The Pratipada Tithi (first day) of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) of the Hindu Month Ashadha marks the beginning of Gupta Navaratri or Secret Navaratri, where Goddess Durga is worshipped for nine days.
Unlike Sharad Navaratri, which is celebrated in winter or Chaitra Navaratri, which marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, Gupta Navratri is not celebrated with pomp and decorations like the earlier two navarataris, and as the name suggests, most people don’t even know about it.
Gupta Navaratri is the best time for spiritual sadhana to please the Divine Mother Goddess, Maa Durga. The Divine Mother is easily pleased by the spiritual aspirants and take care of their spiritual, mental and material well being and provides them protection in life.
Reciting Durga Saptashati is one of the best ways to pray to the Divine Mother during Gupta Navaratri. Durga Saptashati consists of 700 verses in Sanskrit which describes victory of the divine mother over various demons like Madhukaithaba, Mahishasura, Chanda-Munda, Raktabeej etc and their demon armies.
As the divine mother defeats and prevails over demons and their armies. So does praying to her would remove the ignorance of her devotees and clears obstacles from their path of spiritual progress and worldy path as well.
It is advised that one keeps a pure mind and take a sattvic diet – vegetarian food without onion and garlic, no eggs and no alcohol – while keeping self-control and maintaining celibacy during their Sadhana Period.
Drik Panchang’s rendition of Durga Saptashati is one of the best version available online – Durga Saptashati.
Reciting the above in Sanskrit would give you the best result. However, if you can’t read or pronounce Sanskrit, translations are available in English, Hindi and various other languages. What matters the most is your devotion to the Divine Mother.
One should first start by praying to Ganesha, then Shiva, then start with Durga Saptasohloki (7 Verses), then Argalastotram, Durga Kavacham and Keelakam and then one could read one chapter daily of Durga Saptashati, since it’s very difficult to read all of it in one day. Then one should read Tantroktam Devi Suktam and finish by reading Kunjikastotram. You could do Maa Durga aarti in the end if you want.
May the blessing, love and protection of the Divine Mother be with you and your loved ones. Jai Maa Durga!!
