Satyabrat Borah
(satyabratborah12@gmail.com)
Festivals are not just about rituals, decorations, or cultural nostalgia. They are living metaphors, offering us insights into how to live with wisdom and joy. They carry a powerful message: the victory of clarity over confusion, resilience over weakness, and light over darkness. In the vibrant mosaic of Indian festivals, Navratri and its culmination, Vijayadashami, stand as a profound testament to this inner journey. The very word ‘ratri’ means night, a universal symbol of ignorance, forgetfulness, and the unknown. Navratri, the nine nights, can thus be seen as nine sacred opportunities, a structured path to consciously remove the layers of darkness that so often cloud our perception and diminish our lives. These nights are not merely to be counted on the calendar; they are steps in an intimate pilgrimage from confusion to clarity, from scarcity to abundance, from fear to courage, culminating in the triumphant day of Vijayadashami, the victory of the tenth day.
The journey of Navratri is traditionally divided into three distinct phases, each dedicated to a different aspect of the divine feminine, each representing a fundamental pillar of a fulfilled human existence. The first phase is devoted to learning, symbolised by Goddess Saraswati. In an age where we are perpetually flooded with information, where data points and opinions clamour for our attention, the invocation of Saraswati is a call for something far deeper: wisdom. This initial stage of the inner journey is about cultivating insight and genuine curiosity. It is about quieting the noise of the external world to listen to the subtle voice of understanding within. The darkness we confront here is the darkness of ignorance, not merely a lack of facts, but a lack of perspective. It is the confusion that arises when we cannot distinguish the essential from the trivial, the lasting from the transient. To honour Saraswati is to engage in practices that sharpen the intellect and purify the mind. It is the darkness of prejudice, of unquestioned assumptions, and of a closed mind that is dispelled in this phase. By dedicating ourselves to learning, whether through study, contemplation, or mindful observation, we ignite the first lamp of awareness. This is the foundational light without which all subsequent progress is built on shaky ground. It is the clarity that comes from seeing things as they are, not as we fear or wish them to be.
Having established the light of knowledge, the journey progresses to its second phase, which is devoted to wealth, represented by Goddess Lakshmi. It is a common misperception to limit the concept of wealth to material possessions and financial capital. The Lakshmi principle invites us to expand this understanding dramatically. True wealth, in its most profound sense, encompasses health, peace of mind, harmony in relationships, a sense of purpose, and a deep, abiding gratitude for the miracle of life itself. The darkness addressed in this phase is the darkness of scarcity consciousness. This is the gnawing feeling of lack, the anxiety that we are not enough or do not have enough, which leads to envy, greed, and an inability to appreciate the abundance that already surrounds us. This scarcity mindset is a profound form of inner poverty that can persist even amidst great material riches. Invoking Lakshmi is an act of cultivating an inner prosperity. It is about recognising the wealth of a healthy body, the treasure of a quiet mind, the richness of loving connections, and the fortune of waking up to a new day. Practices during this phase involve generosity, sharing, creating beauty and order in one’s environment, and consciously counting one’s blessings. When we remove the darkness of scarcity, we begin to perceive the universe as abundant and supportive. We move from a mentality of hoarding to one of sharing, from anxiety to contentment. This inner wealth is the sustenance that fuels the next stage of the journey.
The third and final phase of Navratri is devoted to power, symbolised by Goddess Parvati in her form as Shakti. This is not power over others, but the power within oneself. It is the power of resilience, of will, of the indomitable spirit to face challenges, overcome negativity, and rise every time life pushes us down. The darkness confronted here is the most visceral of all: the darkness of fear, inertia, and internal weakness. It is the voice of self-doubt that holds us back, the lethargy that prevents us from taking action, and the negative tendencies that sabotage our own well-being. Parvati represents tapasya, the fire of discipline and transformation. This phase is about inner strength, the courage to confront our own shadows, like our anger, our insecurities, and our limitations, and to transform them into sources of strength. It is about building the fortitude to stand up for what is right, to persevere in the face of adversity, and to channel our energies constructively. This is the power that protects the wisdom of Saraswati and the wealth of Lakshmi. Without this inner strength, knowledge remains theoretical and wealth remains vulnerable. The goddess in this form is the warrior, and her battle is against the demons of inertia and negativity within our own consciousness.
The culmination of this nine-night inner odyssey is Vijayadashami, the day of victory. This victory is not an external event but an internal achievement. It is the triumph of the higher self over the lower self. It is the victory of the light of knowledge over the darkness of ignorance, the victory of a consciousness of abundance over a consciousness of lack, and the victory of inner power over inner weakness. The story of Lord Rama defeating Ravana on this day is the perfect allegory for this internal conquest. Ravana, with his ten heads, represents the ten senses (five of perception and five of action) that, when uncontrolled and driven by ego, lead to our downfall. Vijayadashami marks the moment when the individual, having diligently worked through the phases of learning, cultivating wealth, and building power, gains mastery over these senses. The ego is subdued, and the true Self, represented by Rama, is enthroned.
Therefore, the true celebration of Navratri and Vijayadashami lies not only in external festivities but also in the conscious participation in this inner process. It is a time for introspection and renewal. It is an invitation to ask ourselves: What are the areas of my life clouded by ignorance? Where do I feel a sense of lack? Where am I feeling weak or disempowered? The festival provides a template for addressing these questions methodically. Each night becomes an opportunity to consciously shed a layer of darkness, to light a new lamp within. The dances, the prayers, the fasting, and the gatherings are all outer expressions of this profound inner alchemy. They are collective rituals that support the individual’s journey toward wholeness.
In a world that often feels increasingly chaotic and confusing, the timeless wisdom embedded in Navratri offers a path to stability and joy. It reminds us that the most important battles are fought within the landscape of our own minds and hearts. The darkness without is but a reflection of the darkness within. By undertaking the journey of these nine nights, we actively participate in the cosmic process of evolution, moving from tamas (inertia) to rajas (activity) and ultimately to sattva (clarity and harmony). We emerge on the tenth day not just as spectators of a ritual but as victors in our own right, carrying the light of wisdom, the wealth of gratitude, and the power of resilience into our daily lives. This is the enduring message of Navratri: that the divine light we so eagerly seek in temples and festivals is, and has always been, waiting to be discovered and kindled within the sanctum of our own being.