Bhajans

🌙

Navratri

Nine Nights of the Goddess

Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms (Navadurga). It celebrates the divine feminine power and the victory of good over evil.

Significance

Honors the nine forms of Goddess Durga and celebrates her victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Duration: 9 nights, 10 days

Rituals & Traditions

Daily worship of different forms of Durga
Fasting and prayer
Garba and Dandiya dance
Decorating homes and temples
Reading Durga Saptashati
Kanya Pujan on the final day

Sacred Shloka

Shailaputri Devi Mantra

Sanskrit:

वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्। वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥

English Translation:

I bow to the illustrious Goddess Shailaputri who fulfills all desires, wears a crescent moon on her head, is mounted on a bull, and holds a trident.

Meaning:

This shloka honors Goddess Shailaputri, the first form of Durga worshipped on the first day of Navratri, seeking her blessings for the fulfillment of righteous desires.

Sacred Stories

Mahishasura and Durga

The central story of Navratri is the battle between Goddess Durga and the powerful demon Mahishasura. He had been granted a boon that he could not be killed by any man or god. Drunk with power, he terrorized the heavens and earth. To defeat him, the gods combined their divine powers to create Goddess Durga, who was equipped with weapons from all the gods. She fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights, and on the tenth day (Vijayadashami), she finally killed him, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

The Nine Forms of Durga

During Navratri, nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Each form represents different aspects of divine feminine power and is worshipped on specific days with particular rituals, colors, and offerings, symbolizing the complete spectrum of divine energy.

Devotional Bhajan

Hey Ma Durge

Hindi/Sanskrit:

हे मां दुर्गे सुख करनी तेरे बिना कौन सहारा जग जननी जग की तारा शेरों वाली माता भक्तों की रक्षा करने वाली देवी शक्ति का रूप सबको शक्ति देने वाली महिषासुर का संहार करने वाली धर्म की रक्षा करने वाली मां तेरी महिमा अपार तू ही जगत की आधार

English Translation:

O Mother Durga, giver of happiness Who is our support without you Mother of the world, star of the world Mother who rides the lion Protector of devotees Form of divine power Giver of strength to all Destroyer of Mahishasura Protector of righteousness Mother, your glory is infinite You are the foundation of the world

Meaning:

This devotional bhajan honors Goddess Durga as the supreme divine mother, acknowledging her role as protector, strength-giver, and the foundation of cosmic order.

Sacred Aarti

Jai Ambe Gauri

Hindi/Sanskrit:

जय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी तुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी जय अम्बे गौरी मांग सिंदूर विराजत, टीको मृगमद को उज्ज्वल से दो नैना, चंद्रवदन नीको जय अम्बे गौरी कनक समान कलेवर, रक्ताम्बर राजै रक्त पुष्प गल माला, कंठन पर साजै जय अम्बे गौरी केहरि वाहन राजत, खड्ग खप्पर धारी सुर-नर-मुनि जन सेवत, तिनके दुखहारी जय अम्बे गौरी

English Translation:

Jai Ambe Gauri, Mother Jai Shyama Gauri Day and night meditate on you, Hari Brahma and Shiva Jai Ambe Gauri Vermillion adorns your forehead, tilak of musk Two bright eyes, beautiful moon-like face Jai Ambe Gauri Golden-like complexion, wearing red clothes Garland of red flowers, adorning the neck Jai Ambe Gauri Lion as vehicle shines, holding sword and skull Gods, humans, and sages serve, you remove their sorrows Jai Ambe Gauri

Meaning:

This is the complete traditional aarti of Goddess Durga, describing her divine beauty, attributes, and her role as the remover of sorrows for all devotees.