Sharad Navratri Special: Rituals to Overcome Obstacles and Restore Balance

देहि सौभाग्यमारोग्यं देहि मे परमं सुखम् ।रूपं देहि जयṁ देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥

Meaning:“O Goddess, grant me fortune and health, grant me supreme happiness. Grant me beauty, victory, and fame, and destroy my enemies (inner and outer).”

As autumn begins, the festival of Sharad Navratri arrives, filling homes with devotion, music, and light. This nine-night celebration honours Goddess Durga, the divine mother who embodies courage, wisdom, and protection. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a form of the Goddess, reminding us that her power is not distant but alive within us.

To understand why Navratri is so special, we must remember the story of Durga’s creation.

The Story of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura

In the ancient texts, the gods once faced a terrifying demon king named Mahishasura. He had grown so powerful that neither men nor gods could defeat him. His strength came from arrogance and unchecked desire, which made him almost unstoppable.

To restore balance, the gods combined their energies, and from this union, Goddess Durga was born—resplendent, radiant, and armed with divine weapons. Riding a lion, she waged a fierce battle against Mahishasura for nine nights and finally defeated him.

Durga’s victory was not just the end of a demon; it was a triumph of truth over falsehood, courage over fear, and clarity over confusion. That is why Navratri is not only about rituals—it is about conquering the inner Mahishasura that lives in all of us.

The Modern Mahishasura: Inner Obstacles

In the ancient story, Mahishasura was a shape-shifting demon who could appear in many forms, making him difficult to fight. In the same way, our inner obstacles are not always obvious—they shift shapes and wear disguises. Sometimes they appear to be laziness, at other times overwork; sometimes they feel like worry, at different times like pride.

Here are some of the modern Mahishasuras we battle every day:

• Fear of failure: It whispers that you shouldn’t even try because you might fail. It paralyses dreams before they begin.

• Anger and resentment: Like fire, they burn not only others but also ourselves. When carried too long, they turn into bitterness that blocks joy.

• Self-doubt: The inner critic that says, “You’re not good enough, not smart enough, not worthy enough.” This voice often grows loudest right before we are about to grow.

• Overthinking: A modern demon that drains peace. We replay conversations, worry about “what ifs,” and end up exhausted but not closer to solutions.

• Attachment to the past: Old wounds, mistakes, or regrets become heavy baggage that keeps us from stepping into new opportunities.

• Negativity: A constant focus on problems rather than possibilities, which blinds us to the blessings already present.

  
  

These obstacles are not outside enemies—they live inside us. And like Mahishasura, they often grow stronger the longer we avoid facing them. The good news is, just as the gods summoned Durga, we too can awaken our inner warrior through awareness, rituals, and faith.

A Simple 9-Day Ritual for Navratri

You don’t need elaborate arrangements to celebrate Navratri meaningfully. Here is a simple practice you can follow for nine days to invite clarity, courage, and protection into your life.

1. Light a Diya Daily

Each evening, light a small diya (lamp) in your home. As the flame glows, imagine it burning away fear and negativity, replacing them with hope and strength.

2. Use Red Flowers

Offer a red flower to the Goddess or place one near your diya. Red symbolises energy, power, and devotion. If flowers aren’t available, even a simple symbol of red—a cloth, a bindi, or a candle—will do.

3. Chant “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu…”

Recite or listen to this powerful line from the Devi Mahatmya:

“Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti Rupena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah”

(“We bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all beings as power itself.”)

Even repeating it three times daily creates a vibration of protection and strength.

4. Journal Your Intention

Each night, write down one thought: What do I want to release? or What do I want to invite? For example, “I release fear, I invite courage.” Over nine days, you’ll notice patterns—and clarity will emerge.

Reflection: What Demon Will You Conquer?

Sharad Navratri is not only about celebrating the Goddess—it is about living her story within our own lives. Just as Durga had to fight for nine nights before victory, we too need patience, persistence, and courage to overcome our inner demons.

Here are some reflective questions you can ask yourself this season:

1. What is my biggest obstacle right now? Is it fear, procrastination, anger, or doubt? Naming it is the first step.

2. How does this obstacle show up in my daily life? For example, fear might show up as avoiding new opportunities, while self-doubt may appear as never finishing what you start.

3. What strength do I already have that can help me fight it? Just as Durga held weapons gifted by different gods, we all have inner weapons: patience, intelligence, resilience, and kindness.

4. What would victory look like for me? Imagine your life free from this obstacle. How would you act, speak, or feel differently?

5. What one small step can I take during Navratri to begin this fight? It might be committing to a healthier routine, setting boundaries in relationships, or simply writing affirmations of courage each morning.

By reflecting on these questions, you are not just performing a ritual—you are engaging in inner battle, just as the Goddess did. And with each day of Navratri, as you light the diya or chant her name, you remind yourself that you are not alone in this fight—the same divine power that created Durga also lives within you.

Sharad Navratri is more than a festival. It is an invitation to step into your own power. Lighting a diya, offering a flower, chanting a mantra, or writing down your thoughts may seem small, but together they create a sacred space for transformation.

This season, let the story of Durga remind you: no obstacle is permanent, no fear is undefeatable. Within you lies the same divine energy that once defeated Mahishasura.

May these nine nights bring you strength, clarity, and protection. And may you emerge, like the Goddess herself, victorious over the battles within.