The Indian festival of Navratri is dedicated to the feminine nature (PRAKRUTHI) of the Divine. Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are seen as three dimensions of the womanhood, symbolic of the earth, the sun and the moon, or of tamas (inertia), rajas (activity, passion) and sattva (transcendence, knowledge, purity) respectively. Those who aspire for strength or power, worship feminine nature in the forms of – Mother Earth or Durga or Kali. Those who aspire for wealth, passion or material gifts worship Lakshmi or the sun. Those who aspire for knowledge, dissolution or the transcendence of the limitations of the mortal body worship Saraswati or the moon.

The nine days of Navratri are classified with the first three days dedicated to Maa Durga, the next three days to Goddess Lakshmi, and the last three days to Saraswati, the tenth and the last day of Dussehra or Vijayadashami is dedicated to Shakti, a symbol of all the define Goddess forms, indicating the triumph over all the three aspects of life. This classification is done not at a symbolic level, but at an energy level as well, meaning, we raise from the earth (Durga), are active and in quest of adventure, wealth, and possessions (Lakshmi), and finally fall back into the inertia once again (Saraswati). And this constant cycle is what defines our life and how the women become the ruling force of this circle of life.

What is the best way to approach Navratri? In a spirit of celebration. This has always been the secret of life: to be non-serious but absolutely involved. The cultures that traditionally venerated the goddess knew that there is much in existence that can never be understood. You can enjoy it, celebrate its beauty, but never understand it. Life is a mystery, and will always remain one. The festival of Navratri is based on this fundamental insight.

Women are an important part of this celebration and are worshipped through the nine nights of the festival. The deities of each day are worshipped with special puja and mantras that highlight the significance and the form of the goddess on those days.

DAY 1-3 MANTRA DURGA

The all powerful and mighty have none to fear in this world, because they are the ones who are truly blessed by the Goddess. Let success find it’s way to you as you strive with all dedication, passion, and hardwork with the support of Maa Durga.

Jagdamb Vichitramatra Kim Paripoorna Karunaasti Chenmayi Aparadha

Parampara Param Na Hi Mata Samupekshate Sutam

Om Sharanaagata Deenaartha paritraana paraayaney Sarwa syarthi harey

devi Naraayani Namostutey

DAY 4-6 LAKSHMI MANTRA

Who doesn’t want to be blessed with priced possessions, wealth, and success? Pray to Goddess Lakshmi on during the Devi Navaratri and have the devine blessings shower in your home.

Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shanti rupena sansitha Ya devi sarva bhutesu,

shakti rupena sansthita Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita

Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha!

Day 7-9 Saraswati

People looking for academic success, honing their professional skills, enhancing their knowledge, or trying to master an art form worship Saraswati and seek her blessings to succeed in their quest for windom.

Saraswati namastubhyam varade kaama-roopini

Vidyaarambham karishyaami siddhir-bhavatu me sadaa

The prominent role of women and their comparison with Shakti has been long existent. For instance, every time that there’s a girl child born in the family, she’s addressed to as the Lakshmi Devi of the family; a boy or a girl who’s knowledgeable and skilled is said to be Saraswati Devi’s blessed child, and so on.

Indian tradition has always been known for considering women on par, if not more when compared to the men in the society. For instance, when Lord Shiva is mentioned as the father of this cosmos, and the omnipresent God, the Puranas also mention that he is incomplete without his divine consort Shakti. And the Indian approach to defining womanhood has never been about beauty and youth; it was always about the forms we invoke in her, as the power, energy, wisdom, love, wealth, sustenance, and the earth itself.

Even our folktales and epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana speak of how great men in power met their fate because of disrespecting woman.

Both man and woman are important to have balanced life and society at large. With changing times there is a lot if overlap of roles yet each of us have strike a balance to lead harmonious and peaceful life.

Navratri festival can help you introspect and see if you need to improve in few areas to enjoy life! This Navratri Let’s get back and make our life more meaningful and complete.

Navrathri: A Celebration of Womanhood celebrated with gomata