Chaitra Navratri: Invoking the Devi Who Rules the 14 Worlds

The Expansion of Shakti into Cosmic Space

हिंदी में पढ़ें

In this article, you will read about:

• The Inner Meaning of ‘Ratri’ in Tantric Sadhana

• ‘Ratri’ in the Vedic and Shakta Scriptures

• Ma Bhuvaneshwari and the 14 Worlds

• Ma Bhuvaneshwari’s Connection with Navadurga, Devi Kushmanda

• Worship Ma Bhuvaneshwari This Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri unfolds as a progressive awakening of Shakti through nine stages of spiritual transformation.

Each day reveals a new dimension of the Divine Mother and a corresponding shift in the seeker’s inner awareness.

• Day 1 — Ma Kali: Dissolution of inertia and ego

• Day 2 — Ma Tara: Guidance and protection during transformation

• Day 3 — Ma Tripura Sundari: Emergence of harmony and balance

• Day 4 — Ma Bhuvaneshwari: Expansion of consciousness into the vast field of creation

By the fourth day, the seeker’s awareness begins to move beyond personal transformation and starts recognising the Universe itself as an expression of the Divine Mother.

The Inner Meaning of ‘Ratri’ in Tantric Sadhana

The word “Ratri” (night) in spiritual traditions has a deeper meaning than the literal absence of sunlight.

Spiritually, Ratri represents withdrawal from external illumination, allowing the inner light of the Self to become visible.

In Tantric philosophy:

• The night belongs to Devi (Shakti)

• The day belongs to Shiva

Night supports inward awareness and subtle perception.

This is why Mantra Jap is traditionally recommended during the night, as it supports inward awareness and subtle perception.

During night practice:

• External sensory stimulation reduces

• The mind becomes quieter

• Deeper subconscious layers become accessible

‘Ratri’ in the Vedic and Shakta Scriptures

Several sacred texts describe the night as a form of the Divine Mother.

Rigveda — Ratri Sukta (10.127)

रात्रि व्यख्यदायती पुरुत्रा देव्यक्षभिः ।
विश्वा अधि श्रियो अधित ॥

Meaning:

“Night unfolds Herself; the Goddess spreads across the world with Her stars as eyes, protecting all beings.”

In this hymn, Ratri is directly addressed as a Goddess who shelters and protects the world.

Durga Sukta — Taittiriya Aranyaka

तामग्निवर���णां तपसा ज्वलन्तीं
वैरोचनीं कर्मफलेषु जुष्टाम् ।
दुर्गां देवीं शरणमहं प्रपद्ये
सुतरां तरसे नमः ॥

Meaning:
I take refuge in Goddess Durga, radiant like fire, blazing with Tapas, who carries us across darkness.

Devi Mahatmya — Yoganidra

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता ।

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

Meaning:
To that Goddess who abides in all beings as sleep, salutations again and again.

Here, the Goddess appears as Yoganidra, the cosmic power that draws the Universe into rest.

Devi Bhagavata Purana

सा देवी योगनिद्रा विष्णोः शक्तिरनुत्तमा ॥

Meaning:
That Goddess is the supreme Yoganidra of Vishnu.

During cosmic dissolution, Devi alone remains as the enveloping darkness.

Kalika Purana

सा काली कालरात्रिश्च ।

Meaning:
She is Kali; She is the Night of Time.

Here, Night represents the transcendent power of Shakti beyond time and creation.

Ma Bhuvaneshwari and the 14 Worlds

The Todala Tantra associates Ma Bhuvaneshwari with the phase of Shakti where consciousness expands into the field of creation.

She represents:

• Cosmic space (Akasha)

• The matrix of existence

• The field in which life emerges

She is the Mahavidya who rules the 14 realms of Existence. These include 7 higher worlds and 7 lower worlds.

7 Higher Worlds -

• Satya Lok — realm of Brahma and truth

• Tapa Lok — realm of ascetics and sages

• Jana Lok — realm of higher spiritual beings

• Mahar Lok — realm of enlightened beings

• Svar Lok — heaven of Indra

• Bhuvar Lok — atmospheric realm

• Bhur Lok — earthly realm

7 Lower Worlds -

• Atala

• Vitala

• Sutala

• Talatala

• Mahatala

• Rasatala

• Patala

They represent the different states of a seeker’s existence shaped by karma.

Tantric texts also associate this stage with the Water element (Jal Tattva) — the stage where the first forms of life begin to manifest.

Psychologically, this stage marks a shift where the seeker’s awareness expands beyond personal identity and begins to perceive the sacredness of the entire cosmos.

Ma Bhuvaneshwari’s Connection with Navadurga, Devi Kushmanda

On the fourth day of Navratri, the Navadurga worshipped is Devi Kushmanda. She is believed to have created the Universe through her cosmic smile.

She represents the moment when the Universe emerges from the primordial void.

This stage corresponds to Ma Bhuvaneshwari, who represents:

• The cosmic space of creation

• The womb of the universe

• The matrix in which all worlds exist

Both forms convey the same spiritual insight: The Universe itself is the body of the Divine Mother.

Ma Bhuvaneshwari’s Bij Mantra

The primary Bij mantra of Ma Bhuvaneshwari is:

ह्रीं (Hrīng)

A verse from the Sharada Tilak Tantra states:

ह्रींकारः परमं बीजं भुवनेश्याः प्रकीर्तितम् ।

Meaning:

“Hrīng is proclaimed as the supreme seed mantra of Bhuvaneshwari.”

Known as the Maya Bij, it represents:

• The power of cosmic creation

• The unfolding of divine manifestation

• The matrix of existence

Through this Bij mantra, the seeker invokes the expansive creative power of the Divine Mother.

Worship Ma Bhuvaneshwari This Chaitra Navratri

Ma’s name literally means: The Queen of the Worlds.

After the purification of Ma Kali, the guidance of Ma Tara, and the harmony of Ma Tripura Sundari, the seeker encounters the vast cosmic presence of Ma Bhuvaneshwari.

She reveals that the entire Universe is a manifestation of Divine Shakti and that consciousness itself exists within the infinite space of the Mother.

This Chaitra Navratri, the Tantra Sadhana App by Himalayan monk, Om Swami, offers Shakti Sadhaks access to its Secret Shrine.

Each day of Navratri, the Shrine allows seekers to recite the Dhyan Shlok and Mool Bij Mantra of a Mahavidya. The Shloks and mantras, awakened and consecrated by Om Swami, make the worship potent, safe and in accordance with the scriptures.

Once your Chaitra Navratri Sadhana is done on 15 April 2027, you can also begin your worship of the Das Mahavidyas, awakening each Mahavidya with their Tantric Bij mantra and esoteric Sadhana, one at a time - starting from Ma Kali to Ma Kamalatmika.

The app is free and ad-free, with an entirely optional Dakshina.

The Chaitra Navratri of the Das Mahavidyas begins on Amavasya, 6 April 2027.

Enter the Secret Shrine to worship Ma Bhuvaneshwari with Her Dhyan Shlok and Bij Mantra.

May the blessings of the Das Mahavidyas make this Chaitra Navratri a transformative period in your life.