Navaratri - The Journey Within : Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence

The third day of Navaratri is dedicated to Devi Chandraghanta, the warrior form of Goddess Durga. She is depicted with a crescent moon adorning her forehead like a bell, riding a tiger or lion, and carrying weapons in her ten hands. Though fierce in battle, she radiates serenity, symbolizing that true courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to remain calm while facing it.

From a Cultural perspective, Devi Chandraghanta embodies bravery, protection, and readiness to confront challenges. Her bell (ghanta) is said to produce a divine sound that drives away negativity and instills courage in devotees. On this day, she reminds us that life inevitably brings battles, but strength is found in facing them rather than fleeing.

In psychological terms, Chandraghanta reflects our journey of overcoming fear and anxiety, two universal emotions that can either hold us back or transform us when faced with awareness and courage.

Fear as a Human Emotion

Fear is not an enemy it is a survival mechanism that has kept humans alive for millennia. It alerts us to danger, sharpens our senses, and prepares us for action. However, in the modern world, our fears are often less about predators and more about failure, rejection, uncertainty, or judgment. When unchecked, these fears manifest as anxiety, avoidance, or self-doubt, keeping us trapped in comfort zones.

Psychologist Susan Jeffers captured this beautifully in her book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. She argued that courage is not waiting for fear to disappear but learning to move forward despite it. Chandraghanta embodies this principle - she does not eliminate fear; she rides alongside it, weapons in hand, with a calm face.

Symbolism of Chandraghanta

• The Crescent Moon (Chandra): Represents calmness, intuition, and clarity of mind. Even in the darkest night, a faint light guides us.

• The Bell (Ghanta): Symbolizes awakening i.e. shaking us out of paralysis and pushing us into action. Fear loses its grip once we confront it.

• The Lion/Tiger: Represents both raw power and controlled aggression showing that courage is a balance of strength and composure.

Her form is both terrifying and peaceful, reminding us that courage is not loud bravado but inner steadiness amidst outer storms.

The Psychology of Courage

From a psychological perspective, courage is built through exposure and gradual mastery. One of the most effective therapies for anxiety, Exposure Therapy involves confronting feared situations step by step until the fear diminishes.

For instance:

• Someone afraid of public speaking begins by speaking to a small group of friends.

• Someone afraid of rejection starts by initiating small conversations.

• Over time, the brain learns that the feared outcome is less catastrophic than imagined.

This gradual exposure reflects Devi Chandraghanta’s lesson: you don’t need to slay fear in one strike you can chip away at it, one step at a time.

Practical Ways to Embrace Devi Chandraghanta’s Energy

1. Name Your Fear: Write down what exactly you are afraid of. Naming reduces its power.

2. Start Small: Choose one manageable step that challenges your fear like speak up once in a meeting, try a new class, or share your work with one trusted person.

3. Anchor in Calmness: Practice grounding exercises (deep breathing, mindfulness) before facing fearful situations, just like Chandraghanta’s calm presence in battle.

4. Affirm Courage: Repeat to yourself: “Fear is temporary, growth is permanent.”

5. Celebrate Wins: Each time you face fear, however small, acknowledge it. Courage grows when recognized.

Cultural Wisdom Meets Psychology

As bells ring in temples on Day 3, they echo more than sound; they awaken the dormant courage within us. Chandraghanta’s form tells us that life will always bring lions and tigers like uncertainty, failure, criticism but what matters is how steadily we ride them. Psychology agrees: courage does not eliminate fear but reshapes our relationship with it. Instead of viewing fear as a stop sign, we begin to see it as a guidepost to growth.

Closing Reflection

Devi Chandraghanta reminds us that fear is natural, but courage is a choice. When we allow fear to dictate our lives, we shrink; when we meet it with awareness and calm action, we expand.

So today, pause and reflect: What fear is holding me back? What is one step I can take to face it?

May we, like Devi Chandraghanta, learn to hold both fierceness and serenity to ride alongside fear yet remain unshaken, discovering that courage was within us all along. 

Written By : L. Padma Swathy

Counselling Psychologist, Chennai