The Purpose of Nav Raatri: From Ritual to Realisation

From a satsang with SWAHA Pt. Dr. Umesh Persad, Shiva Shakti Mandir of Marion Oaks, FL., USA

Nav Raatri, the sacred period of nine nights, is a time of deep spiritual significance in Sanaatan Dharma. It is during this period that we worship the Supreme Energy as Devi—the divine force that animates all existence. Energy manifests in myriad ways, and in our tradition, we personify these causal energies as Devi, the Supreme Mother. Whether we see the divine as a father or mother, the essence remains the same, yet the relationship between a mother and child is one of unparalleled intimacy and care. When we invoke the divine as Mother, we establish a bond of nurturing guidance, comfort and unconditional love.

The divine mother appears in various forms—Durga Devi, Lakshmi Devi, Saraswati Devi, Kaali Devi, the Nav Durga (nine forms of the Goddess Durga) and Chausath Yogini (the 64 forms of the Goddess)—each representing different facets of energy. These energies govern all aspects of existence, from sleep, hunger and thirst to our emotions, intellect and spiritual evolution. Everything we experience is a manifestation of Devi, and through worship, we seek her grace to remove the greatest obstacle in our lives—our own ignorance.

During Nav Raatri, we engage in various spiritual practices to purify ourselves and progress spiritually. The Devi Bhagavatam clarifies different levels of worship, each serving as a step towards higher realisation:

1. Rituals and Offerings – This is the foundational level, where we engage in traditional practices such as lighting deeyas, performing havan, offering coconut and neem leaves, and reciting prayers. These acts purify the physical, mental and emotional facets of the self and create an environment conducive to devotion.
2. Chanting and Vibrational Energy – At the next level, we immerse ourselves in mantra jap, stotras and stutis that generate spiritual vibrations. Chanting builds inner strength, discipline and focus, elevating our consciousness beyond the material realm.
3. Meditation and Inner Contemplation – The highest form of worship is internal—meditation, self-inquiry and deep contemplation. This stage allows us to go beyond the senses and mind, connecting directly with the divine presence within.

While rituals are essential, they are akin to the spiritual stage of preschool; chanting is like secondary education, and meditation is akin to the university of spiritual growth. True wisdom lies in progressing from external observances to inner realisation, from pravritti marga (the outward path) to nivritti marga (the inward journey). Nav Raatri offers us the opportunity to assess where we are on this path and take deliberate steps toward higher understanding.

One of the most powerful yet overlooked practices during Nav Raatri is silence—both external and internal. As we quiet our external world, we become acutely aware of the ongoing chatter within our minds. The next step is to observe the mind without engaging with it, allowing its fluctuations to settle naturally. The more external stimuli we feed the mind, the more unsettled it becomes. The essence of yoga is precisely this: the calming of the mind’s incessant movements in order to experience the stillness of the divine within.

On Nav Raatri, as we perform spiritual rituals, let us also dedicate time to internal exploration. Let us recognise that the Supreme is always with us. By harmonising external devotion with internal realisation, we transcend the limited self and step into the vast, infinite grace of Devi Maa.