Navaratri (The Nine Nights of Devi)

Navaratri, or the nine nights of Devi, will be observed at MA Center Chicago Thursday, Oct. 3rd through Saturday, Oct. 12th. The word Navaratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit. Navaratri is a time of sadhana, of conquering our inner negativities to gain greater will power and self-control, of awakening the right knowledge from within.

Vijayadasami, 'the tenth day of victory', marks the successful completion of this occasion. During these nine nights and ten days, three days each are devoted to honoring or celebrating the different aspects of the divine mother, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Vijayadashami day, (the tenth day, Saturday, Oct. 12th) is traditionally an auspicious time for starting new ventures. Here's the schedule, subject to change:

Thursday, Oct. 3, Friday, Oct. 4: 
              
Daily Evening Program:
6:00-6:30 pm – Lalitha Sahasranama Ashtotharam
6:30-7:30 pm - Durga Ashtotharam and Durga Bhajans

Navaratri Satsang with Swamini Ambikamrita Prana Saturday, Oct. 5: 

4:00-5:00 pm – Archana
5:00-7:00 pm - Satsang talk by Swamini, devotional chanting, bhajans, arati, and prasad
7:00-7:30 pm - Garba dance

Lakshmi Puja by Swamini Ambikamrita Prana Sunday, Oct. 6:

10:00 am to 12:30 pm – Puja (to learn more/register for a sankalpa, click here)

Sunday, Oct. 6, Monday, Oct. 7, and Tuesday, Oct. 8 :  

Daily Evening Program:
6:00-6:30 pm – Lalitha Sahasranama Ashtotharam
6:30-7:30 pm - Lakshmi Ashtotharam and Lakshmi Bhajans

Wednesday, Oct. 9, Thursday, October 10, and Friday, Oct. 11:        

Daily Evening Program:
6:00-6:30 pm – Lalitha Sahasranama Ashtotharam
6:30-7:30 pm - Saraswati Ashtotharam and Saraswati Bhajans

Friday, Oct. 11: Ayudha Puja

Bring a tool (eyeglasses, paintbrushes, a pen, a camera, etc), or a musical instrument you are studying, or a book you wish to gain wisdom from and place it on the altar to invoke the blessings of Saraswati (please wrap in paper and write your name on the outside). You can retrieve the item and start afresh from the next day, the 10th day which is considered as 'Vijayadasami'. You may bring your item earlier than Friday if more convenient.

Saturday, Oct. 12:

9:00 am - Archana, Vijayadashami* and Amma's Birthday Celebration with Swami Dayamritananda Puri - see program details here.

*Vijaya Dashami means victory on the 10th day. On this day, we celebrate the victory of good over evil and of one's higher nature over one's mundane indriyas (senses). Vijayadasami is known also as Dussehra or Dasara and marks the culmination of the nine-nights-long festival of Navaratri. The root sentiment of Vijaya Dashmi is victory; of good over evil and of self over one's mundane indriyas (senses). The scriptures advise us to attain victory over the mind. One who has not conquered the mind has not conquered anything at all. There will be a special puja in the morning and the tools blessed at the altar can be retrieved.

The significance of each stage of worship parallels the different stages of sadhana (spiritual practices): first, negative tendencies need to be controlled; second, virtues need to be ingrained; third, after gaining the necessary mental purity, spiritual knowledge needs to be acquired. Only then will the spiritual aspirant attain spiritual illumination.

Navaratri is not only important for spiritual aspirants; it has a message for those who lead a worldly life as well. They should invoke Durga's help to surmount obstacles, pray to Lakshmi to bestow peace and prosperity, and contemplate upon Saraswati in order to gain knowledge. Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are not different entities, but different facets of the singular Divinity.''