To Iswari on Navaratri

[Guest guest]

Iswari wrote:

 

As a Jewish Amma devotee who was involved in a Sufi tariqat for years, I

must say that I am getting a kick out of this convergence of Rosh HaShana,

Durga

Puja and Ramadan! =)

 

(Even if I'm on my couch recovering from surgery and can "only" celebrate in

my heart!)

 

 

 

Dear Iswari ~ that really is something. I have noticed it before, though ~

this convergence of holy days of observence in several spirituality belief

systems (I prefer to use this term rather than religion). Oops ... I had started

this reply, then noticed that I left out part of your post, then accidentally

pushed the send button on the other one. So there will be two replying to

this post, but this is the one I really meant for you to read.

 

I am sick too, so much of my Navaratri worship is done in bed. I'm going to

share a list from another digest ~ this is a list of possible ways to observe

Navaratri, and if anyone wishes a copy of the 32 names of Durga, let me know,

and I will post it. Here is the list of suggestions:

 

At the Mandir, Maa has encouraged everyone to chant "Om Hrim Shrim Dum

Durgayai Namah" a 1000 times silently this morning.

 

Here are a few more recommendations

 

1) You could chant a total of 108 times of "32 names of durga" available

online at http://www.shreemaa.org/durga.htm , within the next 9 days.

 

2) You could chant the Seedha Path Chandi each day.

 

3) You could chant a few chapters of Chandi each day and complete the

entire recitation within the 9 days.

 

4) You could chant any of the other texts - Kali Sahasranaam, Lakshmi

Sahasranam during these 9 days.

 

5) Chanting of your Guru mantra, navarna mantra or the Durga mantra (Om

hrim shrim dum durgayai namah"

 

Some of these, like the Chandi Path, you would not be able to order a copy

in time, if you don't already have one. But many of the other suggestions are

quite wonderful, and could be done, even in bed.

 

And in case that isn't enough, there was more on Navaratri in my enewsletter

from About.com ~ their religion and spirituality section:

_http://hinduism.about.com/b/a/207514.htm?nl=1_

(http://hinduism.about.com/b/a/207514.htm?nl=1)

You have to click on the "GO" button at the end of the first paragraph to

read the whole article, but it is very good, and gives the basics.

 

I was also very delighted to see coverage of Amma on About.com. This is the

first time I have seen Her mentioned there. I am going to write to Subhamoy

Das, who manages the site and thank him. There is a wonderful slide show of

photos too. Here is the link:

_http://hinduism.about.com/b/a/206231.htm?nl=1_

(http://hinduism.about.com/b/a/206231.htm?nl=1)

Again, you have to click on the "GO" button to get to the larger article and

to the links to the photos and other items about Amma. It's wonderful.

Jai Jai Ma ~ Linda