Navratras,
Story of Cosmic Evolution
By Pankaj Dixit
http://www.timesofindia.com/today/28edit5.htm
NAVRATRA or nine
auspicious nights signifies the basic principle of yoga that energies should
involute back to the primal source to rejuvenate the individual form, which is
the human body. This return brings out the union of the microcosmic individual, Pinda,
and the macrocosmic consciousness, Brahmanda, passing through the entire
cyclic process of creation because time and space are self-perpetuating.
In Navratra, Nav means nine and Ratra means
night. In Indian philosophy the number nine is closely associated with the
process of creation in the cosmic time cycle. The entire cosmic cycle consists
of three phases -- creation, preservation and dissolution. Each of these three
parts split into triads (3x3=9) brings the numerical order to nine. Adi
Sankaracharya in the 8th century AD clearly indicated the significance of number
nine in the Soundaryalahiri, 11th sloka: ``The four Siva chakras
and five Sakti chakras create the nine Mula-Prakratis or basic
manifestations, because they represent the source substance of the whole
cosmos''.
These nine cosmic wombs or Nava-Yoni have a
parallel nine categories of nature in the macrocosm. This nine-fold division is
projected in nine apertures of the body -- two eyes, two ears, two nostrils,
mouth, genitals and anus, nine psychic centres, nine planets, nine divisions of
time -- ghatika, yama, ahoratra, vara, tithi, paksha, masa, ritu, nine
gems, nine moods or Navras and nine forms of Goddess Durga or
Tripurasundari worshipped during Navratras.
The intricate relationship of the number nine with
creation is clearly visible in the nine months' gravidity of the human being.
According to the Tantric concept of cosmic involution from the Sahasrara
chakra, 56 rays are said to proceed to Muladhara chakra to constitute
earth element, 52 in Manipur to form water element, 62 in Svadhistan
to establish fire element, 54 in Anhata chakra pertains to the character
of the air element, 72 in Visudhi chakra forms ether element and 64 in Ajna
chakra shapes manas or mind.
In total, there are 360 rays or potencies of universal sakti
represented by Maha Tripurasundari. It is vindicated in the form of a
circle which has a 360 degree angle indicating fullness. This 360 digit again
totals to nine, the number of creation. The universe is also composed of 36 tatvas
unfolding from primal unity or Parama Shiva which again has the numerical
value of nine. The days representing the 16 phases or kalas of the moon
constitute a fortnight or poksha and two pakshas -- waxing and waning --
make a month. These tithis are also 360 in a lunar year again depicting a
total of nine. Nine is considered to be complete, puran, because any
number multiplied by nine gives a figure that totals to nine. Likewise nine
added or deducted from any number gives a figure with the numerical total
unchanged. This concept is explained in the famous santi path mantra of
the Upanishads.
The other significant part of Navratras is ratra
or night. The Rig Veda clearly says that before creation began everything was
shrouded in the darkness of night and from that darkness creation came about.
The same idea is reflected in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. These nine
nights occur on equinoxes or equal nights when the sun is vertically overhead at
the equator or centre. Hence the human body also attains equilibrium with nature
and meditation and worship of Sakti with Beej mantras revitalises
the body.
Therefore forms of Durga are worshipped with their
respective yantras. Barley is sown in homes as a symbol of the creative
power of the mother Goddess. In recognition of the importance of sakthi
or feminine force, traditionally, little girls are symbolically worshipped on
the eighth day, Ashtami.
The Navratras also celebrates the victory of Lord Rama
over the demon Ravana and many chant the famous Ramrakshastotra in the
mornings. In Bengal these nine days resound with devotion and dedication to
Godess Durga. Durga Puja was initiated by the landlord Kans Narayan of Bengal in
the 16th century. In South India, especially in Mysore, Dussehra celebrations ,
symbolises the triumph of virtue over vice.
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