Navratri in Advaita Ashrams

[brahman]

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Dear Members,

Some Traditional Vedanta Ashrams conduct study programs in connection with Mahanavami and Vijayadasami. The programs combine an opportunity to come together with the Guru, with the chance to learn a subject of their choice. I feel, this is an excellent opportunity to share its details with you all.

Every Year, in usual course, the study programme starts 21 days prior to Mahanvami, continues for 23 days and ends on the auspicious day of Vijayadasami. Every Diligent seeker who is a part of Guru Kula, from the day-scholar to the affiliates, associates, and all well-wishers would seek assistance from Guru during this period. Additionally they are free to choose a subject of their interest with access to all reference materials. All these 21 days the seeker collects as many books, seriously refer them and make a general awareness of the chosen subject.

When in normal cases, one studies for a limited time or a prescribed time, interestingly, here, the study hours throughout these days are lengthened farther by every studious seeker up to twice or sometimes even thrice the original study hours. For example, a person who regularly studies for about 10 minutes a day will increase this period up to 20 minutes or sometimes 30; this goes as far as 4 to 6 hours for a person who regularly study for 2 hours a day.

[brahman]

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The effort continues up to the very day prior to Mahanavami; after the evening ritual that followed with a prayer, the study materials are kept at the lotus feet of the Goddesses of Wisdom for her Blessings. Until the very morning of Vijayadasami all seekers will stay at the ashram premises itself, engage themselves in contemplation of the materials they had gone through the previous days.

On the very auspicious day of Vijayadasami, students get up early in the morning and engage themselves in special prayers and rituals, and then everyone starts to recite the alphabets of one�s own every day use, which includes Malayalam, Tamil, Sanskrit, Hindi and English. Once the recitations of all alphabets are over, everyone gathers around and starts to write the same on sand within the threshold; ॐ हरी श्री गणपतये नमः to begin with and finished in extreme devotion with हरी ॐ तत् सत्.

Sweets are distributed among the members; the people are happy and now everyone will sit for the Word of the Guru. In such rare occasions, where non-inmates are present, these Gurus will never start to speak esoterically as they usually do it among the inmates; but try to deliver a formal speech on everyday affairs that benefit the present audience.

[brahman]

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How these study hours would benefit the seekers are often the favourite topics in such occasions for many Gurus. They say:

Though these 21 days are insufficient even for a general understanding of spiritual education and its vast horizons, it would still render a general summary of one�s own desired topic of interest. With this overview as norm in mind, the seeker can now easily analyse one�s own understanding of the desired topic of interest, and can also define a position of our own understanding within the total knowledge situation of the chosen topic. Gradually, this confidence will make the seeker capable of cherishing any chance they get to learn about their desired topic of interest. And this passion for wisdom will let him diagnose his own standpoint about one�s own philosophy and its applications in everyday life situations throughout.

[brahman]

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How to go about a ‘book’ to evaluate it as a book of Great Wisdom is perhaps the second favourite choice:

If we want to understand, appreciate, and critically evaluate a book, we should first be qualified to read it. This is called, in Sanskrit, having adhikāra, competency.

Secondly, we should know with what subject the book is dealing. In other words, we should know the epistemology of the book. In Sanskrit the subject is called viṣaya.

Thirdly, we should know the method employed in the book to arrive at its conclusive teaching. The methodology adopted in a book is called its sanbandha.

Fourthly, we should know the purpose of the book, and how we are going to be benefited by its study. In Sanskrit this is called prayojana of the book, its axiology.

Thus, if we are competent to read a book with reference to its epistemology, methodology, and axiology, we could make a correct evaluation of it. Only in that case can we claim to have the right kind of appreciation.

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[brahman]

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The session is then causally adjourned for a short tea break with some snacks to munch, gathers back in full momentum and then everyone starts to write what they have learned during the past 21 days; this would last for another about one and a half hours to two. Afternoon sessions are meant for the presentation of the papers prepared by various students about distinct topics. This will enable all students with a chance to accustom with all the others topics prepared by various members as well.

These Gurus will never insist on topics that are esoteric in nature such as Upanishads and Darsanas, especially for those who are householders; instead they recommend Itihās and Purāna, Kāḷidāsa and Kamba; and sometimes Iliad to Odyssey or Shakespeare to Blake, of course for a westernised civil.

[brahman]

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Perhaps these are the only occasions that these Guru Kula are open to public presence. This is basically done by aiming at the empowerment of society and provides it�s people with a chance to understand the intricacies implicit in Word Wisdom; which is not a courtesy shown by these teachers of higher wisdom but an expression of a great feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for those who sincerely sustain these non-profitable institutions with Bread and Water.

People mingling and coming into contact with such teachers get indirectly interlaced with high knowledge situations which will prompt them lead a Beautiful life full of Happiness. Peace and Love

=== The End ===

[brahman]

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