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Ayudha Puja
Nine Nights or Navratri
Navratri, or the nine nights, is the Indian festival of nine holy nights which celebrates the victory of the goddess Shakti over evil. The days fall on the nine auspicious days as per the lunar calendar of Hinduism.
It was on the nine holy nights of Navratri that Goddess Durga used her weapons to slay the powerful demons, Canda- Munda, Sumba – Nisumba, Mahisasura. On the tenth day of Navratri, on the Dasami day she killed the powerful Mahisasura. This day is called Vijayadasami; it is the most auspicious day for attainment of success and victory. All endeavours become fruitful when commenced on this day.
Ayudha Puja is a part of the Navratri festival (festival of triumph), a Hindu festival which is traditionally celebrated in India
Popular Legend
The popular legend which was also practiced symbolically by the Maharajas of Mysore alludes to a historical legend. It is said that on Vijayadashami day Arjuna, third of the five Pandava brothers, retrieved his weapons of war from the hole in the Shami tree where he had hidden it before proceeding on the forced exile. After completing his vanvas (exile period) of 13 years including one year of Agyatavas (living incognito) before embarking on the warpath against the Kauravas he retrieved his weapons. In the Kurukshetra war that ensued, Arjuna was victorious. Pandavas returned on Vijayadashami day and since then it is believed that this day is auspicious to begin any new venture
Vijayadasami or Dusshera is the 10th day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. At the end of the nine days pooja to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, the tenth day is called Vijayadasami. It is the most auspicious festival during Dakshinaayana or the southern motion of the Sun. Vijaya means victory. Goddess Durga got victory over the demon Mahisha and vanquished him on the 10th day after nine days of fierce intense battle. It actually means Victory over evil.
· Goddess Durga vanquished the demons- Mahisha, Chanda-Munda, and Shumbha- Nisumbha.
· When Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva on the importance of this day, he replied, “In the evening of the tenth day of Ashwin Shukla, a star rises in the sky and this period of time is called “Vijaya Kaal” – most auspicious time to get victory over enemies and to get all wishes fulfilled. If Shravan nakshatra is formed on this day, it becomes even more auspicious.”
· Lord Rama defeated Ravana on this day.
· As Sage Veda Vyasa is the foremost Guru, Vijayadasami is celebrated as Vyasa Pooja.
· Shastra or Astra or weapons are also worshipped. Different kinds of weapons were used by the Goddess to kill the demons.
· It is observed as Madhwa Jayanthi Day.
· It is also the day of Mahasamadhi of Shirdi Saibaba.
In South India it is a day when craftsmen worship their tools and instruments similar to Vishwakarma Pooja in Northern parts of India. In its modern form Ayudha Pooja has extended even to Vaahana Puja. All sorts of vehicles, which are in use, are decorated with vermilion, garlands, mango leaves and banana sapling and worshipped. During Aayudha Pooja and Vaahana Pooja a white pumpkin is decorated with vermilion and turmeric and smashed in front before the worship starts as a custom to get rid of all sorts of evils, symbolic of an animal sacrifice, an ancient tradition.
Typical Mantras used for Aaayudhapooja and Kalasa Prarthana
.Aayudha prārthana -
sarvāyudhānāṁ prathamaṁ nirmitāsi pinākinā |
śūlāyudhān viniṣkr̥tya kr̥tvā muṣṭhigrahaṁ śubhaṁ |
churike rakṣamāṁ nityaṁ śāṁtiṁ yacca namōstu tē |
Svasankalpakalaa-kalair-aayudhaesvarah |
Jushtah shoedasabhir-divyair-jushatam vah parah pumaan ||
[May that Supreme Person, Lord of all weapons, associated with sixteen divine weapons which are comparable to his thoughts, bless you! ]
Astragraamyasya kritsnasya prasootimyam prachakshatae |
Soe-avyaat Sudarsanoe viswam aayudhaih Shodasaayudhah ||
[May the sixteen-weaponed Sudarsana, who is said to be the source of all kinds of weapons, protect the world! ]
Kalaśa prārthana -
dēvadānavasaṁvādē madhyamānāṁ mahōdadhau |
utpannōsi tadā kuṁbha vidhr̥tō viṣṇu svayaṁ |
tvayi tiṣṭaṁti bhūtāni tvayi prāṇā: pratiṣṭitā: |
tvatprasādāt imaṁ yajñaṁ kartumihē jalōd ||
Gange cha yamune chaiva godaavari sarsvati |
Narmade sindhu kaaveri jale-asmin sannidhim kuru ||
Imam may gange yamune sarsvati sutudristoemagam sachataa purishniyaa |
Asakniyaa marudvridhe vitasyarjikeeye srinuhaa sushoemayaa ||
[Oh Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Shutudri, Marud-vriddhaa along with the river Parushni, Aarjikeeye along with Asikni, do come here along with Vitasta and Sushoema river. Having come upon here, please listen to this prayer in praise offered by me!]
Source: Various Sites
This post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copy rights
Nine Nights or Navratri
Navratri, or the nine nights, is the Indian festival of nine holy nights which celebrates the victory of the goddess Shakti over evil. The days fall on the nine auspicious days as per the lunar calendar of Hinduism.
It was on the nine holy nights of Navratri that Goddess Durga used her weapons to slay the powerful demons, Canda- Munda, Sumba – Nisumba, Mahisasura. On the tenth day of Navratri, on the Dasami day she killed the powerful Mahisasura. This day is called Vijayadasami; it is the most auspicious day for attainment of success and victory. All endeavours become fruitful when commenced on this day.
Ayudha Puja is a part of the Navratri festival (festival of triumph), a Hindu festival which is traditionally celebrated in India
Popular Legend
The popular legend which was also practiced symbolically by the Maharajas of Mysore alludes to a historical legend. It is said that on Vijayadashami day Arjuna, third of the five Pandava brothers, retrieved his weapons of war from the hole in the Shami tree where he had hidden it before proceeding on the forced exile. After completing his vanvas (exile period) of 13 years including one year of Agyatavas (living incognito) before embarking on the warpath against the Kauravas he retrieved his weapons. In the Kurukshetra war that ensued, Arjuna was victorious. Pandavas returned on Vijayadashami day and since then it is believed that this day is auspicious to begin any new venture
Vijayadasami or Dusshera is the 10th day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. At the end of the nine days pooja to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, the tenth day is called Vijayadasami. It is the most auspicious festival during Dakshinaayana or the southern motion of the Sun. Vijaya means victory. Goddess Durga got victory over the demon Mahisha and vanquished him on the 10th day after nine days of fierce intense battle. It actually means Victory over evil.
· Goddess Durga vanquished the demons- Mahisha, Chanda-Munda, and Shumbha- Nisumbha.
· When Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva on the importance of this day, he replied, “In the evening of the tenth day of Ashwin Shukla, a star rises in the sky and this period of time is called “Vijaya Kaal” – most auspicious time to get victory over enemies and to get all wishes fulfilled. If Shravan nakshatra is formed on this day, it becomes even more auspicious.”
· Lord Rama defeated Ravana on this day.
· As Sage Veda Vyasa is the foremost Guru, Vijayadasami is celebrated as Vyasa Pooja.
· Shastra or Astra or weapons are also worshipped. Different kinds of weapons were used by the Goddess to kill the demons.
· It is observed as Madhwa Jayanthi Day.
· It is also the day of Mahasamadhi of Shirdi Saibaba.
In South India it is a day when craftsmen worship their tools and instruments similar to Vishwakarma Pooja in Northern parts of India. In its modern form Ayudha Pooja has extended even to Vaahana Puja. All sorts of vehicles, which are in use, are decorated with vermilion, garlands, mango leaves and banana sapling and worshipped. During Aayudha Pooja and Vaahana Pooja a white pumpkin is decorated with vermilion and turmeric and smashed in front before the worship starts as a custom to get rid of all sorts of evils, symbolic of an animal sacrifice, an ancient tradition.
Typical Mantras used for Aaayudhapooja and Kalasa Prarthana
.Aayudha prārthana -
sarvāyudhānāṁ prathamaṁ nirmitāsi pinākinā |
śūlāyudhān viniṣkr̥tya kr̥tvā muṣṭhigrahaṁ śubhaṁ |
churike rakṣamāṁ nityaṁ śāṁtiṁ yacca namōstu tē |
Svasankalpakalaa-kalair-aayudhaesvarah |
Jushtah shoedasabhir-divyair-jushatam vah parah pumaan ||
[May that Supreme Person, Lord of all weapons, associated with sixteen divine weapons which are comparable to his thoughts, bless you! ]
Astragraamyasya kritsnasya prasootimyam prachakshatae |
Soe-avyaat Sudarsanoe viswam aayudhaih Shodasaayudhah ||
[May the sixteen-weaponed Sudarsana, who is said to be the source of all kinds of weapons, protect the world! ]
Kalaśa prārthana -
dēvadānavasaṁvādē madhyamānāṁ mahōdadhau |
utpannōsi tadā kuṁbha vidhr̥tō viṣṇu svayaṁ |
tvayi tiṣṭaṁti bhūtāni tvayi prāṇā: pratiṣṭitā: |
tvatprasādāt imaṁ yajñaṁ kartumihē jalōd ||
Gange cha yamune chaiva godaavari sarsvati |
Narmade sindhu kaaveri jale-asmin sannidhim kuru ||
Imam may gange yamune sarsvati sutudristoemagam sachataa purishniyaa |
Asakniyaa marudvridhe vitasyarjikeeye srinuhaa sushoemayaa ||
[Oh Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Shutudri, Marud-vriddhaa along with the river Parushni, Aarjikeeye along with Asikni, do come here along with Vitasta and Sushoema river. Having come upon here, please listen to this prayer in praise offered by me!]
Source: Various Sites
This post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copy rights