October 2007 Newsletter

Navaratri, the festival of nine nights and nine days of worship commemorates victory of knowledge over ignorance,

simplicity over egoism, honesty over dishonesty, truth over pretense and sincerity over hypocrisy. Navaratri begins on

Navaratri is the worship of the three divine goddesses, Durga (Goddess of strength and courage),

Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity), and Saraswati (Goddess of learning and speech). During this auspicious time,

we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal Mother, referred to as "Durga”, the remover of miseries

and negative qualities in our lives. The worship of the divine mother leads to the attainment of knowledge of the self.

These nine days dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mothers are for the successful destruction of passion, anger, pride,

Aum Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadra Kali Kapalini, Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Svaha Svadha Namostute

O Divine mother whose name is Jayanti or Giver of victories, Mangala – the embodiment of auspiciousness,

Kali – the dark one, Bhadra Kali – the gently dark one, Kapalini – wearer of skulls, Durga – primeval energy,

Kshama – forgiveness, Shiva – auspicious one, Dhatri – supporter, Svaha and Svadha – daughters of Daksha.

I humbly prostrate before thee.

Maa Lakshmi

Aum Lakshmi Karotu Kalyanam Arogyam Sukha Sampadam, Mama Shatru Vinashaya Dipa Jyotir Namostute

O goddess of light, the Dispeller of darkness, sickness and misery, O Mother Lakshmi, Giver of happiness, wealth

and prosperity, I bow to thee. Please destroy all my negative qualities and accept my salutations.

Maa Saraswati

Om Veena Dhare Vipula Mangala Daana Sheele, Bhaktaartee Naashinee Viranchi Hareshaa Vande,

Keerti Prade Akhila Manoratha De Mahaa he, Vidyaa Pradaayini Saraswati Nowmee Nityam

O Mother Saraswati, whose instrument, the Vina, is ever with You making the music of the spheres,

who grants good fortune and removes the afflictions of devotees, who is revered by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,

the Bestower of fame and who showers knowledge and respect on all. O Mother Saraswati, I prostrate before thee.