What is the historical significance of the festival of Navaratri, and how should we interpret it now? Bhagawan clearly explains to us today.

The Navaratri festival was celebrated by kings in olden days for propitiating Nature before embarking on wars of conquest. The Navaratri festival has another significance also. It is intended to secure victory over the navagrahas (nine planets). Saint Tyagaraja, however, declared that if only he has Rama’s anugraha (grace), the navagrahas would be utterly powerless. Men today should not seek the earthly victories sought by the ancient rulers. Kings of yore only aspired for worldly wealth. But within man there is a King of Kings. The kingdom is the Atma-samrajyam (Kingdom of the Spirit), and the Jiva-Tatva (Individual Soul) is the King. If the Jiva, who is the king, becomes an animal, what would happen to the kingdom? They should seek the sovereignty of the Atma-samrajyam within them. This calls for control over the senses and the eschewing of bad qualities like anger, greed and jealousy. The feelings that arise should not be given free rein. This must begin from now itself when you are young. Do not put it off for your old age. That is why it is said, “Start early. Drive Slowly. Reach safely.”

- Divine Discourse Oct 4, 1992