Sharad Navaratri

Mantra Japa Support Group Program Instructions

Goddess Durga

The Sharad Navaratri Mantra Japa Practice will start on Monday September 22, 2025 and last until Wednesday, October 1, 2025.  

Durga is the principal Deity worshiped during Sharad Navaratri as this festival represents a season of Victory after sacrifice. It is at this time that Rama defeats Ravana in the Ramayana. And when Durga defeats Mahishasura.

Durga is the Goddess who tames Rahu and this year the celebration commences on a partial Solar Eclipse at 4 degrees of Virgo.  This may give special potency to our practice this year.

Observing Sharad Navaratri creates a transformational arc that mirrors the inner journey from fragmentation to integration. It is a sacred container for personal evolution, spiritual refinement, and energetic renewal.

Some Suggestions for Planning Your Practice.

Goal: Aim to chant one to five malas (one mala being 108 mantras) of one of the Durga Mantras for 9 nights.

Start and End Dates:  Sharad Navaratri begins on the Pratipada Tithi (first lunar day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Hindu month of Ashwin. We will start on Monday September 22, 2025 until Wednesday October 1, 2025, for 10 consecutive days.

How to count your mantras: You can use a Rudraksha or other mala if you have one and know how to use it. It takes your mind off counting how many times you have chanted. You may also consider keeping a simple journal to track your daily progress. This way you can ensure that you don’t miss a day.

Duration of program: 9 days is the standard Navaratri Japa duration the purpose of this program is to support people to get used to Mantra Japa, so please go at your own pace.

When to chant: It is advised to chant Navaratri mantras in the evening. Please note the Vedic day starts at sunrise each morning and lasts until the next sunrise the following day. It is not started at midnight local time. If you feel that it is easier for you to chant in the morning, so you won’t forget or be too tired to do it in the evening, please do so. Chanting at the same location around the same time of the day is recommended but if that is not convenient, it is okay to do it when/where you like.

Define Your Practice:

• Prepare your meditation space: Find a quiet comfortable area where you will not be disturbed. If you like you can light a diya or white candle and burn incense if you like. Some people choose to ring a bell to harmonize the energy in the area.

• Asana: You can choose to sit on a cushion or in a chair, in either case, you should be sure that you are comfortable and there is a slight curve at the base of your spine to allow your chest and shoulders to be open and relaxed. Take your seat and breathe for a moment to settle into the moment.

• When you are focused, you may want to start with three Mantras to Ganesha so that he will remove all obstacles for your practice. Om Gam Ganapataye Namah x3.

• Then you can complete your Durga Mantras. See Mantra Options below.

• As you end your Mantras, take a moment to be still and receive the practice. Then you can close by chanting:

  • MANTHRA HEENAM,  KRIYAA HEENEM, BAKTHI HEENAM,

  • YA MATH POOJITHAM, 

  • (MAYA DEVI, SURESWARI, or GANAPATHI)  PARI POORNAM THADASTHU ME

  • Meaning: Oh Devi, Sureswari, or (Ganapathi) kindly rectify and complete properly any errors or deficiency in my pronunciation, or in my devotion or in my performance of the pooja ritual.

• Chant OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Durga Saptashati Paath

Pandit Yogesh will be conducting a Durga Saptashati Paath during Navaratri for our group.

Durga Saptashati Paath, also known as Devi Mahatmya or Chandi Path, is a revered scripture from the Markandeya Purana that comprises 700 verses celebrating the divine victories of Goddess Durga over various demonic forces. Traditionally recited during Navaratri or other auspicious times, this sacred text unfolds across thirteen chapters, each depicting the Goddess in her fierce, nurturing, and wise forms—Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati—symbolizing the cosmic cycle of destruction, creation, and illumination. The Paath begins with preparatory invocations such as the Kavach (armor), Argala (bolt), and Keelak (pin), which energetically shield, unlock, and ground the spiritual potency of the recitation. At its core, Durga Saptashati is a spiritual technology for inner transformation: it purifies the mind, invokes divine protection, and aligns the practitioner with the rhythms of cosmic order. Reciting it is said to dissolve fear, enhance clarity, and awaken latent strength, making it a profound tool for personal growth, emotional resilience, and spiritual empowerment.

Donation (optional and highly recommended): As Durga represents victory over adversity, this is an excellent time to donate to local charities who serve those in need. Organizations that work with people facing homelessness, hunger, illness or life changes are great options.  Participants will also have an opportunity to donate within the group. More details later.

WhatsApp Group: Bill Sinclair (Ramdas) has agreed to create and moderate a WhatsApp Group to support each other before and during the program. If you are interested in joining, please email Bill at Ramdasbill@outlook.com and he will send you the links to join the groups.

This program has 2 WhatsApp groups. The first is the Silent group where the Moderators post the daily reflection and the Second is the Interactive group which allows participants to chat with each other about the practice and share support with each other.

Mantra Options

Choose one of those mantras below or any Durga mantra you know and continue chanting the same mantra for 9 nights.

1. Durga Beej Mantra

Sanskrit: ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः

Transliteration: Om Dum Durgāyai Namaha

Translation: “I bow to Goddess Durga, the remover of misfortunes and embodiment of strength.”

Use: A concise invocation for protection and inner power. “Dum” is the seed syllable representing Durga’s fiery energy.

2. Durga Stuti Mantra

Sanskrit:  ॐ सर्वमङ्गलमङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके।शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते॥

Transliteration: Om Sarva-Mangala-Maangalye Shive Sarvārtha-Sādhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Nārāyani Namostute

Translation: “O auspicious one, fulfiller of all desires, three-eyed Gauri, consort of Narayana—I bow to you.”

Use: This mantra is an invocation to Gauri, an auspicious form of Goddess Durga who grants refuge.

3. The Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Mantra

Sanskrit:0

ॐ जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी ।

दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तुते ॥

Transliteration: Om Jayanti Mangala Kali - Bhadrakali Kapalini - Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri - Svaha Svadha Namostute

Translation:  This mantra praises the Goddess through eleven divine names, each representing a unique facet of her power:

• Jayanti – The ever-victorious one

• Mangala – The auspicious one

• Kali – The remover of darkness and time

• Bhadrakali – Fierce protector and destroyer of evil

• Kapalini – Bearer of skulls, symbolizing ego destruction

• Durga – The invincible and compassionate mother

• Kshama – Embodiment of forgiveness

• Shiva – Auspicious and benevolent

• Dhatri – Supporter of the universe

• Svaha – Receiver of ritual offerings

• Svadha – Receiver of ancestral offerings

The closing “Namostute” means “I bow to you.”

Use: This mantra invokes protection, courage, and spiritual strength, this practice helps overcome obstacles, fear, and negativity. It aligns the devotee with the cosmic feminine energy, bringing peace, clarity, and inner transformation. By chanting it 3, 21, or 108 times using a japamala, and ideally while visualizing the form of Goddess Kali or Durga, one can experience profound spiritual benefits.