“Mantra: On the first day we control (riding), our desires (bull) by balancing (Trishul) the mind with cool thoughts (moon) and practicing detachment (lotus). This can be assisted by chanting LAM focusing on sacral chakra”

Navratri is the detoxification of body, mind and soul. Body detoxification means:

1. Eating less.
2. No cereals. You can take wheat grass juice.
3. Eating once if possible.
4. Satvik lifestyle.

In Navratri diet

1. Wheat flour is replaced with Kuttu or Singhara flour.
2. Pulses are replaced with amaranth or Rajgiri.
3. Rice with Samak rice.

Mental and soul detoxification can be done by practicing Yoga Sadhna as described in nine forms of Durga.

Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri.

As per mythology, Mata Shailputri is daughter of the mountain king, Himalaya. She is the first among nine avatars of Durga.

In Yogashastra, she represents the lowest Muladhara chakra. The bija sound to chant is LAM in the sacral root area. In Allopathy, she represents activation of sacral autonomic plexus.

The Goddess has a half moon on her forehead and is depicted holding a trident (trishul) in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left hand. She rides on Nandi, a bull.

Shailputri represents the shakti or power of the root chakra, who, upon awakening, begins Her journey upwards in search for the last crown chakra (Shiva).

Bull in mythology represents ‘desires’. On the first day we must let go our desires. Trishul represents balancing Tamas, Rajas and Satwa. Lotus represents practicing detached attachment. We are required to donate all Rajsik and Tamsik foods and items so that we are not attracted during Navratra. Moon symbolizes thinking with a cool mind.

In Navratri pooja on the first day, yogis keep their mind concentrated on Muladhara chakra as the starting point of spiritual discipline or Yoga Sadhna.

What to do on first day

• Let go your desires
• Keep the mind cool
• Practice detached attachment
• Balance Tamas and Rajas guna with Satwa or to stay in balance.
• Concentrate on Muladhara chakra (sacral root)
• Chant LAM reducing the respiratory rate to 2-4 per minute.
• In Ayurveda, muladhara chakra represents the earth element (attachments).