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May Goddess Durga help killing all our evils…..
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The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga
The 9 Appellations of Durga
Nava – that also means 'new' – denotes 'nine' the number to which sages
attach special significance. Hence, we have Nava-ratri (9 nights),
Nava-patrika (9 leaves / herbs / plants), Nava-graha (9 planets), and
Nava-Durga (9 appellations).
All the nine names of goddess are narrated in ‘Devi Kavacha’ of the ‘Chandipatha’ scripture. Learn about the nine goddesses in the following slides that include beautiful watercolor paintings of each appellation.
Shailaputri
Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains
(shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the
daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among
Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri
– the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her
two hands.
Bharmacharini
She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri
and is the second form of Mother Goddess. Bharmacharini means one who
practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent
embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a
rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is
blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all
devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the
way to emancipation - Moksha.
Chandra Ghanta
The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri,
for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or
half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is
why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright
complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds
weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great
strength to fight in the battle against demons.
Kushmanda
Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri.
The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little;
‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the
creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of
darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the
sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds
weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.
Skanda Mata
The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ - the
mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their
commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on
the fifth day of Navaratri.
She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Skanda Mata
has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper
arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. The
left arm is in pose to grant boons with grace and in left lower hand
which is raised also holds a lotus. She has a bright complexion and
often depicted as seated on a lotus.
Katyayani
The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshipped on the six day of Navaratri.
The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a
great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous
and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and
penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished
to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and
desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to
Kata as an avatar of Durga.
Kaal Ratri
This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri.
She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. A
necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes that
shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Her vehicle is
the donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all
worshippers and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying
fears. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and
there is a dragger in the lower left hand. She is black like Goddess
Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. Her
gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles. So
she is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does good.
Maha Gauri
She is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri.
Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. As a result of her
worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and
devotees get purified in all aspects of life. Maha Gauri is intelligent,
peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of
the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned
her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she
came to be known as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely white. She wears
white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in
the pose of allaying fear and her right lower hand holds a trident. The
left upper hand holds a ‘damaru’ (a small rattle drum) and the lower one
is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.
Siddhidatri
Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri.
Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she
is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as
her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all
devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. In ‘Devi Bhagvata
Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed
with all Siddhis (supernatural powers). By her blessings his half body
became female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara.
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