Navarna Vidhi: The Nyasa Procedure for Navarna Mantra Japa
Navarna Vidhi - Sanskrit Text (Nyasa & Mantra)
॥ अथ नवार्णविधिः ॥
The Navarna Vidhi is the ritual procedure (vidhi) for the japa of the nine-syllabled Navarna mantra of the Goddess. After reciting the Ratri Sukta and the Devi Atharvashirsha, one performs the viniyoga, nyasa and dhyana of the Navarna mantra as set out below. The core Sanskrit nyasa formulae are reproduced here; the surrounding ritual instructions are traditionally given in the vernacular.
मूलमन्त्रः (Navarna / Navakshari Mantra)
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे ॥
॥ ऋष्यादिन्यासः ॥
ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्रऋषिभ्यो नमः, शिरसि ।
गायत्र्युष्णिगनुष्टुप्छन्दोभ्यो नमः, मुखे ।
महाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वतीदेवताभ्यो नमः, हृदि ।
ऐं बीजाय नमः, गुह्ये ।
ह्रीं शक्तये नमः, पादयोः ।
क्लीं कीलकाय नमः, नाभौ ॥
॥ 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 ॥
॥ 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 ॥
॥ 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 ॥
॥ 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 ॥
॥ मालाप्रार्थना ॥
ॐ अक्षमालाधिपतये सुसिद्धिं देहि देहि सर्वमन्त्रार्थसाधिनि ।
साधय साधय सर्वसिद्धिं परिकल्पय परिकल्पय मे स्वाहा ॥
Thereafter the mūla-mantra "ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे" is japped 108 times (or as resolved), followed by the dhyana of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati and the offering of the japa to the Goddess.
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
oṃ aiṃ hrīṃ klīṃ cāmuṇḍāyai vicce ||
brahma-viṣṇu-rudra-ṛṣibhyo namaḥ, śirasi |
gāyatryuṣṇiganuṣṭup-chandobhyo namaḥ, mukhe |
mahākālī-mahālakṣmī-mahāsarasvatī-devatābhyo namaḥ, hṛdi |
oṃ aiṃ aṅguṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ | oṃ hrīṃ tarjanībhyāṃ namaḥ | oṃ klīṃ madhyamābhyāṃ namaḥ |
oṃ cāmuṇḍāyai anāmikābhyāṃ namaḥ | oṃ vicce kaniṣṭhikābhyāṃ namaḥ |
Meaning
The Navarna Vidhi is the prescribed method for performing japa of the Navarna ("nine-syllabled") mantra - Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche - the central mantra of the Durga Saptashati. The vidhi first establishes the viniyoga: the rishis of the mantra are Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra; the metres are Gayatri, Ushnik and Anushtup; the deities are Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati; "Aim" is the seed (bija), "Hrim" the power (shakti), and "Klim" the pin (kilaka). The practitioner then performs a series of nyasas - touching parts of the body while uttering the syllables - to install the living mantra-deities in the hands (kara-nyasa), the heart and limbs (hridayadi-nyasa), the syllables on the face (akshara-nyasa), and the ten directions (dik-nyasa). By this, the worshipper "becomes" the mantra, is surrounded and protected by its deities, and is purified within and without, so that the japa proceeds without obstacle and bears full fruit. After honouring the mala, the mantra is japped and offered to the Goddess.
About this Vidhi
The Navarna Vidhi is the traditional ritual framework within which the Navarna mantra is recited - especially before and during the Durga Saptashati (Chandi Path) and in independent Navarna japa-sadhana. The Navarna mantra itself unites the seed-syllables of the three great goddesses (Sarasvati's Aim, Lakshmi's Hrim, Kali's Klim) with the invocation of Chamunda, making it a complete Shakta mantra. The vidhi of nyasa transforms simple recitation into a structured tantric practice, sanctifying the body as the seat of the Goddess.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
Performing the nyasa before japa is held to bestow inner and outer purity, divine strength (divya-bala), and protection by the mantra-deities, so that the sadhana is completed without hindrance and yields the highest benefit. The Navarna mantra, properly empowered by this vidhi, is considered a complete means to all worthy aims (sarveshta-sadhana) in the present age - bestowing protection, prosperity, knowledge and spiritual progress through the combined grace of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati.
Astrological Relevance
The Navarna mantra and its vidhi are among the most powerful Shakta remedies in Vedic astrological practice. Invoking the three goddesses, it strengthens their corresponding significations: Mahakali for the fierce, transformative grahas (Saturn, Mars, Rahu, Ketu); Mahalakshmi for wealth and Venus (2nd and 11th houses); and Mahasarasvati for learning, Mercury and Jupiter. The dik-nyasa, which shields all ten directions, makes it a comprehensive protective measure during sade-sati, Rahu-Ketu transits and difficult dashas. Because it is a formal tantric vidhi, it is best undertaken under the guidance of a qualified guru.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
After bath and purification, and after reciting the Ratri Sukta and Devi Atharvashirsha, sit before the Goddess. Perform the viniyoga, then the rishyadi-, kara-, hridayadi-, akshara- and dik-nyasas as given, touching the prescribed parts of the body with the right hand. Honour the mala with the mala-prarthana, then japa the mula-mantra "Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche" 108 times (or as resolved), and conclude with the dhyana of the three goddesses and the formal offering of the japa. Formal Navarna sadhana is traditionally taken under a guru's guidance.
Best Day & Time
Navaratri is the supreme period for Navarna sadhana, especially Ashtami and Navami. Tuesdays and Fridays are auspicious, and the Brahma-muhurta of early morning is the ideal hour for nyasa and japa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Navarna mantra?
"Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche" - the nine-syllabled core mantra of the Durga Saptashati, uniting the seed-syllables of Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Kali with the invocation of Chamunda.
What is the purpose of the nyasa?
Nyasa installs the mantra-deities in the body and directions, purifying and protecting the practitioner so that they "become" the mantra and the japa proceeds without obstacle and bears full fruit.
Should this be done under guidance?
Yes. Formal Navarna sadhana with full nyasa is a tantric practice traditionally undertaken with initiation and the guidance of a qualified guru.
Nyasa as consecration: making the body a living temple
The Navarna Mantra - Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche - is the root mantra of the Durga Saptashati, and the Navarna Vidhi is the preparatory ritual that transforms simple chanting into a complete Tantric offering. The practice of nyasa - literally placing - involves the practitioner installing mantra syllables onto specific parts of the body, consecrating the physical form as a living yantra. This is not mere ceremony: nyasa is understood within the Shakta tradition as awakening the body itself as a field of consciousness, so that the devotee becomes a vessel for the Goddess's presence before the Saptashati recitation even begins.
The Navarna Vidhi is performed at the opening of Saptashati parayana, especially during the Chaitra and Sharadiya Navratri seasons, when the Goddess's energy is considered most accessible. Advanced practitioners integrate it into a daily Chandika sadhana. In the Jyotish tradition, the Navarna Mantra is associated with Chandra (the Moon) and with the Rahu-Ketu nodal axis, which governs karmic depth and hidden dimensions of experience, and its recitation is considered especially supportive during difficult transits of these planets. What makes the Navarna Vidhi most worthy of study is the reverence it extends toward preparation: the outer sacred text is not approached until the inner space - body, breath and mind - has been deliberately aligned and consecrated to receive it.