Shri Shirdi Sai speaks-20th Sept/Lets celebrate Navratratri together

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Om Shree Ganeshaya Namaha!

Om Sai Ram!

Jai Maata Di!

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This year the Navratri poojas fall between 19th September 2009 and 27th

September, 2009.

[You can click on any of the pictures to see the larger view or to save it to

your computer] Navratri is a festival of Hindus celebrated with devotion, love

and fervour all over India. It is also called as Navratras. The mood of Navratri

is very colourful & unique. It incorporates veneration along with commemoration

by means of song and dance. Navratri ( " Nav " meaning nine and " Ratri " meaning

nights), These nights are devoted to the reverence of Goddess Durga (Maa Durga)

who exists in many forms and is the manifestation of the absolute energy that

pervades the Universe. During these days and nights prayers are offered to

Mother Goddess. For the devout these days are the sacrosanct for it is during

these days when Goddess Durga takes a stock of her devotees and grants all

blessings, removes ills and evils and ensures unproblematic life for her

devotees.

Navratri's each night is dedicated to one form of Goddess Durga. That is every

ratri of the Navratri corresponds to worship of different forms of Maa Durga.

This embraces Maa Shailputri, who was the daughter of Parvatraj Himalaya (King

of the Mountain), wife of Lord Shiva and mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya.

Mounting a bullock the mother has a lance in her right hand and the lotus flower

in the left. She is the first one among the nine aspects of Durga.

She is the First among the Navdugra. In her earlier life she was born to Daksha

Prajapati. In that life she was known as Sati. Once Daksha organised a pompous

yajna and invited all Gods but neglected Lord Shiva.

When Sati came to know about the festivity arranged by her father, a strong

desire arose in her heart to participate in the ceremony. She expressed her

desire to Lord Shiva and solicited his permission. Considering all pros and cons

Lord Shiva said - 'Prajapati is displeased with me for the reasons known to him

only. He invited in his function all gods and offered their sacrificial share to

them. He did not invite me purposely; not even informed me. Under such

circumstances it will not be proper for you to go there.'

Sati was not convinced with the piece of advice given by the Lord. The eagerness

to see the ceremony and the prospect of seeing the mother and sisters did not

subside. The Lord saw that Sati was very keen to go there so he gave her green

signal.

A sense of strange joy started waving in her heart. She made necessary

preparation and started. But all her enthusiasm subsided like the bubbles the

moment she reached there. She found no affection in any eyes except her mother.

Only she embraced her. She noticed not even a scintilla of cordiality for her.

Not only this she felt a sense of sarcasm and ridicule in what her sisters

remarked. She was greatly pained with the insulting attitude of her own

relatives. The entire atmosphere was surcharged with a sense of disrespect for

Lord Shiva. Daksa passed certain humiliating remarks intended for Lord Shiva.

She watched all this and lost her balance. A mental storm made her full of

remorse and anger. She repented on having overruled objection by her Lord.She

could not bear the insult of her spouse. Realizing this as a disrespect of her

dear Husband Sati decided to burn herself with yoganidraa and died. In her next

life she took rebirth as Shail -putri. The

news of her demise reached Lord Shiva and he decided to give a good lesson to

Daksha. The entire sacrificial canopy along with all paraphernalia was

completely destroyed by his lieutenants.

Maa Shailputri is the mother of Lord Ganesha & Lord Kartikeya.

According to one of the Upanisadic tales she in her Haimavati aspect defeated

all prominent gods. Like her previous birth in this life also Sailaputri got

married with Lord Shiva. The first and the most prominent among Nava Durgas,

Sailaputri is of immense importance and her glories are endless.

On the first day of Navratra worship it is she who is worshipped. In this puja

of the first day Yogi's keep their mind concentrated on Muladhara. This is the

starting point of their spiritual discipline.

Maa Brahmachaarini- Who gives the message of pure love to the world.Brahma

means tapasya or meditation. Maa durga 's second form is of Maa Brahmacharini -

one of the Navdurga . Brahma-charini means one who practices tapasya. One hand

holds a " Kumbha " or water port and the other rosary. She personifies love and

loyalty. Bhramcharni is store-house of knowledge and wisdom. Rudraksha is HER

most adorned ornament.

In her last life she was born as the daughter of Pravatraj Himalaya. At that

time she followed the guidelines of Devarshi Narad and meditated for more than

one thousand years to have Lord Shiva as her husband. She is worshipped on the

second day of Navratri.

Maa Chandraghanta - Who establishes Justice and wears crescent moon on Her

head. The third form of Goddess Durga, referred to as Chandraghanta, represents

bravery. The charming, bright Chandraghanta looks gorgeous. She has a

half-circular moon in her forehead, hence the name 'Chandraghanta'. With three

eyes, she is golden in color. Ten types of weapons, including sword and arrows

are held by her ten hands. Seated on a lion, she is always ready to go to war.

Maa Chandraghanta punishes the demons and devilish persons. She ensures justice

by saving her devotees from all kinds of dangers.The unprecedented bravery of

Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Durga Puja.

Maa Kushmaanda- Who provides the basic necessities to the world.She is

worshipped on fourth day of Navratri or Navratra.

When the world was not in existence, there was darkness all around. At this

time, Maa Kushmandaa created the Brahmand with her 'Ishat' laughter. This way,

she is the creator of the whole universe and she is the aadi shakti.She is

believed to reside in the innermost core of Sun. Her light and energy energizes

all ten directions.

Skand Maa - Who gives the gift of differentiation of right from wrong to the

world. Maa Durga's fifth form is Maa Skandmata. She is worshipped on the fifth

day of Navratri.

During Navratra her worship blesses the saadhak is blessed with bounties of all

kinds. She is also known as Padmaasanaa as she sits on a Lotus.

She is known as Skandamaata because she is the mother of Skanda or Lord

Kaartikeya. Lord Kartikeya was the Chief of God's army during devaasur sangram.

Maa Kaatyayini - Who persistently battles against the evil and deceitful

entities. Maa Durga's sixth form is Maa Katyayini. There is an interesting story

behind her name - there was a very famous Rishi named Kat. Her son was known as

Kaatya. Famous Rishi Kaatyayan was born as his successor only. He did a very

tough anushthaan to worship Bhagwati Durga. He desired to have Maa Durga as his

daughter.

Maiya accepted his request. Later when the Demon Mahishaasur created havoc

around the World then all three top gods contributed their energies to request

Maiya to take a new form to end Mahishasur. As magharshi Kaatyayan had

worshipped first she took the new form and was adorned with the name of

Kaatyayini. Maa durga's Katyayini is worshipped on sixth day of Navratras.

Maa Kaalratri, who killed Raktabeej ( a demon who produce a demon from every

drop of blood that fell from his body. Goddess eventually licked the blood

before it could reach the ground and hence conquered him).

Maa MahaGauri - Who also liberate the world of evil forces. She is dressed in

white and is one of the most soft-spoken and simple form of Maa Durga.

Mata Sidhidaarti - Maa Durga's ninth form is Maa Siddhdaatri. She is a treasure

house of Mystic Powers (Yantra Tantra) and Knowledge (Gyaan). She is worshipped

by all whether its rishis, munis or Gods.

-----------------------

It is also said that the nine days are divided and devoted to the Trinity of God

worshipped in a female form in which for three days Maa Durga (Goddess of valor,

Power & Energy ) is worshipped, for three days Maa Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth &

Prosperity) and three days for Maa Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge , Learning

and Art) is worshipped.

 

Following rituals are observed in these nine days:

Rituals for the First Three Days of Navratras :During the first three days of

Navratri Maa Durga -( The Goddess of Valor, Power and Energy ) is worshiped in

its manifestations as Kumari, Parvati and Kali. These three forms represent the

various nature or classes of woman - as a young virgin girl, as a wife and

mother and as an old mature woman respectively. On the first day of Navratri

barley seeds are sown in a small pot (mostly earthen pot or container) in the

Puja (worship ) room. On the tenth day when these seeds grow into small shoots

these are pulled out and given to devotees as a blessing from god and are

received as Prasad.

Rituals for Fourth - Sixth Days of Navratras :

During these three days it is Maa Lakshmi - ( The Goddess of Wealth and

Prosperity ) who is worshiped. This is done to rekindle divine qualities in a

devotees mind. Prayers, Kirtans and Jagratns are organized in various temples

and community halls by the religious minded people. On the fifth day which is

known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all

literature available in the house, light a lamp or 'diya' to invoke Saraswati

Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.

Rituals for Seventh - Eighth Days of Navratras :

On the seventh and eighth day of Navratri Maa Saraswati - (The Hindu Goddess of

Knowledge, Learning & Art) is worshiped. It is believed that worshiping Maa

Saraswati enhances the spiritual knowledge of a devotee and makes a person free

of all bonds of the Sansara ( Material World). This in turn will free a devotee

from all earthly bondages.

On the 8th day of this colorful festival, Yagna or Homam (holy fire) is

performed. Pure Desi Ghee (clarified pure butter), kheer (rice pudding) and

sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess Durga Maa ( Divine Mother). Many

people in north India worship the 8th day as ashtami .

Rituals of the Ninth or Mahanavami Day :

The festival of Navratri culminates on Mahanavami . This is the most important

day of the festival. On this day 'Kanya Pujan' is performed in Hindu households.

Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped.

Their feet are washed and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the

worshiper. They are also treated with a Prasad of Puri, Black Chanas ( Chhole)

and Halwa , small token of money , red bangles and red scarf . On this day these

little girls usually move from house to house and enjoy and relish this special

treat. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country.

Wishing you all a very Happy Navratri..May the blessings of Durga maata always

be with us and teach us to follow the right path and destroy all the evil within

us ..

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baba Message from the teachings of Saibaba for 20th September

Playing Game of Marbles With Baba

Oh children, hear my words attentively,

Marbles is not an easy game to take lightly,

Aiming right, the other marble should be hit,

How to play, should be your mind's ploy instant,

On losing the game, won't you feel like weeping

Won't victory be yours on patiently playing,

With devotion should any work be done,

With right spirit any study should begun,

Forever shall I remain your companion,

It's time to mature into a righteous human.

 

 

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