Nav Raatri Observance by Shree Raam
SANT TULSIDAAS RAAMAAYAN
NAV RAATRI OBSERVANCE BY SHREE RAAM
AARANYA KAANDA
Pg. 740, Chowpaee # 4
यह विचार नारद कर बीना, गये जहां प्रभु सुख आसीना ।
Yaha vichaar Naarad kara beenaa,
gaye jahaa(n) Prabhu sukha aaseenaa
Translation
When Naarad Muni saw the Lord comfortably seated, he decided it was an opportune moment to engage Him in conversation. With Beena in hand the sage made his entry.
उपायं कथयाम्यध्य तस्य नाशाय राघव
व्रतं कुरुष्व श्रद्धावानाश्विने मासि सांप्रतम्
Interpretation
Naarad Muni visited Shree Raam while he had taken up residence at the lake, Pampaa. The sage intimated to the All Knowing the importance of observing Nav Raatri in the context of the abduction of Seetaa Maataa. The attendant Pooja and Hawan would spell the destruction of the wicked like Raavan. Allowing the sage to make the pronouncement, the Lord proceeded to perform Pooja and Hawan in the Nav Raatri of the month known as Aashwin.
The six potent forms of Devi play a pivotal role during the period of Nav Raatri. They augment the position of Suruj Naaraayan as He transits through a debilitated position.
These forms of Devi are :
Saraswati Maataa
Saavitri Maataa ( a projection of Mother Saraswati )
Lakshmi Maataa
Durgaa Maataa
Shashthi Devi ( the Spouse of Kaartikeya Swami )
Raadhaa Maataa
( “ गणेशजननी दुर्गा राधा लक्ष्मीः सरस्वती । सावित्री च सृष्टिविधौ प्रकृतिः...”
“षष्ठांशा प्रकृतेर्या च सा च षष्ठी प्रकीर्तिता ।“ )
The recommended practice is to at least perform Hawan every day after sunset during these nine lunar days. The prescribed Mantra is :
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विचैः स्वाहा ।
( Om Ai-em Hreem Kleem Chaamun-daa-yai vichai-hai Swaahaa )
Nav Raatri observance presents an ideal opportunity for families and Mandir congregations to huddle together and participate in this Hawan. This is a risk period for the universe during which morbid viruses come into being, deadly diseases spread, natural disasters occur and world peace is threatened. Recognising the potential hazards, Hindus become proactive and involve themselves in the prescribed undertaking for the sake of the environment, animals and the wellbeing of everyone, regardless of religious persuasion.
Even Shree Brahmaa ( the Creator ), Bhagwaan Vishnu ( the Sustainer ) , Shivaji (the Dissolver ) and other Deities observe Nav Raatri (“विष्णुना चरितं पूर्वे महदेवेन ब्रह्मणा / तथा मघवता चीर्ण स्वर्गमध्यस्थितेन वै //”).