The Nine Nights of the Devi

October 17th marks the commencement of perhaps the most spiritual period of the Santana calendar: the Navaratri, or the nine nights of the Divine Mother, culminating in Deepavali and the Night of Mother Kali. This is a period that is most auspicious for the spiritual aspirant and most conducive to spiritual sadhana.

Pratipada

Day one of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Shailputri. This avatar of goddess Durga is the embodiment of the collective power of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

O Thou, Divine Consort of the Supreme One, 
Who makes manifest the Unmanifest, 
Who creates the play of Time in the Timeless, 
To Thee, this night of our adoration, O Sublime Daughter 
Of the Mountain, blessed Might of the Three who are One !

Glory to Thee, Divine Mother,  
May we always live worthy of Thee! 

ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥

Dwitiya

Day two of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Brahmcharini, the second avatar of Ma Durga. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to liberation or moksha.

O Thou, Divine Goddess,  
O Thou, Force of Askesis, 
Thou dispenser of Divine Calm and Bliss,  
By a single touch of Thy Feet all bondages break,  
By Thy Grace, the soul soars above in sovereign release –

O Thou Mother of Supernal Peace, Glory to Thee! 
May we always live worthy of Thee!

ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥

Tritiya

Day three of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Chandraghanta. She represents beauty and grace and is worshipped on the third day for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life.

O Thou Resplendent Mother,  
Goddess of Divine Beauty and Calm, 
Fount of Wisdom, fount of Bliss,  
Golden-hued, crescent moon between Thy eyes,  
Thou who dost hold the Great God in Thy vast embrace, 
Come and smite this heart with Thy Grace!

Glory to Thee, Divine Mother,  
May we always live worthy of Thee!

ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥

Chaturthi

Day four of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Kushmunda. This avatar of the goddess is considered the creator of the universe. It is believed that she created the universe through laughter.

O Thou Mother of Divine Bliss,  
Thou who art the fount of all creation,  
Thy Laughter ripples across all space and time, 
Bearing this vast Universe in a vaster Ananda 
Towards Thy Supreme Light –

Glory to Thee,  
May we always live worthy of Thee!

ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥

Panchami

Day five of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Skandamata. She is the mother of Skanda, or Karthikeya, who was chosen by the gods as their commander in the battle against the demons.

O Thou Supreme Protection, Supreme Grace, 
Thou who standst upon the battle fields of existence, 
Devouring a thousand demons in a single breath, 
Shielding those who are Thine with the all-consuming Love 
Of a Divine Mother –

Glory to Thee, 
May we always live worthy of Thee!

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥

Shasthi

Day six of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Katyayani. The goddess was born to the great sage, Kata, as an avatar of Durga. Dressed in orange, she exhibits immense courage.

O Thou orange-hued Force of Truth,  
O Thou Divine Warrior of Light, 
Thou who bringst to our human heart the gold-flame of Courage 
And indomitable Will –

Glory to Thee, 
May we always live worthy of Thee!

ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥

Saptami

Day seven of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Kalratri. This avatar of the goddess has dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearless posture. She is the most fierce form of goddess Durga, and she is dressed in white, a color that represents peace and prayer.

O Thou White Flame of Divine Truth,  
Dark-robed, fierce, Thou doth descend into our Night 
To kindle the fire of the Symbol Sun 
In the deepest caves of our obscure Sleep –

Glory to Thee, Divine Mother,  
May we always live worthy of Thee!

ॐ   देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥

Ashtami

Day eight of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Maha Gauri. This eighth avatar of Maa Durga represents intelligence, peace, prosperity and calm.

O Thou Divine Mother,  
Glorious Grace of Supreme Truth, 
Felicity of resplendent dawns, Thou dost pour Thy gold Light 
Into the voids of our minds and hearts –

Glory to Thee, O Mother, 
May we grow worthy of Thee!

ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥

Navami

Day nine of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Siddhidatri, commonly known as Saraswati. The name Siddhidatri literally means the giver of siddhi or enlightenment. The goddess is known for having supernatural healing powers. The goddess represents the blissful state of mind, just like the sky on a clear day.

O Thou Divine Grace, bestower of all boons, giver of Force 
And Light, Thou who art Ishvar and Ishvari, Thou Sphere 
Of Divine Effulgence, grant us Thy boon of Supreme Light,  
Of Truth and Perfect Being;

Glory to Thee, Divine Mother, 
May we always live worthy of Thee!

ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥