The nine-day festival of Navaratri provides a twice-a-year opportunity for the seeker to prepare himself for changing weather. If Navaratri is celebrated with dedication, it is bound to provide energy to the seeker for the next six months. Apart from weather change in the gross world, the subtle world also goes through transformation at this time, for, sadhana performed during this period has special significance. It drains out impurities from within, which prepares the ground for the practitioner to get ready to receive divine blessings.
Navaratri provides the seeker with an auspicious occasion to awaken the nine power points in the body that are dormant due to non-use or misuse. Awakening energy sources results in creating a large power bank in the practitioner.
The nine-day occasion is connected with colours, too. The aware practitioner will know the significance of these colours and identify himself with the relevant deity so that he can get more benefits by concentrating on the colour of the day.
Pratipada, the first day, is dedicated to Shailputri. This denotes nature and the special colour this day is yellow, a symbol of happiness and joy. The second day, dutiya, is the day of Brahmacharni. It denotes constant endeavour for spiritual knowledge. The colour is green. Goddess Parvati performed tapas in order to gain Shiva as her husband. The sadhak should concentrate on the colour green and pledge to engage in self-study to acquire knowledge.
The third day of Navaratri is dedicated to Devi Chandraghanta, who carries the grey half moon on her forehead. Grey colour represents Devi’s readiness to diminish our enemies. The seeker should meditate on this colour and pray for diminishing of internal enemies like anger, unbridled desires, jealousy, ego, and ill will.
The fourth day of Navaratri is for Goddess Kushmanda. Her colour is orange, representing brightness, which symbolises the sun, happiness and energy. The fifth day of the festive season is of Goddess Skandamata. Skand is the lap of the Mother. This represents her selfless love. The colour of this day is white which represents purity and prayer. The seeker can resolve to make his inner Self pure while meditating on white colour.
The sixth day of the nine-day festival is of Devi Katyani. The colour is red, representing the anger of Devi towards enemies of devtas. The seeker resolves to fight against ills of society.
The seventh day is of Devi Kalratri and the colour is dark blue. Devi is also Ma Kali. The immense power of Devi is represented by the dark blue colour. The sadhak readies himself to fight against and overcome evils in society.
The eighth day of Navaratri is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. She fulfills the wishes of the seeker for the betterment of society. The colour pink represents hope and freshness of perspective. The practitioner meditates on the colour pink with the resolve to work for self-refinement and social uplift. He overcomes the tendency to work for fulfillment of narrow-minded petty wishes.
The ninth day of Navaratri is special to Devi Siddharaatri. She blesses knowledge and fulfills expectations. Her colour is violet. This colour represents aspiration and power. The sadhak meditates on this colour and resolves to progress on the path of jnana, knowledge. (The writer is head of the All World Gayatri Parivar. He is also Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalya, Shantikunj, Haridwar).