Day 7 Navratri

[Vinod Allgoo]

Maa Kalaratri – Goddess Worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri.

She is dark and black like night, hence she is called as ‘Kalratri’.

Kalaratri is deep dark matter, dark energy which houses infinite universe. That brings solace to every soul. If you feel happy and comfortable, it’s the blessings of Ratri. The simple translation of Ratri is night. Why night is also called Ratri because night brings comfort and solace to all the animals and living beings. Whatever you do in the day, night you feel the inner peace and comfort. Kalratri is that aspect of mother divine which is beyond the universe yet it brings solace and peace to every heart and soul.

Kalaratri is the one who destroys ignorance and removes darkness. Thus, she is also known as Shubham-kari. In this form she is believed to have licked the blood of demon Rakta Beeja who had the capacity to bring out thousand demons from a drop of blood spilt from his body. This is the most violent form of Durga. This form primarily depicts that life also has dark side – the violent Mother Nature and creates havoc and removes all dirt.

The reason she is called Kalaraatri is that she is the destroyer of that kaal (time) who destroys everything. Kalaraatri means the Dark Night (surrendering the ego). Her color is dark and her hair is unbound and flies wildly in all directions. She wears a garland of lightning and from her body emanates a light that is strong like a fire.

Her hairs are unlocked and has three eyes and four hands, while the remaining 2 are in the mudras of “giving” and “protecting”.

Her vehicle is a donkey. In her upper right hand she holds a mudra to grant boons and in her lower right hand she grants fearlessness. In her upper left hand she holds a club and an iron knife in her lower left hand.

She spills out fire from her nostrils. She holds a sharp Sword in her right hand and blesses her devotees with her lower hand. As she blesses her devotees with prosperity, she is also called as ‘Shubhamkari’.

She is fearful to look at but she grants very auspicious fruit to devotees. Another name for her is “Bhayankari” (this literally means “Fearful”). When devotees see her, they should not have fear. If they do her puja, she will grant freedom from fear of ghosts, spirits, snakes, fire, floods, and dangerous animals.

Benefits of praying Maa Kalaratri - Removes all obstacles

Colour of the day - Royal Blue

Jai Guru Dev !!