Paulamie Das

The word “Navaratri” literally means nine nights, “Nava” means nine and “Ratri” meaning nights.

The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are considered to be important times of climatic and solar influences, which is why these two periods are taken as sacred opportunities to worship the Divine Mother Goddess “Durga” (DH-OO-RH-GA). The dates of the festival each year is determined according to the lunar calendar.

During these 9 days, the Feminine aspect of God in the form of the Universal Mother, is worshipped. She is the Goddess, the Supreme Feminine creative power (Shakti) of this cosmos. This thus is a powerful time when one can heal, rejuvenate and manifest everything that one needs and wants in life, and, this manifestation comes only when we are dedicated to transformation, to change us for the better, to let our own inner Master take control of our ego-self.

Navaratri, is the time when the Divine Mother Goddess reminds us that she is within us, within our DNA; waiting to get re-connected to us. These 9 days she gives us enough cosmic moments/time which is auspicious and magical for us to reconnect and claim our inner Goddess.

As & if we can claim high wisdom, understanding and knowledge of our self and life, we thus understand the secrets of our body, mind and then can use the right ways to heal our self and thus create space for abundant energy in our life, and then work to attract what we want. All these can be done in these 9 days of worshipping of the Goddess the right way.

Let’s see what the significance of each of these days are and how can we utilize them for unlocking our full potential.

 

First Day:

The first day of Navratri is dedicated to the first avatar of the Goddess known as “Goddess Shailputri”. This night she is worshipped as the daughter of the king of the mountains. In her hands she displays a trident and a lotus and is mounted upon a bull.

This offering is “Ghee” (Clarified Butter) and the prayer can be for a disease-free life. So, the first day is healing your physical health with the Root Chakra and Goddess Shilputri. Goddess Shailaputri corresponds to the “Muladhara Chakra / Root Chakra”. This shakti when awakened at the root chakra reminds us of our life purpose and also helps in spiritual awakening.  Without our Root Chakra balanced our basic necessities of life and health can’t be met.

 

The mantra of this day is: “Om Devi Shailputryai Swaha”

Healing can be done through a different mantra on this day:

Vande Vanchhit Laabhaay, Chandrardha krita shekharaam
Vrisharudham Shooldharaam Shaila-putrim Yashasvinim

This means: “I worship Goddess Shailputri to fulfill my wishes, who is adorned with half-moon on her head, rides on a bull, carry a trident and is illustrious.”

 

Second Day:

The Divine Goddess on the second day is worshipped as the “Goddess Brahmacharini”. She is the Yogini Goddesses, who in one hand holds a water port and in the other a rosary.

She is believed to be the store-house of knowledge and wisdom, who helps us through detachment and also through cleansing the negative karmic cycle. Goddess Brahmacharini is associated with the “Swadhisthana Chakra/ Sacral Chakra” and upon awakening and the proper usage of the power of this chakra anything can be manifested.

 

This chakra helps in maintaining focus and one-pointedness towards our goals and Goddess Brahmacharini when reconnected to heal and open this Chakra can manifest miracles through it.

Her offering is “Sugar” and the mantra used to worship the Goddess is:

Ya Devi Sarvbhuteshu Srishti Roopen Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
DadhanaKar Padmabhyam Akshamala Kamandalu
Devi Praseedatu Mayi Brahmachariny Anuttama

Which means, “Salutations again and again to the Goddess. Brahmchaarini wears white clothes; she holds rudraksh mala, lotus flower, kamandalu, in her hands. Give me forgiveness and keep my focus on the sacred and highest good.

 

Third Day:

The third day is dedicated to “Goddess Chandraghanta”, who rides a tiger, possesses ten hands and three eyes while displaying a golden hue.

She is the Goddess of peace, serenity, forgiveness & prosperity and worshipping this form can cure us of all pains and fulfills our desires. The offer to her is the sweetened milk or rice pudding on this day and her mantra is,

Ya devi Sarvabhooteshu, Maa Chandraghanta Rupen Sansthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai, Namo Namah
Pindah Pravarudha Chandkopastrakayurta

Prasand Tnute Mahayam, Chandraghanteti Vishruta

Meaning, “I join my hands in front of the powerful Goddess, one with the bell-shaped moon on her forehead. I worship her to forgive all of my bad deeds.”

Goddess Chandraganta corresponds to the “Manipuraka Chakra/ Solar Plexus” which holds our personal power. By connecting to this avatar of the Divine Feminine we can have respect, great fame, glory.

She also heals all doubts and fears related to self and all self-sabotaging effects of our thoughts and karma.

 

Fourth Day:

The fourth day is dedicated to “Goddess Kushmanda”, whose worship on this day cures the worshipper of all the pains and diseases. Her mount is a tiger and She emanate a sun-like aura.

She is considered to have “Birthed” this universe from nothing but a void and her name means the “Cosmic Egg”. She is the source of all, the “Adishakti”. Goddess Kushmanda corresponds to the “Anahata Chakra/ Heart Chakra” which in turn aligns to all that is abundance, all that is happiness and free-flow of energy with forgiveness.

Her worship on this day removes all obstacles from our financial difficulties and health too. She surrounds us with a strong attractive force around us that attracts the right energy for our good. She brings light into darkness, balance & harmony in our life.

Offering to her on this day is “Malpua”, a pancake made with banana, yogurt, refined flour, fennel seeds & milk, and the color of this day is “Green” and her mantra is:

 

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupen Sansthita

Namastaseya Namastaseya Namastaseya Namoh Namah

Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha
Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me

 

Which means, “Goddess Kushmanda, who holds two pitchers full of wine and blood in her lotus hands, is encouraging to me”.

Fifth Day:

The fifth day is dedicated to “Goddess Skandamata”, whose vehicle is lion on which she holds her son, “Skand/Kartikeya/Murugan” on her lap while displaying three eyes and four hands.

By worshipping Her, one can get all their desires fulfilled and might attain supreme joy even in the illusions of this world. While we worship Her on this day the worship may also include Lord Murugan. The associated chakra for this day is the “Vishuddhi Chakra/ Throat Chakra” symbolizing aspects of creativity and communications.

 

The offering to the Goddess is “Banana”. Her mantra is:

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Skandamata Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

Sinhasan Gata Nitayam, Padmashrit Kardvaya
Shubhdastu Sada Devi, Skanda Mata Yashashvini

It means, “Salutation to the Goddess Skandamata, who rides on Lion with Kartikeya, holds a lotus in her two hands and Varmudra (pose to grant boon) in one hand, be favorable to me.”

 

Sixth Day:

“Goddess Katyayani” is the form of the Divine Goddess worshipped on the sixth day of Navaratri. She is astride a lion with three eyes and four arms and Her complexion is golden.

This is the day to manifest your right soul-mate, love by worshipping Goddess Katyayani. One may also develop the great strength to fight all disease, sorrows and fears. She’s also a manifestation of the Supreme Divine Feminine who heals all negative sins and thus the karmic difficulties.

The chakra for this day is the “Third Eye/ Ajna Chakra” and the mantra is,

 

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Katyayani Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana
Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatin

Which means, “Oh Goddess Katyayani, Oh great potency of the lord, Oh possessor of great mystic power and mighty controller of all, I offer my respect and homage to you”.

The offering to Goddess Katyayani is honey.

 

Seventh Day:

“Goddess Kaalratri” is worshipped on this day, a ferocious form of the Goddess. This Krishna(black) colored Goddess has long tousled hair and three round protruding eyes. She has four hands, two clutching a cleaver and a torch, while the remaining two are in the mudras of “giving” and “protecting”. She is mounting a donkey in this form.

This avatar of the Goddess is a protector and destroyer of evil, while bestowing happiness and favor to her worshipper. This day is also important in removing unwanted black magic, hexes, curses and evil eyes on the worshipper. Meditating on this form of the Goddess removes all obstacles as well as removes all magical effects created by others.

The offering to the Goddess is “Jaggery” and She is associated with the “Third Eye” as well as the “Crown Chakra/ Sahasraara Chakra”. She has the power to provide us with magical Shiddhi powers (Mystical powers which are highly powerful and secretive)

Her mantra is,

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kalaratri Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

Ekveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharastitha
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirani

Meaning, “I salute the Goddess Kalaratri and worship her. She is naked, rides on a donkey, has a long tongue, lustrous body, wears ornaments on her legs like lightning, is black in color, has unlocked hair, big eyes and ears and is very dangerous looking”.

 

Eighth Day:

The eighth day is all about “Goddess Mahagauri”, who holds a drum and a trident, riding a bull. Many worship “Goddess Saraswati” on this day.

It is believed that worshipping this form will heal all sins of the worshipper and She is offered “Coconut”. She is associated with the “Crown Chakra” and the Forehead. Her mantra is,

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

Shwete Vrashe Samarudhah Shwetambar-dhara Shuchi
Mahagauri Shubham Dadhyanmahdev-pramodada

 

Meaning, “Salutation to the Goddess Mahagauri, I prostate to you. The meaning of her name is Maha (great or extreme) and Gauri (white complexion). The very beautiful Mahagauri rides on a white bull and wears pure white clothes and ornaments.”

 

Ninth Day:

The last day of Navaratri, the ninth day is dedicated to the “Goddess Siddhidatri”, who sits upon a lotus, with four arms, grants Her devotees all achievement that one wants and is capable of giving occult powers.

She is the possessor of 26 different cosmic powers (Siddhis) which She grants to Her loyal worshippers. Worshipping this form of goddess Durga fulfils all the wishes of the worshippers. She corresponds to our “I AM Presence” in the form of the all-giver and compassionate Divine Mother.

 

She is offered “Sesame (Til)” seeds and Her mantra is,

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Siddhidatri Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

Siddh Gandharv Yagyadhair Surair Marairapi
Sevyamana Sada Bhooyaat Siddhida Siddhi Dayanee

Which means, “Salutation to the Godess Siddhidatri, I prostate to you. The ways in which all the gods, goddess and divine souls worship you, in the same manner we worship you. Kindly grant your blessings on us.”

 

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE THESE 9 DAYS?

 

• Write down your wishes to be clear of your intentions
• Remember the Goddess and her 9 avatars or archetypes grants wishes with inner transformation and upon the will of the devotee to shift from the ego-self to the God-self.
• Every day or night whichever is your suitable time, take a shower and wear clean clothes.
• Keep the image of the Goddess you’re praying for that day in front of you.
• Place your offerings and light a candle of the color of the day or a white one.
• Close your eyes and summon the Goddess, request Her to be with you and to accept your love and prayers.
• Then recite Her mantra 3 times.
• Focusing on Her energy ask for your wishes.
• Then recite the mantra 108 times.
• Thank Her for being your guide and protector and granting your wishes too.
• Be happy and show your happiness by feeling it.
• If you want to you can prolong your meditation on the Goddess energy.
• Say thanks while you remove your offerings and douse the candle.
• You can leave the candle till some time, but douse it before you move out of the room, go out or go to sleep.

 

Apart from the ritual, the best way to connect to the different forms or avatars of the Goddess is to remain aware of her throughout the day and be conscious of your thoughts and feelings.

If you want to shift your life for the better and heal and manifest with the inner power of the Goddess, visit: www.paulamiedas.com/awaken-your-goddess-power-the-charismatic-navaratra