The Nine Nights of the Goddess
The Sri Yantra means "sacred instrument" and it consists of nine interlocking triangles surrounding a central point called “bindu.” The bindu is the pure potential of the not yet actualized universe, the point at which creation begins.
It represents the Supreme Shakti, or cosmic energy, which is portrayed as a magnificent goddess.
This goddess symbolizes the transcendent principle of the Mother as the source of all energy, power, prosperity and creativity.
This energy can manifest as the Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Parvati, Goddess Durga, and Goddess Kali, many other forms and incarnations. These celestial beings embody the feminine qualities of creativity, courage, fertility, love, beauty, marriage, children, wealth, wisdom, protection, prosperity, power, peace, liberation, fierce devotion, and the triumph of good over evil.
At this time of year we turn our attention to this goddess energy and celebrate the principle of Divine Feminine during the Hindu festival of Navaratri.
Navratri translates as Nav meaning “nine” and ratri meaning “nights” and honors the goddess and her triumph over evil.
One legend tells the story of a demon king named Mahishasura, who was a great devotee of Lord Brahma. After many years of austerities, Lord Brahma comes to granted him his heart’s desire. Mahishasura (of course) demands a type of immortality, whereby he cannot by defeated by “man or animal.” Lord Brahma, grants him his wish, realizing that he could still be defeated by a woman.
Insane with immeasurable power, Mahishasura attacks all the three spheres of existence: Earth, Heaven and Hell, conquering humans, gods and demons. Nobody, not even the gods in Lord Indra’s Kingdom, could defeat him. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, realize things had gotten out of hand, combine their power to create the Goddess Durga. Durga is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Himalayas, and a consort to Shiva. She manifests straight from the raw energy of Shakti, which is the underlying power that energizes the whole Universe.
The battle rages on for 15 days, and although the shape-shifting demon king takes many forms, he cannot defeat the goddess. She finally slays him with her trident, while he’s in the shape of a buffalo.
Over the course of the festival of Nine Nights, different avatars of the goddess are worshiped and each form is equally cherished, demonstrating qualities of creation, strength, courage, beauty, grace, and self-control.
If you want to keep it simple, you can divide the nine days into three sets of three days, and worship the three primary forms of the goddess: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Each mantra associated with the primary form of the Devi is to be repeated 108 times each day.
Days 1–3: The goddess is worshiped in the form of Durga or Kali. In this form she is a fierce warrior, dressed in red, with many arms and weapons, riding on a tiger or a lion.
Mantra: Om Dum Durgayei Namaha
Days 4–6: During the middle three days, the goddess is worshiped in the form of Lakshmi. She is the goddess of wealth, beauty, and prosperity, dressed in pink or gold and holding two lotus flowers.
Mantra: Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namaha
Days 7–9: In the last three days, the goddess is worshiped in the form of Saraswati. Here she is the goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom and nature, dressed in white, holding the musical instrument called a vīnā, and often depicted with a white swan.
Mantra: Mantra Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha
Below is a more elaborate explanation of the nine manifestations of the goddess that are worshiped during Navaratri.
The first day, and perhaps most prominent form of the goddess energy, is Maa Shailputri, which literally means “daughter of the mountain.” She is an absolute “Mother Nature” in her essence. Maa Shailputri is a form of Durga that rides on Nandi (the bull) holding a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left.
She is the goddess of the Muladhara Chakra, and upon awakening this form of Shakti, one begins their spiritual journey.
A mantra you can chant 108 times;
Om Hrim Sri Shailaputri Durgaye Namaha
The second day of Navaratri is dedicated to the goddess Brahmacharini, the unmarried form of the Parvati. She is portrayed as a young girl with japa mala in her right hand and a sacred water pot in her left, symbolizing asceticism and a simple, self-contained life.
Brahmacharini is known for performing the most difficult and strenuous tapas to get the attention of Lord Shiva to become her husband. For 1000 years she survived only on fruits and flowers, living outside in the forest while absorbed in deep meditation.
Because of her austerity and unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva, she is called Brahmacharini, but she is also known as Devi Tapaswani or Devi Yogi.
This form of the goddess represents loyalty, love, knowledge and wisdom. She bestows peace, good fortune, and insight to those who worship her.
If you want to make an offering to Brahmacharini, you can wear white or yellow clothing and sit in padmasana (or any comfortable seated asana) and recite 108 times the mantra dedicated to Brahmacharini:
Om Hrim Sri Brahmacharini Durgaye Namaha
The third day is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta Devi. Chandra-Ghanta means “one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell.” The goddess Chandraghanta is the married form of Parvati, after her union with Shiva. Her third eye is always open and she is always ready for war. In this way, she is closely connected to Maa Durga.
She is depicted riding a Tiger, which represents courage or bravery and calls to her fierce and protective nature towards her devotees.
She is ready for war against any demon or evil force brandishing in the grip of her ten hands:
1. Trishul (trident) - symbolizing triumph over the 3 gunas
2. Gada (mace) - representing loyalty and devotion
3. Lotus Flower - showing detachment from worldly bondage
4. Sword - a symbol of wisdom and discrimination
5. Kamandal (water pot) - symbolizing asceticism
6. Bow - representing potential energy
7. Arrow - representing present, realized energy
8. Japa Mala - showing love and devotion
9. Jñāna Mudra - one hand is in the gesture of supreme knowledge
10. Abhaya Mudra - one hand is in the gesture that demonstrates fearlessness, reassurance and safety.
Although she is a warrior, she is also the embodiment of femininity. Her favourite flower is Jasmine and during the festival she is adorned all over India with these intensely fragrant flowers.
You can chant the mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantaye Namaḥ to honour Durga in this warrior form.
An alternate mantra: Om Hrim Sri Chandraghanta Durgaye Namaha
The goddess as Kushmanda is revered during the fourth day of Navaratri. Ku means "a little" and Ushma means "warmth" or "energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg." She is the goddess residing in the Anahata Chakra, or your heart center. It is believed that this form of Durga can put an end to darkness with her silent smile, and through her loving energy she gives birth to the entire universe.
One story of creation says, that in the beginning, the universe was a dark void, when suddenly a divine ray of light pierced the black formless ocean and illuminated the endless abyss. From this ray, a beautiful goddess took form as body of light and manifested the cosmic egg from which the creator god Brahma, or Hiranyagarbha, emerged.
This goddess then channeled her abundant energy and through her smile she lit up the sky to create the sun. She infused the god Surya with her Shakti (powerful energy) so that he could endlessly shine and warm the Earth as the heavenly body, we call ‘the Sun.’
This beautiful story of creation reveals that the source of splendor, warmth, and light all radiate from the smile of the great goddess, and is a constant reminder of her love for all creation. We are reminded that we too participate in this divine power when we share a genuine smile with one another.
This form of the goddess Durga resides in the center of the sun, and the center of our heart, possess supreme healing powers. The fourth day is to used to pray for good health and healing for yourself or for others.
It is also a wonderful day to practice Surya Namaskara as an offering to the creator goddess, Kushmanda, and Surya as the solar deity.
A mantra that you can chant 108 times: Om Hrim Sri Kushmanda Durgaye Namaha
The fifth day of Navaratri is dedicated to the Maa Skandamata. An avatar literally named “the mother of Skanda.” This name references her role as the mother of Kartikeya (also named Murugan, Skanda, Kumara) the god of war and Ganesha’s brother.
In this role, she is also associated with the goddess of fire, because of the Vedic connection between Agni, the god of fire, and Lord Skanda, her son.
The goddess Skandmata is often depicted sitting on a lotus, and because of this she is also referred to as Padamasani, the “Goddess with a lotus-seat” (Padmāsana). She is closely related to the form of Lakshmi, and is sometimes shown riding on a Lion with four arms, holding two lotuses, while also carrying her young warlord son in her lap.
It is said she loves the color yellow and fruit, especially bananas, on this day. When a devotee worships Parvati in this form, Skanda is automatically included. Thus, you will receive blessings from both the great Mother and the mighty Philosopher-Warrior, Lord Kartikeya. This Devi is a shining symbol of the mother-son relationship, and the fierce bond of love that binds them together.
A mantra to honor the goddess on this day can be: Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namaha
An alternate mantra: Om Hrim Sri Skandamata Durgaye Namaha
The sixth day of Navratri is dedicated to the goddess Katyayani, who was created from the combined energy of several the gods. It is in this form that the goddess is said to have defeated the demon king Mahishasura.
The story depicts Mahishasura as a shape-shifting “buffalo demon" who waged war against the gods.
The gods were frustrated by their continual defeat, and in their collective anger, it is said that fire spewed from their eyes and combined together inside the ashram of the Rishi Katyayana to manifest the Great Goddess in the form of Katyayanai or "daughter of Katyayana.”
Brahma gave her the rosary and water-pot
Shiva gave her his trident
Vishnu the chakra or discus
Varuna (god of the sky and ocean) gave her a conch shell
Agni (god of fire) a dart
Vayu (god of the wind) gave her the bow
Surya (god of the sun) a quiver full of arrows
Indra (King of the heavens) gave her a thunderbolt
Kuber (god of wealth) gave her a mace
Vishvakarman (the ancient architect or creator god) a battle-axe
Kala (god of time and death) gave her a shield and a sword.
Maa Katyayani was so beautiful that the demon Mahishasura wanted to marry her, but she refused. Instead, she agrees to take his hand in marriage, only if he can defeat her in battle. Mahishasura was very vain and proud, and knew he could be defeated by god, man or animal, so he happily accepted the challenge. However, the goddess was not a god, man or animal, she was a woman, and during their conflict she chops off his head and completely destroys him.
Through this victory she receives the name Mahishasuramardini, meaning "the killer of Mahishasura." She blesses her devotes with bravery, health, and wealth. She is another fierce warrior goddess who is associated with the unbridled power of primordial Shakti.
The mantra you can recite 108 times is: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah
An alternate mantra: Om Hrim Katyayini Durgaye Namaha
The goddess Maa Kalaratri rules the night. She is worshiped on the seventh day of Navratri. She is known as the one who destroys demons, ghosts and all negative energy.
Devi Kalaratri predates the more common goddess called Kali, but they are similar apparitions, in that they both represent the most destructive forms of Durga, along with other goddesses like: Chandi, Chamunda, Rudrani, and Bhairavi (only to name a few).
Kalaratri is a personification of all the horrors of war and is also the embodiment of a primordial darkness that accompanies the invisible force of time. She is the fiercest form of the Mother Goddess. In this form she devours and consumes all being and things, including time itself.
At the end of your life, as you approach death, it is said that you, along with every other being, will seek shelter and protection in the refuge of Kalarati’s lap.
When the final hour arrives, the great goddess transforms herself into Kalaratri, destroys all realms, until nothing remains. She is incredibly powerful and because of her invincibility, her devotees are absolutely fearless.
You can worship Kalaratri on the seventh night of Navaratri by reciting: Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah
An alternate mantra: Om Hrim Sri Kalaratri Durgaye Namaha
The eight night of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, who symbolizes peace, purity, tranquility and virtue. Her name suggests that she is the embodiment of white light: Maha means “great” and Gauri translates as “white.” Her origin story is an ancient Indian myth addressing a cultural discomfort of skin coloration.
After transforming herself into Maa Kali the goddess Parvati is teased by Shiva because of her dark complexion. The Sanskrit word Kali, not only means “black,” but it also means “death.” We can understand her name to have this double meaning, both referring to her dark complexion, and also her close association with death.
To spite her husband, she leaves without telling him and enters the forest where she performs intense penance for many years, devoted to Lord Brahma. When Brahma appears to ask her what her wish is, she asks that she be able to change back from black to white. Brahma, satisfied by her sincere discipline, grants her desire by telling her to wash herself in the Manasarovar River. As she bathes, her dark skin separates and forms into another separate female form, and she emerges from the water restored as a radiant body of white light. Parvati, now returned to her white complexion, is called "Mahagauri".
She rides a white bull and is shown wearing white clothes. In contrast to yesterday’s depiction of Durga in her darkest form, today she is observed in her lightest form.
A mantra you can chant for Maa Mahagauri: Om Hrim Mahagauri Durgaye Namaha
The ninth and final form of Durga is celebrated on the last day of Navratri is the Goddess Siddhidhatri. Siddhi refers to “supernatural or mystical powers” gained through the practice of yoga, and Dhatri means “giver.”
It is believed that in this form of the goddess bestows supernatural abilities and fulfills all the divine aspirations of those who worship her.
One story tells of how Shiva himself worshiped Siddhidhatri, as the Supreme Goddess, to gain his own mystical powers. In this primordial form of pure energy, the Devi has no physical manifestation. Shiva offers his own body to the goddess and she appears in the left half of his body, at which point the two are literally one entity: a half female and half male deity named: Ardhanarishvara.
There are eight well known magical abilities that are said to be the by-products of long and arduous spiritual tapas (discipline). These classical perfections or Ashta-Siddhis are:
* Aṇimā: reducing one's body to the size of an atom
* Mahimā: expanding one's body to an infinitely large size
* Laghimā: becoming almost weightless
* Prāpti: ability to be anywhere at will
* Prākāmya: realizing whatever one desires
* Īśiṭva: supremacy over nature
* Vaśiṭva: control of natural forces
* Garimā: becoming infinitely heavy
There are many other types of spiritual abilities such as: knowing the future, reading minds, seeing or hearing distant events as though you were present, wish fulfillment, shapeshifting, enter the bodies of other living beings, knowing all your past lives, and many more!
You can worship Siddhidatryai on the final night of Navaratri by reciting: Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah
An alternate mantra is: Om Hrim Siddidhatri Durgaye Namaha
The tenth day is an auspicious day as the final and most powerful form of the Devi is revealed, and we worship the diving feminine in all her forms. You may want to chant the mantra for Saraswati, the creative energy and consort of Lord Brahma on this day: Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha
Depending on the region, different forms of the Goddess Durga are worshiped. Alternative forms are:
Durga: the invincible
Bhadrakali: the auspicious and fortunate
Amba or Jagdamba: the mother of the universe
Annapoorna: the giver of food
Sarvamangala: the giver of joy all around
Bhairavi: the terrifying
Chandika: the violent
Lalita: the beautiful
Bhavani: the giver of life
Mookambika: the one who listens
A summary of the simple mantras that can be chanted during Navaratri for each of the Nine Goddesses:
Day 1: Shailaputri - Om Hrim Sri Shailaputri Durgaye Namaha
Day 2: Brahmacharini - Om Hrim Sri Brahmacharini Durgaye Namaha
Day 3: Chandraghanta - Om Hrim Sri Chandraghanta Durgaye Namaha
Day 4: Kushmanda - Om Hrim Sri Kushmanda Durgaye Namaha
Day 5: Skandamata - Om Hrim Sri Skandamata Durgaye Namaha
Day 6: Kātyāyanī - Om Hrim Katyayini Durgaye Namaha
Day 7: Kālarātri- Om Hrim Sri Kalaratri Durgaye Namaha
Day 8: Mahagauri - Om Hrim Mahagauri Durgaye Namaha
Day 9: Siddidhatri - Om Hrim Siddidhatri Durgaye Namaha
