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Kanchi Periva Forum – Navaratri Special Edition Ebook – October 2012

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Table of Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3

Details of our key contributors ..................................................................................................................... 4

Painting of Periva & Ambal ........................................................................................................................... 5

Sri Maha Periva’s discourses on Ambal ........................................................................................................ 6

Hear Sri Maha Periva’s discourse about Ambal .......................................................................................... 11

Sri Durga Pancharatna Stotram .................................................................................................................. 12

The Philosophy of Navaratri Golu ............................................................................................................... 13

Significance of Navaratri ............................................................................................................................. 14

The South Indian Way of Observing Navaratri ........................................................................................... 15

Navaratri Puja ............................................................................................................................................. 18

Navaratri Songs ........................................................................................................................................... 19

Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar .................................................................................................................... 19

Dikshitar’s Kritis .................................................................................................................................... 20

Maharaja Swati Tirunal ......................................................................................................................... 20

Swati Tirunal Kritis ............................................................................................................................... 20

Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi ..................................................................................................................... 21

Oottukkadu Navavarana Kritis ............................................................................................................. 21

Navaratri Naivedhyam Recipes ................................................................................................................... 23

Recipe # 1 – Ven Pongal and Peanut Sundal ....................................................................................... 23

Recipe # 2 - Moong Dal Sundal ............................................................................................................. 24

Recipe # 3 - Arachu Vitta Sundal .......................................................................................................... 24

Recipe # 4 - Yellow Peas Sundal ........................................................................................................... 25

Recipe # 5 – Kadambam Sundal ........................................................................................................... 26

Recipe # 6 – Sweet Green Gram Sundal .............................................................................................. 26

Recipe # 7 - Sweet Black Eyed Beans Sundal (Vellai Karamani Vella Sundal) ................................. 27

Recipe # 8 - Black Channa Sundal garnished with sliced coconut pieces ......................................... 27

Recipe # 9 – Bengal Gram Sweet Sundal ............................................................................................. 28

Tamboolam Offerings ................................................................................................................................. 28

Ebook on 51 Shakti Peethas ........................................................................................................................ 29

Ambal Darshan - Painting by Sri B.Narayanan ............................................................................................ 31



Shri Kanchi Maha Periva Thiruvadigal Saranam

Introduction

Hari Om!

We are pleased to bring you the Sixth edition of the e-book series from the Kanchi Periva Forum.

Like the last edition which was a special edition release for Sri Vinayaaka Chaturthi, this time also

we have a special edition to mark the occasion of Navaratri Festival which is celebrated from16th

October to 24th October 2012.

This ebook is compiled with a view to present our readers a treasure of sorts. Among many other

things, this contains excerpts from Sri Maha Periva’s enchanting discourses on Ambaal, a beautiful

compilation of Periva’s sweet audio discourse on Ambaal, the significance of Navaratri, some

information on Navaratri Puja, the Philosophy behind Navaratri Golu, the procedure of arranging

the same and some common recipes for making Prasadam during the Navaratri festival.

In addition, we have also included the Durga Pancharatna Stotram composed by Maha Periva in

praise of Ambaal, along with links to its meaning. We have also included the link to hearing this

wonderful stotram online, as rendered by MS Amma such that you can listen, practice and recite

this on every single day of Navaratri.

Some devotees of our Forum have come together to make this special edition ebook a visual delight.

Here is a brief note about these contributors who deserve our profound thanks and gratitude. A

more detailed note about them appears elsewhere in this ebook.

v Sri B.Narayanan, who has provided us his beautiful painting of Sri Akilandeswari Amman.

v Sri Sankar C.S, who has helped with all the musical features associated with Navaratri, and

by providing the songs and appropriate links.

v Sri Senthil Kumar.P, who has designed the cover page and page layout for this ebook.

We are sure that this special edition of our Ebook will be a feast to your eyes and we request you to

forward this to all your friends and relatives to enjoy. We would like to record our sincere gratitude

to Artist Sri Ma. Se. (Maniyam Selvam), who is an extremely popular artist, and who has kindly

shared a beautiful painting done by his father late Sri Maniyam for our use.

For those who are not familiar about our website and forum, we welcome you to visit www.periva.org for a collection of rare videos and complete online library of upanyasams of Sri

Maha Periva. Please also register on the forum www.periva.proboards.com to stay updated on

devotees’ experiences and to receive our regular newsletters. We humbly submit this sixth e-book

at the lotus feet of Shri Maha Periva. Feedback may be shared with us at [email protected].

Administrator - Kanchi Periva Forum

[email protected]

Jaya Jaya Shankara, Hara Hara Shankara!



Details of our key contributors

Sri B. Narayanan

Sri Narayanan Bala is very well known amongst all Periva devotees for his immaculate paintings on

His Holiness, Sri Maha Periva. Sri Narayanan Bala, now 71 years, has had a successful career at HAL

and BPL.

Sri Narayanan has so far created over 40 masterpiece paintings and sketches of Sri Maha Periva, all

with the blessings of His Holiness. He intends to complete 108 paintings of Maha Periva, and we

pray to Periva to bless him, and give him the strength and resilience to realize his dream.

An ardent devotee of Sri Maha Periva, Sri Narayanan is also one of the moderators in the Kanchi

Periva Forum, and has been contributing articles and his paintings/illustrations for use in the

Forum publications.

He lives with his family in Palakkad and can be reached on [email protected].

Sri Sankara Narayanan C S

Sri Sankara Narayanan, now 56 years, works at a Nationalised bank in Chennai. He is well versed in

Sanskrit.

He had compiled Sri Adi Shankara’s slokams for publication of a book on the eve of the centenary

celebrations of Kalady mutt.

He lives with his family in Chennai and can be reached on [email protected].

Sri P. Senthil Kumar

Sri P. Senthil Kumar is quite popular in the Kanchi Periva Forum for his wonderful creations for the

Divine Thoughts of Periva posters. With an MBA to his credit, he is a young HR professional

currently employed with a software company in Chennai.

With a passion for Graphics and Web Design which he learnt using online tutorials and e-books

when he was at college, Senthil has created few short 3D animation movies, web pages and logos

for a few of companies. Senthil also enjoys playing the guitar.

Senthil lives with his family in Chennai and can be reached on [email protected].



Painting of Periva & Ambal

This beautiful painting depicts clearly that when Periva walks in to your home (or heart),

automatically Lalitha Tripurasundari follows Him and enters your home to bless you. What a

wonderful depiction!! Stunning blend done by the late artist Sri Maniyam, and this has been

preserved so nicely and handed to us by Sri Ma.Se, his son and a very popular artist himself. We

bring this painting to you with special credits and thanks to Sri Ma. Se.



Sri Maha Periva’s discourses on Ambal

Goddesses of Navaratri

During Navaratri, we pray to Durga Parameswari,

Maha Lakshmi and Saraswathi Devi. Whether we

consider them as three Goddesses or 33 Crore

Devatas, all that is One only, the One Parasakthi.

Lalitha Sahasranamam makes this succinctly clear. It

says:- " She is the Creator. 'Srushti Karthri - Brhma

rupa.' She is the Protector. 'Gopthri - Govinda

Rupini.' She is the Annihilator too. 'Samharini -

Rudra Rupa.' "Lalitha who is Durga, is also

Parasakthi, Mahalakshmi and Saraswathi.

In Lakshmi Ashtothram, there is a mantra, 'Brhma

Vishnu Sivathmikayai Namaha'. In Saraswathi

Ashtothram too, the same mantra occurs, 'Brhma

Vishnu Sivathmikayai Namaha'! Thus it is being

made clear beyond doubt that, it is one and the same

power that does the three main tasks of Creation,

Protection and Annihilation.

The One Parasakthi, in different garbs, functions multivariously. As Durga, She imparts courage and

power. As Mahalakshmi, She grants wealth. As Saraswathi, She gives Knowledge, Awareness and

Gnana!

Adi Parasakthi Durga, can be considered as Parvathi. As She is the daughter of Himawan, She is

'Malaimagal', (hill's daughter). Mahalakshmi came in to being in the Ocean of Milk and so She is

'Alaimagal', (wave's daughter). Saraswathi endows all knowledge, arts, science and Gnana and so

She is 'Kalaimagal'. The daughter of the parvatha Raja Himawan, Ambal and the daughter of Kshira

Sagara, Mahalakshmi; have both taken birth as the daughters of two Maharishis.

Brugu Rishi did tapasya (austerities), so as to beget Mahalakshmi as his daughter. Willingly She

took life as his daughter. As Brugu's offspring She got a name of Bhargavi. Amarakosam, the

Sanskrit dictionary says, 'Bhargavi loka janani ksheerasagara kanyaka', (to mean, 'Bhargavi, world’s

mother is the daughter of milky ocean'). Similarly, Kathyayana Maharishi, did tapasya, for the

purpose of getting the Parameswari Herself as his daughter. She consented to be born accordingly.

As Kathyayana's daughter, She got the name, Kathyayani. The Gayathri mantra by which Durga is

prayed to says, 'that we meditate on Her as Kathyayani'.

If we sincerely bow down to Sakshat Parasakthi as Kathyayani and Mahalakshmi as Bhargavi, we

will also become child-like, devoid of deceit and skull-duggery. As now-a-days, wrist watches are

made water proof, we will become passion proof and anger proof. She will grant us this.



It is my guess that, Kathyayani the child God, is the one referred to as 'Kaththayi', in the villages of

South India. Similarly, the villagers have long been referring to one 'Pechchayi', who is none other

than Saraswathi, the Goddess of speech. Speech in English is 'pechchu' in Tamil.

Let us pray to Ambal Parameswari, for strength and courage, let us pray to Lakshmi for wealth and

materials and let us pray to Vagdevi Saraswathi, for power of speech, clear thinking and Gnana,

knowing fully well that all these Gods are one and the same!

For me, Ambal is the most important

It is not enough, if the house, dress and body are clean. It

is most important that, the mind should be clean without a

blemish! For this the only help is to meditate on Sakshat

Parasakthi, the consort of Parameswara. We will be

cleansed of all dirt and become complete without a want

or flaw. The fact that we are born as human beings with

incapacity, inefficiency and insufficiency, is her play only.

To make us complete is also Her responsibility only.

Instead of living and dying like animals and so many life

forms; so as to enable us to get out of this cycle of repeated

births and deaths, all the religions of this world have

evolved. There is no religion required, other than devotion

to Mother. This meditation on Parasakthi is good enough

to, give us contentment and completeness. For me She is important. My mind is intermittently,

constantly and continuously, in Her Dhyana, for the sake of World Peace, understanding and well-

being. You all should be doing that. You all should be meditating on Her.

It is enough to practice Karma Anushtana and spend some time in Dhyana or meditation of

Mother's feet as often as possible. A person who does meditation like this, will never face

unsurmountable difficulties. He will have the power and strength of mind to face problems of life.

We have the key for happy living. We do not have to do very big things.

We do not have to climb Mount Everest! First of all try and live by some moral standards. The very

decision not to be sinful, takes you far. When we do a mistake, sincerely pray to Mother, to save you

from repetition. Progress with clarity individually. As we progress with contentment in our hearts,

by Her grace, we will automatically influence others without trying. That will benefit this religion.

Since this religion believes in the common welfare of the whole world, all people of all the countries

will benefit.

All religions aim at Nirvana or Moksham as the end mission. To realize the essential truth in

personal experience is Moksham. That Parma Sathyam is Brhma, says our religion. The Brhma's

Chith Sakthi is Ambal. By Her Grace we will be experiencing the Truth to be inclusive of ourselves

too, says Vedantam. Ambal who sanctions much in this world, finally sanctions this knowledge, this

Gnana! By Her Grace, we can realize that, 'even when involved, we are apart'. By being devoted to



Her, this Awareness becomes apparent and all doubts vanish in to nothingness, say all Vedas,

Granthas, Upanishads, Slokas and Sthuthis. We have also come across scores of great gnanis who

have tread this path before us.

What we have to do to start with, is to do Dhyana on Her feet. A little bit initially. Slowly but

steadily, initially we will start getting a taste of it. Then we will come to realize that nothing else is

worthy of effort and attention. Then as you carry on, death of the body will be of no consequence.

'mrutyor ma amrutam gamaya.' You will know that death cannot kill you, because you are forever!

Before advising and correcting others, it is enough, if we abstain from immorality and sin. For this

itself, surrender to Her is required. Easily she will guard us from temptation and errant behaviour.

We have the key for the gates of 'Shangri La' in our hands, that is Dhyanam. You should all pray to

Her for your and everybody else’s well-being. This itself is sufficient. The worlds and the universe

will all flourish and thrive.

Ambal, as shown by Acharyal

Our Acharyal has written many works in praise of Ambal. Other

than, 'Soundarya Lahiri', 'Ananda Lahiri', 'Devi Bujangam',

'Thripura Sundari Manasa Pooja Stotram' and 'Thripura Sundari

Veda Pada Sthavam', are big ones. The smaller ones are like,

'Annapoorna Ashtakam' and 'Ambashtakam'. It is enough, if we

just keep chanting them.

We can be floating in Mothers 'Anugraha Vatsalya'. These are all

in wonderous language. With no tinge of pride, Acharyal praises

Ambal, who is the source and depository of all power, in true

sincere devotion, in them. On many occassions, in them, Acharyal

in all humbleness indicates that, He is the recipient of Her Grace, despite being undeserving.

Especially in 'Soundarya Lahiri', in two places, His humility melts our hearts. In one sloka, starting

with the words, 'drucha thrageeyasya', He is requesting Her to turn Her 'side long glance' on

Himself. He does not say, 'turn your kataksham towards me', but, '....towards me also'!

In another sloka, He asks Her to touch Him with Her 'two lotus feet'. This sloka is the one starting

with the words, 'drutheena murdhano'. Here too He does not say, 'give me your Pada deeksha'.

Instead He says, 'touch my head too','....mam api sirasi....'. It is clear, that He thinks of Himself a very

undeserving case.

Whether in devotion, or brains, in speech or writing, in capability or humaneness, in humility or

compassion and sinlessness, there was no one to match Acharyal in the past nor is going to be

anyone there, in the future. Then what can be the reason for His assumed undeservedness?

The only logic I can think of is that, He is talking on our behalf. When we read the sloka, we should

feel humble enough. He is saying so, without saying it in words. When He says, 'mam api, mam api',

('direct Your side long glance towards me too; touch me too with Your lotus feet'), He is indicating

to us, the humbleness with which, we should be making such a request!



In the very first sloka of 'Soundarya Lahiri', starting with the words, 'Siva saktya yukto yadi

bhavathi sakta :', He says, "Amma Sakthi! Parameswara Siva Himself, is capable of any movement,

only when He is with You! Without You He is incapable." Since it is everything, Brhmam is not

capable of knowing anything. Still, in this world, there is so much knowledge and movement. In the

entire cosmos, starting from the movement of stars and galaxies, down to the oscillations of the

electrons, everything is ever moving!

Not to talk of our minds, which is forever oscillating. All this knowledge and movements seems to

have come into Brhmam somehow. When we separately identify Brhmam as Sivam and Sakthi, then

Acharyal's statement, "Amma, it is You who is making Siva move", becomes meaningful. The world

that is not there, is from Her only. "YA MA", what is not, is "MA YA", that is 'maya'. It is again She

who can remove 'maya', from our minds!

For common people like us, She is in 'Sthula Roopa' or gross forms as, Lalitha, Durga, Bhuvaneswari

and so on. These forms, visible to our eyes, in many sacred temples and holy places, as the ever

beneficient 'Vigraha Moorthys', are energising and ennobling millions of devotees.

In North Himachal, born as the Parvatha Raja Kumari, She is showering Her largesse as Kanya

Kumari in deep South.

Known as Baghawathi in Kerala, Chamundeswari in Karnataka, Kamakshi in Kanchipuram,

Meenakshi in Madurai, Gnanambal in Kalahasthi, Bramarmbika in Sri Sailam, Tulja Bhavani in

Maharashtra, Ambaji in Gujarat, Jwala Mukhi in Punjab, Vindya Vasini in Uttar Pradesh, Vaishnavi in

Katra,Jammu; Kshira Bhavani in Kashmir, Kali in Bengal, Maihar Devi in Madya Pradesh, Kamakya

in Assam;

She has taken many shapes and forms, for sake of the common folks, (the list being evidently

incomplete), She is forever showering Her blessings on all of us, in the entire length and breadth of

what is India!

Gnaanaambikai

'Sri Vidya' is the name for paying special attention to Ambal in

devotion. 'Vidya', means knowledge. 'Avidya' is ignorance or

absence of Gnanam. Ambal is the Mother who nurtures Her

children with the milk of human kindness, awareness and

knowledge. So She is also the first teacher and Guru. Keno

Upanishad from the Sama Veda says that, She imparted knowledge

to all the Devatas too.

Like the fragrance and flower, milk and its taste, word and its

meaning, She is the inseparable Gnana Shakthi of God Parameswara

Himself. Similarly, She is the inseparable Sister of Sriman Narayana

too.



She is the Vaishnavi, when she disposes off the Asuras. At the time of Krishna's Janma, She took

birth as Yasoda's child, Vishnu Maya Sri Durga. We celebrate Her in the Autumnal Navarathri. She is

the destroyer of all evil. As Durga came in to being with Krishna Ashtami, She appeared with the

birth of Sri Rama too in the Spring season. This is called Vasantha Navarathri. This time She comes

in the most comely roopa as Gnanmbikai. As Chandika She eradicates Evil and as Gnanambika, She

imparts the highest Knowledge.

Uma is the Pranava Swaroopa. Music is Her body. However much we may be proud of our body, the

slightest scratch will make it ugly. Our skin hides much non-displayables. Probably that is why, it is

called 'hide'. But inside all this, there is a cherishable element. But Her very being is, 'nada mayam,

shabda mayam, vaang mayam'. The 51 Matruka Aksharas are Her being. All the Knowables are

totally in those Aksharas. That is Gnanambikai.

All that changes ever is not Truth. The only constancy of this world and worldly life is, change. But

there is something, which is not a thing, which is ever unchanging and constant despite changes. To

know this in experience, is real Knowledge. Gnanmbikai parasakthi gives this Awareness. She is the

Divya Mangala Swaroopini.

Let us know Her or try to know Her, through constant meditation / dhyana.




Hear Sri Maha Periva’s discourse about Ambal

We are glad to present to you a special page containing Periva’s discourses on Ambal alone.

This sweet collection runs to almost 75 minutes and would be a real treat for every Periva devotee.

Click on this link to start listening: http://www.periva.org/ambal/



Sri Durga Pancharatna Stotram

Durga Pancharatna Stotram, composed by Sri Maha Periva is the devotional sloka addressed to

Goddess Durga.

Here are the lyrics in English. The Translation of this great stotra in English and Tamil and

Devanagari script is available on this link:

http://periva.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=slokams&action=display&thread=2392

Durga Pancharatna Stotram Lyrics

They Dyana Yoganu Gatha apasyan

Thwameva Devim swagunir nekutam

Thwameva Sakthi Parameshwarisya

Mam pahi sarveshwari Moksha datri. 1

Devatma sakthi sruthivakya gita

maharshilokasya pura prasanna

Guha param vyoma sada prathista


Paraasyasakthi vividaiga sruyasay

Swethashwa vakyothitha devi durge

Swabavikii gyana palakriya


Devatma Sapdena shivatma putha

Yathkoorma vayavya vacho vivruthya

Thwam pasa vichhethakari prasidda


Thwam brahmma puchha vivetha mayuri

Brahmma prathishtasupathishta gita

Gyna swarupatmathaya kilanaam

Mam pahi sarveshwari moksha datri. 5

Click on the below link for an excellent rendering on this stotram by Smt. M S Subbulakshmi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axMIZXTtWlM




The Philosophy of Navaratri Golu

In the doll arrangements done for Navaratri, we can see Gods, saints and great men above the ordinary

human beings, and animals below them. If human beings have good thoughts and do good to others,

they will be raised to great men, then to saints and finally merge with God.

On the other hand, if they tend to have bad thoughts and do evil to others he will go down to the animal

level step by step.

The goal of human beings and the reason why we born on earth are evinced in this wonderful festival

Navaratri Golu. Whatever situations we are born in, our prime aim should be to merge with God.

This is the philosophy that the Navaratri Golu conveys to us. Mind wanders if it is untamed. Through this

festival, we can tame our minds by devotion to God.

orum periva.proboards.com & www.pe



Significance of Navaratri

Navaratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Sakthi.

The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit; nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights.

During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The 10th day is

commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussera.

The festival commences on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Puratasi. Navaratri is

celebrated all over India in different ways.

In Gujarat people celebrate the festival with garba and dandiya. In West Bengal they make pandals, and

worship idols of Goddess Durga. Exquisitely crafted and decorated clay idols and set up and they are

immersed in the river on the fifth day.

In Tamil Nadu, people set up steps and place idols on them. It is called the Golu. The first three days

goddess Durga is worshipped, in order to destroy all our impurities. The second three days Goddess

Lakshmi is worshipped, who bestows her devotees with wealth and abundance. And the final three days

Goddess of Wisdom, Saraswati is worshipped.

On the 9th day, Saraswati pooja is performed, all books are stacked along with an idol of the

goddess. Ayudha Pooja is also performed on this day. All kinds of tools and equipments are cleaned and

worshipped . Even vehicles, shops are decorated and pooja is perfomed.

They distribute sweets and flattened rice mixed with peanuts, fried gram, jaggery. The 10th day, Vijaya

Dasami - It’s the day when evil is destroyed by good and a new prosperous beginning is made.

All new ventures started on this day is believed to flourish. All kids read a book from the stack of books

kept along with the idol on Saraswati pooja. Many parents admit their children to play school or other

arts courses on this day.



The South Indian Way of Observing Navaratri

The main event during Navrathri in South India is the display of dolls and idols – Golu and the

placing of Kalasam, which represents Goddess.

Navaratri puja might seem a huge complicated event for many. You can always perform a simple

puja by worshipping the Goddess on nine days by lighting a lamp and offering a fruit as prasadam.

Rituals are important but the devotion is certainly more important.

Here is a step by step method on how to perform Navaratri Puja.

Getting Ready

· Get the house cleaned and ready. You are inviting Goddess into the home. Usually this is

done on the Amavasai day, a day before the beginning of Navaratri.

· Mango leaf festoons are installed on doors, windows and in puja room. Fresh Kolams are

drawn.

· If you are keeping Golu, get all the Golu dolls ready.

· Decide upon the Bommai Golu Theme.

· Plan early about the pooja prasadam (neivedya) and also about the gifts that you plan to

give to women guests.

Requirements for Navaratri Puja

· If you are keeping Kolu dolls, purchase new dolls at least a couple of new ones. The most

important doll needed is the Marapachi dolls (Male and Female pair of dolls).

· A pot for Kalasha or Kumbha (brass pot)

· Face of Goddess to be stuck on Kalasha. It is fine if you do not opt for this.

· Sweets

· Ingredients of the Prasadam to be prepared (this depends on what neivediya you are

preparing)

· Betel leaves

· Betel nuts

· Bananas

· Coconut

· Usual fruits

· Usual pooja items like lamp, incense, agarbathis etc.

· Lotus flower for Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Lakshmi. Jasmine for Durga. Avoid wild

flowers.



A day before Navaratri Puja

Navaratri Puja begins on the Puratasi Amavasai day, a day before Navaratri begins. All

arrangements are done on this day.

· In the evening, Kalasha or Purna Kumbha is prepared. This is an invitation to Goddess to

enter your home.

· Purna Kumba or Kalash is kept on a kolam in such a place that there is space behind to keep

the Bommai Kolu. You can attach a face of Goddess to the Purna Kumbha and decorate the

Kumbha with jewelry, turmeric, sandal paste, flowers etc.

· Those who do not keep Kolu, keep the Kalash in the Pooja room.

· Betel leaves, Betel nuts, a coconut is placed in front of the Kalasha. Cooked rice or boiled and

sweetened milk is kept as prasadam or neivedya in front of the Kalasha.

· This Kalasha is to be kept for next nine days – it symbolizes Goddess.

· A lamp is lit every evening and morning for nine days.

· Normal puja is performed.

Arranging the Golu

The golu stand is assembled on the Puratasi Amavasai day, the day before the Navaratri festival

commences. There is an ethics in constructing steps or Padi for Golu. The Golu consist nine steps or

Padi in Tamil. These steps or Padi should not exceed nine. If you wish to keep less than nine steps it

should be in odd numbers like 3, 5, and 7.

The philosophy behind the nine steps or Padis for Golu is said as: To worship Devi Durga goddesses,

there are nine ways of worship. They are swarnam, kirthanam, smaranam, paadasevanam,

archanam, vandhanam, dasyam, sakyam, atmasevadhanam. This concept is represented in nine

steps or Padis. The nine steps or Padis in Golu represent nine planets or Navagrahas.

From the bottom to top, the length of the steps should reduce. For instance, from the bottom, if you

keep five feet length for the first step or Padi, then the second step or Padi length should be short

than the first one and the third step or Padi length should be shorter than the second one and so on

and so forth.

The stair is usually covered with a cloth and dolls are placed neatly and as per the theme.

Arrangement of dolls in Golu Padi

v Dolls of animals, birds and insects should be kept in last row, the base.

v Dolls of farmers, householders, vendors, etc should be in the next step.

v Dolls of saints, and mahans should be kept next

v Dolls of incarnations such as Dasavathara, Krishna, Rama should be kept next.

v Dolls of Ambal, Shivan, Vishnu, Lakshmi should be kept on the uppermost step.


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Some themes for consideration

v Majority of the Bommai Golu displayed in homes opt for the traditional method of display.

v The most important dolls in the kolu arrangement are the Raja-rani or the marapaachi

bommais. These are expensive dolls and a set of them is found in all traditional households.

Another important idol is that of Goddess Saraswati.

v Park, cricket ground are created with the help of sprouted mustard seeds etc on sand.

v Forest, trees, ponds, paddy field etc can also be created easily at home.

v For paddy field, take a flat basin fill it with some mud and sow wheat. Wheat grows quickly.

While placing the tray in Golu hide the tray cleverly, so that only the green part is seen.

v Ponds too can be created in similar fashion.

v Trees can be done on cardboards and thermocole.

v If you are interested in vegetable carving, depending upon your theme you can make

carvings using melon, carrot and other such vegetables.

v Decorations and lightings are done to beautify the golu.



Navaratri Puja Generally, the women perform all the pujas during Navaratri. That does not stop the male members

doing their share of pujas, just goes to add that women get a special preference and rights for doing

their puja around this festival.

· You have already installed the Goddess in the form of Purna Kumbha. Light a lamp morning

and evening on all nine days.

· Elaborate pujas are conducted in the evening.

· Other women (relatives, friends and neighbours) are invited for the puja in the evening.

· The first three days is dedicated to Goddess Durga.

· The next three days is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

· The final three days is dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi.

· Fresh kolams are drawn on all nine days.

· Shlokas that are recited on nine days include Durga Ashtotaram, Devi Mahatmiyam,

Shyamala Dhandakam, Lakshmi Sahasranama, Lakshmi Ashototaram, Lalitha Sahasranama,

Saraswathi Stotram, Saraswathi Ashototaram.

Daily Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam is chanted in the morning and a neivedhyam generally

payasam/pongal made with jaggery is offered in the morning. To appease the navagraha deities,

sundal is offered as neivedhyam in the evening.

Friends and relatives are invited home and offered haldi, kum kum and ravikkai thuni(blouse bits)

along with sundal and other snacks. Children & women also exercise their vocal chords by

rendering devotional songs . Daily aarthi is performed to the deity at the end of the day.

On Saraswathi puja day, all books and tools( ayudha) are placed in front of Goddess Saraswathi and

Saraswathi puja is performed.

The tenth day is Vijayadashmi day – an auspicious day for starting good tasks and initiating

children into education called ‘Akshara abhysam’. After the prayers and puja, one doll in the golu

padi is made to ‘sleep’ on the rack perhaps symbolizing the end of the festival.



Navaratri Songs One of the other things that is very unique and special for the Navaratri festival is the rendering of

songs every evening for the Golu and the deities. Devotional songs of all types ranging from the

most classical (full of swarajatis) to the simplest ones are sung by women folk – both at their own

homes and in front of the Golu at other homes, which they visit regularly.

In this section, we shall specifically focus on the Nava-Avarana-Kritis, which are unique, very rich in

tantric content, and extremely pleasing to the listener as well. There are three broad categories of

navavarana kritis – penned by Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar, Maharaja Sri Swati Tirunal and by

Oothukkadu Kavi.

Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar

The Kamalamba Navavarana Kritis by Shri Muthuswami Dikshitar (1776-1836) are some of the

most famous pieces of music in the Carnatic system of Indian classical music. They are treasures

which embody not only the technical brilliance of the composer but also offer a peep into the

advaitic school of Hindu philosophy and elements of Tantric rituals. They are very elaborate

compositions which may be well compared with major symphonies in the Western system.

These songs are set in praise of the Goddess Kamalamba who is enshrined in Tiruvarur in the

Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu in South India. The Goddess is the reference to the Divine Mother of

the universe, or the Supreme Consciousness.

The lyrics and the descriptive details are loaded with the mystical symbolism of the Vedantic

(advaita) tradition and the chakras of the human system are closely linked to the evolutionary

aspects described in the compositions that reflect the scholarly reach, musical depth and mystical

significance of the composer.

Musically, they are par excellence and the majestic sweep of well known ragas (melodic forms) like

Todi, Kalyani, Kambhoji, Sankarabharanam, Sahana, Anandabhairavi and Bhairavi are offset against

haunting melodies in lesser known ragas like Punnagavarali, Ghanta and Ahiri.

Dikshitar uses several talas (time measures) although Rupakam (3 beats) seems to be his favourite.

Ata talam (14 beats) and Misra Jampa (10 beats) in the Kambhoji and Bhairavi pieces are rarely

used because of the technical difficulty in executing these. An added element is the use of different

case endings (which Dikshitar uses in his other group krities, like the Abhayamba and Nilotpalamba

set). The Dhyana (invocatory) kriti in Todi is in the vocative case, followed by the Anandabhairavi

in the nominative, Kalyani in the accusative, Sankarabharanam in the instrumental, Kambhoji in the

dative, Bhairavi in the ablative and so on.

The ninth avarana kriti in Ahiri has all the cases; interestingly the raga itself has all the 22 Sruti

(notes) in the octave. It is believed that such a fusion of all melodic and temporal elements in the

same kriti is a musical way of expressing the advaitic ideal of "aham Brahmasmi" or complete union

with the Absolute. Indeed the Ahiri composition is very unusual musically especially the pallavi

which has a repeating and distinctive prose sections, are seamlessly put together.



The set concludes with a short and sweet mangalam (auspicious conclusion) in Sri ragam set in

Khanda Ekam (5 beat talam). The entire set consists therefore of the dhyanam (invocation), the

nine avaranas, and the mangalam (conclusion), a total of 11 pieces.

Dikshitar’s Kritis

The 9 kritis are as follows:

1. Kamalamba Samrakshathu - Anandabhairavi - Misra Chapu

2. Kamalambaam Bhajare - Kalyani - Adi

3. Sri Kamalambikaya Katakshitoham - Shankarabharanam - Rupakam

4. Kamalambikayai - Kambhoji - (Khanda) Ata

5. Sri Kamalamba param - Bhairavi - Misra Jampa

6. Kamalambikayaastava - Punnagavarali - Rupakam

7. Sri Kamalambikayam - Sahana - Tisra Triputa

8. Sri Kamalambike - Ghanta - Adi

9. Sri Kamalamba Jayati - Ahiri - Rupakam

The rendering of these Kritis are considered to be extremely challenging owing to the complexity of

the words and the notations. The D.K. Pattamal and D.K. Jayaraman school are considered to be

specialists in the rendering of these compositions. It requires years of training to render them to

perfection.

You can listen to the Kritis online by clicking on the below link:

http://www.raaga.com/player4/?id=268147,268148,268149,268150,268151,268152,268153,268

154,268155,268156,268157

Maharaja Swati Tirunal

Maharaja Swati Tirunal, one is invariably reminded of Lord Padmanabhaswami of

Thiruvananthapuram.

The Maharaja used the various paryayam-s (equivalent phrases) of the proper noun "Padmanabha"

as the mudra (author's signature) in most of his musical compositions. He has also composed kritis

on various other deities in and around the courtyard of the temple. Among these, the nine kritis he

composed, for singing the praise of Goddess during the Navaratri festival stand out as a distinct and

precious collection.

The first six songs in the series are addressed to Saraswati, and the last three to Parvati. The

composer bows to the Goddess, seeking Her blessings, with an earnest appeal to protect him and

save him from sins and torments.

Swati Tirunal Kritis

The nine Devi Kritis to be sung on each Navarathri day as follows:



Navarathri day Kriti (with clickable links to view

lyrics and listen online)

Raga Tala

Day 1 Devi jagat Janani Sankarabharanam Adi

Day 2 Pahimam Sri Vageeswari Kalyani Adi

Day 3 Devi pavane Saveri Adi

Day 4 Bharati mamava Todi Adi

Day 5 Janani mamavameye Bhairavi Misra Chapu

Day 6 Saroruhasana jaye Pantuvarali Adi

Day 7 Janani pahi Shudha Saveri Misra Chapu

Day 8 Pahijanani santatam Natta Kurinji Misra Chapu

Day 9 Pahi Parvatanandini Arabhi Adi

Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi

Ootthukkadu Venkata Kavi The Great!! (c.1700 - 1765 CE) was a prominent composer of Carnatic

music. He lived in South India in the present-day state of Tamil Nadu. Also known by the name

Oothukkadu Venkatasubba Iyer, he is attributed to over 400 compositions. These were handed

down from generation to generation by the descendants of the composer's brother's family.

Venkata Kavi's compositions reveal that he was a complete master of the science and art of music in

all senses of the term – melody, rhythm or lyrics and was eloquent in Sanskrit and Tamil. He was

proficient in a variety of musical forms such as the kriti, tillana and kavadichindu. He used talas and

themes that not many other Carnatic composers have preferred to handle.

His compositions are a blend of a high degree of scholarship on a variety of subjects and inspired

expression. Several pieces also reveal his humility, reverence for the great personalities before his

times and the high state of bliss that he probably experienced almost ceaselessly.

His works scarcely contain autobiographical notes and show that he had reached great spiritual and

philosophical heights. His works also reveal the proximity he felt towards God and show his deep

devotion.

Oottukkadu Navavarana Kritis

Venkata Kavi also composed Navavarnams (nine varnams) on the goddess Srividya to be sung

during Dasara – popularly called Kamakshi Navavarana Kritis. Apart from the main nine songs for

the nine nights, he has also composed Vinayaka stuti, Dhyana stuti and a Phala stuti.

There are several similarities (and differences) between his Navavaranams and that of

Muthuswami Dikshitar but both reveal the composers’ scholarship in the various aspects of Devi

worship. These are:

1. Sri Ganeshwara – Shanmukhapriya – Adi – Vinayaka stuti

2. Vanchayati yadi kushalam – Kalyani – Adi – Dhyana stuti

3. Santatam aham seve – Deshakshi – Adi - (1st avaranam)



4. Bhajaswa shree – Nadanamakriya – Adi - (2nd avaranam)

5. Sarvajeeva dayapari – Shuddha Saveri – Mishra Chapu - (3rd avaranam)

6. Yoga yogeshwari – Anandabhairavi – Khanda Triputa (2 kalais) - (4th avaranam)

7. Neelalohita ramani – Balahamsa – Khanda Dhruvam (2 kalais) - (5th avaranam)

8. Sadanandamayi – Hindolam – Sankeerna Matyam - (6th avaranam)

9. Sakalaloka nayika – Arabhi – Adi - (7th avaranam)

10. Shankari Shri Rajarajeshwari – Madhyamavathi – Adi - (8th avaranam)

11. Natajana kalpavalli – Punnagavarali – Adi - (9th avaranam)

12. Haladharanujam praptum - Manirangu - Adi - Phala stuti

You can listen to the Kamakshi Navavarana Kritis, by downloading the audio files. Click the below

link to download:

http://www.mediafire.com/?x69c9e880l61i65



Navaratri Naivedhyam Recipes

Recipe # 1 – Ven Pongal and Peanut Sundal

Ven Pongal

Ingredients

1 cup rice

1/2 cup split moong dal

4 – 6 cups water

1 table spn fresh ginger, finely chopped

1 tspn whole black pepper corns

1/5 tspn cumin seeds

4 – 5 curry leaves

2 tblspn raw cashew nuts, unsalted

2 tblspn ghee

salt to taste

Preparation

Cook the rice and dal together in the water until very very soft. Perhaps use 4 cups to begin with

and add more if required. It will take 20 – 30 minutes to cook.

· While the rice and dal is cooking, finely chop the ginger and roast it in 1Tblspn ghee.

· Add the cumin, whole black pepper and curry leaves. Sauté a little without burning to

release the flavours. Set aside.

· Roast the cashews in the remaining ghee until golden brown but not burnt.

· When the rice and dal mixture is cooked, mix vigorously, mashing the dal and rice together.

You want a buttery texture. Mix in the spices with the ghee that they were sautéed in.

· Top with the roasted cashews.

Peanut Sundal

This variety of Sundal made of raw peanuts does not need any soaking.

Ingredients

2 cups of Raw Peanuts

Salt

Hing

1/3 cup of fresh coconut grated.

4 Green Chillies.

Curry Leaves.

A few drops of coconut oil.

Preparation



· Place the peanuts in a cooking vessel, inside the pressure cooker and add sufficient salt. Add

enough water.

· Cook for at least 2-3 whistles.

· Drain all the water

· Take a kadai or wok and add a spoon of coconut oil.

· When the oil is hot, add mustard, curry leaves, hing and immediately the cooked peanuts.

· Allow to saute for a few minutes.

· Meanwhile, grind the coconut and green chillies without adding any water in the mixer for a

few seconds. Set aside.

· When the contents of the kadai are well mixed and sauted, add the ground coconut mix.

· Add a little more salt only if needed.

Recipe # 2 - Moong Dal Sundal

Ingredients

2 cups of Moong Dal.

Water to cook the dal.

Salt

Hing.

Pinch of red chilli powder.

1/3 cup of fresh grated coconut.

5-6 green chillies or according to taste.

Seasoning: Mustard, Curry Leaves.

Oil.

Preparation

· Moong Dal cooks very easily so there is no need to soak ahead.

· Take a vessel and put in the moong dal. Then add water to just cover the moong, salt and a

pinch of red chilli powder.

· Allow it to cook on medium flame for about 6-7 minutes. You will see that the moong with

absorb the water and slightly grow in size.

· It is important that you do not overcook the moong as it tends to get mushy.

· Drain out the water and set aside to cool down for 10 minutes or so. If needed, spread it out

on a plate so it dries out the water a little.

· Meanwhile grind the coconut and green chillies in a mixer to a rough mix.

· Take a kadai, add 2 spoons of gingely/coconut oil and allow to heat.

· Season with mustard, hing, curry leaves and then add the cooked moong dal.

· Immediately add the pulsed coconut-chilli mix and give it a slow mix.

· Use your ladle to carefully mix in the ingredients and flavouring. Too much handling could

again break the moong and make it mushy.

· Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Recipe # 3 - Arachu Vitta Sundal



Ingredients

White Channa – 2 cups.

Water just enough to cover and cook.

Salt

Hing

Roast

4 spoons Channa Dal.

2 spoons Dhania.

8 red chillies

1 spoon of urad dhal.

1/3 cup of coconut.

Mustard, Curry Leaves, Oil & Hing for seasoning.

Preparation

· Soak the white channa for at least 6-8 hours prior to preparation of neivedhyam. Cook in

the pressure cooking adding water, salt and turmeric for 3 whistles.

· Drain the water

· In a kadai, add a spoon of oil and when it is hot, add all the ingredients specified for

roasting. Roast on a medium flame until they get brown and you get a gentle aroma.

· Pop in the mini mixer jar, add fresh grated coconut and using a little of the cooked channa

water, grind to a very smooth paste.

· Take your kadai/wok and add 2 spoons of oil. Season with mustard, curry leaves and hing

and add the cooked white channa beans.

· Stir them gently and now add the ground masala from the mixer jar.

· Mix well and allow to cook for a couple of minutes until all the water is absorbed.

· You can also make this sundal out of Mochai or Field Beans

Recipe # 4 - Yellow Peas Sundal

Ingredients

1 cup Yellow Peas.

1/4 cup of dessicated coconut.

3 green chillies.

Salt.

Hing.

Seasoning

Mustard, Curry Leaves

Preparation

· Soak the yellow peas for about 6-8 hours.

· Drain all the water and pressure cook with a little salt and just enough water.

· Switch off after 2 whistles.



· Grind the coconut and green chillies without any water in to a coarse mix. Set aside.

· In a kadai, add a spoon of coconut oil and when it is hot, add mustard, curry leaves and a

dash of hing.

· Immediately add the cooked yellow peas and a little salt and hing as required.

· Garnish with the coconut-chilli mix and incorporate it well in to the peas.

Recipe # 5 – Kadambam Sundal

Ingredients

Channa /Chickpea - 1/2 cup

Brown Channa - 1/2 cup

Dried Peas, Mochai, Peanuts, Moong dal, Black eyed pea - fistful

Blanced Almonds - 5

Seasonings

Mustard seeds, Urad dal - 1 tsp

Channa dal - 1/2 tsp

Green Chilis - 1

Red Chilis - 2

Curry leaves - 5 - 6

Coriander leaves for garnish

Oil - 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Preparation

Since the cooking time is different for each lentil, pressure cook each of them separately. Let it

drain. Chop the blanched almonds, keep aside.

· Heat a pan with oil, season it with mustard seeds, channa dal, urad dal, chopped green

chilies and red chilies. Saute for 2 mins.

· Then add the drained legumes to the pan and season it with salt. Simmer for 2 mins and

remove.

Recipe # 6 – Sweet Green Gram Sundal

Ingredients

1 cup Green Gram Dal.

3/4 cup grated Jaggery or soft brown sugar.

Water to cook.

1 tsp of Cardamom Powder.

1 spoon of ghee.

Preparation

· Take the cup of green gram dal and roast it dry in the kadai for a few minutes. You will

slowly get the aroma of the roasted green gram dal. This should suffice. It is not required to

soak the green gram dal.



· Always roast on a medium flame. Set aside.

· When the dal cools considerably, put in a vessel and pour water to cover the beans. Cook it

without adding salt.

· Switch off after ten minutes, and set aside.

· In a kadai, add spoon of ghee, and the cooked green gram dhal.

· Now add the 3/4 spoon of jaggery and mix well. The jaggery will melt and coat the cooked

green gram dhal.

· Immediately switch off the stove and add the crushed cardamom.

· Stir in immediately and mix well.

Recipe # 7 - Sweet Black Eyed Beans Sundal (Vellai Karamani Vella Sundal)

Ingredients

1 cup Black Eyed Beans (Vella Karamani)

3/4 cup grated Jaggery or soft brown sugar.

Water to cook.

1 tsp of Cardamom Powder.

1 spoon of ghee.

Preparation

· Soak the Black Eyed Beans in water for at least 4-5 hours prior to preparation of Sundal.

· Cook in the pressure cooker until you get one whistle and then reduce the heat and cook in

low for ten minutes and then switch off.

· Drain the water

· Rest of the procedure is the same as in Green Gram Sundal given above

Recipe # 8 - Black Channa Sundal garnished with sliced coconut pieces

Ingredients

1 cup Black Channa.

Water to cook

Salt

Oil

Mustard

Curry Leaves

4 dry red chillies

1/4 cup of finely slit coconut pieces.

Preparation

· Soak the black channa for at least 6 hours prior to cooking.



· Put in a wide mouthed container, add salt, turmeric and add just enough water to cover the

channa.

· Cook in a pressure cooker. Wait for one whistle and then reduce the flame and keep for ten

minutes and then switch off.

· Drain the water

· Take a kadai, add 2 spoons of coconut oil. When the oil is hot add mustard, curry leaves,

hing, dry red chillies and then the cooked channa.

· Mix well and wait until the seasoning ingredients are mixed well in to the legumes.

· Garnish with finely sliced coconuts

Recipe # 9 – Bengal Gram Sweet Sundal

Ingredients

Bengal gram dal - 2 cups

Salt - 1/2 a pinch

Ghee - 2 tsps

Sugar - 6 tbsps

Cardamom powder - 1 pinch

Fresh coconut gratings - 6 tbsps

Preparation

1.Dry roast bengal gram dal on low flame till it gives out a pleasant aroma.

2. Switch off flame and add 4 cups of water and allow the roasted dal to soak in it for half an hour.

3. After half an hour switch on flame and cook the dal in the same water adding the salt till it

becomes soft but not mushy.

4. Drain the dal and keep aside.

5. Heat ghee in a pan and add the cooked and drained dal and saute till dry.

6. Add 3 tbsps of sugar and stir till it melts and becomes dry again.

7. Allow to cool and then mix in the remaining sugar and cardamom powder.

8.Garnish with fresh coconut gratings.

Tamboolam Offerings

If you are giving gifts to women invited for Navaratri Pooja, then the tamboolam plate will typically

consists of the following

v Betel Leaves

v Betel Nuts

v Areca Nuts

v Kumkum

v Turmeri

v Small Mirror

v Comb

v Bangles



v Fruits – Bananas, Apples, Oranges etc.

v Prasadam like Sundal, Chakkara

Pongal etc.

v Small gifts for kanya girls like Chains,

Bracelets, Earrings etc.

v Blouse Bits for married women.

Ebook on 51 Shakti Peethas

When Sati, the wife of Shiva and the first incarnation of Parvati, sacrificed herself at a yagna being

performed by her father the King Daksha; a very distraught Shiva started dancing with her body.

The world was terrorized from this Tandava Nritya and to stop the devastating penance, Vishnu

used his Sudarshan chakra (the whirling knife on his finger tip) and completely cut up Sati's body in

several pieces.

Wherever her body parts fell, a temple was erected to commemorate different manifestations of

Shiva and Parvati and became a Hindu pilgrimage. They are called Pitha or Sakti Pithas.

These temples are scattered from present day Pakistan to India to Sri Lanka to Bangladesh. Sati is

also called Devi or Shakti (Strength).

Click on this link to download a free Ebook on the 51 Shakti Peethas. The information contained in

this book will be immensely useful if you are planning a tour to these pilgrim centres.

http://vedarahasya.net/shakti.htm



Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the following blogs and websites which contained a treasure of

information for compiling this Ebook on Navaratri Festival.

· http://vegeyum.wordpress.com

· http://anubhavati.wordpress.com

· http://www.hindu-blog.com

· http://www.padhuskitchen.com

· http://momscorner.blogspot.in

· http://advaitham.blogspot.in



Ambal Darshan - Painting by Sri B.Narayanan

Sri Akilandeswari, Thiruvanaikoil

Download - Handbook on Navaratri - Kanchi Forum

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