Maverick Story's - October 11, 2024

Navaratri’s Power: Worshipping Durga in Nine Divine Forms : Part 3

October 11, 2024

0 8 min read

DAY 7 – Saptami: Mother Kalaratri: –

Considered the most ferocious form of Durga, Kalaratri is revered on Saptami. It is believed that Parvati removed her pale skin to kill the asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha. The goddess is depicted in a red-coloured attire or tiger skin with enraged and fiery eyes and dark skin. The red colour is believed to represent prayer and assurance of the goddess’s protection to the devotees from harm.

One of the earliest references to Kalaratri is found in the Mahabharata (first written down in the 5th century BCE, with additions and alterations continuing on through the 1st century BCE), specifically in the tenth part of the Sauptika Parva (Book of Sleeping).

After the battle of the Pandavas, and the Kauravas, Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya, vows to avenge the death of his father. Going against the rules of war in the stealth of the night, he creeps into the Kuru camp dominated by Pandava followers. With the power of Rudra, he attacks and kills the followers in their sleep. During his frenzied assaults on the followers, Kalaratri appears on the spot.

“….in her embodied form, a black image, of bloody mouth and bloody eyes, wearing crimson garlands and smeared with crimson unguents, attired in a single piece of red cloth, with a noose in hand, and resembling an elderly lady, employed in chanting a dismal note and standing full before their eyes.”

The Saudhikagama, an ancient Tantric text from Orissa referenced in the Silpa Prakasha, describes goddess Kalaratri as being the goddess ruling over the nocturnal period. She is also associated with the crown chakra (also known as the Sahasrara Chakra), said to yield the worshipper Siddhi’s (supernatural skills) and Nidhi’s (riches): knowledge, power and wealth in particular.

Kalaratri is also known as Shubhankari, meaning auspicious/doing good. The colour of the day is Royal Blue.

DAY 8 – Ashtami: Mother Mahagauri: –

Mahagauri symbolises intelligence and peace. The name Mahagauri translates to extremely bright, clean complexioned, with a shine like the moon. Mahagauri is an icon of purity usually depicted in White Sari with golden border riding a white bull. She is depicted with four hands: she holds a trident in her right upper hand and in her left hand, she holds a “Damaru”, and the Right hand is in the Abhayamudra Form.

In Eastern India, Maha Astami is observed on this day, with offerings of Pushpanjali, followed by the worship of a virgin girl child aged within sixteen symbolising “Kumari Puja”. It is a very important tithi, and considered to be the birthday of “Mahishasura Mardini” Form of Mother Chandi.

The colour associated with this day is pink which depicts optimism.

DAY 9 – Navami: Mother Siddhidhatri: –

Sitting on a lotus, Mother Siddhidhatri is believed to possess and bestows all types of Siddhis. She mainly bestows nine types of siddhis – Anima (ability to reduce one’s body to the size of an atom); Mahima (ability to expand one’s body to an infinitely large size); Garima (ability to become heavy or dense); Laghima (ability to become weightless or lighter than air); Prapti (ability to realise whatever one desires); Prakamya (ability to access any place in the world); Isitva (ability to control all material elements or natural forces), and Vasitva (ability to force influence upon anyone).

Apart from the eight supreme siddhis that goddess Siddhidhatri had granted the Trimurti, i.e., Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, she is believed to have granted to them, “Nine Treasures – namely: Mahapadma – “great lotus flower”; Padma – “lotus flower”; Shankha – “conch”; Makara – “crocodile”;

Kachchhapa – “tortoise”; Kumud – “a particular precious stone”; Kunda – “jasmine”; Nila – “sapphire”; Kharva – “dwarf”, and ten other kinds of supernatural powers or potentialities.

The two parts, man and woman, created Devas and Devis, Daityas, Danavas, Asuras, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Apsaras, Bhutas, Heavenly beings, Mythical Creatures, Plants, Aquatic, Terrestrial and Aerial animals, Nagas and Gurudas, etc. and many more species of the world were born and thus originated from them.

The goddess is depicted with four hands holding a Chakra(discus), Shankh (conch shell), Mace, and Lotus. She is seated on either a fully bloomed lotus or a lion as her mount. Also known as Mahalakshmi, Siddhidhatri is Parvati, the wife of Shiva. Siddhidhatri is also seen as the “Ardhanarishvara” form of Shiva & Shakti.

It is believed that one side of Shiva’s body is that of Siddhidhatri -for which he is also known by the name of ‘Ardhanarishvara’. According to the Vedic scriptures, Shiva had attained all the Siddhis by worshipping Mother Siddhidhatri.

The purple colour of the day portrays an admiration towards nature’s beauty.

To be continued…………