Goddess Kalaratri is the fiercest form of the Navdurgas and is propitiated on the seventh (sapthamam) day of Navratri. Possessing a horrendous appearance but is a fierce saviour from evil forces, ‘Kalaratri,’ means the ‘one who abolishes ignorance and darkness from the minds,’ of Her worshippers.

Though She has a terrifying appearance, She always brings in auspiciousness. Hence, She is also called Shubankari – in this form Goddess Kalaratri killed the asur, Raktabeej.

Raktabeej was a demon who could multiply from every drop of his blood which fell on the ground. The Goddess Kalaratri killed him by licking the blood before it could reach the ground and conquered him.

She endows Her devotees with calm and courage.

The complexion of Goddess Kalaratri is like dark night with bountiful hair and She has four hands. The left two hands hold a cleaver and a torch, and the right two are in the mudras of “giving,” and “protecting.”

She has three eyes which emanate rays like lightning. Flames appear through Her nostrils when She inhales and exhales air. Her mount is the donkey.

The colours blue, red or white should be worn on this day as they are colours that are favoured by Goddess Kalaratri.

Her worship on 7th day of Navratri has very much importance to yogis and sadhaks (disciples/practitioners). Yogis and sadhaks perform penance on Shahtra Chakra on this day – when penance and deep meditation is done to Goddess Kalaratri, when pleased, She blesses Her sadhaks with spiritual siddhis (mastery).

KALARATRI & THE SAHASRARA CHAKRA

Kalaratri rules Saturn (Shani), who also represents time and ultimate death, and offers us the opportunity for expanded consciousness through meditation on this inevitability. By worshiping Kalaratri on the seventh day of Navaratri and meditating on Her deeply, we connect with the sahasrara (crown) chakra, and the barriers between mind, body, and spirit begin to dissolve.

She blesses us with happiness and courage, helping to remove sadness, pain, and fear.

The crown chakra, or sahasrāra chakra in Sanskrit, is known as “the bridge to the cosmos.” It is the most spiritual in nature of all seven chakras.

The Sanskrit word Sahasrara means ‘thousand,’ or ‘infinite.’ The awakening of the Crown Chakra means a universal flow of energy and spiritual enlightenment. It is represented by pure white light or violet colour. The seed mantra of Sahasrara Chakra is AUM which is considered to influence brain functions such as memory, intelligence, and sharp focus

Located above the crown of the head, it acts as the individual’s center of spirit, enlightenment, wisdom, universal consciousness, and connection to higher guidance.

In a sense, the crown chakra is our highest potential – it governs interaction and communication with the universe, one’s senses of inspiration and devotion, union with the higher self and the divine, and deeper understanding; simultaneously, it is responsible for a healthy spiritual life.

Meditating on the chakras as a daily discipline is one of the surest insurance you can gift yourself, for it is believed that if your chakras are in perfect alignment with each other, you’d have everything you need in this lifetime.

Offer 11 ghee lamps to Goddess Kalarathri today with grains, fruits, sweetmeats and 9 red hibiscus flowers.

Start with Ganesha Dhyanam

Vakratunda Mahakaya,

Suryakoti Samaprabha,

Nirvighnam Kurume Deva,

Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada.

Om shantih,shantih, shantihi.

Prarthana (Prayer)

Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita।

Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini॥

Vamapadollasalloha Latakantakabhushana।

Vardhana Murdhadhwaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari॥

Stuti (Salutations)

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kalaratri Rupena Samsthita।

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥

Dhyanam (Meditation)

Karalavandana Ghoram Muktakeshi Chaturbhujam।

Kalaratrim Karalimka Divyam Vidyutamala Vibhushitam॥

Divyam Lauhavajra Khadga Vamoghordhva Karambujam।

Abhayam Varadam Chaiva Dakshinodhvaghah Parnikam Mam॥

Mahamegha Prabham Shyamam Taksha Chaiva Gardabharudha।

Ghoradamsha Karalasyam Pinonnata Payodharam॥

Sukha Prasanna Vadana Smeranna Saroruham।

Evam Sachiyantayet Kalaratrim Sarvakam Samriddhidam॥

Stotra (Hymns)

Him Kalaratri Shrim Karali Cha Klim Kalyani Kalawati।

Kalamata Kalidarpadhni Kamadisha Kupanvita॥

Kamabijajapanda Kamabijaswarupini।

Kumatighni Kulinartinashini Kula Kamini॥

Klim Hrim Shrim Mantrvarnena Kalakantakaghatini।

Kripamayi Kripadhara Kripapara Kripagama॥

Kavacha (Armour)

Om Klim Me Hridayam Patu Padau Shrikalaratri।

Lalate Satatam Patu Tushtagraha Nivarini॥

Rasanam Patu Kaumari, Bhairavi Chakshushorbhama।

Katau Prishthe Maheshani, Karnoshankarabhamini॥

Varjitani Tu Sthanabhi Yani Cha Kavachena Hi।

Tani Sarvani Me Devisatatampatu Stambhini॥

Japa Mantra

Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah॥ 108x

In some areas, the seventh day of Navaratri begins the worship of Sarasvati. Having worshiped Durga and Lakshmi for three days and nights each, to remove obstacles and obtain spiritual wealth. Now the devotee is ready to receive knowledge, which comes from Sarasvati, the goddess of learning. In other schools of worship, such as Kalikula in Nepal, Sarasvati is celebrated for the first three nights, followed by Lakshmi, and the last three nights are dedicated to Kali.

May you be blessed with all the wisdom you seek.

Jai Maa!

SUJATA NANDY WORLD GURUKUL

www.sujatanandy.com

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