The symbolic behind all rituals in Vedic festivals are always external and internal, which means that it helps both the external and our internal lives. All actions that we do externally should be reflected internally bringing harmony and integrity of our Self. We will discuss each and every ritual and then in a different colored font will explain the internal referencing meaning. This is the core of doing the ritual.

Cleansing:

The festival begins with ritualistic  procedure of cleansing all  the materials that one uses in life (at home and at work). The house is cleaned by discarding all unused broken items, and  usable material are re-shelved or reorganized. Usually the house is also repainted just before the festival. The unused things or broken ones are usually burned in fire. The house and at work gets a fresh look and a start.

The external cleansing is a symbolic of internal cleansing that we should do before commencing the Journey of Inner Quest. There are several junk and broken thoughts and unusable useless thoughts that we carry in our mind. Those should be discarded or burned in the fire of knowledge. This means we have to understand that it is of no use. That deep understanding is fire that helps us to give away that habit. There are useable thoughts that we need for our daily interactions in life and that has to be re-organized and prioritized. Our whole frame work and attitude should be given new colors. This gives  a freshness and joy to the mind.

First three nights (1st , second & third nights).

Even to accomplish a simple cleansing process we need to overcome first laziness (Thamas) in us.  Otherwise we procrastinate. We should first develop the habit of avoiding procrastination of things that will bring good to us. All of us have that inner energy to overthrow this nature. Being Aware of that inner energy is the basis of worshipping that in the form of Goddess Durga or Parvathi on the first three nights.  The laziness or the inertia is a demonic force which means attachment to the physical body. We have to harness "Energy" to fight this laziness which is depicted as "Durga" or "Parvathi" fighting against the demon.  In Ashtanga Yoga these are the first two steps of Yama and Niyama and Asana. This represent at the body level.

Second three nights ( fourth, fifth & Sixth nights)

Once the physical laziness is overcome we have to accomplish inner beauty. We have to fight emotional demons like anger. This is depicted as Lakshmi fighting the demons. Only by creating Awareness of these negative emotions they can be removed. the powerful weapons to achieve these are through Pranayama and Pratyahara (inward withdrawal of senses).

Last three nights ( seventh, eighth & ninth).  Then we have to overcome other mental blocks which can be removed by clear understanding or Knowledge. This is represented by Saraswathi. In Yoga this is the Dharana and Dyana. This is the intellect aspect.

Tenth Night : The day of Victory: This represents the awareness state, the Samadhi state. All the three forms of energy has to be there to accomplish tasks in life. Then life is victorious. At the minor levels we might see materialistic accomplishment. Bu the major accomplishment is the spiritual accomplishment of bringing inner evolution.

Devi Bhagavatham: This gives details of the different demons that the three Devi's fight and so it is important to read the story of the fight during Navarathri nights. The Durga sapthasloki, the seven stanza gives the essence of the whole Devi Bhaghavatham.  We will see the details of this in the Devi Bhaghavatham page.

Navarathri also brings awareness about classical the arts and literature. Because they also helps in transcendence the very objective of Navarathri.  In different parts of India Navarathri is celebrated slightly different. The golu done in South Indian represents the creation theory.