Durga (Navdurga)

Durga Mantra:

Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shanti rupena sansitha
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shakti rupena sansthita
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha!

Meaning:

The goddess who is omnipresent as the personification of universal mother
The goddess who is omnipresent as the embodiment of power
The goddess who is omnipresent as the symbol of peace
I bow to her, I bow to her, I bow to her again and again.

Goddess Durga one of the most spectacular of all personifications of cosmic energy with the splendor of a thousand suns, seated on her lion vehicle.  In her benevolent form looks serene and powerful and in her numerous hands holds a disc, mace and a sword, lotus, bow as well as an arrow, a trident and a conch shell.  The Goddess incorporates the power of all the deities and looks a perfect picture of kindness.

Navadurga

According to Hindu mythology, Navadurga literally means the manifestation of Durga in nine different forms.  Navdurga refers to Goddess Parvati.  Abstractly, Navdurga is the life phase of Goddess Parvati who is the supreme power among all Goddesses.

According to the Hindu tradition, Goddess Durga, the Mother Goddess is a form of Shakti manifesting herself, as Mahalaxmi, Maha Saraswathi and Mahakali.  These three forms are evolved from the Trimurtis – Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.  Three forms of Durga further manifested in three more forms each and thus emerged the nine forms of Durga called Navadurga.

Shailputri Mata

“Shail” means mountains and “Putri” means daughter is the first navadurga, Parvathi the daughter of the King of Mountains is worshipped on the first day that is Ashwin Shukla Pratipada.

Goddess Parvathi took birth as the daughter of Lord Himalaya after the self-immolation of Goddess Sathi.  Moon is believed to be the provider of all fortunes and is governed by Goddess Shailaputri.  So by worshipping this form of Adi Shakti one can overcome any bad effect of the Moon.

Maa has a half moon in her forehead and carries a trishul in her right hand and a lotus in her left hand with the Bull, Nandi as her vehicle.  She wears a light pink or white coloured sari. She is adored and worshipped on the first day of the auspicious Navarathri festival.

The Goddess was the daughter of the emperor of Mountains and was married to Lord Shiva after performing a severe penance.  In her previous birth she was the daughter of Daksha Prajapathi.  In order to marry Lord Shiva she sacrificed her life in Yagna Vatika to incarnate as Shailaputri.

Worship of Shailaputri Mata

Om Devi Shailputryai Namah (108 times recitation of this mantra)

Vande Vanchhit Laabhaay, Chandrardhkritshekharaam |

Vrisharudham Shooldharaam Shailputriim Yashaswinim ||

Meaning:  I worship Goddess Shailputri to fulfill my wishes, who is adorned with crescent moon on her head, rides on a bull, carrying a trishul and is illustrious.

Among the nine Durgas, the Goddess is adored and worshipped, as the powers of Mother Shailputri are unlimited.

Brahmacharini Maa

“Brahma” is one who observes penance and good conduct hence the idol of this Goddess is very gorgeous personifying love and loyalty. She is worshipped on the second day that is Ashwin Shukla Dwitiya.

Goddess Parvathi took birth at the home of Daksha Prajapathi after the Kushmanda form.  Goddess Parvathi was great Sati in this form and Goddess Bramacharini is worshipped as her unmarried form. Lord Mangal the provider of all fortunes is believed to be governed by the Goddess.

In this form, Maa is two-armed, clad in white carrying a rudraksha and a sacred Kamandalu.  She is in a highly pious and peaceful form and this is attributed to the severe penance undertaken by Sati and Parvathi in their respective births to achieve Lord Shiva as husband.

The Goddess was the daughter of King Himavanth and was influenced by Sage Narada.  She wooed Lord Shiva and he made her his consort after she observed penance for several thousands of years.

Worship of Bramacharini Maa

Om Devi Brahmcharinyai Namah (108 times recitation of this mantra)

Dadhaanaa Kar Padaabhyaamakshmala Kamandalu |

Devi Prasidati Mayi Brahmcharinyanuttamaa.

Meaning:

O Goddess Brahmcharini, who holds rosary and Kamandalu in her hands, please shower your grace on me.
The Goddess blesses her devotees with courage, strength, dedication and concentration and gives her devotees the courage and self-confidence to face any challenge.  The worship of Goddess Brahmchaarini is conducive to penance; renunciation and virtue as well as nobility and her devotees are endowed with peace and prosperity.

Mata Chandraghanta

“Chandraghanta” means supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace and serenity, like cool breeze in a moonlit night hence the idol of this Goddess is bright and is worshipped on the third day that is Ashwin Shukla Tritiya.

Goddess Parvathi after getting married took the form of Goddess Chandraghanta.   The Goddess was known by the name when she started adorning her forehead with half Chandra after getting married to Lord Shiva.  Planet Shukra is governed by Goddess Chandraghanta.

Maa is 10-armed in this form and rides a tiger which is a terrible aspect and is roaring in anger.  Entirely different from the earlier forms and shows when provoked she could be the malevolent.  She is named chandraghantaa as her forehead is bedecked with the crescent moon which resembles the shape of a ghantaa.

She inspires her devotees with fearlessness since she is riding on the lion. Golden in complexion and in her five hands she holds the weapons like bow, arrow, trident, sword and mace.  Rosary, lotus and kamandal are held in the other three hands and the remaining two hands show Varada and Abhaya mudra.  She blesses the devotees who adore and worship her with her benign grace.  She is ever visible as the kind and compassionate Mother showering peace and prosperity.

Worship of Mata Chandraghanta

Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah (108 times recitation of this mantra)

Pindaj Pravaarudh chandkopastrkairyuta |

Prasadam Tanute Madhyam Chandraghanteti vishrutaa ||

Meaning:

Goddess Chandraghanta, who rides on a Tiger, unleashing anger on enemies, holds many weapons in her10 hands, O mother be ever propitious to me

The pleasant looks of the Goddess clears all sorrows and sadness of the devotees and the roaring voice alerts and makes the demons tremble.  The moon-bell on her forehead will expel all type of spirits away from her devotees.  The Grace of the Goddess eradicates the distress, physical sufferings, and mental tribulations of the devotees.

The Goddess must be adored and worshipped with great purity of mind observing the rites properly.  By her grace, devotees will get rid of all worldly turmoil and enjoy Supreme bliss.

Mata Kushmanda

“Kushmanda” comprises of three words that are “Ku + Ushma + Amnda means Ku is little, Ushma is Warmth and Anda is Egg.  The word means who creates the universe as a “Little Cosmic Egg” with the energy of Her divine smile.  The abode of Kushmanda is Bhimaparvat and is worshipped on the fourth day that is Ashwin Shukla Chaturthi.

Goddess Parvathi started living inside the center of the Sun after taking the form of Siddhatri so that Sun can liberate energy to the universe.  Maa has the power and capability to live inside the sun and the glow and radiance of her body is as luminous as that of the Sun.  Goddess provides direction and energy to the Sun hence God Sun is governed by this Goddess.

Maa dwells in the abode of the Sun God and her hue and splendour is as brilliant as the sun itself.  All the ten quarters are illuminated by her divine effulgence as her splendour pervades every plant and creature of this universe.

Since Maa produced the Cosmic Egg with her smile she is known as the creator of the whole universe and named as ‘Adi Shakti’.  It is described that her body shines like the glowing sun and is often depicted as having eight arms riding a lion which represents Dharma.

Her seven arms hold Kamandalu, Bow and Arrow, Lotus as well as a jar of Nectar, Discus and a Mace and holds a mala in the eighth arm capable of giving eight Siddhis and nine Nidhis.

Worship of Mata Kushmanda

Om Devi Kushmandayayi Namah (108 times recitation of this mantra)

Suraasampoornam Kalasham Rudhiraaplutamev Cha |

Dahdana Hastpadmaabhyaam Kushmanda Shubhdaastu Mey ||

Meaning:

Goddess Kushmanda who holds two pitchers full of Madira and Blood in her lotus hands, be propitious to me.

Chanting of this mantra gives immense strength to the devotees who chant the sloka on the fourth day during navarathri.  Worship and adoration of the Goddess delivers a person from all kinds of ailments.  A devotee should adore and worship her with a purified mind and intellect as this will lead him on to the path of prosperity and pleasure.  Those devotees who have malefic Sun in their birth chart also worship the Goddess.

Skandamata

Goddess Parvathi came to be known as Goddess Skandamata when the Goddess became the mother of Lord Skanda.  Planet Budha is governed by Goddess Skandamata.

Being the mother of Skanda, Maa can be seen with Lord Skanda on her lap possessing four arms known as Chaturbhuji out of which two holds the lotus flowers.  Since she holds her son Skanda on her lap one of her hands is always in the boon-confering gesture.  She is called as the Goddess with a lotus seat as she is seated on the lotus with white complexion with the lion as her vehicle.

Worship of Skandamata

Om Devi Skandmatayayi Namah (108 times recitation of this mantra)

Sinhaasangataam Nityam Padmaanchit Kardwayaa |

Shubhdaastu Sadaa Devi Skandmata Yashaswini ||

Meaning:

Skandmata, riding on a Lion with Kartikeya, holding lotus in her two hands and Varmudra in one hand, be propitious to me.

Devotees worshipping the Goddess get the benefit of worshipping Lord Kartikeya as this quality is possessed only by this Goddess.  All achievements and treasures of life are attained by those who are selflessly devoted to her.

The worship purifies the heart of a devotee and while worshiping they must have absolute control over their senses and mind.  The person must worship the Goddess with a single-pointed devotion. Goddess blesses them with power and prosperity as her worship is ultimately conducive to salvation.

Katyayani Mata

“Katyayani” is worshipped by Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma and all other Gods for three days and is worshipped on the sixth day that is Ashwin Shukla Sashti.

Goddess Parvathi took the form of Goddess Katyayani in order to destroy the demon Mahishasura.  This form of Goddess is also known as the Warrior Goddess.  In order to take this form, the Goddess was born at the home of Sage Katya.  Planet Brihaspati is governed by Goddess Katyayani.

Maa is four armed and carries a sword, shield and lotus and one hand is depicted as giving blessing and she rides a lion.

Goddess was born as the daughter of Katyayana who performed a penance to get the Goddess as his daughter.  Goddess was worshipped by Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma to destroy Mahishasura and she was pleased and vanquished Mahishasura on the Vijaya Dashmi day.

Worship of Katyayani Mata: 

Om Devi Katyayanyayi Namah (108 times recitation of this mantra)

Chandrahaasojjval Karaa Shaardoolvarvaahanaa |

Katyayani Shubham Dadyaad Devi Daanavghatini ||

Meaning:

Devi Katyayani, who holds Chandrahaas Sword and other weapons in her ten hands, rides on Lion, and destroying demons, be propitious to me.

Goddess gives everything to her devotees as she is easily pleased with devotion.  She destroys all the sins of her devotees as her worship is conducive to Dharma and wealth as well as pleasures and salvation.

Kalaratri Mata

“Kaalratri” means the enemy of darkness and in this form, the goddess is worshipped on the seventh day that is Ashwin Shukla Saptami.

Goddess Parvathi removed the outer golden skin to kill demons named Shumbha and Nishumbha and was known as Goddess Kalarathri which is the fiercest and the most ferocious form of the Goddess.

Maa is four armed and rides a donkey carrying sword, trident and noose.  She blesses with one hand and in this appearance she is dark and repulsive.   This appearance depicts the darker side of the life.  The three eyes on her forehead are as round as the universe with very dense hair on her head. She is bedecked with a glorious garland around her neck.   Horrible and terrible flames of fire emanate from her breath. Refulgent rays keep emanating from her even though she is absolutely black.

Worship of Kalaratri Mata

Om Devi Kalratryayi Swaha (108 times Recitation)

Ekveni Japakarnpoora Nagn Kharaasthita |

Lamboshthi Karnika karni Tailaabhyaktshariirini ||

Vaam Paadollasallohlata Kantakbhushanaa |

Bardhan Moordham Dhwajaa Krishnaa Kalratribhayankari ||

Meaning:

She is naked, rides on a donkey with a long tongue, lustrous body, wearing ornaments in the legs like lightning, black in color, untied hair, big eyes and ears and very formidable looking. Meditating on this form of Kalratri removes all obstacles as well as removes all effects of magic woven by others.

Goddess bestows boons on her devotees and brings about the welfare of her devotees.   By her worship, all sins of the devotees are washed away and are conferred all kinds of merits.  Devotees will enjoy prosperity and pleasures if they worship with a purified mind and intellect in order to derive full merit of devotion.

Maha Gouri Mata

“Maha Gauri” is as white as a conch and jasmine and is portrayed as a young girl of eight years. She is worshipped on the eighth day that is Ashwin Shukla Ashtami.

Goddess Shailaputri is extremely beautiful and is blessed with fair complexion and appears as a girl of sixteen.  She is also known as Goddess Mahagouri due to her extremely fair complexion.  The planet Rahu is governed by the Goddess Mahagouri.
Maa is four armed and extremely fair in her body complexion hence she is compared with the conch and Moon.  She rides either on a bull or a white elephant and carries a trishul and a damaru in her hands. She appears in a blessing posture as she always remains calm and serene.  All her garments and jewellery are also white and purity is depicted in this form of Durga.  She is believed to have been in the form of Mata Parvathi when she did penance to get Shiva as her husband.

Mahagouri was Goddess Parvathi in her previous birth who observed penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband.  She lost her complexion due to the severe penance and pleased with the intention, Lord Shiva washed her body with holy water from Ganga and she became bright.

Worship of MahaGouri Mata 

Om Devi Mahagauryayi Namah (108 times Recitation of Mahagauri Mantra)

Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetaambardhara Shuchih |

Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadev Praodadaa ||

Meaning:

Goddess Mahagauri who rides on white bull, wears pure white clothes, giver of happiness, be propitious to me.

By her adoration and worship, all sins of the devotees are burnt to ashes as Goddess possesses invincible powers and bestows merits on her devotees.  Goddess fulfils all the desires of her devotees and enables them to enjoy prosperity and pleasures here in this world and salvation hereafter.  Meditation of Mahagowri makes the devotee free from the material world and helps them to stay away from sorrows and leads the bhakt on the path of virtue.

Siddhidatri Mata

There are eight Siddhis and in “Devipuran” it is said that the Supreme God Shiv got all these Siddhies by worshipping Maha Shakti and so she is the grantor of 26 different wishes to Her Bhaktas is worshipped on the ninth day that is Siddhidatri Navdurga Maa.

Lord Rudra worshipped Adi-Parashakti for creation in the beginning of the universe and then Adi-Parashakti had no form.  Adi-Parashakthi the supreme Goddess of Power appeared in the form of Siddhathri from the left half of Lord Shiva.  The planet Ketu is governed by her hence it is believed that she provides direction and energy to the planet Ketu.

Maa is seated on a lotus and are four armed hence known as Chatturbuji holding a chakra in her right lower hand and a mace in the right upper hand. She also holds a conch with the left lower hand and there is a lotus in her upper left hand.  Siddhas, Gandhavaras, Yakshas, Demons and Gods are around worshipping her.

As part of projecting creation, Universal Mother created Lord Shiva who prayed to Her to endow him with perfections and Universal Mother produced Goddess Siddhidaatri from Her own person.

Worship of Siddhidatri Mata

Om Devi Siddhidatryayi Namah (108 times Recititation of Siddhidatri Mantra)

Siddha Gandharva Yakshdyairasurairamarairapi |

Sevyamaanaa Sadabhuyaat Siddhida Siddhidayini ||

Meaning:  Goddess Siddhidatri who is worshipped by Siddha, Gandharva, Yaksh, Gods, Demons etc., holds Conch, Chakra, Gada and Lotus in her hands, giver of all siddhis and victory all over, be propitious to me.

Maa possesses all types of Siddhis and bestows on her devotees, Siddhis.  It is believed that it is by the grace of Goddess Siddhatri, Lord Shiva got all the Siddhis.  Her worship destroys all the distresses and fulfills all the mundane and divine aspirations of her devotees.

Conclusion

According to Hindu mythology, Navadurga literally means the manifestation of Durga in nine different forms.  It is accepted as a truth that if NavaDurga is worshipped with religious fervor during navarathri, it will lift the divine spirit in us and we will be filled with renewed happiness.  On each day of durga Navarathri the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga are worshipped together.