Nava --9.

We are an ordinary Indian family.Neither too secular nor over religious. My conversations with Vidat centered around day to day happenings and at times I shared bits and pieces of incidents and stories of my younger days.It was rarely about religion and definitely never about numbers.



Yet now as I am familiarising myself with more and more of the multifaceted nature of Hinduism ,I have become aware of the significance accorded to the number 7 and 9 in our religion.



I am struck by Vidat's ,using both these magical numbers in his blog. I always called him Vid and he has added seven z's to his pet name in his blog spot! To the name of his blog --'Scribblingzzzzzzzzz' ,he has added nine z's !



If human kind as a whole is enamoured by these two numbers I have no idea. But Hinduism,definitely is and I can't but wonder at Vidat' zeroing on these two mystical numbers. His exposure to Hinduism was limited to attending socio- religious functions like Ayush hommams,marriages , sashtiyarta poorthi ,etc .Of course he took active part ,only in the revelry that followed such functions, that is feasting and jesting with cousins but never in the actual yajna.



So how did he use these two numbers . Is it so deeply embedded in a Hindu's psyche that it automatically surfaces?



Well here are some Nava's in Hindu way of life.



Navarathri: It literally translates into 9 nights in Sanskrit.During these nights 9 forms of goddess Durga or Shakthi are worshipped .
The first 3 days are devoted to worshipping Durga to destroy impurities.
The second 3 days are devoted to worshipping Lakshmi to bestow wealth.
The final 3 days are devoted to worshipping Saraswathi to bestow wisdom.

In W. Bengal Navaratri is celebrated by crafting and worshipping life size idols of Durga ,in Gujarat it is celebrated by 'Garba' dance , in South idols are arranged on steps and in North the puja's culminate by'Ramlila' or the burning of the effigies of Ravan.

Navagraha --Are the 9 cosmic influences on living beings of this earth. They are--
1.Surya [sun]
2.Chandra [moon]
3.Mangala [mars]
4.Budda --- [mercury]
5.Brihaspati ----[ Jupiter]
6.Shukra---- [Venus]
7.Shani ---- [Saturn]
8. Rahu [upper lunar mode]
9.Kethu [lower lunar mode]

Navagraha temples are found only in Kumbakkonam in TN and in Gawhati in Assam.

Navras ---are the nine basic emotions inspired in an audience by a performer . These are lucidly stated in second century BC treatise on dance and drama the Natya shastra of Bharata. They are
1.Love
2.Laughter.
3.Heroics
4.Fury.
5.Apprehension
6.Compassion
7.Horror.
8.wonder.
9.Peace.

Navaratna---The 9 gems whose combination is recognised as sacred and royal since ancient times . They are :-
1.Ruby.
2. pearl
3.Red coral
4. Emerald.
5.Yellow Sapphire
6.Diamond.
7. Blue sapphire.
8. Hessonite.
9.Cat's eye.

Only gems that are considered pure ,top quality and radiating lustre are considered auspicious.

Nava Durga. -- Durga, a form of Shakthi ,The mother goddess of theHindu's is believed to be manifested in various forms ,and Navadurgas are believed to be most sacred of them all.
They are :-

1. Shilaputri
2.Bramhacharini.
3.Chandraganta
4.Kushmanda
5.Skandamata
6.Kaatyayani.
7.Kaalratri
8.Mahagauri.
9. Siddhidatri.

Nava dhania: 9 types of grains symbolising abundance and prosperity .
They are:-
1.Wheat
2.Rice
3. Adakam
4. Greendhal
5. Kadala [chenna]
6.Mochakottai
7.Ellu [til]
8. Ulundu
9. Kollu.

Nava pashanam ; The deity,Murugan ,the god of beauty and youth of Palani temple [TN] is made of an amalgam of nine minerals called navapashanam.

Nava Brahma temples. The 9 temples dedicated to lord Siva , built in 5 th century AD , are enclosed in a courtyard on the left bank of river Thungabadra[AP] .

Navanidhi ; The 9 types of mastery over self as stated in Hanuman chalisa.

Nava vyakarna : The ancient, 9 notable Sanskrit grammar works.

Nava Narsimha: The 9 temples enshrining Lord Narsimha located in 5 kms radius in Ahobalim[AP] where Narsimha is said to have slayed Hiranyakashpu and saved Prahalad.

Nava Tirupathi: The 9 Vishnu temples in Tirunalvelli .[TN]

I will wind up this endless list of Nava's by mentioning one last nava --Nava LAkshana

Nava lakshana are the 9 ways of devotion to Vishnu enunciated by Prahalada in Bhagvadpurana.
They are:-

1. Kalyanagunas ---Listening to gods name and deeds.
2.Kirtanas ----Singing about the lord .
3.Smaranam. ---Meditating on the lord.
4. Pada sevam ----worshipping his lotus feet.
5. Vandanam .---Saluting him .
6.Archana. ---performing aradhana with flowers and tulsi leaves.
7. Dasyam ---offering services unto him .
8. Sakyam ----Associsating with him as a friend
9. Atmanivedanam--- surrendering to Narayana [Vishnu ] totally.