NAVA RATRI
According to vedic scriptures, Goddess Durgā is a symbol of power. She is
worshipped in nine different forms and is therefore termed Nava-durgā. Each
of the nine manifestations of Durga is worshipped with full devotion during
Navarātri.
Śailaputrī (Daughter of the Himālayas)
Brahmachāriṇī (One who observes the state of celibacy doing penance)
Chandraghaṇṭā ( One who bears the moon in her necklace )
Kūṣmāṇḍa (the creator of the universe)
Skanda-Mātā (The mother of Skanda, Kārttikeya, born out of her powers)
Kātyāyanī (The daughter of sage Kātyāyana, who incarnated to help the Devas)
Kālarātrī (black as night, destroyer of Kālī)
Mahāgaurī (the wife of Lord Shiva, doing great penance)
Siddhidātrī (Provider of Siddhis, giver of mystic powers)
The following nine names have been told (Devi Mahatyam Devi Kavacham) by
the Great Soul Brahma-deva Himself. Durgā is known by these names:
॥ नव-दुर्गा स्तोत्र ॥
॥ nava-durgā stotra ॥
ब्रह्मोवाच ।
brahmovāca ।
Lord Brahma said:
प्रथमं शैलपुत्रीति द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी ।
तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम् ॥ ३ ॥
prathamaṃ śailaputrīti dvitīyaṃ brahmacāriṇī ।
tr̥tīyaṃ candraghaṇṭeti kūṣmāṇḍeti caturthakam ॥ 3॥
"First is the Goddess of Inspiration, and second the Goddess of Sacred
Study; third is the Goddess of the Delight of Practice, the Goddess of
Purifying Austerity is fourth."
पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनी तथा ।
सप्तमं कालरात्रिश्च महागौरीति चाष्टमम् ॥ ४ ॥
pañcamaṃ skandamāteti ṣaṣṭhaṃ kātyāyanī tathā ।
saptamaṃ kālarātriśca mahāgaurīti cāṣṭamam ॥ 4॥
"Fifth is the Goddess who Nurtures Divinity, sixth is the One Who is Ever
Pure; seventh is the Goddess of the Dark Night of Overcoming Egotism, the
Goddess of the Great Radiant Light is eighth."
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः ।
उक्तान्येतानि नामानि ब्रह्मणैव महात्मना ॥ ५ ॥
navamaṃ siddhidātrī ca navadurgāḥ prakīrtitāḥ ।
uktānyetāni nāmāni brahmaṇaiva mahātmanā ॥ 5॥
"Ninth is the Goddess who Grants Perfection, the nine Durgas, Relievers of
Difficulties, have been enumerated, and these names have been revealed by
the great soul of the Supreme himself."
Lord Brahma said: I have with extreme happiness sung the fame of the nine
mothers, Śailaputrī (Daughter of the Himālayas), Brahmachāriṇī (One who
observes the state of celibacy doing study and penance), Chandraghaṇṭā (One
who bears the crescent moon in her necklace), Kūṣmāṇḍa (the mother of the
universe), Skanda-Mātā (The mother of Skanda, Kārttikeya), Kātyāyanī (The
daughter of sage Kātyāyana), Kālarātrī (black as night, destroyer of Kālī),
Mahāgaurī (the wife of Lord Shiva, doing great penance) and Siddhidātrī
(Provider of Siddhis, giver of mystic powers). The great God has told these
in the Vedas.
He who remembers these nine mothers will not suffer even if he is burnt in
fire, even if he has gone to war, even if he is very sad, even if he is
terribly afraid of war. Anyone who remembers those names with devotion is
also are free of these fears and sorrows.
Navarātri (नवरात्रि) is a great, nine day, festival in India, in which
goddess Durgā is worshiped in her nine different manifestations.
The word Navarātri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning
nine and rātri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days of
devotion, nine different forms of Durgā are worshiped. The 10th day is
commonly referred to as Vijaya-dashami or Dussehra.
These nine forms of Durga are worshipped during the Navaratri.
Navarātrī (नवरात्री).—Navarātripūjā (nine nights' worship) is done
to goddess Durgā. Though this is observed throughout the whole of India, it
is more prominent in North India than anywhere else. (To know the details
regarding the origin of this worship, see under Sudarśa, Śaśikalā and
Vijayadaśamī). As ordained in the Vedas, the Nine nights' worship is to be
made in the seasons of spring and autumn. These two seasons are called
Kāladaṃṣtrās (the tusks of seasons). Diseases and deaths occur in these
seasons in excess, and so it is ordained that this fast and worship should
be conducted in the months of Meḍam (Meṣa) and Tulām. Vyāsa has ordered
that navarātri worship should be conducted as follows. The things necessary
for the worship and oblations should be collected on the new moon day. Only
clarified butter could be eaten on that day. An open temple should be
erected with pillars and flag-posts in an open flat place which is pure. It
will be good if the shed has a circumference of sixteen cubits. There
should be sixteen pillars. The shed should be floored with the mixture of
cowdung and white clay. In the middle of the shed there must be a dais
having a height of one cubit and a circumference of four cubits. This is
the place for the seat. The shed and the dais should be decorated. The
throne placed on the dais must be covered with a white silk and Devī
(goddess) should be consecrated on it. A calm Brahmin should read the Vedas
and at that time the worship of the goddess should begin. This worship will
continue for nine days. Another ritual of this 'navarātripūjā' is the
worship of virgins. (See under Kumārīpūjā).
Why and since when Navaratri:
Devi Bhagavata Purana Chapter 18 - The Svayambara of Śaśikalā
1. Vyāsa said :-- The King’s lovely daughter was very glad on hearing the
words of the Brāhmaṇa, and drowned herself in ecstacy of love. The Brāhmin
also departed, thinking of the whole affair.
45-47. Thus the assembly hall for Svayambara built and decorated and all
the necessary articles and equipments brought thither, the fair eyed
Śaśikalā, told her companions with sorrow “Better go to my mother and say
her privately that I have already selected mentally my husband the
beautiful Sudarśana, the son of the king Dhruvasandhi in my mind; I won’t
marry any other prince than him; the Goddess Bhagavatī has settled him for
my husband.”
48-50. Vyāsa said, the companion of Śaśikalā hearing thus, went quickly to
her mother Vaidarbhī and addressed her sweetly in private “O chaste one!
Your daughter, with a sorrowful heart, has sent me to you to say the
following; Please hear and do at your earliest convenience, what is good
and beneficial.” She said “There is staying in the hermitage of Bhāradvāja,
the son of the king Dhruvasandhi; I have mentally selected him as my
husband; I won’t select any other prince.”
51. Vyāsa said :-- The queen, hearing her words, told to her husband, when
he returned to the palace, all her daughter’s words as she had heard them.
52-53. Hearing this, the king Subāhu was astonished and then laughed
frequently and then began to say to his wife, the daughter of the king of
Vidarbha the following true words :-- “O fair one! That king’s son
Sudarśana is a minor, he has been exiled to the forest; now he is helpless
and is residing with his mother in a dense forest.
54. For his sake, the king Vīrasena was slain in battle by the king
Yudhājit. O fair eyed! how can that helpless exiled poor boy become her
husband.
55. Do say therefore to Śaśikalā that, in the assembly hall for her
Svayamvara, many kings commanding honour and respect would be present. She
would then choose whomever she likes. She need not repeat such words any
more.”
Chapter 19 - On the going to the Svayamvara assembly of Sudarśana
6. There is one brother of this Sudarśana, who is endowed with all kingly
qualifications, beautiful, and qualified in various other ways. He is the
king of the Kosala country.
7. There is another point worth consideration; please hear it. The King
Yudhājit is trying his best to kill Sudarśana on a befitting opportunity.
61-62. Consider again that there are many other powerful princes and kings
in this Svayamvara; the princess may select them also. Therefore let all
the kings assembled here say that if the selection of the bridegroom be
performed in that way, what cause of a quarrel can there crop up? Knowing
all these, you ought not to quarrel here.”
Chapter 20 - On the Svayamvara hall and the kings conversation there
2-3. O King! You are truthful and have restrained your passions. What you
have told just now in this assembly of kings is all correct and approved by
morality. O best of the kings! You are born of a high family; you better
say how can this take place that when so many fit persons are present here
to become the bridegroom, can an unworthy person take away the offer?
6-7. The power of the kings is the befitting money given to the parents of
a bride; according to this, the strongest man is to acquire the bride, a
jewel. The Kṣattriyas that are weak can never acquire that. Make this the
rule in this marriage. This earth is fit to be enjoyed by the heroes only
and not by the cowards and intriguing persons. Otherwise quarrels are sure
to ensue amongst the kings.
22-23. O kings! I am seeing everywhere the Supreme Goddess Bhagavatī
Bhavānī. Therefore there is no enemy of mine in this world; but he who will
turn out an enemy of mine, will be duly punished by the Mahā Vidyā Mahā
Māyā. I do not know what is enmity?
29-30. What She has willed, She will do that. I am not to care for that. O
high minded ones! You need not be afraid at all in this. I have told you
all truth. Victory or defeat, I feel no shame in either of them. For I am
always under the control of Bhagavatī; therefore if there be any shame
here, it is all Hers.”
68. Though this system of Svayamvara is approved by the elderly persons, I
am not going to follow that now. I will take the vow of a chaste woman and
act up to that doctrine as perfectly.
69. I will never be able to act like an ordinary woman going in the
Svayamvara hall, mentally determining many and finally selecting one.
70. Father! From the very beginning I have given myself up to Sudarśana in
mind, word and deed. I have not the least inclination to leave him and
select another in his stead.
71. O King! If you want to have my welfare, then give your daughter on an
auspicious day and in an auspicious lagna to Sudarśana, according to the
prescribed rites.”
Chapter 21 - On the king of Benares fulfilling the advice of his daughter
2-3. “The powerful kings, all, have come here on intention that they would
fight and therefore they are all attended with their armies and followers
respectively; and they are now sitting on their respective daises in the
Svayamvara hall. If I go now and tell them that my daughter Śaśikalā is not
willing to come of her own accord in the hall, the evil minded kings will
certainly kill me out of their wrath.
13. Vyāsa said :-- Hearing Subāhu’s words, the kings did not utter a single
word; but Yudhājit, with his eyes reddened out of wrath, began to address
the king of Benares in an angry tone :--14. “O King! You are a veteran
fool; what do you say now after committing a most blameable act? Had you
any doubt as to your proceedings, why have you, out of sheer delusion,
called this meeting hall of Svayamvara, without thinking the matter
before-hand.
25. Family, wealth, army, appearance, kingdoms, forts and true friends and
other helping persons; these a man should consider when he is going to give
away his daughter in marriage to anybody; else there is no surety of
happiness. Think over the royal custom and the never failing Dharma and do
what is proper. Never it is advisable to do any act, abandoning the path of
Dharma and morals.26. You are my intimate friend; therefore I am telling
you these good words. O king! Better bring your daughter, surrounded by her
attendant maids, in this hall of Svayamvara.27. Let this daughter select
any man other than Sudarśana; I have got no cause of quarrel; and the
marriage will then be celebrated according to your will.
59. Sudarśana then will fight against those kings; and if he loses his life
perchance in the battle, then I will also follow him and die.
60. O king! Let all good come unto you! Better give me in marriage to
Sudarśana and remain here with your army. I will go alone with him, the
object of my love.”
61. Vyāsa said :-- Hearing these words from her daughter, the king Subāhu
trusted her, and firmly resolved to act according to that, and to celebrate
the marriage of Śaśikalā.
Chapter 22 - On Sudarśana’s marriage
3. O Kings! My daughter is not coming today to this hall of Svayamvara;
what can I do now; I will console her and bring her here tomorrow.
Therefore do you all go now to your own camps respectively.
4. Intelligent persons should not quarrel with the members of their own
family. But they should always shew kindness towards their own sons and
daughters who are under their protection. However, I will make my daughter
understand and bring her tomorrow morning. You may all go now to your
places as you desire.
34. May Bhagavatī Bhavanī bring all good unto you; now kindly permit us to
depart to our homes, O king! I always contemplate the Highest Goddess
Ambikā; and I have no time to indulge in other thoughts.”
When the kings were thus discussing, the king of Benares, of indomitable
prowess, the king Subāhu, after finishing his daughter’s marriage, came
there with his famous friends to invite them.
48. Thus the kings went and remained blocking the path of Sudarśana; and
the king Subāhu, on returning home, began to make arrangements for the
departure of the bridegroom and the bride.
*Chapter 24 - On the installation of Durgā Devī in the city of Benares*
1. Vyāsa said :-- Hearing the Devī’s words, the king Subāhu began to say
with great devotion thus :--2-3. O Devī! If there be made a comparison
between the kingdom of the Devas and the world on the one hand and the
vision of Thine on the other hand, then it must be acknowledged that the
kingdom of the Devas and the earth cannot stand in comparison before Thee.
O Devī! There cannot be anything, in this Trilokī, that is more exalted
than Thy vision; therefore, O Mother! What other boon may I ask from Thee.
I am very thankful and blessed; all my desires are fulfilled, when I have
seen Thee.4-5. O Auspicious Mother! I ask from You this boon, my desire
that my devotion may remain constant, fixed, and unflinching towards You. O
Mother! You would remain always in this city of mine being celebrated under
the name of Śrī Durgā Devī, Your Śakti. This is my desire. 6-9. O Devī! As
you have cleared off all the obstacles of Sudarśana and saved him from this
danger, so remain here in this city of Benares and protect it, so long as
this city stands on the face of the earth and make it firm and well
established and renowned. O Durgā, I pray that you may grant me these
boons. O Devī! Grant me also various other desires of mine and destroy my
enemies and extirpate all the irreligious and wicked people in this city. O
Goddess of mercy! What more can I ask from you? b13. O Mother of this
Universe! Everyone in this world shows mercy to those that are devoted to
him; but, O Mother! I see, in Your case, You take it as if Your bounden
duty, to save those, that are void of any devotion towards You; for You
have saved my life, though I am devoid of any devotion towards you.
Therefore how can I describe the boundless ocean of mercy that reigns in
You!
18. Especially in the eighth, fourteenth, and in the ninth day of the lunar
half month, worship Me according to the prescribed rites and rules and
offer me victims (sacrifices).
19. O sinless one! Establish my image in this city and worship it three
times, morning, mid-day and evening carefully and with devotion.
20. It is noteworthy that My Great Puja in autumn for the nine nights
(Navarātra) ought to be done with the greatest devotion.
21-22. O king! In the month of Caitra, Māgh, Āśvīn, and Āṣāḍha, My grand
festival should be done on the four Navarātris respectively; and especially
on the fourteenth and on the eighth day of the black half, all persons
ought to worship Me with their minds full of devotion towards Me.”
23. Vyāsa said :-- After the Devī, the Goddess Durgā, the Destroyer of all
dangers, had finished Her sayings, Sudarśana bowed down to Her and praised
Her much. The Devī, giving him the above-mentioned advices, disappeared.
24. Seeing Her disappear, all the kings went to Sudarśana and bowed to him,
as the Devas go to their lord, the Indra.
25. The king of Benares, Subāhu, too, gladly bowed down and stood before
him. Then all the kings began to address Sudarśan, the king of Ayodhyā.
26. “O king! You are our lord and governor; we are always your servants;
protect us as the king of Ayodhyā.
27. O king! It is through your grace only that we have seen the Supreme
Force, the Goddess of this Universe, the most Auspicious, the Eternal
Bhavānī, the Giver of the fourfold desires.
28. O king! It is for your sake that the Eternal, Highest Prakriti Devī
appeared; therefore you are very fortunate, auspicious, and most blessed in
this world. Your have finished, as it were, all that you had to do.
29. O king! We all are deluded by the Māyā of that Mahāmāyā Candikā Devī;
therefore none of us is able to know Her prowess.
30. We are always engaged in thinking of wealth, sons and wives; there we
are merged in this awful ocean of delusion, infested with crocodiles, etc.,
in the shape of lust, anger, greed, etc.
31. O Blessed one! You are highly enlightened and you know everything;
hence we ask you What is this Force; whence has She sprung? How is Her
prowess? Kindly describe all these to us.
32. O Descendant of Kakud! The saints are always merciful; kindly therefore
relate to us the glory of the Excellent Goddess, that serves the purpose of
a boat in crossing this ocean of world (transmigration).
33. O king! I am intensely desirous to hear the prowess and nature of the
Devī.”
34. Vyāsa said :-- When the kings had thus asked, the son of Dhruvasandhi,
the king Sudaraśana became very glad and, meditating on the Goddess, began
to say thus :--
35. “O kings! Indra and the other Devas, even Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśa are
unable to fathom the most exalted deeds of that Goddess; how, then, can I
describe to you the great glory of the Mahāmāyā.
36-38. O kings! The Bhagavatī Bhavānī is present, as it were, being divided
into four parts. She who is the first and foremost, the excellent Sāttvic
Energy, worshipped by all, is always engaged in the preservation of this
world. That part which is engaged in creating this world, is called the
Rājasik Energy; and that part which is engaged in destroying the world is
called the Tāmasik Energy, and that part which is the cause of all, Brahmā,
etc., that Highest Śakti, the Bestower of all desires, is called the fourth
Śakti, the Nirguṇā Śakti.
*Chapter 25 - On the installation of the Devī in Ayodhyā and Benares *Book
3
1-4. Vyāsa said :-- The king Sudarśana, surrounded by his friends, on
coming to the palace at Ayodhyā, bowed down to Līlāvatī, the mother of
Śatrujit, and said :-- “O mother! I swear by touching your feet, that I
have not killed in battle your son Śatrujit nor your father Yudhājit; it is
the Devī Durgā that has killed them; I am not to be blamed a bit in this. O
mother! You need not be sensitive in this; there is no remedy for what will
inevitably come to pass; therefore you do not be sorry for the death of
your son; you must know that the Jīvas enjoy pleasure and pain as the
results of their own Karmas.
26-28. Vyāsa said :-- O king! The king Sudarśana heard Līlāvatī and bowed
down at her feet. Then he went to the beautiful palace where Manoramā had
previously gone and began to live there. Inviting the ministers and the
astrologers, he asked them what was the auspicious day and the auspicious
moment, that he can establish Durgā Devī on a beautiful golden throne and
he would worship Her.
29. “O ministers! First I will install on the throne the Devī, the Awarder
of the four main objects of human pursuits (viz. virtue, wealth, enjoyment
and final beatitude) and then I will govern my kingdom like the kings Śrī
Rāma Candra and others.
30. All the people of this city of Ayodhyā ought also to worship this
Auspicious Śakti, the Highest Energy, the Giver of all desires and Siddhis,
and that is respected and adored by all.”
31. The ministers, on hearing his words, had a beautiful palace built by
the engineers, artists and workmen and proclaimed in the city the king’s
proclamation.
32. Then the king Sudarśana had an image of the Devī nicely built and got
that installed with the help of the Pundits, versed in the Vedas, on an
auspicious day and at an auspicious moment.
33. The intelligent king performed the worship and Homa ceremony, according
to the prescribed rules, and thus finally settled the ceremony of
invocation of the Deity into the new image and established it as an idol in
the temple.
34. O Janamejaya! There the soundings of the various drums and other
musical instruments, the chanting of the Veda mantrams by the Brāhmaṇas,
and sweet music were heard; and various sorts of festivities and rejoicings
were celebrated.
35. Vyāsa said :-- Thus completing the installation ceremony of the Durgā
Devī by the Brāhmaṇas, versed in the Vedas, the king Sudarśana duly
worshipped the image in various ways, etc.
*36. Thus gaining his father’s kingdom and worshipping the Devī, he and the
Devī became celebrated throughout the kingdom.*
40. In villages after villages, the chief townsmen began to build temples,
worship the Goddess there with all their jolliness. Thus everywhere in the
Kosala kingdom spread the Devī worship.
41. On the other hand, the king Subāhu established the Idol in Benares, had
temples built and worshipped there the Devī.
42. The inhabitants of Kāśī became then filled with devotion and intense
love towards the Devī and duly worshipped Her, as they used to do to Śiva
in the temple of Viśvanātha.
43. Thus the Durgā Devī became very widely celebrated in this world. O
king! Thus in different countries, the devotion began to increase towards
the Goddess.
44. The Devī Bhagavatī Bhavānī became in every way an object to be
worshipped and adored by all people and everywhere in Bhāratavarṣa.
46. O king! From that time all the people used to worship, perform Homa
ceremony and sacrifice duly in honour *of the Devī in every Navarātri (for
the first nine days of the bright half in the months of Āśvin and Caitra).*
*Chapter 26 - On the narration of what are to be done in the Navarātri*
1. Janamejaya said :-- “O Best of the Brāhmins! What are men to do in the
time of Navarātra? Especially in the Navarātra ceremony during the autumnal
season how is the ceremony to be performed? Kindly relate all this with the
prescribed rules and regulations.
2. O intelligent one! What are the fruits therein of the Navarātra
ceremony? and what are the rules to be observed? Kindly describe all these
to me.”
3-5. Vyāsa said :-- O king! Hear about the vow of auspicious Navarātra.
This has to be performed with loving devotion in the vernal season; but its
special season is autumn. The two seasons, autumn and spring, are famous as
the teeth of Yama, the God of Death; and these are the two seasons, very
hard for the persons to cross over. Therefore every good faring man should
everywhere perform this vow very carefully.
6-8. O king! The people are very much afflicted with various terrible
diseases in these two seasons autumn and spring and many lose their lives
during these portions of the year. Therefore the wise should unquestionably
worship with great devotion the Candikā Devī in these auspicious months of
Caitra and Āśvin.
9-11. On the day previous to the commencement of the vow, when the Amāvasyā
tithi commences, one should collect the materials that will be required in
the worship and should eat only once in that tithi what is called
Habiṣyānna (sacred food, boiled rice with ghee) and should on that day
prepare an open shade in a temporary building, twenty four (24) feet in
dimensions, on a level piece of ground, that is considered holy; it is to
be equipped with a post and a flag. Next, this is to be heaped over with
yellow earth and cow dung. Then a raised platform called the Vedī, six feet
wide and one and a half foot high, level and hard, is to be erected, and
provided with an excellent space thereon for the seat of the Devī.
Provisions are to be made also for ornamented gate ways and an awning over
the top.
12-17. One should invite then, those Brāhmins, that observe fully the
customs and usages, who are self restrained and versed in the Vedas and
Vedāṅgas, especially those who are skilled in the ceremony of worshipping
the Devī.
Next, in the Pratipad tithi (the first day of the bright half), one should
take one’s morning ablutions in a river, or in a lake, tank or a well or in
one’s own residence, according to rules, and one should perform one’s every
day practices of Sandhyā Bandanam. Afterwards he should appoint the
Brāhmins and give them water for washing their feet and Arghya (offerings
of grass, rice, etc.,) and Madhuparka (an oblation of honey and milk, etc.)
and give then, as his means permit, clothings and ornaments to them. If he
happens to be rich, he should never show his miserliness here in making
these gifts; for if the Brāhmins be satisfied, they will try their best to
make the ceremony a complete success. O king! The Canḍī paths (the reading
of the book called Canḍī) and Bhāgavata paths (the reading of some portions
of the book named Bhāgavat) are done on this occasion, for the satisfaction
of the Goddess; and either nine Brāhmins or five or three or at least one
Brāhmin should be appointed for the purpose. Moreover one other Brāhmin, of
a restrained and calm nature, is to be appointed, who would observe the
fasting on the day previous (pārāyaṇa). All these being done, the able man
is to perform the ceremony preparatory to the solemn Devī worship, (in
which the priest utters the Vedīc mantra Svasti-vācana, Svasti na Indro
vriddhaśravāh, etc.). Om Hrīm Śrīm Dūm Dūrgāyai namah is the nine lettered
Dūrgā mantra.
18-20. O king! When the ceremony has been thus commenced, one should place
on the Vedī (a raised platform; an altar), the throne fitted with double
silken clothes; and, on that throne, he should place the image of the Devī.
The Devī, the Eternal World-Mother, is to be four-armed or eighteen armed,
(4 or 18) fully provided with all the weapons, ornamented with garlands of
pearls and jewels, decorated with various ornaments of gems and precious
stones, wearing excellent heavenly clothings, all the parts of the image
being artistically finished and endowed with all the auspicious signs,
mounted on a lion, and holding conch shell, wheel, club, and lotus in Her
hands.
21-22. In the absence of the image, one should place an earthen water-pot,
on that throne, thoroughly purified by the Vedīc Mantras, filled with gold
and jewels, and filled fully with the water, brought from a sacred river or
a sacred place of pilgrimage and with five young shoots of plants, the
extremities of branches bearing new leaves immersed in water. Beside the
water-pot on the throne, there should be a symbol (Diagram or Yantra) with
the nine lettered Mantram (Om Hrīm Śrīm Caṇḍikāyai namah) in it for the
purpose of worship.
24. O king! If the first day be the Nandā tithi (i.e., the first day of the
bright half with the asterism Hastā in the ascendant), then that is the
best time for worshipping duly the Holy Goddess. There is no doubt that
special fortunate results would arise on this.
25. On the previous night, one should observe fasting, or on the previous
day one should take only one meal of Habiṣyānna (boiled rice and ghee) and
on the next day one should make a Saṅkalpa (an avowal of the purpose to
perform a rite) and then begin worship.
26. One should pray before the Goddess thus, “O Mother, Mother of the
World! I will perform this excellent Navarātra vow; be pleased to help me
in every respect.”
28-31. First of all, one should worship duly the Goddess Jagaddhātri,
presenting Her Chandan (sandal paste), Aguru (a fragrant wood, the aloe
wood), Camphor, the flowers Mandāra (one of the five trees of the celestial
regions), Karaja a kind of fragrant flower)! Aśoka, Champaka, Karavir,
Mālatī, and Brāhmī and various lovely sweet scented flowers and good Bel
leaves, Dhūpa (incense, a fragrant gum burnt before idols) and lamps. Next
one should present the fruits cocoanut, Mātuliṅga, the pomegranate,
bananas, oranges, the jack fruits, Bel and various other delicious fruit
and then, offering Her arghya, present boiled rice and other food with a
heart, full of devotion.
36. Daily, thrice, one should worship the Devī with various lovely articles
and finally make a great festivity with dancing, singing and music.
37. Everyday he should sleep on the ground and worship the virgins (young
girl from the age of two to the age of ten) with nectar like sweetmeats and
beautiful clothings aud ornaments.
38. Everyday one virgin or increased by one, two, or three every day or
nine virgins in all the days respectively are to be worshipped.
39. O king! One should perform worshipping this Kumārī (virgin) Pujā for
the satisfaction of the Devī, as his means allow; never one is to shew
miserliness in this.
41-43. The virgin aged two years is named the Kumārī; aged three years is
named the Trimurtī four years, is called the Kalyānī; five years, Rohiṇī;
six years, Kālikā; seventh year, Candikā; eighth year, Śāmbhavī; ninth
year, Dūrgā; and a virgin, aged ten years, is called Subhadrā. Virgins aged
more than ten years are not allowed in all ceremonies.
44. One should worship these virgins, taking their names and observing all
the rules. I am now mentioning the different results that arise from the
worship of these nine classes of virgins.
45. The worship of Kumārī leads to the extinction of miseries and poverty,
to the extirpation of one’s enemies and the increment of riches, longevity
and power.
46. The Trimurtī Pujā yields longevity, and the acquisition of the three
things, Dharma, wealth, and desires, the coming in of riches, sons and
grandsons.
47. Those who want learning, victory, kingdom and happiness, they should
worship the Kalyānī, the fructitier of all desires.
48-49. Men should worship Rohiṇī duly for the cure of diseases. For the
destruction of enemies, the worship of the Kālikā with devotion is the
best. For prosperity and riches, Candikā is to be worshipped with devotion.
O king! For the enchanting and overpowering of one’s enemies, for the
removal of miseries and poverty, and for victory in battles, Śāmbhavī
worship is the best.
52. People should, with great devotion, worship the Kumārīs (virgins) with
the mantrams “Śrīrastu” or other mantrams, beginning with “Śrī” or with the
seed mantrams.
54. She who is appearing under the three forms as differentiated by the
three guṇas Sāttva, Rājas, and Tāmas, and who is appearing in multiple
forms, owing to the differentiations of the three guṇas again into various
minor differences, I am worshipping Her the Trimūrtī Devī.
55. She who being worshipped always fares us with auspicious things, I am
worshipping Her, with devotion, the Kumārī Kalyānī, the awarder of all
desires.
56. I am worshipping the Rohiṇī Devī with a heart, full of devotion who is
germinating all the karmas in seed forms, that have accumulated owing to
past deeds.
57. She who, at the end of a Kalpa gathers unto Her in the form of Kālī all
this Universe, moving and unmoving, I worship that Kālikā Devī with
devotion.
58. She, who is furious and wrathful and hence is called Candikā and who
killed the two Demons Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa I bow down to Her humbly with
devotion, to that Candikā Devī, who destroys the terrible sins.
59. I worship that Śāmbhavī Devī, the giver of all pleasures and happiness,
whose form is the Veda Brahmā, and whose origin is without any cause, and
whe is so recited in the Vedas.
60. She who saves from danger her devotees and who always delivers from
various difficulties and troubles, whom all the Devas are incapable to
know, I worship with devotion that Dūrgā Devī the destroyer of all
calamities.
61. I, with my mind devoted, offer my salutations to that Subhadrā Devī,
Who procures all auspiciousness to Her devotees and removes all
inauspicious incidents.
62. Thus, in the mantras, above described, people should always worship the
virgin girls, giving them clothing, ornaments, garlands, scents, and
various other articles. K RAJARAM IRS 22924
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