The
Mystical No. 9 of Navratri
'Nav'
means nine and Ratri means night. These nine nights occur on
equinoxes when the sun is vertically overhead at the equator.
The Cosmic Mother is worshipped during these 9 days.
The
number nine is closely associated with the process of Creation
in the cosmic time cycle. It is considered 'puran' or
complete. Any number multiplied by nine gives a figure that
adds up to nine.
Ratri
means night. The Rigveda states that creation came about when
everything was covered in
the darkness of night. Navratra signifies the concept of 'Back
to Godhead'. The entire cosmic cycle cosists of three phases:
Creation, Preservation and Dissolution. If one was to split
each part into triads, then 3 times 3 would be 9.
She
is the 'Garbha' (Womb) from where the Universe manifests. The
word 'Garba' (The dance performed during Navratri) stems from
'Garbha' and symbolises the 'Dance of Creation'
There
are 9 cosmic wombs or Nava-yonis.
According
to the Tantric concept:
56
rays proceed from the Sahasrar Chakra (Highest Chakra, on top
of the head) to Mulaadhaar Chakra. (Lowest Chakra at the
base of the spine) This constitutes the earth element. 62 rays
in the Svadistaan Chakra (Near the sexual organs) to
form the fire element. 52 rays in the Manipur Chakra (At the
Solar Plexus) form the water element. 54 rays in the Anhata
Chakra (Near the heart Chakra) establishes the air element. 72
rays in the Visudhi Chakra (Near the throat) pertains to the
ether element. 64 in the Ajna Chakra (Center of forehead)
designs the mind. These add up to 360 potencies. In a circle
form, it would indicate eternity. The 360 digit adds up to
nine.
The
universe is composed of 36 'tatvas' and there are 360 'tithis'
in a lunar year. Both numbers add up to 9.
The
number 9 is the Highest number. After the number 9, comes the
0. In order to truly worship the Lord either become complete
(with all the great qualities) like the number 9, or empty
(devoid of ego, or in a state of total surrender) like
the 0.
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