Navaratri is also called Dasara (Dasha Hara), which means the cutting the ten heads of Ravana (who

signifies the demon Ego). The story of Sri Rama is known in almost all parts of the globe. Navaratri highlights the principles elucidated by the Ramayana. (Ramayana Navaahnam reciting the whole Ramayana in Nine days is a special feature observed these days. The Following are the regular features of this festival: A special ritualistic worship of the Mother Durga; this includes the recitation of Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmaya. Recitation of Lalaitha Sahasrnama or Durga Sahasranama (Laksharchana 100,000 times too repeat the name of the Divine Mother) Devotees are exhorted to do the maximum number of Japa of the Navaarna Mantra AIM HREEM KLEEM CHAAMUNDAAYAI VICHHE or the Mantra JAI SHRI DURGA. Some devotees observe fasting with milk and fruits only on all these nine days or at least three days. Visiting Temples and participating in-group chanting and seeking the blessings of the Divine Mother is the common feature in all these nine days. Let us celebrate Dasara in the right spirit by making honest efforts to destroy the demon Ego, the ten headed i.e. passion, pride ,anger ,greed, infatuations, lust, hatred, jealousy, selfishness and crookedness) and radiate peace and love wherever we go, and get the blessings of the Divine Mother. Three aspects of the eternal smother has been depicted in this Devi Sapta Shloki -The Goddess Lakshmi represents Iccha shakti (wealth) Goddess Saraswati represents Jnana Shakti (knowledge) and Goddess Kali represent Kriya Shakti (strength). All three merge in one form as Durga. The glory of Durga is described in Markendeya Purana,. It is known as Devi Mahatmyam or Durga Sapta sati (700 Mantras). Allegorical representation of the constant war going on within all of us--- between our divine and demonic natures. In the Saptasati legend every dominant passion and vice has its special Demon representative. Shumbha is the embodiment of Lust, Nishumbha is Greed and Mashishasura represents Anger.

We celebrate Victory of Good over the evil. Durga sapta shloki (the seven mantras) is the essence of the Durga Sapta sati (seven hundred mantras). It is very powerful to achieve Health, wealth and education. Bija Mantra of Goddess Durga is to be recited silently for meditation.

Om hr r kl durgati ninyai mahmyyai svh || r durg sapta lok || om asya r r durg sapta lok stotra mantrasya nryaa i anuubh chanda r mahk r mah lakm r mah sarasvatyoo devat r durgmb prtyartha sapta lok durg phe viniyoga 1. om jnin mapi cetsi dev bhagavat hi s baldkya mohya mah my prayachcati || 2. om durge smt harasi bhti maea jantoo svasthai smt mati matva ubh dadsi dridrya dukha bhayahrii k tvadany sarvopakra karaya sadrdra citt|| 3. om sarva magaa mgalye ive sarvrtha sdhike araye tryambike devi nryai namostute || 4. om aragata dnrta paritra paryae sarvasyrti hare devi narayai namostute || 5. om sarva svarpe sarvee sarva akti samanvite bhayebhya trhi noo dev durge devi namostute|| 6. om roognae napahasi tuh rutu kmn sakaln abhhn tv mritn na vipannar tv mrit hi rayatm praynti|| 7. om sarva bdh praamana trailokya sykhilevari evameva tvay krya asmat vairi vinanam ||

om anti

anti antihi