The ninth form of Mother Durga is Siddhiratri.
She possesses supernatural healing powers, and even Lord Shiva was bestowed these powers when he worshipped her, as told in the Devi Bhagvata Purana.
Incantation:
Siddh-gandhar-vayak-shadhairye-suraira-marairpi
Sevya-mana sada bhuyaat siddhidha siddhidayani
Mantra:
Om Siddhiratrai Namah
On the last day, turquoise or peacock green is the colour of choice for devotees.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Day 8 - Ashtami
MahaGauri is worshipped on the eight day of Navratri.
Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful and devotees are purified of their sins.
Because of her long penances in the forest, she developed a dark complexion and when Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she became MahaGauri, meaning extremely white.
Incantation:
Shvete vrishaye sama-roodha shvetam-bardhara shuchi
Mahagauri shubham dadhaan-mahadev-prmodada
Mantra:
Om Mahagauriye Namah
On this day, violet is worn by devotees of Ma Durga.
Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful and devotees are purified of their sins.
Because of her long penances in the forest, she developed a dark complexion and when Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she became MahaGauri, meaning extremely white.
Incantation:
Shvete vrishaye sama-roodha shvetam-bardhara shuchi
Mahagauri shubham dadhaan-mahadev-prmodada
Mantra:
Om Mahagauriye Namah
On this day, violet is worn by devotees of Ma Durga.
Day 7 - Saptami
On the seventh day, Ma Durga is worshipped as Kaalratri.
Her name means scourer of darkness, enemy of darkness and ignorance.
Her gesture of protection assures us freedom from fear and troubles. She is also known as Shubhamkari.
Incantation:
Ekvedi japa-karnapura nagna kharsthita
Lamboshthi karnika-karni tailabhyakt shareerini
Vaam-paadill-sallohalta kashtak-bhushna vardhan-moordh-dhvaja
Krishna kaalraatrira-bhayankari
Mantra:
Om Kalratrayai Namah
Yellow is worn today by Ma Durga's devotees.
Her name means scourer of darkness, enemy of darkness and ignorance.
Her gesture of protection assures us freedom from fear and troubles. She is also known as Shubhamkari.
Incantation:
Ekvedi japa-karnapura nagna kharsthita
Lamboshthi karnika-karni tailabhyakt shareerini
Vaam-paadill-sallohalta kashtak-bhushna vardhan-moordh-dhvaja
Krishna kaalraatrira-bhayankari
Mantra:
Om Kalratrayai Namah
Yellow is worn today by Ma Durga's devotees.
Day 6 - Shasti
The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as Katyayani.
She was the daughter of Katya, a renowned sage, who underwent long austerities and penance to receive the grace of the Mother, as he wished to have a daughter. Katyayani was thus born as an avatar of Durga.
Incantation:
Chandra-hasojalkara shardul-varvahna
Katyayini-shubham dadha devi daanva-ghatini
Mantra:
Om Katyayanai Namah
This day, devotees wear the colour blue.
She was the daughter of Katya, a renowned sage, who underwent long austerities and penance to receive the grace of the Mother, as he wished to have a daughter. Katyayani was thus born as an avatar of Durga.
Incantation:
Chandra-hasojalkara shardul-varvahna
Katyayini-shubham dadha devi daanva-ghatini
Mantra:
Om Katyayanai Namah
This day, devotees wear the colour blue.
Day 5 - Panchami
The fifth avatar of Mother Durga is Skand Mata, the mother of Skanda.
She was chosen by the gods to lead the war against the demons.
It is believed that by the mercy of Skandmata, even the foolish becomes an ocean of knowledge.
Incantation:
Singha-sangata nityam padmashrit kardhya
Shubh-dastu sada devi skandmata yasha-svini
Mantra:
Om Skandmatraye Namah
On the fifth day, devotees usually wear red clothing.
She was chosen by the gods to lead the war against the demons.
It is believed that by the mercy of Skandmata, even the foolish becomes an ocean of knowledge.
Incantation:
Singha-sangata nityam padmashrit kardhya
Shubh-dastu sada devi skandmata yasha-svini
Mantra:
Om Skandmatraye Namah
On the fifth day, devotees usually wear red clothing.
Day 4 - Chaturthi
Ma Durga's fourth incarnation is Kushmanda.
Her name, Ku=little, ushma=warmth, anda=cosmic egg, she is considered the creator, and her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun.
Incantation:
Sura-sampoorna-kalasham rudhira-plutmev cha
Dadhana hastpadhya-bhyam Kushmanda-shubhdastu me
Mantra:
Om Kushmandyaye Namah
This day, devotees may choose to wear white.
Her name, Ku=little, ushma=warmth, anda=cosmic egg, she is considered the creator, and her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun.
Incantation:
Sura-sampoorna-kalasham rudhira-plutmev cha
Dadhana hastpadhya-bhyam Kushmanda-shubhdastu me
Mantra:
Om Kushmandyaye Namah
This day, devotees may choose to wear white.
Day 3 - Tritiya
This day, Ma Durga is worshipped as Chandragantha.
Chandra and Gantha means supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace and serenity.
Incantation:
Pinja-pravara-rudha chandko-pastrakairuta
Prasadam tanute maham chndraghanteti vishru-shruta
Mantra:
Om Chandraganthaye Namah
On this day, the colour pink is worn.
Chandra and Gantha means supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace and serenity.
Incantation:
Pinja-pravara-rudha chandko-pastrakairuta
Prasadam tanute maham chndraghanteti vishru-shruta
Mantra:
Om Chandraganthaye Namah
On this day, the colour pink is worn.
Day 2 - Dwitiya
The second avatar of Ma Durga is Brahmacharini.
Brahma means who observes penance and good conduct. She personifies love and loyalty.
Also calles Uma and Tapacharini, she provides knowledge and wisdom to her devotees.
Incantation:
Dadhana Karpad-mabhyaa-maksh-maala kamandaloo
Devi Praseedatu Mayi Brahmacharinya-nuttama
Mantra:
Om Brahmacharinyay Namah
On this day, devotees may wear the colour grey.
Brahma means who observes penance and good conduct. She personifies love and loyalty.
Also calles Uma and Tapacharini, she provides knowledge and wisdom to her devotees.
Incantation:
Dadhana Karpad-mabhyaa-maksh-maala kamandaloo
Devi Praseedatu Mayi Brahmacharinya-nuttama
Mantra:
Om Brahmacharinyay Namah
On this day, devotees may wear the colour grey.
Day 1 - Pratipada
On the first day, the first avatar is worshipped, Shailputri.
She is the daughter of Himalaya, 'Shail' also means mountains.
Ma Shailputri's mantra incantation is:
Vande Vanchit-labhaya Chan-drardh-krit-shekram,
Vrisha-roodham Shool-dharaam Shail-putreem Yasha-vineem
Mantra:
Om Shailputraye Namah
Devotees may wear the colour green on this day
She is the daughter of Himalaya, 'Shail' also means mountains.
Ma Shailputri's mantra incantation is:
Vande Vanchit-labhaya Chan-drardh-krit-shekram,
Vrisha-roodham Shool-dharaam Shail-putreem Yasha-vineem
Mantra:
Om Shailputraye Namah
Devotees may wear the colour green on this day
Fasting
Devotees please Ma Durga by fasting during the nine days.
1. One meal is consumed a day, and on one sitting, preferably after sunset.
2. The food is vegetarian and cooked without onions and garlic.
3. Before eating, offer prayers and the food to MataRani and chant 'Jai Mata Di' nine times.
4. Chant 'Jai Mata Di' nine times after eating as well.
5. Milk, juices and fruits may be eaten throughout the rest of the day.
Some devotees keep this kind of fast through the whole period without a whole meal.
Fasting is an individual choice and is not a compulsion, especially for those who have health issues.
Mata Rani is all knowing and blesses all regardless.
During the nine day period, devotees also:
1. Keep the mind, body and thoughts pure.
2. Visit Durga temples and offer prayers and do aarti daily, starting by offering prayers to Ganesha
3. Light a candle or jyot in front of Durga statue or picture
4. Refrain from shaving or cutting the hair.
5. Avoid wearing black and leather accessories.
6. Try to sleep on the floor, and avoid sensual and procreation activities during this period.
Dates
In 2011, Navratri starts on Wednesday, 28th September
In 2012, Navratri starts on Tuesday, 16th October
In 2013, Navratri starts on Saturday, 5th October
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)