight corresponding to late March and/or early April) and the same period in the month of
Ashwin
(September-October),respectively.
It is also reffered to as
Vasant Nawraatra
and Sharad Nawraatra respectively.
In the first case it refers to Nawraatri in Spring and in the second case it refers to
Nawraatri in Autumn. As can be seen by now, it is a seasonal occurrence.
This is rather interesting for one living in a tropical country.However,even though the
country might be of tropical climate,certain changes does take place.
Firstly,when a
temperate country experiences Spring,the vegetation there comes alive.The trees takes on new
leaves and plants starts growing again. In the tropical country, the trees shed their old leaves
and also takes on new ones.
When it is Autumn or the Fall season in the temperate country,the
days become shorter.As a result,the Sun sets earlier.
This is also observed in a tropical
country.The days become shorter and the nights becomes longer.
One can see quite clearly,that
even though there is no extreme temperature changes in the tropical country,the basic changes in the atmosphere does in fact take place.How does all this relate to
Nawraatri?
Modern Science and Nawraatri.....
When the Sun enters into the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricon,
it causes nature to be slightly disturbed.The Sun does this at a period in
time
corresponding to Chaitra and AshwinNawraatri.
Nature changes and not only does vegetation show physical changes but there
are
climatic changes too.Climatic changes affects all living beings and organisms.
These changes in atmospheric temperatures,in one case from cold to warm and eventually hot and in the other case from hot to cool and eventually cold,creates and multiplies bacterial growth in the atmosphere and in our bodies.This is why we get the cold,the flu and the viruses when temperatures
and seasons change.
When this happens,we need nurturing and special care.
Therefore,we offer prayers to God in the form of the
Divine Mother or Shakti Mata for good health, strength,energy and spiritual
growth.
Nawraatri is celebrated in Trinidad with extensive
Poojas
(prayers) and
Yajnas
(religious sacrifices in the form of prayers), and of course fasting dedicated to
Goddess Durga.
Goddess Durga is the feminine form of God incarnated as
Shakti or cosmic energy. During
Nawraatri,Hindus in Trinidad keep their homes clean and they invite the Pandit(priest) and with their family and friends,they perform
Durga Pooja.
In addition to Durga Pooja,Shiva Pooja is also performed along with any
other Pooja of their choice. They awake early on mornings for the nine days of Nawraatri and after having a bath, they will offer a
Dhaar
(a liquid composition consisting of nine articles which are very much loved by the Devi or Goddess)to the Devi, at the most sacred place in their yard or at the designated place in the temple.
Devi Bhagawat or Devi Yajna(prayers to the divine mother lasting for a minimum of 7 days to a maximum of 9 days) are also performed by those who can afford the expences.
It is also common practice that
the recitation of
Durga Saptashati Khatha is performed.This Khatha is a sacred discourse to Goddess Durga and it bestows on the devotee the blessings of good health and the protection of one's limbs.
Some Pandits also recite the
Durga Chalisa,a prayer consisting of 40 verses.
Special
Prasad or sweets are prepared and are offered in the
Pooja or Yajna and at the end of same are distributed to the devotees,friends,family,neighbours etc.
This Prasad is a combination of
Lapsee(a sweet sort of Halwah { flour cooked in milk with sugar and spices such as elichie or cardamon})and
Sohaaree(a sort of Roti cooked with Ghee or cow's butter).
However,it is common practice in Trinidad that the final
Hawan or fire ritual culminates with the burning of a dried
Coconut.Whilst most people burn the complete coconut wraped in a piece of cloth,it is recommended that the
coconut should first be cut into two halves so that the water can come out of it.Then,it should be tied in a piece of cloth having any of the Shakti colours(red,white,yellow)and then be offered as the
Poornahutee or final oblation in the fire or
Hawan Kund.
The Benefits
Of Worship
In
Nawraatri.....
Nawraatri is an exceptionally good time to observe fasting,to meditate and
to perform religious work.
Any of the above contributes to the spiritual
development of the individual who practices these disciplines.
Listening to
bhajans
and
kirtan
(hymns on hinduism)the performance of Durga pooja(worship of the Goddess
Durga) and Satsangh(participation in religious discourses)promotes the
spiritual growth of any individual.
The giving of charity to the needy
is one of the most humble deed that one can perform during the Nawraatri
period.
However,as controversial as it may be,charity given to the
Brahmins
(the priestly class of people)remains one of the foremost deed that
anyone can perform during this sacred time called Nawraatri.
Note.....
The Hindu New Year commences on the first day of Chaitra Nawraatri.
Contrary to the belief of many,that it commences on Diwali day,I must
clearly state that it is in fact not so.
The first
tithi
or lunar day in the bright forthnight or Shukla Paksh, in the month of
Chaitra,is the Hindu New Years' Day!
Sri Durga Mata Ki Jai!
Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.
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