Kamal Ghorui
To truly understand the essence of Navratri, one must first understand the nature of existence, which operates on three distinct levels: the gross, subtle, and causal. This triad can be beautifully understood through the simple analogy of an incense stick. The physical stick that you can hold and touch is the gross form. When lit, it produces smoke that is visible but impossible to grasp, representing the subtle form. Eventually, that smoke merges entirely into the vastness of space, leaving behind an invisible but undeniable fragrance – this is the causal state.
Similarly, the Divine Mother, or Bhagavati, exists in these three forms. Her gross form is the physical murti we worship, or her mythological incarnation. Her subtle form is the immense, invisible energy that powers our senses, just as the physical eye is gross, but the power of sight within it is subtle. Ultimately, her causal form is the infinite, formless source of all creation, the golden womb from which the entire cosmos emanates.
Ancient sages understood this profound connection between macrocosm of the universe and microcosm of the human body, which is why Navratri is celebrated during the vital junction of changing seasons. As the cold retreats and summer approaches, our internal digestive fire naturally weakens, making the body vulnerable. To counteractthis, fasting is prescribed.
However, modern society has deeply misunderstood this practice. True fasting is not an excuse to substitute regular grains with heavy, fried snacks eaten continuously . Genuine fasting is a conscious withdrawal from food to give the physical system a profound rest. For those who are healthy, a water fast allows the body to enter a state of autophagy, which naturally clears out dead cells and heals internal organs.
This immense willpower to control the senses is perfectly exemplified in the legend of Devi. In her ultimate quest to attain Shiv, her penance was so fierce that she gradually renounced all food.
When she stopped eating fallen leaves to sustain her physical body, she earned the beautiful name Aparna, the one who exists without even a leaf. We are called to emulate a fraction of this supreme dedication during Navratri.
Physical rituals we perform during these nine days are designed to anchor this commitment. Tying a sacred mauli, a thread on the wrist, acts as a constant physical reminder of our vows, gently stopping our hand when we reach for unnecessary food or distractions. Applying asandalwood tilak on the forehead activates the ajna chakra; as it dries and gently pulls the skin, it naturally draws our scattered attention inward, building an unshakeable focus and awakening our deepest intuition.
When the body is purified through fasting and the mind is anchored through discipline, true spiritual awakening begins. Lighting a ghee lamp in front of the Devi is not simply a ritual to show light to the divine, but a powerful tool to steady the human mind.
By practising trataka – unblinking gazing at the flame – alongside the chanting of sacred stotras , one can bring the wandering mind to a point of absolute stillness. The ultimate culmination of Navratri is the realisation that Bhagavati is not an external deity; she is the Satchidananda – truth, consciousness, and bliss – that breathes through our lungs, sees through our eyes, and beats in our hearts. By mastering our senses, our breath, and our minds, we move from being ordinary humans to realising the absolute, supreme Shakti that resides within us.
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