The division of Devi Nava Rãtri into sets of three days each to adore the three different aspects of the Divine Mother - Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati - has profound spiritual significance. It epitomizes the three stages of evolution that a spiritual aspirant passes through in his journey from Manhood to Godhood.

The central purpose of our existence is to realize our eternal identity with the Supreme Spirit or the Divine Mother. The Supreme one embodies the height of perfection. It is spotless purity. To recognize our identity with That to attain union with That, is indeed to grow into the very likeness of the divine. As the initial step, therefore, the spiritual aspirant has to remove all the countless impurities and un-divine elements that cling to him in his embodied state. Then he has to acquire lofty virtues and auspicious Divine qualities. His mind thus purified and rendered full of satva quality, Knowledge flashes upon him like the brilliant rays of the Sun in the crystal waters of a perfectly calm lake.

This three-stage process of one’s spiritual growth entails an arduous struggle that requires resolute will (ichha šakti), determined effort (kriya šakti) and wisdom (jnãna šakti) to differentiate between the good and the evil. In other words, the Divine Mother, the Supreme Šakti, has to operate through the spiritual aspirant in order for him to progress in his quest. 

On the first three days, we worship Mother Durga, the Terrible so that She may destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. She not only fights with and  annihilates the baser animal nature in the aspirant, but also protects him from dangers and other pitfalls. In this stage, the Tamas or darkness in us is destroyed preparing us to move forward in our journey

Having removed the negative tendencies, propensities and habits, the next step is to acquire positive qualities or Daivi Sampath, in place of the eliminated  demonic qualities. The aspirant must now cultivate and develop all the auspicious qualities. He must pile up immense spiritual wealth to enable him to pay the price for the rare gem of Divine Knowledge. Contrary to the ruthless struggle of the first stage, this phase is marked by an orderly, steady, calm and serene effort to develop purity in one’s mind. This more pleasant side of the aspirant’s sãdhana is depicted by the worship of Mother Lakshmi during the next three days. Mother Lakshmi bestows on Her devotees the inexhaustible wealth of Daivi Sampath.

Once the aspirant succeeds in routing out the evil propensities in him and replacing them with sãtvic qualities, he becomes a worthy recipient to receive the Divine Knowledge or the Light of Supreme Wisdom. At this stage, therefore Mother Saraswati. the embodiment of Divine Knowledge, is worshiped for the final three days. The sound of Her veena brings awakening to the aspirant and makes him realize his one-ness with the Supreme.

The tenth and final day - Vijaya Dašami - marks the triumphant ovation of jiva, the individual soul, at having attained Liberation through the descent of Knowledge by the grace of Mother Saraswati. This day celebrates the victory, the achievement of the aspirant’s Goal.

Thus the nine-day worship of the Divine Mother provides us with a road map for our spiritual journey. This royal path is certain to bring success and according to our scriptures there is no other path that would lead us to salvation - nãnyapanthã vidyate ayanãya. May the Divine Mother take us all step by step to the top of the spiritual ladder and unite us with Her.