Nav Durga Sadhana

 **Nav Durga Sadhana** refers to the worship and spiritual practice dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga during the Hindu festival of Navratri. Each of the nine days is dedicated to one of the manifestations of Durga, collectively known as Nav Durga. Devotees perform sadhana (spiritual practice) to invoke the blessings of each form of the goddess, seeking protection, strength, and divine guidance.

Here is an overview of the **Nav Durga Sadhana**:

### 1. **Shailaputri (Day 1)**

   - **Form**: Daughter of the mountains (Parvati)

   - **Mantra**: "Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah"

   - **Sadhana**: Invoking strength and grounding.

### 2. **Brahmacharini (Day 2)**

   - **Form**: The goddess of penance and austerity

   - **Mantra**: "Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah"

   - **Sadhana**: Focusing on spiritual growth and discipline.

### 3. **Chandraghanta (Day 3)**

   - **Form**: The warrior goddess with a crescent moon on her forehead

   - **Mantra**: "Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah"

   - **Sadhana**: Seeking courage and removing negative energies.

### 4. **Kushmanda (Day 4)**

   - **Form**: The creator of the universe, radiant like the sun

   - **Mantra**: "Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah"

   - **Sadhana**: Connecting with creativity and energy.

### 5. **Skandamata (Day 5)**

   - **Form**: Mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya)

   - **Mantra**: "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah"

   - **Sadhana**: Nurturing love and compassion.

### 6. **Katyayani (Day 6)**

   - **Form**: Warrior goddess, fierce and protective

   - **Mantra**: "Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah"

   - **Sadhana**: Overcoming obstacles and achieving goals.

### 7. **Kalaratri (Day 7)**

   - **Form**: The dark goddess, destroyer of fear and ignorance

   - **Mantra**: "Om Devi Kalratryai Namah"

   - **Sadhana**: Letting go of fear and negativity.

### 8. **Mahagauri (Day 8)**

   - **Form**: The radiant and fair goddess, representing purity

   - **Mantra**: "Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah"

   - **Sadhana**: Purifying the mind and soul.

### 9. **Siddhidatri (Day 9)**

   - **Form**: The bestower of supernatural powers and wisdom

   - **Mantra**: "Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah"

   - **Sadhana**: Gaining spiritual wisdom and enlightenment.

### General Steps in Nav Durga Sadhana:

1. **Purity and Preparation**: Begin the sadhana with a clean body, mind, and environment. Offer flowers, incense, and lamps to the goddess.

2. **Mantra Chanting**: Recite the specific mantra for each form of Durga on the respective day.

3. **Meditation**: Focus on the qualities and energy of the specific form of Durga during meditation.

4. **Offerings**: Traditional offerings include fruits, sweets, and sometimes items symbolizing each goddess's attributes.

5. **Fasting (Vrat)**: Many devotees fast during Navratri, either with complete fasting or by consuming fruits and milk.

6. **Reading Scriptures**: Reading the Durga Saptashati (also known as Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi Path) is a common practice.

7. **Prayers and Aarti**: Perform Durga Aarti, invoking her blessings and grace.

Nav Durga Sadhana is not just about ritualistic worship, but also about inner transformation, invoking the divine feminine energy within, and overcoming challenges in life. Each form of Durga represents different aspects of life, and worshiping them brings spiritual growth, protection, and fulfillment.