9 Lessons to Learn from Navratri
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Navratri is a very vibrant festival of India. It is a 9-day festival that honors Goddess Durga and her nine forms. The festival commemorates the victory of Durga over the demon, Mahishasura. Thus, it commemorates the triumph of good over evil. Its themes include spiritual renewal and the worship of Shakti, the Divine Feminine energy. In 2025, Navratri celebrations begin on September 22 and end on September 30. This blog explains the history, significance, and the nine life lessons each day of Navratri teaches us.
Significance of Navratri
All religions are built on the binary of good and evil. Both have always existed in the world. Demons and other evil spirits inhabit the worlds of most faiths. Hindus have their Asuras and Rakshasas, Christians have Lucifer/Satan and an army of demons who are fallen angels, etc. In the eternal battle between the forces of good and evil, the latter tends to get the upper hand at times. On such occasions, the forces of good restore balance by sending their warriors to vanquish the agents of evil.
But Navratri is not just about Durga killing Mahishasura. It is also about inner transformation and spiritual growth. Demons like Mahishasura represent our vices, such as pride, ego, arrogance, greed, envy, etc. To achieve union with the divine, self-purification is essential. Navratri presents an opportunity to learn lessons from the story of Durga and Mahishasura, so that we can rid ourselves of negativity by surrendering to the divine.
Legend behind Navratri
Mahishasura was a powerful demon who had the ability to shape-shift. Drunk on power, he began to harass the gods and managed to defeat them. As he was invincible, the gods were helpless against him. No man could kill him. So the gods combined their powers and created Goddess Durga. Durga went into battle, armed with many divine weapons and riding a lion. After a fierce battle that lasted 9 days, she killed the demon.
Navratri Celebrations
Across India, people celebrate Navratri with Poojas, Vrat, Garba and Dandiya dances, cultural performances, vibrant colors, etc.
Navratri is deeply rooted in the Hindu scriptures and mythology. Durga’s feats are extolled in texts like the Devi Mahatmya. Devotees honor nine incarnations of Durga on the 9 days of the festival. Each day is dedicated to a particular form of the goddess. Each of these forms also represents certain core values and strengths that we need in our personal and spiritual lives.
Different regions in India celebrate the festival in different ways. While Gujarat hosts the colourful and richly symbolic Garba and dandiya dances, West Bengal organizes grand Durga Poojas, while Tamil Nadu celebrates it as Golu Pandigai. In Karnataka, the festival is called Dasara, and it includes a night-long dance-drama based on epic tales called Yakshagana. The Mysore Dasara is a grand spectacle led by the royal family. Ayudha Pooja is observed on Mahanavami and involves the worship of tools, books, and vehicles. In Kerala, people celebrate Saraswati Pooja. On the tenth day of the festival, called Vidyarambham, young children are initiated into learning. The day is also called Vijayadashami.
Navratri teaches us essential values like courage, humility, discipline, creativity, and kindness.
Life Lessons from Navratri
Each day of Navratri honors a different avatar of Durga, who represents certain core values and imparts unique life lessons to devotees.
Let us find out what they are:
Day 1
Goddess – Shailaputri
Lesson – New beginnings, strength, and determination
Day 2
Goddess – Brahmacharini
Lesson – Focus, persistence, mindfulness, and discipline
Day 3
Goddess – Chandraghanta
Lesson – Courage and standing up for what is right
Day 4
Goddess – Kushmanda
Lesson – Creativity, positivity, and doing your best
Day 5
Goddess – Skandamata
Lesson – Compassion, care, and nurturing
Day 6
Goddess – Katyayani
Lesson – Honesty, courage, and integrity
Day 7
Goddess – Kalaratri
Lesson – Inner strength and resilience
Day 8
Goddess – Mahagauri
Lesson – Kindness, inner peace, forgiveness, and purity
Day 9
Goddess – Siddhidhatri
Lesson – Lifelong learning, wisdom
Conclusion
Navratri teaches us to be constantly vigilant of ourselves. Every human being has the potential to have a divine or demonic nature. If we are self-aware, we can sense when the demonic part gets the upper hand and takes us farther away from righteousness and oneness with the divine. Navratri is the time to slay the demons within us, with Durga’s help and blessings, and achieve inner transformation and spiritual progress.