Navratri Day 7: Maa Kalaratri & Maha Saptami Puja ~ Astro Ram Ji

Maha Saptami(7th day) marks the major day of rituals for the goddess of power. Mythology says that after a vigorous fight of 9 days the Goddess overpowered the most treacherous demon in history – Mahisasura. Saptami was the day when the Goddess commenced the war with the buffalo demon and killed him on the 10th, that is on Dussehra.

According to legend, Dasta Shumbha-Nishumbha and Raktabeej had made a stroke in all three states. Worried by this, all the goddesses went to Shiva Ji. Shiva asked the goddess Parvati to kill the demons and protect their devotees. Considering Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati assumed the form of Durga and killed Shumbha-Nishumbha. But as soon as Durga killed the bloodbath, the blood released from her body produced millions of raktabeej. Seeing this, Durga Ji made Kalaratri from its fast. After this, when Durga killed the raktabeej, Kalaratri filled his blood in his face and slaughtered his blood base after cutting his throat.

Maa Kalaratri Appearance and Form

This avatar is depicted as a destructive form of the Goddess. She can be seen riding a dark black donkey. Her complexion is dark black and she has four hands. The positioning of her hands are in Abhaya and varada mudra and she carries a sword and an iron hook in her left hand. It is said that she licked the blood of demon Rakta Beeja, who had the potential to create more demons from his own blood. Because of the powers she possesses, she is also referred to as Goddess Shubhankari.

Navratri 7th Day Rituals and Puja Vidhi

Bathing Navapatrika: This day, tithi, and timings are considered to be very auspicious to worship the nine planets. People worship the nine planets representing banana, pomegranate, turmeric, ashoke, bel, arum plant, colocasia, and paddy which are tied together and taken to the river Ganges at pre-dawn for bathing. The puja starts after that. You must be wondering why the nine planets? During the war, Devi Durga created ‘Ashtanayika’ who were the eight war partners. These eight goddesses and Devi herself symbolized “NavaDurga”. These forms helped fight the demon.

Rituals for Goddess Saraswati: Normally in certain southern parts of India, mainly in Kerala, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Goddess Saraswati on the seventh day of Maha Saptami. They keep books and musical instruments before her and pray for insight and knowledge.

Maha Snan: A beautiful ritual like this will fill your heart with satisfaction. A mirror is placed with the reflection of Goddess Durga. This mirror is given the ritualistic bath which is known as Maha snan.

Prana Pratishtha: Prana pratishta forms one of the major rituals on Saptami. A pot with holy water with a bunch of five mango leaves and a coconut is placed in front of the deity. Divine chants and hymns are sung to invoke the Goddess in the deity.

Navratri 7th Day Aaarti & Mantra

Mantra: Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah.

Prarthana: Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita, Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini.

Vamapadollasalloha Latakantakabhushana, Vardhana Murdhadhwaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari.

Stuti: Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kalaratri Rupena Samsthita,

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.

Dhyana: Karalavandana Ghoram Muktakeshi Chaturbhujam,

Kalaratrim Karalimka Divyam Vidyutamala Vibhushitam.

Divyam Lauhavajra Khadga Vamoghordhva Karambujam,

Abhayam Varadam Chaiva Dakshinodhvaghah Parnikam Mam.

Mahamegha Prabham Shyamam Taksha Chaiva Gardabharudha,

Ghoradamsha Karalasyam Pinonnata Payodharam.