Navratri Vrat Katha — Story of Nine Goddesses with Meaning
Navratri comes four times a year — Chaitra, Ashadha, Ashwin and Magh — but Chaitra and Ashwin Navratri are the most celebrated. During these nine days, the nine forms of Maa Durga are worshipped. This katha tells of the demon Mahishasur's tyranny and the goddess's victory over him as Mahishasura Mardini.
|| Doha ||
Jai Maa Durge jagat maa, nau roopon ki Devi | Navratri jo vrat kare, Maa kare uddhaar ||
Prachin kaal mein Mahishasur naam ka raakshas tha | Brahma ka vardan paakar ajey ho gaya tha | Devataon ko swarg se khaded diya | Devgan Vishnu-Shiv ke paas sahayta maangne gaye ||
Tridevaon aur devataon ki shakti se, Mahashakti Maa Durga prakat hueen | Athaarah bhujaon waali Devi ka roop, Singh par sawaar, Mahishasur ka vadh karne aayin ||
Nau din tak yuddh hua Devi aur daanav mein | Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta — teen roop | Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani — teen aur | Kaalratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri — nau Devi ||
Dasaven din — Vijayadashami — Mahishasur maara gaya | Devataon ne jai-jaikaar kiya, swarg wapas mila | Maa Durga ne kaha — Navratri mein meri pooja karo | Jo vrat rakhe, use santan, sukh aur vijay mile ||
Navratri mein Kalash Sthapana se shuruaat hoti | Nau Deviyon ki nau din pooja hoti | Durga Saptashati ka paath, akhand jyot | Navami ko kanya-poojan, dasami ko visarjan ||
|| Doha ||
Maa Durga ki jai ho, Navratri shubh kaal | Nau roopon ki bhakti se, mite har janjaal ||
Meaning
Doha
Jai Maa Durge jagat maa, nau roopon ki Devi | Navratri jo vrat kare, Maa kare uddhaar ||
Victory to Maa Durga, Mother of the world, goddess of nine forms. Whoever keeps the Navratri fast — may the Mother uplift them.
Verse 1
Prachin kaal mein Mahishasur naam ka raakshas tha | Brahma ka vardan paakar ajey ho gaya tha | Devataon ko swarg se khaded diya | Devgan Vishnu-Shiv ke paas sahayta maangne gaye ||
In ancient times there was a demon named Mahishasur who had become invincible through Brahma's boon. He drove the gods from heaven. The gods went to Vishnu and Shiv seeking help.
Verse 2
Tridevaon aur devataon ki shakti se, Mahashakti Maa Durga prakat hueen | Athaarah bhujaon waali Devi ka roop, Singh par sawaar, Mahishasur ka vadh karne aayin ||
From the combined energy of the Trinity and all the gods, Mahashakti Maa Durga manifested. The eighteen-armed goddess, riding a lion, came to slay Mahishasur.
Verse 3
Nau din tak yuddh hua Devi aur daanav mein | Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta — teen roop | Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani — teen aur | Kaalratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri — nau Devi ||
The battle between the goddess and the demon lasted nine days. The nine forms are — Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri.
Verse 4
Dasaven din — Vijayadashami — Mahishasur maara gaya | Devataon ne jai-jaikaar kiya, swarg wapas mila | Maa Durga ne kaha — Navratri mein meri pooja karo | Jo vrat rakhe, use santan, sukh aur vijay mile ||
On the tenth day — Vijayadashami — Mahishasur was slain. The gods rejoiced and heaven was restored. Maa Durga said — worship me in Navratri; whoever fasts shall receive children, happiness and victory.
Verse 5
Navratri mein Kalash Sthapana se shuruaat hoti | Nau Deviyon ki nau din pooja hoti | Durga Saptashati ka paath, akhand jyot | Navami ko kanya-poojan, dasami ko visarjan ||
Navratri begins with Kalash Sthapana. The nine goddesses are worshipped for nine days. The Durga Saptashati is recited and an unbroken lamp kept burning. On Navami, young girls are worshipped; on Dashami, the visarjan takes place.
Doha
Maa Durga ki jai ho, Navratri shubh kaal | Nau roopon ki bhakti se, mite har janjaal ||
Victory to Maa Durga. Navratri is an auspicious time. Through devotion to her nine forms, every bondage and difficulty is destroyed.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
What to eat during Navratri fast?
During Navratri fasting eat kuttu flour, singhara flour, sabudana, potato, sweet potato, fruits, milk, makhana and rock salt. Grains, onion, garlic, common salt and non-vegetarian food are forbidden. Some eat only fruits.
Why and when to do Kanya Pujan in Navratri?
Kanya Pujan is done on Navami. Nine young girls aged two to ten are worshipped as the nine forms of Maa Durga. They are offered food, clothing and dakshina. This is the udyapan of the fast and brings the goddess's special grace.
How to keep the Akhand Jyot during Navratri?
Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil. Keep the lamp where no wind can reach it. Do not let it go out for nine days — ensure someone is always home. Keep water, flowers and belpatra near the flame. If it goes out, relight it immediately and seek forgiveness in your heart.