Navratri Day-Wise Mantras and Their Significance

Navratri, meaning “nine nights,” is one of the most sacred Hindu festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms (Navdurga). Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a specific manifestation of the Divine Mother, with unique mantras, significance, and spiritual benefits.

Day 1 – Maa Shailputri (Daughter of the Mountain)

Mantra:

वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्। वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥

Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam | Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailputrim Yashasvinim ||

Significance:

Maa Shailputri is the first form of Goddess Durga, representing nature and purity. She is depicted riding a bull (Nandi) and holding a trident and lotus. Worshipping her on the first day purifies the devotee’s mind and grants stability in life. She governs the Muladhara (Root) Chakra, providing grounding and foundation for spiritual growth.

Benefits:

• Removes obstacles and brings prosperity
• Grants mental peace and stability
• Strengthens family bonds
• Provides protection from negative energies

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Day 2 – Maa Brahmacharini (The Devoted Student)

Mantra:

दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू। देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥

Dadhana Karapadmabhyam Akshamala Kamandalu | Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama ||

Significance:

Maa Brahmacharini represents knowledge, penance, and devotion. She holds a rosary (mala) and water pot (kamandal), symbolizing spiritual learning and purification. This form teaches the importance of discipline, self-control, and dedication in spiritual practice. She influences the Swadhisthana (Sacral) Chakra.

Benefits:

• Enhances wisdom and knowledge
• Improves concentration and focus
• Grants success in education and career
• Develops patience and perseverance

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Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta (Bearer of the Moon)

Mantra:

पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥

Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta | Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta ||

Significance:

Maa Chandraghanta is depicted with a crescent moon on her forehead resembling a bell. She rides a tiger and carries various weapons, representing the fierce aspect of the Divine Mother who protects devotees from evil forces. She governs the Manipura (Solar Plexus) Chakra, providing courage and confidence.

Benefits:

• Removes fear and anxiety
• Provides protection from enemies
• Grants courage in difficult situations
• Brings peace and tranquility

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Day 4 – Maa Kushmanda (Creator of the Universe)

Mantra:

सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च। दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥

Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha | Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me ||

Significance:

Maa Kushmanda is believed to be the creator of the universe with her divine smile. She radiates energy like the sun and provides life force to all beings. She holds a rosary, mace, lotus, and a pot of nectar in her four hands, riding a lioness. She activates the Anahata (Heart) Chakra, filling devotees with divine love and compassion.

Benefits:

• Improves health and vitality
• Brings prosperity and abundance
• Enhances creativity and intelligence
• Removes diseases and ailments

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Day 5 – Maa Skandmata (Mother of Skanda/Kartikeya)

Mantra:

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥

Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashrita Karadwaya | Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini ||

Significance:

Maa Skandmata is the mother of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda), the commander of gods’ army. She is depicted holding baby Skanda in her lap while sitting on a lotus, symbolizing purity and fertility. She represents the nurturing aspect of motherhood and governs the Vishuddha (Throat) Chakra, enhancing communication and expression.

Benefits:

• Blesses childless couples with children
• Protects children from harm
• Grants wisdom and knowledge
• Improves relationships and family harmony

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Day 6 – Maa Katyayani (Warrior Goddess)

Mantra:

चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना। कत्यायनी शुभं दद्यादेवी दानवघातिनी॥

Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana | Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini ||

Significance:

Maa Katyayani is one of the most fierce forms of Durga, born to sage Katyayan to destroy the demon Mahishasura. She represents the warrior aspect of the Divine Mother and is especially worshipped by unmarried girls seeking good husbands. She influences the Ajna (Third Eye) Chakra, providing spiritual insight and intuition.

Benefits:

• Helps in finding suitable life partners
• Removes obstacles in marriage
• Provides strength to overcome enemies
• Grants spiritual enlightenment

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Day 7 – Maa Kalaratri (Destroyer of Darkness)

Mantra:

एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता। लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्त शरीरिणी॥

Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita | Lamboshti Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini ||

Significance:

Maa Kalaratri is the most fierce and terrifying form of Goddess Durga, representing the destructive aspect of time. Despite her frightening appearance, she protects devotees from evil spirits, ghosts, and negative energies. She is the destroyer of ignorance and darkness, governing the Sahasrara (Crown) Chakra for ultimate spiritual liberation.

Benefits:

• Removes fear and negative energies
• Protects from black magic and evil spirits
• Grants fearlessness and confidence
• Destroys enemies and obstacles

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Day 8 – Maa Mahagauri (Extremely Fair)

Mantra:

श्वेते वृषेसमारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः। महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोदिता॥

Shwete Vrishe Samarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchi | Mahagauri Shubham Dadyan Mahadeva Pramodita ||

Significance:

Maa Mahagauri represents purity, peace, and compassion. She is depicted in white clothes, riding a white bull, symbolizing purity and serenity. According to mythology, she attained this fair complexion after severe penance. She grants peace of mind and removes all sins and negative karma from devotees’ lives.

Benefits:

• Purifies thoughts and actions
• Grants inner peace and calmness
• Removes past sins and karma
• Brings happiness and prosperity

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Day 9 – Maa Siddhidatri (Bestower of Supernatural Powers)

Mantra:

सिद्ध गन्धर्व यक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि। सेव्यमाना सदाभूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी॥

Siddha Gandharva Yakshadyair Asurair Amarairapi | Sevyamana Sadabhuyat Siddhida Siddhidayini ||

Significance:

Maa Siddhidatri is the ninth and final form of Goddess Durga, representing the fulfillment of all desires and the granting of supernatural powers (siddhis). She sits on a fully bloomed lotus and is worshipped by gods, demons, and sages alike. She completes the spiritual journey that begins with Maa Shailputri.

Benefits:

• Grants all wishes and desires
• Provides supernatural powers and abilities
• Completes spiritual transformation
• Brings ultimate success and achievement

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General Guidelines for Chanting

Best Times for Chanting:

• Early morning (Brahma Muhurta): 4:00 AM – 6:00 AM
• Evening during sunset
• During Navratri puja timings

Rules for Chanting:

1. Take a bath and wear clean clothes
2. Face east or north while chanting
3. Use a rosary (mala) with 108 beads
4. Chant each mantra 108 times daily
5. Maintain a pure vegetarian diet
6. Keep your mind focused and heart devoted

Common Benefits of All Mantras:

• Spiritual purification and growth
• Protection from negative influences
• Enhancement of positive qualities
• Fulfillment of righteous desires
• Inner peace and divine blessings

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Conclusion

Navratri is not just a festival but a spiritual journey through the nine divine aspects of the Supreme Mother. Each day offers an opportunity to connect with different qualities of the Divine Feminine, leading to complete spiritual transformation. Regular chanting of these mantras with devotion and faith can bring profound positive changes in one’s life.

May the Divine Mother bless all devotees with peace, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment during this sacred festival of Navratri.