Chaitri Navratri - Hindu festival of Shakti Worship
The second most important Navratri of the year starts on Tuesday.
In the Vedic Calendar, we have four Navratri’s in a year. This is the most powerful time portal in the year to both collect higher cosmic energies and upgrade your life, as well as cleanse away the things that don’t serve you. This is a time for transformation, for evolution and growth. It is the most potent time for healing and manifestation.
Of the four Navratri portals which occur in a year, two are most important and this is Vasant or Spring Navratri which starts April 9th - April 17th where a different form of Gauri (the young form of Maa Durga is worshipped).
If you have no idea where to start, you can read my previous article on Navratri Sadhana right here on my Substack! That includes a lot of details.
But here I’ll be sharing a short spiritual practice that you can perform every evening to
Help you connect to and activate the Shakti within
Direct your intention towards healing and growth
Make your sadhana effective for worship of the Divine Mother
General procedures for Vasant Navratri
Remember this is a time of purification and collecting energy. This is why Hindus fast during this time, so be sure to do the bare minimum of avoiding low vibrational foods and places as much as possible. That includes alcohol, meat and other things.
In general, fasting entails taking fruits, dry fruits and dairy products for the entire nine days along with ‘falaahar’ or fasting food, although some may fast the whole day and eat a normal meal in the evening. Please note that fasting does NOT mean you do not eat anything. We have an entirely different ancient science which goes back far beyond modern science. Fast within your capacity. If you are fasting with fruits then be sure to consume an adequate amount of fruits and dry fruits.
During this time be sure to minimise social media consumption and any avenues which may drain your energy.
Simple evening sadhana
The first thing to note is that you MUST sit on a mat for meditation. NEVER sit directly on the floor, the reasons have already been elaborated before.
First light a lamp (ideally ghee or oil), and some dhoop (incense). The fire element stabilises your mind and the dhoopam also purifies the atmosphere and attracts positive vibrations. Keep a picture of Maa Durga elevated, facing either the West or East direction. If you already have a home temple then you may have your own process.
We start any puja or ritual with remember Ganesh. Because Ganesh lives in the root chakra and he opens up all the avenues for spiritual ascension. In order to do this, you can chant the following shloka: read it in the linked article and listen to get the pronunciations right. After this you will chant ‘Aum Shree Gurubhyo Namah’ three times to activate your inner Guru and connect to the stream of Guru Parampara that supports and guides your practice. Again, look up the pronunciation in YouTube if in doubt.
Generally, before any Shakti worship, we remember Bhairava who is the protector form of Shiva. There are great benefits of listening to and chanting Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam during Navratri as well. Please find there here in Youtube. If you have time to add this to your practice, otherwise you can just mentally remember Bhairava and chant Aum Bhairavaya Namah.
Spend some time (5-10 minutes) first practicing pranayama or breathwork. This will stabilise your energy and open your energetic channels. The easiest is to simply breathe in naturally and deeply from your stomach, through your nose and release as slowly as possible. The slower you make your breath, the more your concentration power will be.
Next you may listen to this Devi Atharvashirsha in order to connect to Maa Durga. During this time, simply observe your breathing and sit up straight. Allow the sounds of this sacred chant to fill your being. Listen here.
After this you can open your eyes and repeat the 32 names of Maa Durga. Ideally, you would take water (achman) three times from a copper ‘panchpatra’ and then for the fourth time wash your hands and THEN chant this.
After completing these 32 names, you may keep some water just ahead of your asana and put your fourth finger and apply the water to your two eyes and chant ‘Indraye Namah’ which helps to contain your practice.
After this, take some time to MEDITATE and VISUALISE the form of Maa Durga in your mind. Notice the image in front of you that you have, what do these qualities represent? Strength, abundance, dharma, manifestation. Along with Sanskrit chanting, mantra practice and so forth it is important to actually meditate on the form of the deity as this activates her energies within you.
You can finish your practice with some introspective journalling. I love to combine my regular healing and inner work methods during times like Navratri as I always get MORE insights and breakthroughs from my higher self. In this practice, take 5 minutes to describe what your life would look like in it’s most ideal state. What would your health look like, your finances. Describe for yourself in detail. This helps you shift your timeline to a higher reality. Applying inner work methods will always pay off infinitely more when you are connected also to the deity.
May the blessings of Adi Parashakti guide your practice to reach the highest level of spiritual evolution! Jai Shri Ram