Sages have explained the union of Shiva and Shakti. Shakti represents the primordial cosmic energy responsible for the processes of creation and destruction that occur unceasingly. The foundation of Shiva is the all-pervading Supreme Consciousness, without which even Shakti cannot function. The primordial cosmic energy is referred to as Devi the one who creates, preserves and destroys.
Devi is all-pervasive and is present even in our body as well, as kundalini. This lies dormant in the muladhara chakra situated in the subtle body, invisible. It is symbolised by a red-coloured inverted triangle. As long as this energy remains dormant, human life cannot evolve, cannot attain greater heights.
Yoga, especially raja yoga and chakra yoga detail practices required to awaken the dormant energy that lies dormant in the muladhara chakra, whereas Shiva resides in the sahasrara chakra, at the top of the head. When Shakti and Shiva unite, we experience spiritual awakening and uplift. In most, the union does not occur in their lifetime and hence they live their lives at a very low level of consciousness.
The transformation that happens in a person's life when the kundalini gets awakened is phenomenal. Science differentiates between matter and energy. However, tantra regards them as one matter is the gross form of energy and energy is the subtle form of matter. The divine essence of this energy is called Shakti.
One cannot attain spiritual evolution without the presence of Shakti. As long as this energy is lying dormant, human life stagnates at subhuman levels of consciousness.
It is for the awakening of this very energy, the kundalini, that ancient sages prescribed spiritual practices and invocation of the Mother Goddess in her various avatars for a period of nine days. On all nine days, the faithful who venerate Devi observe fasting, perform spiritual practices and rituals and lead a virtuous life.
However, this is not to say that Navaratri is merely fasting, engaging in rituals and restricting one's diet to pure vegetarian fare or abstaining from alcohol. The mysterious, abstruse significance can only be fathomed by the one for whom the virtuous way of living is not restricted only to the Navaratri season but is adopted for whole of one's lifetime.
It is perfectly all right to house and worship an idol of the Devi Durga. However, bear in mind that as long as you don't take efforts to awaken the inner primordial cosmic energy, the Devi who resides in you, you will be unable to comprehend the profound spiritual significance of Navaratri.
Shakti and Shiva are incomplete without each other. This entails then that unless the Shakti inherent within you is awakened, until it ascends upwards piercing all the chakras and merges with Shiva at the sahasrara; until then Shakti cannot be the source of bliss and wisdom.
The nine days of Navaratri is an opportunity to perform and observe spiritual practices for awakening of Shakti. The importance of this should sink in so that you realise that if your entire life's pursuit is just about sensual gratification and fulfilment of worldly desires then you haven't as yet known the essential nature of Devi Durga.
