Navaratri – a period of intensive spiritual practice
At the Mai Ram Yoga ashram in Vilnius, the Navaratri period takes place twice a year. In the yogic tradition, Navaratri or Navratri is a period of intensive austerity, meditation, purification and seclusion that lasts nine days and nine nights. It is a special time of spiritual growth and transformation, devoted to inner purification, to establishing harmony and to cultivating a higher consciousness. It is a time when, through discipline and devotion, a person can undergo a deep transformation, free themselves from inner limitations and establish a higher spiritual state in their everyday life.
What is Navaratri?
Navaratri (Sanskrit nava – nine, rātrī – nights) is a period of nine days and nine nights that yogis regard as a time of austerity, fasting, inner silence, concentration, meditation and praise of the Goddess. Navratri is considered a stage of intensive spiritual growth and spiritual transformation, when, through purification, austerity and the grace of the Goddess, the yogi moves resolutely towards embodying the practice.
The Navaratri sadhana (spiritual practice) is practised twice a year. The spring Navaratri period is called Chaitra Navaratri and falls in March or April. The autumn Navaratri period is called Sharadiya Navaratri and falls in September or October. These two periods are connected with the changes taking place in nature, with the passage from winter to summer and from summer to winter.
The meaning of Navaratri in the yogic tradition
For a yogi, Navaratri is an important period of inner transformation and spiritual growth. During this period the yogi worships the feminine divine energy and praises the forms of the Goddess. These forms symbolise particular spiritual aspects and powers that help to overcome inner obstacles, encourage flourishing and help to gain wisdom. On each day of Navratri the yogi meditates on a particular form of the Goddess, that is, on a spiritual quality that helps him to develop courage, calm, compassion, wisdom and other qualities. Everything that is needed for spiritual growth.
The Goddess symbolises a spiritual power that can overcome even the mightiest forces of darkness. This symbolism of the Goddess is therefore present in every person: it is their inner strength, which helps them to overcome their inner “demons” so that they may attain spiritual knowledge.
The days of Navaratri – an inner journey and a triumph
The Navaratri period symbolises the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness, of spiritual light over ignorance. The culmination of Navaratri is the moment when the Goddess defeats the demon and so brings peace and harmony. The demon symbolises the ego, ignorance and the inner obstacles that stand in the way of a person’s spiritual and moral growth. The demon also symbolises the unsteady, scattered mind of a person who, because of ignorance and negative thoughts, never experiences peace.
Navaratri practices at the Mai Ram Yoga ashram
At the Mai Ram Yoga ashram in Vilnius, the Navaratri sadhana period brings morning and evening rites, mantra recitation and meditations. People who come to the ashram offer symbols of the causal, subtle and physical body, that is, flowers, fruit, incense, candles and an offering in the form of money.
The symbolism and meaning of the Navaratri offering:
For the first three days the yogi offers up the ego and tries to overcome obstacles, remove negativity, let go of fears and dependencies. This is the first period of Navaratri, the establishing of inner purification, discipline, self-control and courage. At this time the offering of red flowers symbolises the awakening of spiritual energy. The offering of candles symbolises the burning away of inner darkness. The offering of fire symbolises the transformation of negative karma.
The fourth, fifth and sixth days are devoted to establishing love and abundance and to strengthening harmony, flourishing and inner purity. In the first days the yogi tries to remove inner blocks, and afterwards he establishes love and pure thoughts and emotions. Throughout Navratri he also tries to perform service and selfless work in the ashram.
The seventh, eighth and ninth days are devoted to the offering of spiritual wisdom and realisation. They serve to strengthen pure consciousness, creativity and higher understanding. That is why white flowers are offered, symbolising spiritual wisdom.
The tenth day symbolises victory over inner limitations. It is a celebration that establishes a new, higher spiritual state. It is a resolve for a new spiritual stage and the arrival of a new understanding in everyday life.
The inner offering consists of:
- fasting, giving up certain foods so that energy is directed towards spiritual practice;
- mauna, the practice of silence, which is the offering of thoughts and speech;
- letting go of selfish desires, which is trust in the divine order;
- service, which is self-giving for the good of others without seeking personal gain.
The Navaratri offering is a process of inner transformation in which the practitioner renounces aspects of the ego and of limitation in order to become a purer and more balanced being. The Navaratri sadhana symbolises an inner journey through struggle, renewal and spiritual victory, which a person can establish in their life by practising yoga. Throughout the Navaratri period the power of the Goddess is worshipped.
How to take part in the Navaratri practice?
The Navaratri sadhana is meant for everyone who seeks to deepen their spiritual practice and to attain spiritual knowledge through inner transformation. During the Navaratri period, at the Mai Ram Yoga ashram in Vilnius, the practices of the Navaratri sadhana take place every morning and every evening at set times: arati, satsang, recitation of the Navaratri sadhana chants, meditation and karma yoga. Come to these practices washed and dressed in clean, light-coloured clothes. Once there, it is important to keep silence (mauna) and to try to maintain inner calm and focus on the practice.
The dates of the Navaratri period and the times of the practices are published by the ashram in Vilnius in the news section of its website, in its schedule and on the Mai Ram Yoga social networks.