Navaratri’s Power: Worshipping Durga in Nine Divine Forms : Part 2

DAY 4 – Chaturthi: Mother Kushmanda: –

Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on Chaturthi (fourth day). Believed to be the creative power of the universe, Kushmanda is associated with the endowment of vegetation on earth, and hence, the colour of the day is green. She is depicted as having eight arms and sits on a tiger which represents “Dharma”.

As per the Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu was on the verge of creating the universe when Maa Kushmanda smiled like a flower which blossomed with a bud. She created the world from nothing, at the time when there was eternal darkness all around. This Swarup of Maa Durga is the source of all. Since she created the universe, she is called “Adi Swarup” and “Adishakti”.

Her name signals her main role: “Ku” means “a little”, “Ushma” means “Warmth” or “Energy” and Anda means “Cosmic Egg”. She has eights hands in which she holds Kamandala, bow, arrow, a jar of nectar (Amrit), discus, mace and a lotus, and in one hand she holds a rosary which blesses her devotees with the Ashta-Siddhis and Nav-Niddhis; hence she is also known as “Ashtabhuja”. 

She has a radiant face along with a Bhaddakanchana (Golden Complexion). Since, Maa resides in the core of the Sun and thus controls the Surya Lok, hence sun-induced melanoma has enabled her to be Bhaddakanchana (Golden Complexion). Maa Kushmanda represents “Anahata Chakra” in spiritual practice. The divine blessings of Maa Kushmanda helps in improving the health and wealth. She removes all the hurdles and troubles from materialistic life and enables oneself to get rid of all sorts sorrows in life. Maa brings light into darkness and establishes harmony in one’s life.

DAY 5 – Panchami: Mother Skanda Mata: –

She is the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya). The green colour is symbolic of the transforming strength of a mother when her child is confronted with danger. She is depicted riding a ferocious lion, having four arms, three eyes, and holding her baby. One of her hands is in the fear-dispelling Abhaya-Mudra position while the other is used to hold the infant form of her son Skanda on her lap. The remaining two hands are typically shown holding lotus flowers. She is light complexioned, and as she is seated on a lotus, she is sometimes referred to as “Padamasani”.

As per mythology, Tarkasur started tormenting the people on the earth. Fearing his strength would cause destructions, Lord Kartikeya/Skand Kumar, brought an end to Tarkasur and also became the commander in Chief of the Devtas in the war against the demons. Thus, Goddess Skandmata’s story is a symbol of the mother-son relationship.

DAY 6 – Shashti: Mother Katyayani: –

Born to sage Katyayana, she is an incarnation of Durga which had slayed the buffalo-demon, “Mahisasur”, and is shown to exhibit courage which is symbolised by the colour red. Known as the Warrior Goddess, she is considered one of the most violent forms of Devi. In this avatar, Katyayani rides a lion with three eyes, and has four hands. She is celebrated on Shashti (sixth day). In eastern India, Maha Shashti marks the commemoration of Sharodiya Durga Puja.

She is traditionally associated with the colour red, as with Parvati, the primordial form of Shakti, a fact also mentioned in Patanjali’s Mahabhashya on Pāṇini, written in 2nd century BCE. She holds a sword in one of her left hands and a lotus in another. Her right hands can be seen in the Varada-Mudra (bestowing boons) and Abhaya-Mudra (fear dispelling), along with the crescent moon adorning her forehead,

She is first mentioned in the “Taittiriya Aranyaka” which is a part of the Yajurveda. The Skanda Purana mentions her being created out of the spontaneous anger of Gods.

Her exploits are described in the Devi-Bhagavata Purana and “Devi Mahatmyam (Glory of the Goddess)”, which are part of the Markandeya Purana attributed to sage Markandeya Rishi, who wrote it in Sanskrit ca. 400-500 CE. Over a period of time, her presence was also felt in Buddhist and Jain texts and several Tantric text, especially the Kalika Purana (10th century), which mentions Uddiyana or Odradesa (Odisha), as the seat of Katyayani and Jagannath.

In Hindu traditions like Yoga and Tantra, she is ascribed to the sixth Ajna Chakra or the Trinayana (Third Eye).

To be continued………

Writer Suvro Sanyal

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