Navratri - The Inner Awakening - Discover the Sakti Within

When neither my Ego nor Expectation dampen my spirit.

When my mind becomes focused and a calm envelops me.

When I know that there is more to what I am.

When the quest to know the self begins

When the divinity does not seem distant.

When the divine in me is unveiled.

When the blazing seed of awakening blinds, the outer world and illumines the world within.

When under the shower of divine bliss one blossom.

When the taker is no more and the giver is born.

Let’s invoke the divine within and let her reveal herself.

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Ramayan and now Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapuran, both have placed a lot of emphasis on the Sati, Parvati and Shiv Story. The question arises as to what are they trying to convey. 

In order to understand our scriptures one has to delve deeper into the hidden gems in the stories. From the tales to the names, every detail is there for a reason. 

During the Nine days of Navratri, each day different forms of Devi is worshiped;

Day 1 - Shelputri

Day 2 - Bhramacharini

Day 3 - Chandraghanta

Day 4 - Kushmanda

Day 5 - Skandamata

Day 6 - Katyayini

Day 7 - Kalratri

Day 8 - Maha Gauri

Day 9 - Sidhidatri

The nine days can also be divided into 3 parts as;

Day 1-3 - Durga

Day 4-6 - Laxmi

Day 7-9 - Saraswati

Day 1-3 - Tamas

Day 4-6 - Rajas

Day 7-9 - Satva

Day 1-3 - Gross

Day 4-6 - Causal

Day 7-9 - Subtle

It is also worth nothing that there are 4 Navratri in a year, of which 2 are the ‘Gupth’ hidden Navratris.

Many gurus also go on to say that, every month, after the Amavasya - the following 3 days are Navratri. 

The energy and the Nakshatras at this time of Navratri is conducive for Sadhana, where the universe is reaching out to connect to the Sadhak.

Lets try and understand why this particular sequence of worship is followed during the nine days of Navratri.

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Lets delve deeper into the interpretation and analyse them based on the sequence in which the Devi has been worshipped.

Day 1 - Shelputri 

(A journey from Sati to Parvati)

Story:

Sati is the daughter of Prajapati Daksha and Prasuti. She goes against the wishes of her father and marries Shivji. Daksha demeans Shivji in one of the yagnas, where shivji did not stand to great Daksha. Later, he does not invite Sati and Shivji to another Yagna. Sati goes despite being deterred by Shivji. There she witness that there is not place kept for Shivji, this is a great insult. She gets furious and refuses to be associated with Daksha anymore and burns herself. What follows is destruction and mayhem. Later shivji and his ganas are pacified and everything restored. Sati is reborn to Himavan and is named Parvati (Shelputri). She grows up oblivious of her past and purpose, till reminded by Narad Muni. 

Interpretation:

‘When neither my Ego nor Expectation dampen my spirit

When my mind becomes focused and a calm envelops me

When I know that there is more to what I am’

Daksha = Ego

Sati = Fickle mind

Burning = Gyan (True knowledge)

Himavan = Calm and composed

Parvati = Focused intellect

Shiv = Divine bliss (God)

When one disconnects with Ego and cleans the mind with the help of true knowledge, the person becomes calm and composed and with one pointed intellect is able to seek the Divine bliss.

Here, Narad muni acts as a facilitator, or the igniter of the spark of knowledge 

When the divine spark is ignited one realises that there is more to ones self than meets the eye. The true ‘I’ needs to be found.

Day 2 - Brahmacharini

Story:

She goes to do the greatest of tapasya to reach her Lord Shiva. When one aspires the universe conspires. All the devtas and Sidhas help her reach her goal. here she is known as Bhramacharini, who is successful in winning the blessings of shiva. Due to extensive tapas, her body is all bones. Ganga poured by Lord Shiv revives her, she becomes radiant again and is known as Maha Gauri.

Interpretation: 

‘When the quest to know the self begins’

Ones the desire to know the self arises, begins the effort. If the effort is sincere, pure and selfless, the entire Universe conspires when that One aspires. 

But, first tremendous effort and a single pointed destination has to be set. One has to burn ones bridges and more forward. 

The Sages and Gods are the universe that is conspiring, when Brahmacharini is aspiring.

At that point the divine (or the destination, Shiva) get pulled and compelled to reveal the self. 

Day 3 - Chandraghanta

Story:

The wedding preparations happen and the wedding day arrives. The grooms procession petrifies the the girls side. On the request of Parvati, Shivji shuns his terrifying look and is adorned by Vishnuji. Parvati adorns the half moon on her forehead, to show her appreciation for Shivji, who always has a half moon on his Jata. Hence, she is named as ChandraGanta.

Interpretation: 

‘When the divinity does not seem distant’

When the divine reveals itself, the seeker sees that he/she posses qualities which are not too different from the one that he seeks. The Sadhan has purified one so much that the distinction diminishes. 

Or it would be better so say that the veil has began to unveil and the bliss within him/her has begans to reveal itself.

She adorns the moon that Shivji has on his Jatta, which signifies that I am but a ‘Amsha’ a part of you. 

Day 4 - Kushmanda

Story

There was nothing only dark space and there existed energy. This energy was known as Kushmanda - The cosmic egg or the cosmic seed of energy. Goddess kushmanda created the universe from the radiance of her smile. She is the mother of creation. The universe has just been created, Brahmaji is trying to figure out the nature and purpose of his existence, when he is attacked by Madhu and Kaithab. He looks down and goes to Garbodak Shayi Vishnu, who is lying on sesha naag without Laxmi. He later learns that these two demons have come from the ears of Vishnu himself. Vishnuji summons Para Shakti and with her help destroys these two demons. 

Interpretation

‘When the divine in me is unveiled’

When the seeker keeps walking on, the Sadhan does not stop and the effort does not diminish. The revelation that ‘I am that’ ’Tat Tvam Ashi’ dawn.

It is an experience that changes ones outlook. Then begins the journey inwards with conviction, that I am that divine energy. At that point in time, the outer sweet or bitter words or experiences do affect our state of mind. The realisation that I am beyond all this becomes the truth of our existence.

At this point effortlessly, one after another layers of vices slowly start dissolving, the devi within has awakened.

Day 5, Day 6 and Day 7

Story

Skandamata

They both have a son called Skanda or Kartikeya. Who is raised by the Kritikas and is the one who defeats the demon Tarakasur. Parvati the mother of Skanda is also known as Skandamata.

Katyayini - Mahishasur Mardini

There was this Demon called Mahishasur who was born to Ramba and Mahishi (an afsara who was cursed and became a water buffalo). He was ruthless and fearless, as he had a boon that no one could destroy him except a woman. Taking woman to be powerless, he considered himself immortal.

All the Gods, summoned Para Shakti and she promised to come and help them. She was born to Sage Katyayan. She grew up to be a beautiful girl. One day Chand and Munda two demon saw her and felt that she would be a perfect fit for Mahishasur. Dundubi was sent to her to ask her to marry Mahishashur. 

She said that only the one who won against her in a battle could marry her. The preparations for the battle happened. The Gods descended and each granted her his power and weapons. They made her so powerful that all the Gods put together, was the power she possessed.

The battle began Dhundubi and thousands of demons were destroyed. Chanda Munda escaped. Mahisahur finally came to the battle field and a fierce battle took place. after 9 days on the 10 th day Katyayini slayed him, at that time he was half demon and half buffalo. Here, on she was known as Mahishasur Mardini.

Kalratri (also known as Shubham Kari)

Ones there were two bothers called Shumbh and Nishumb. They were troubling the devas and Indra had gone into hiding as he could not defeat them. Chanda, Munda and Rakthbeej had joined hands with Shunbh and Nishubh, after Mahishasur was destroyed. 

Again Sumbh and Nishumbh wanted Kaushaki to marry one of them. To which she again said only the one who could defeat her in battle would be able to woe her. A fierce battle followed. She destroyed Chanda, Munda and was known as chamunda and later Ruru and all the other demons. 

There was a demon called Rakhtbeej who had a special boon. Every drop of blood shed from his body would create another Rakthbeej. Hence, so many Rakthbeej came into existence. So Kaushaki summoned Kalratri to drink up their blood as she slaughtered them. This way he was destroyed.

Later Nishumb was killed and finally Shumbh also met his end.

Interpretation

‘When the blazing seed of awakening blinds

the outer world and illumines the world within’

Day 5 - Skandamata

The birth of Kartikeya or Skanda. Is when Parvati meet Shiv, or when Jiva Atma realises that he is no different from the Paramatma. 

At this time all doubts and inner arguments (Tarak) end and with acceptance one heads forward to get liberated (Taaran) 

Here Skanda the seed of awakening destroys the demon Taaraka/Taraka Asur (doubt, arguments and the hinders to self relalisation)

Not, with doubts but one has to walk in faith. 

‘Take the leap of faith and see the net of grace appear.’

Day 6 and Day 7 - Katyayini and Kalratri

Here we see a massive destruction of demons or demonic tendencies.

The Gods summon Para Shakti and she take a form. It is also mentioned that the Gods give all their power to the form of Shakti. 

There is a deity presiding over all our sense and organs (discussed in depth in the previous sessions). Most of the time they are outbound. But, when they all turn within and blind the outer world, and give all their power to the quest of the self, she becomes equipped to destroy the darkness within.

One by one the demons are destroyed- These are all our vices. After all, ‘All Good = God’

• Taarak Asur/Tarak Asur - The demon of doubt, which weakens one’s faith and keeps us aways from realisation.

• Dhundubi - The sounds of the world, which we every find so appeacing. We totally scum to the praises and the criticism. An external locus of control makes us so vulnerable.

• Mahisasur - All the demonic and animal tendencies in us. God has given the Human form, the capacity beyond any other form. However, we just behave as animals and indulge the self in momentary pleasures of life. 

• Chand Munda - Our cunning and evil mind. Chand (cunning) munda(mind). ‘Maan ke maate na chaliye maan ke maate aanek.’ Don’t just follow your mind thoughtlessly it will make you dance around. Destroy this cunning monkey mind and get a focused intellect in place

• Dhumralocan - Our hazy vision. All the evil that we see in the world is but within us. All the faults that we see in others, are but with us. Had we not know how an apples looks, would we be able o identify it? Clean your vision and the world will become beautiful.

• Raktabeej - The never ending surge of desires and wants. The greed for more never ends. All our life we strive to satisfy all our desires. But, it is like drinking water from a mirage. Alas, become content, seek contentment.

• Nishumb - Analysing all the situations and say this is bad, why did this happen. Rise above it, as there is nothing bad, all happens for a reason. 

• Shumbh - Analysing all the situations and saying all is good, all is right, all is for my good. Rise above that also. Why categorise something as good as well. 

‘We use a needle to remove the thorn, but after the thorn is removed we put away the needle also. We use Satva to remove the Tamasic tendencies. But, have to leave the Satva also and reach the state of ‘ Just being’.

A state beyond Satva, Rajas and Tamas is what we seek. A state of pure acceptance a state of just being.

Day 8 - Maha Gauri

‘When under the shower of divine bliss one blossom.’

When all the darkness disappears the self is fully revealed. That day one becomes Maha Gauri. It is denoted by Shivji pouring Ganga on Parvati. When one become Siva from Shaav, when the divine Ganga the symbol of divine knowledge flows.

“The illuminatator, 

illuminates,

The illuminator in us.”

(Chinmayandaji)

Day 9 - Sidhidatri

Story

A goddess called Kushmanda had created the universe with the radiance of her smile. She further created the trimuti - Bhrama, Vishnu and Manesh. Shivji wanted to be bestowed with 18 kind of perfection. To do this she created a Goddess called Sidhidatri who bestowed Shivji with all the sidhis. Brahama was given the task of creation and he needed both man and woman to create the world. So Goddess Siddhidatri created the Ardhnarishvara swaroop of Shivji, which is half male and half female. Hence, she is worshiped as the giver even to Brahama and Shiva.

Interpretation

‘When the taker is no more and the giver is born

I have found the Shakti within..’

When we get filled with Divine bliss and become the bliss. Who can give us anything. We become Purna every complete in the self. 

Om purna mada purna midam

Purnaat purnam udachyate

Purnasya purnam adaaya

Purnam eva vasishyate

Om shanti shanti shantih"

Which translates into:

"That is the whole, this is the Whole; from the Whole, the Whole arises; taking away the Whole from the Whole, the Whole remains"

The days can further be divided into three parts-

Durga (Durgati Nashini) 

Destroys all the Tamasic or Negative tendencies (In the form of various demons mentioned above). 

We may interpret durgati as the bad situation or sorrowful events in our life, and say that she removes obstacle from our life. 

But, the true obstacle is the obstacle in our path of ‘Self Realisation’.

When one realises the self no matter how, so called bad the situation is outside, the bliss within does not diminish.

Laxhmi (Laxhmi Tatva)

When this situation arise our entire being gets filled with the Laxhmi Tatva. 

Laxhmi does not signify wealth and prosperity. No matter how rich a person is, he could be the poorest of all who craves for more and is not content. On the other hand, as person could be the poorest in the world, but if is a contented soul, no one can be richer than him/her.

Laxhmi Tatva fills one with absolute Contentment.

Saraswati (True Knowledge)

With the demons demolished and the heart filled with contentment. One expands beyond the so called boundaries of the self. 

At this point the vessel disintegrates and what remains is Just one.

WARNING

The state of Just Being - It is import to understand over here that a Sadhak is not in a state of inertia he is alert and full of energy. 

So much of undesipated (in the regrets of future, excitement of the present and anxiety about the further) surplus energy which is channelized towards the greater good.

One has be alert and aware of ones state, it is a state of inertial/laziness or a state of pure contentment which is leading one away from the Rat Race of the world.

Vishnu is laying without Lakshmi and he falls a sleep - Lakshmi is contentment. He is the preserver of the good in us. He has to be always alert. Here without contentment the preserver of the good faltered and so came out Madhu and Kaitabha. 

Finally Garba - The divine dance

The dance was traditionally done by keeping a light (deep) at the centre and people danced around it. 

The Dance Garbha which is done on the days of Navratri has a deep significance. It signifies the dance of ecstasy of realisation, around the light of knowledge.

Garbha has the word Garb in it means womb. We spend 9 months in the mother’s womb. But, the womb is not the end, it is just where the new born is being prepared for the world. 

In the same way, all that we do in this world is not the end. This life is not it, it is a preparation for the journey beyond.

“If your eyes are opened,

you will see the things worth seeing.”

(Rumi)

Jai Shakti Ma