How are pūjās performed in Navrātri related to yoga?

Many people ask me this question, so I decided to answer simply and accessibly, using examples. To obtain siddhi (success) performing sādhanā, the Deity (the Goddess in this case) must be satisfied. It is as if you have met a very influential person who is satisfied with your communication, then he or she will help you succeed in this world. It remains to understand what the Divine is and what it means to be satisfied, as in the case of the Goddess? The Goddess is a power that is present in the entire universe, we, as particles of this universe (microcosm), also have the representation of this Goddess inside ourselves. She is represented in us in the form of Kuṇḍalinī Śakti. When you honor the Goddess outside and She is pleased with your offerings, you feel tremendous powers in the outside world that help you and contribute to your progress in activities. But, since the Goddess is outside and inside us (like kuṇḍalinī), She also opens up, awakens, wakes up inside. Usually, this is what is called the awakening of the kuṇḍalinī power.

Now, let’s look at what awakening and non-awakening mean. This is a very psychological process, much like in communication, when you do not have a very trusting relationship with someone and the person is closed in relation to you. If the relationship isn’t good, then the person is tense and tight when meeting you. But, if the relationship is good, the person is open and calm in your presence. The same thing happens in your psychophysics, if you remove the psychological tightness, you release all blocks in the psyche. What happens when you release your energy and reveal yourself? As a result – a state of rest. First, a strong release of strength, then a state of peace. That is, you untie your blockages in three granthis, as a result of which you realise a natural state of calm, deep meditation. When you are satisfied, you also experience a state of calm, this is what yoga and tantrism call nirvikalpasamādhi, nirvāṇa, mukti. It is for this purpose that the Goddess is satisfied, Her powers are revealed, for this, practices are done in Navarātri and in other special periods, or they are performed regularly, like nityasādhanā (daily practice).