NAVARATRI – The nine nights of cosmic dance with the divine feminine
Navaratri, a cosmic phenomenon that is celebrated by Indians all over the world; is a nine-night festival that is dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine nature. A festival is observed twice a year: once in the month of Ashwin (September or October) and once in the month of Chaitra (March or April). Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratris.
In Sanātana Dharma (eternal order) the adherents believe in one omnipresent Deity but may worship Her/Him in any of the numerous manifestations that are prevalent all over Bharata.
The word Navaratri literally means “Nava – nine” and “Ratri – nights” in Sanskrit. The word “ratri” implies change. A time to honor the various forms of the divine feminine represented as goddesses. These goddesses are believed to represent different aspects of feminine nature, such as strength, prosperity, abundance, and knowledge. During this festival, the supreme cosmic power or creation (Shakti / devi) is worshipped. In its primordial form, this power is beyond gender and occurs continuously (from creation to atom to mountain & finally destruction) at all levels. In humans, this cosmic power manifests through the journey of the feminine.
To be able to understand the primordial energy that drives existence spiritual observances like Navaratri are undertaken. The outcome of these practices over these nine nights allows one to experience an inner realization that nothing is permanent, in fact, the cyclical nature of birth & death is imminent.
During Navaratri, one engages in a variety of rituals and practices, including specific dietary observances, herbal support, meditation, dance, and puja (worship). The purpose of Navaratri is to celebrate the divine feminine and to seek her blessings. An opportunity to connect with the divine and to seek guidance and inspiration. A time to celebrate the victory of good over evil, as the goddesses are believed to represent the forces of good that triumph over the forces of darkness and evil. One such dance of the nine days of Navaratri is the exploration of the Mahavidyas from Kali to Kamalatmika. The Mahavidyas are a group of ten feminine energies who are considered to be particularly powerful and significant in the Shakti tradition. They are revered as representations of the feminine aspect of the divine and are often seen as embodying different aspects of the feminine experience, such as fertility, sexuality, and creativity. Each of the Mahavidyas has her own distinct mythology, attributes, and characteristics, and they are often depicted in art and literature as being associated with different aspects of the natural world and human experience.
The following is my personal expression of Navaratri with the Mahavidyas. Each day opened a dimension of experience, which connected the nature of each Mahavidya and flowed into the next day in a dynamic dance, culminating into silence:
“So far it has been a journey, a roller coaster for you, for the universe, there was the un-manifest .. at peace with itself.
Kali came .. used Time.. the world was created .. One became two ..
The new creation needed to be nurtured and given direction .. Tara did it ..
Now as a youthful universe, you are the most beautiful .. creation wants to enjoy itself as Tripurasundari .. the most beautiful one ..
After you had enough enjoyment .. you are satisfied .. all the enjoyment has made you expand through space as Bhuvaneswari ..
So many new forms you created in your life .. some of them are causing you unhappiness .. so you work on them as Bhairavi ..
You achieve a lot through your spirituality .. yet your rational mind always trips you .. so you mercilessly chop it off as Chinnamasta and enjoy the freedom of being headless ..
That enjoyment makes you very quiet .. you let go of all your instruments of power .. knowledge .. comforts .. and stay absorbed in bliss as Dhumaavati .. not concerned about your looks or reputation .. content to stay in vairagya ..
Yet your own achievement makes you egoistic .. so you request Bagalamukhi to help .. she makes you look stupid and kills ego with a brutal abuse .. she paralyses you….then she embraces you with her protection..
After this attack you become really empty .. a vehicle for wisdom to flow through .. Matangi graces you with speech .. expression .. art .. so that the citizens of the Universe may benefit ..
You .. Universe .. is finally at peace after all this struggle .. all realms .. all creatures .. are in harmony .. called Kamalatmika .. peace ..
Kamalatmika symbolises this state of bliss .. before the end of this cycle .. the last stage that is permeated by the very same love creation has for itself ..”
