During Navratra, Sanskara celebrates the 9 Devis and brings their virtues to mind. These 9 are forms of goddess Durga who personifies various aspects of feminine energy. Her avatars balance weapons of destruction with those signifying wisdom. Meaning, use your strengths with knowledge of their outcome. The fierce creatures she rides suggest a controlled use of your strength.
Durga: Positive energy
Weapons: conch, discus, lotus, sword, bow & arrow, trishul, mace, thunderbolt, snake and flame.
Durga is worshipped for her triumph over evil. During the 9-day battle, she takes many different forms, using a myriad of weapons to slay demons. People all over India love to worship this warrior goddess. In fact, there is deep symbolism behind Durga. In her entirety, Durga inspires us to arm ourselves with weapons such as knowledge, power, restraint, endurance, courage, and strength to slay our inner demons which, with their negative energy, make us descend into our lower selves. Thus, the festival really is about recognising and annihilating our own vices such as arrogance, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, greed and selfishness.
Shailaputri: Strength
Weapon: Trident
Just as Shailaputri destroyed the ego of Indra and other Devas, use your knowledge, willpower, and strength to destroy your ego for your own greater good.
Brahmacharini: Endurance
Weapons: prayer beads & oblong water pot (kamandalu)
As Brahmacharini, the goddess lived a simple life and practiced severe austerities to attain Shiva. So, also, practice simplicity righteously to fulfil your inner potential.
Chandraghanta: Courage
Weapons: Trident, lotus, mace, kamandalu, sword, and bow & arrow
When faced with Shiva’s horde of demons, the goddess transformed herself into the fearsome Chandraghanta. So, also, be brave and stay fierce while facing your inner demons.
Kushmanda: Energy & wealth
Weapons: Trident, discus, sword, hook, mace, bow and arrow, elixir and blood
Kushmanda created light in darkness and life itself. She lives in the sun, so we are inspired to be the light in our own lives and in those around us. All we need to bring forth this light is already within us.
Skandamata: Wisdom
Weapon: lotus
Skandamata is the mother of Kartikeya who was born as a seed out of the union of Shiva and Parvati, carried by Ganga and nurtured by the six Krittikas. So, also, seeds of wisdom must be nourished with knowledge, purity and resolve.
Katyayini: Power & knowledge
Weapons: Sword, lotus
Katyayini carries both sword and lotus. She thus balances her use of power and wisdom, inspiring us to do the same. Use your sense of responsibility to discern right from wrong.
Kaalratri: Fierce determination
Weapons: Sword, iron hook.
Also known as the terrifying Kali, she vanquished the demon Raktabeej by drinking every drop of his blood. In this form, the goddess tells us that we will have to be fierce to annihilate every single drop of impurity within.
Mahagauri: Knowledge & liberation
Weapons: Trident, damru (two-headed drum)
Parvati’s austerities to win Shiva were so severe that she lost her beauty. When she won him over, he restored her former radiance. So, also, if we want something, we must put in the hard work with the faith that it will be rewarded with success.
Siddhidaatri: Supernatural powers
Weapons: Mace, discus, conch shell & lotus
It was the goddess Siddhidaatri who converted half of Shiva’s body into a female energy, symbolising the equalness between all sexes. Siddhidaatri also inspires us to live a disciplined and spiritually elevated life.
