Atha Navarna Vidhi : Procedure, Nyasa, Dhyana And Navarna Mantra

Navarna Vidhi is the procedure that prepares the Navarna mantra – ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे – for japa before the Durga Saptashati is recited. It places the mantra on the hands, the limbs and the ten directions through Nyasa, fixes the mind on Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati through Dhyana, consecrates the rosary, and ends with 108 repetitions of the mantra offered to the Goddess.

On this page you will find each step in its traditional order, with the Sanskrit, the transliteration and the point of the body or the direction to which each line belongs.

Navarna Vidhi

The Vidhi runs in this order:

The Ratri Sukta and the Devi Atharvashirsha are recited first; the Vidhi begins after them.
Viniyoga of the Navarna mantra.
Rishyadi Nyasa – the Rishis, metres, deities, bija, shakti and kilaka placed on the body.
Karanyasa – the mantra placed on the hands.
Hridayadi Nyasa – the mantra placed on the heart, head, shikha, body and eyes, and as the weapon.
Akshara Nyasa – the nine syllables placed on the face and body.
Vyapaka Nyasa – the whole body touched with the root mantra, eight times.
Dik Nyasa – the mantra placed in the ten directions.
Dhyanam – meditation on Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.
Worship of the rosary.
Navarna mantra japa, 108 times.
Concluding prayer and offering of the japa.

Place of Navarna Vidhi in Durga Saptashati

In the sequence set out in the Sankalpa of the Path Vidhi, the Navarna Vidhi comes immediately after the Devi Atharvashirsha and immediately before the Saptashati itself:

… → Vedokta Ratri Suktam → Tantrokta Ratri Suktam → Devi Atharvashirsha → Navarna Vidhi (Nyasa and Japa) → Durga Saptashati

The same Sankalpa prescribes the Navarna japa with its Nyasa once more at the end of the Path, after the thirteen chapters, before the Devi Sukta and the three Rahasyas. The Navarna mantra is the one encoded in Verse 20 of the Devi Atharvashirsha, so the text that explains the mantra is recited just before the mantra is placed on the body and repeated.

The order and the accompanying prayers can vary by tradition or edition; devotees should follow the method prescribed by their Guru or family tradition. The complete procedure is given in the Shri Durga Saptashati Path Vidhi.

Navarna Vidhi: Step by Step

॥ अथ नवार्णविधिः ॥

After reciting the Ratri Sukta and the Devi Atharvashirsha in the prescribed manner, the Viniyoga, Nyasa, Dhyana and the other parts of the Navarna mantra procedure are performed as follows.

श्रीगणपतिर्जयति।

Shri-Ganapatir Jayati |

Meaning: Victory to Shri Ganapati.

Viniyoga

॥ विनियोगः ॥

ॐ अस्य श्रीनवार्णमन्त्रस्य ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्रा ऋषयः, गायत्र्युष्णिगनुष्टुभश्छन्दांसि, श्रीमहाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वत्यो देवताः, ऐं बीजम्, ह्रीं शक्तिः, क्लीं कीलकम्, श्रीमहाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वतीप्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः।

Om Asya Shri-Navarna-Mantrasya Brahma-Vishnu-Rudra Rishayah, Gayatry-Ushnig-Anushtubhash Chhandamsi, Shri-Mahakali-Mahalakshmi-Mahasarasvatyo Devatah, Aim Bijam, Hreem Shaktih, Kleem Kilakam, Shri-Mahakali-Mahalakshmi-Mahasarasvati-Prityarthe Jape Viniyogah |

Meaning: Of this Shri Navarna mantra, the Rishis are Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra; the metres are Gayatri, Ushnik and Anushtubh; the deities are Shri Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati; ऐं is the bija, ह्रीं the shakti and क्लीं the kilaka. It is employed in japa for the pleasure of Shri Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.

After the Viniyoga, water is released from the hand. Rishyadi Nyasa follows, touching each part of the body as it is named.

Rishyadi Nyasa

॥ ऋष्यादिन्यासः ॥ ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्रऋषिभ्यो नमः, शिरसि। गायत्र्युष्णिगनुष्टुप्छन्दोभ्यो नमः, मुखे। महाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वतीदेवताभ्यो नमः, हृदि। ऐं बीजाय नमः, गुह्ये। ह्रीं शक्तये नमः, पादयोः। क्लीं कीलकाय नमः, नाभौ।

Touch points, in order: the head – the mouth – the heart – the private part – the two feet – the navel. The Rishis, metres, deities, bija, shakti and kilaka of the mantra are thus placed on the body.

Before Karanyasa, the hands are purified with the root mantra:

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे

Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche

Karanyasa

॥ करन्यासः ॥ ॐ ऐं अङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः। ॐ ह्रीं तर्जनीभ्यां नमः। ॐ क्लीं मध्यमाभ्यां नमः। ॐ चामुण्डायै अनामिकाभ्यां नमः। ॐ विच्चे कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां नमः। ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे करतलकरपृष्ठाभ्यां नमः।

Touch points, in order: the two thumbs – the two index fingers – the two middle fingers – the two ring fingers – the two little fingers – the palms and the backs of the hands.

Hridayadi Nyasa

॥ हृदयादिन्यासः ॥ ॐ ऐं हृदयाय नमः। ॐ ह्रीं शिरसे स्वाहा। ॐ क्लीं शिखायै वषट्। ॐ चामुण्डायै कवचाय हुम्। ॐ विच्चे नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट्। ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे अस्त्राय फट्।

Touch points, in order, with the right hand: the heart – the head – the shikha – the shoulders, with the arms crossed (the kavacha, or armour) – the two eyes and the centre of the brow (the three eyes). For the astra mantra the right hand is carried around the head and the left palm is struck with the index and middle fingers.

Akshara Nyasa

॥ अक्षरन्यासः ॥ ॐ ऐं नमः, शिखायाम्। ॐ ह्रीं नमः, दक्षिणनेत्रे। ॐ क्लीं नमः, वामनेत्रे। ॐ चां नमः, दक्षिणकर्णे। ॐ मुं नमः, वामकर्णे। ॐ डां नमः, दक्षिणनासापुटे। ॐ यैं नमः, वामनासापुटे। ॐ विं नमः, मुखे। ॐ च्चें नमः, गुह्ये।

Touch points, in order: the shikha – the right eye – the left eye – the right ear – the left ear – the right nostril – the left nostril – the mouth – the private part. The nine syllables of the mantra are placed one by one.

Vyapaka Nyasa

With the root mantra, both hands are drawn over the whole body from the head to the feet. This is done eight times.

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे

Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche

Dik Nyasa

॥ दिङ्न्यासः ॥

ॐ ऐं प्राच्यै नमः। ॐ ऐं आग्नेय्यै नमः। ॐ ह्रीं दक्षिणायै नमः। ॐ ह्रीं नैर्ऋत्यै नमः। ॐ क्लीं प्रतीच्यै नमः। ॐ क्लीं वायव्यै नमः। ॐ चामुण्डायै उदीच्यै नमः। ॐ चामुण्डायै ऐशान्यै नमः। ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे ऊर्ध्वायै नमः। ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे भूम्यै नमः।

Directions, in order: east – south-east – south – south-west – west – north-west – north – north-east – above – below. The Dik Nyasa is performed snapping the fingers towards each direction.

Dhyanam

॥ ध्यानम् ॥

The three Dhyana verses are the same meditations recited at the head of the Saptashati's three Charitras: Mahakali for the Prathama Charitra, Mahalakshmi for the Madhyama and Mahasaraswati for the Uttama.

Meditation on Mahakali

खड्गं चक्रगदेषुचापपरिघाञ्छूलं भुशुण्डीं शिरः शङ्खं संदधतीं करैस्त्रिनयनां सर्वाङ्गभूषावृताम्। नीलाश्मद्युतिमास्यपाददशकां सेवे महाकालिकां यामस्तौत्स्वपिते हरौ कमलजो हन्तुं मधुं कैटभम्॥१॥

Khadgam Chakra-Gadeshu-Chapa-Parighan Shulam Bhushundim Shirah Shankham Sandadhatim Karais Trinayanam Sarvanga-Bhushavritam | Nilashma-Dyutim Asya-Pada-Dashakam Seve Mahakalikam Yam Astaut Svapite Harau Kamalajo Hantum Madhum Kaitabham || 1 ||

Meaning: I serve Mahakali, who holds in her ten hands the sword, the discus, the mace, the arrow, the bow, the parigha, the trident, the bhushundi, a severed head and the conch; three-eyed, adorned with ornaments on every limb; with the lustre of a blue gem; ten-faced and ten-footed – whom the lotus-born Brahma praised, while Hari slept, so that Madhu and Kaitabha might be slain.

Meditation on Mahalakshmi

ॐ अक्षस्रक्परशुं गदेषुकुलिशं पद्मं धनुष्कुण्डिकां दण्डं शक्तिमसिं च चर्म जलजं घण्टां सुराभाजनम्। शूलं पाशसुदर्शने च दधतीं हस्तैः प्रसन्नाननां सेवे सैरिभमर्दिनीमिह महालक्ष्मीं सरोजस्थिताम्॥२॥

Om Akshasrak-Parashum Gadeshu-Kulisham Padmam Dhanush-Kundikam Dandam Shaktim Asim Cha Charma Jalajam Ghantam Surabhajanam | Shulam Pasha-Sudarshane Cha Dadhatim Hastaih Prasannananam Seve Sairibha-Mardinim Iha Mahalakshmim Saroja-Sthitam || 2 ||

Meaning: I serve Mahalakshmi, seated on a lotus, serene of face, who holds in her eighteen hands the rosary, the axe, the mace, the arrow, the thunderbolt, the lotus, the bow, the water-pot, the staff, the spear, the sword, the shield, the conch, the bell, the wine-cup, the trident, the noose and the Sudarshana discus – the slayer of Mahishasura.

Meditation on Mahasaraswati

ॐ घण्टाशूलहलानि शङ्खमुसले चक्रं धनुः सायकं हस्ताब्जैर्दधतीं घनान्तविलसच्छीतांशुतुल्यप्रभाम्। गौरीदेहसमुद्भवां त्रिजगतामाधारभूतां महा- पूर्वामत्र सरस्वतीमनुभजे शुम्भादिदैत्यार्दिनीम्॥३॥

Om Ghanta-Shula-Halani Shankha-Musale Chakram Dhanuh Sayakam Hastabjair Dadhatim Ghananta-Vilasach-Chhitamshu-Tulya-Prabham | Gauri-Deha-Samudbhavam Trijagatam Adharabhutam Maha- Purvam Atra Sarasvatim Anubhaje Shumbhadi-Daityardinim || 3 ||

Meaning: I worship Mahasaraswati, who holds in her eight lotus-hands the bell, the trident, the plough, the conch, the pestle, the discus, the bow and the arrow; whose radiance is that of the cool-rayed moon shining when the clouds have cleared; who arose from the body of Gauri; the support of the three worlds; the slayer of Shumbha and the other demons.

Worship of the Rosary

The rosary (mala) is worshipped with:

ऐं ह्रीं अक्षमालिकायै नमः।

Aim Hreem Akshamalikayai Namah |

Meaning: Salutations to the Akshamalika, the rosary.

Three prayers are then addressed to it.

ॐ मां माले महामाये सर्वशक्तिस्वरूपिणि। चतुर्वर्गस्त्वयि न्यस्तस्तस्मान्मे सिद्धिदा भव॥

Om Mam Male Mahamaye Sarva-Shakti-Svarupini | Chaturvargas Tvayi Nyastas Tasman Me Siddhida Bhava ||

Meaning: O Mala, Mahamaya, embodiment of all powers! The four aims of life are placed in you; therefore be the giver of siddhi to me.

ॐ अविघ्नं कुरु माले त्वं गृह्णामि दक्षिणे करे। जपकाले च सिद्ध्यर्थं प्रसीद मम सिद्धये॥

Om Avighnam Kuru Male Tvam Grihnami Dakshine Kare | Japakale Cha Siddhyartham Prasida Mama Siddhaye ||

Meaning: O Mala, remove all obstacles; I take you in my right hand. At the time of japa be gracious, for the sake of my success.

ॐ अक्षमालाधिपतये सुसिद्धिं देहि देहि सर्वमन्त्रार्थसाधिनि साधय साधय सर्वसिद्धिं परिकल्पय परिकल्पय मे स्वाहा।

Om Akshamaladhipataye Susiddhim Dehi Dehi Sarva-Mantrartha-Sadhini Sadhaya Sadhaya Sarvasiddhim Parikalpaya Parikalpaya Me Svaha |

Meaning: To the Lord of the rosary – grant, grant good siddhi. O accomplisher of the purpose of all mantras, accomplish, accomplish; bring about, bring about every siddhi for me. Svaha.

Navarna Mantra Japa

With the preparation complete, the Navarna mantra is recited 108 times:

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे

Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche

The count of 108 belongs to this procedure; other forms of Navarna mantra practice prescribe different counts according to their purpose and tradition.

After the japa, the following is recited:

गुह्यातिगुह्यगोप्त्री त्वं गृहाणास्मत्कृतं जपम्। सिद्धिर्भवतु मे देवि त्वत्प्रसादान्महेश्वरि॥

Guhyatiguhya-Goptri Tvam Grihanasmat-Kritam Japam | Siddhir Bhavatu Me Devi Tvat-Prasadan Maheshvari ||

Meaning: You are the guardian of secrets beyond the secret; accept the japa we have done. By your grace, O Devi, O Maheshvari, may siddhi be mine.

The completed japa is then offered into the left hand of the Goddess, as the procedure prescribes.

Significance of Navarna Vidhi

The Vidhi fixes every part of the Navarna mantra in its place. The Viniyoga states the mantra's lineage – Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra as its Rishis; Gayatri, Ushnik and Anushtubh as its metres; Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati as its deities; ऐं as its bija, ह्रीं as its shakti and क्लीं as its kilaka. The Nyasas then place those elements, and the nine syllables themselves, on the hands, the limbs and the ten directions, so that the mantra is held in the body of the reciter and not only spoken.

The Dhyana gathers the whole Saptashati into the japa: its three verses are the Charitra meditations on Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati, the three forms under which the thirteen chapters are told. The rosary is consecrated so that the instrument of the japa is itself worshipped, and the japa is finally given back to the Goddess.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nyasa, and why is it done before japa?

Nyasa – literally "placing" – is the ritual placing of a mantra, or its parts, on the body by touching the named points while reciting. It is done so that the mantra is not only spoken but held in the body: the Rishis, metres, deities and syllables each have their seat before the japa begins.

What do the bija, shakti and kilaka of the Navarna mantra mean?

The Viniyoga names ऐं as the bija (seed), ह्रीं as the shakti (power) and क्लीं as the kilaka (pin or key) of the mantra – the three syllables that open it. The Saptashati's own Angas follow the same scheme, with the Kavach, Argala and Keelaka standing as bija, shakti and kilaka.

Why does the Vidhi meditate on three forms of the Goddess?

Because the Navarna mantra belongs to all three. Its Viniyoga assigns it three Rishis, three metres and three deities, and the Saptashati itself is in three Charitras, each under one of these forms. The three Dhyana verses here are those Charitra meditations.

Is the Navarna japa done only once, before the Path?

No. The Sankalpa of the Path Vidhi prescribes it twice: with its Nyasa before the Saptashati, as given on this page, and again at the end of the Path, after the thirteen chapters and before the Devi Sukta and the three Rahasyas.