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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Navamīvarata (नवमीवरत).—(Fast on the ninth lunar day). This is a special fast taken in the month of Tulām (October-November) with a view to obtain 'Bhukti' (enjoyment or possession) and 'Mukti' (Beatitude). The important rite of this worship is to take fast on the ninth night of the bright lunar fortnight in the month of Tulām and worship goddess Gaurī. This navamī is also called Gaurīnavamī. Another name of this navamī is Piṣṭāka navamī. This name is given because on that day Piṣṭam (ground rice) is eaten and the goddess is worshipped. In the bright lunar fortnight of the month of Tulām (Āśvina), on the eighth night when the star is Mūlam and the Sun is in the zodiac of Kanyā if there is the touch of Navamī, it is called Aghārdananavamī or Mahānavamī.

Worship could be conducted on the days mentioned, by consecrating the goddess Durgā in nine temples or in one temple only. When the goddess is consecrated in nine temples they are meditated upon as nine separate beings. In such cases Goddess Durgā should be consecrated with eighteen hands and the rest of the goddesses with sixteen hands. Of the eighteen two should be holding Antimony and ḍamaru (a small drum shaped like an hourglass), and the remaining sixteen hands should hold weapons that the other goddesses hold. The nine goddesses to be worshipped are Rudrā, Caṇḍā, Pracaṇḍā, Caṇḍogrā, Caṇḍanāyikā, Caṇḍavatī and Caṇḍarūpā and in the middle of these eight beings the great goddess Durgā who is Ugracaṇḍā and the slayer of Mahiṣāsura. Durgā is addressed with the spell of ten letters "Om, Durge Durgekṣiṇi Svāhā." Adoration, offering to ancestors and exclamation in sacrifice (Namaskāra, Svadhākāra and Vaṣaṭkāra) should be denoted by six words and the Aṅgas (organs) beginning with heart also should be imagined. This rootspell should be repeated resting the organs such as heart etc. on the fingers. He who repeats this secret spell of goddess, will never be troubled by enemies. (See full article at Story of Navamīvarata from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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Search found 1 books and stories containing Navamivarata, Navamīvarata; (plurals include: Navamivaratas, Navamīvaratas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)

Story of Navamīvarata

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