Shakti - Navaratri Festival October 15 - 23 , 2023
Durga is probably the most important and only aspect of the Devi and Durga herself, who is worshiped in 9 different forms, such as the Navadurgi.
There are two text versions of 9 Durg and both form part of a list of 64 yoginis contained in Kalika Purana. One set of 9 names indicates the most destructive aspect of the nature of Durga and each name contains the word "chanda" meaning "ferocious" or "angry". The texts list: Ugrachandu, Prachanda, Chandogru, Chandanayiku, Chandu, Chandavati, Chandarupa, Atichandik and Rudrachanda. Kalika is a list of 64 yoginis, contains 6 of these 9 names.
The most popular version of Navadurg explains the meaning in the same way as the chronological list of the main events of Parvati's life. She is Shailaputri (Daughter of the mountains), Brahmacharini (Unmarried, praying for fulfillment of her request - to receive Shiva as her husband), Chandaghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata (Mother of Skanda), Katyayani (the form in which she killed the buffalo demon), Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri (Giver of Perfection). Kalika Yogini includes 7 of these 9 forms, only Brahmacharini and Siddhidatri are missing.
Several other names belonging to the Supreme Goddess are also part of the Kalika list. For example, the name Chandika, included here and denoting yogini, is the main name for Devi in Devimahatmya. Among the yoginis there are also Kalika, Kaushiki, Ambika, Sakambhari, Bhima and Bhramari; these are the names with which Chandika is related in this famous poem. The Kalika list of 64 yoginis includes matrices. Nine Mothers are close to Brahmi in a row and 7 of the 16 alternative concepts, as a result, form 16 Mothers. Kalika Purana clearly reflects a tradition in which yoginis were not companions of the Goddess, as her 64 different aspects. The chapter containing this list tells that 64 yogis were worshiped separately (yoginIstu catuShaShTi pUjayet pR ^ ithak pR ^ ithak), this statement reinforces their exalted status.
The two lists of 64 yoginis are almost similar to the list from Kalik Puranas found in texts about the worship of Durga. One was recruited from Mahakalasamhita, and the second, included in an unpublished manuscript from Midnapur, a district of West Bengal. The Midnapur text includes both lists of Nava Durg that were found in Kalika Purana, despite the fact that Mahakalasamhita does not cite the Nava Durg "chanda" variety. In these two lists there is the same number of matrices found in Kalika Purana and both lists combine several Devi names into a group of yoginis, including Shakambhari, Bhima and Bhramari.
9 forms of the Goddess Durga
The nine Goddesses of Navaratri are collectively known as Nawadurga and are mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya. They are manifestations of the Great Goddess, and each of them is worshiped on a specific day of Navaratri. Their names are: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraganta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri.
1 day: Shailaputri
Shailaputri
arūpā para-bhāvatvād bahurūpā kriyātmikā
jātā śailendra-gehe sā śailarāja-sutā tataḥ
"Shayl" means mountains and "Putri" means daughter. She is also known as Shailaraja Putri and Parvati, and in Devibhagavata Purana is referred to as Hemavati:
umābhidhānāṁ purato devīṁ haimavatīṁ ṣivāṁ
It is believed that Shailaputri is the embodiment of Sati, the daughter of Daksa and the wife of Lord Siva. In her second birth, she is Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas and later she also becomes the wife of Shiva. This is one of the first forms of Shakti and it is very closely associated with Lord Siva.
She is the daughter of the mountain. Thus, she is unshakable like a mountain. Her decision is sustainable and irrevocable. She instills a sustainable solution in her adherents. Meditation on this form helps you find everything you want:
vande vāñcitalābhāya candrārdha-kṛta-śekharām |
vṛṣarūḍhāṁ śūladharāṁ śailaputriīṁ yaśasvinīm
Mantra Shailaputri:
ॐ ऐं औम् ह्रीं श्लीम् हूं फट्। (om aiṁ aum hrīṁ ślīm hūṁ phaṭ)
2 day: Brahmacharini
Brahmacharini
Here "Brahma" means one who constantly meditates on the Higher Being. Brahmacharini is an extremely pious and peaceful form and is always in meditation. She is also known as Tapashcharini, Aparna and Uma.
This form of Durga is associated with the severe austerities undertaken by Sati and Parvati in their respective births in order to gain Shiva as spouse. Some of the most important gates observed by women in various parts of India are based on strict self-restraints, following the example of the Brahmacharini.
In this form, Mother Durga is described as holding a rudraksha rosary and a wooden water pot. The rosary of Akshamala was given to the Goddess by Prajapati, and the pot of kamandala was given to Brahma.
To receive the mercy of this Devi one should meditate on it:
dadhānā karakañjābhyām akṣamālāṁ kamaṇḍalum
devī prasīdatu mayi brahmacāriṇy anuttamā
Mantra Brahmacharini:
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं श्रीं ब्रह्मचारिणिये क्लीं श्रीं ह्रीं ऐं। (om aiṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ klīṁ śrīṁ brahmacāriṇiye klīṁ śrīṁ hrīṁ aiṁ)
3rd day: Chandraghanta
Chandraghanta
Her name, Chandraghanta, comes from the crescent moon that she wears on her head. She also holds a Chanda or Prachanda bell in her hand to intimidate enemies. So she is Chanda-ganta. Because of the decapitation of the demon of Chanda, the Universal Mother is called Chanda-munda or Chamunda. She is also called Yama-ganta and Chitra-ganta.
This is a terrifying aspect of the Goddess Shakti and she is strong in anger. This form of Durga is completely different from earlier forms and shows how terrible and destructive it can be when angry.
She has three eyes and ten hands. Chandraghanta is an incomparable embodiment of valor, she rides on a lion and is ready to fight. All demons and demons are horrified to hear the monstrous sound of her bell. You need to meditate on it as follows:
piṇḍaja-pravarārūḍhā caṇḍakopāstrakair yutā
prasādaṁ tanute mahyaṁ candraghaṇṭeti viśrutā
Mantra Chandraghanta:
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं चंद्रघण्टे हुं फट् स्वाहा। (om aiṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ candraghaṇṭe huṁ phaṭ svāhā)
4th day: Kushmanda
Chandraghanta
The name Kushmanda consists of three words. Ku means small, Ushma means energy, and Anda means the cosmic egg or the universe. Kushmanda is the Universal Mother, possessing the power to create the universe. She is also known as Ashtabhuja.
The goddess is very happy in this incarnation and it is believed that eternal darkness dissipates when she smiles. And this leads to the beginning of creation.
One should meditate on it like this:
surā-sampūrṇa-kalaśaṁ rudhirāplutam eva ca
dadhānā hasta-padmābhyāṁ kūṣmāṇḍā śubhadā'stu me
Mantra of Kushmanda:
ॐ हसरैं हसकलरीं हसरौं कूं फट्। (om hasaraiṁ hasakalarīṁ hasarauṁ kūṁ phaṭ)
Day 5: Skanda Mata
Skanda Mata
Skanda is one of the names of Subrahmanya or Lord Muruga (Kartikeya) - the leader of the Army of the Virgin and the most valiant Deity. Skanda Mata is the mother of Kartikeya. She is also known as Padmasana.
This is the maternal form of Durga and she is very generous. In addition, it symbolizes courage and gives glory. It is favorable to think of it as follows:
siṁhāsana-gatā nityaṁ padmāñcita-kara-dvayā
śubhadā'stu sadā devī ṣkanda-mātā yaśasvinī
Mantra Scandamates:
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ऐं वाणवणम ते हुं हूं हट् स्वहा। (om śrīṁ hrīṁ klīṁ aiṁ vāṇavaṇama te huṁ hūṁ haṭ svahā)
6 day: Katyayani
Katyayani
She is called Katyayani, because she was born as the daughter of Sage Katya from the Katya clan.
This is the form of a daughter. Here she is presented as a loving daughter. She is the embodiment of love, but, without hesitation, she will rise in anger to defend the truth and the Dharma. She rides a tiger and holds a sparkling sword in her hand.
You need to meditate on it as follows:
candrahāsojjvalākārā śārdūlanara-vāhanā
kātyāyanī śubhaṁ dadyād devī dānava-ghātinī
Mantra Katyayani:
ॐ कां कां कात्यायनी स्वाहा। (om kāṁ kāṁ kātyāyanī svāhā)
Day 7: Calaratri
Calaratri
Kalaratri is one who destroys ignorance and dispels darkness. She is also known as Shubhamkari.
In this form, she is believed to have licked the blood of the demon Ract Bigi, who was able to create a thousand demons from a drop of blood spilled from his body.
This is the most violent form of Durga. This form first of all shows that life also has a dark side - the frantic Mother Nature, creates chaos and removes all pollution.
Calaratri is portrayed riding a donkey. She has huge lips, she wears Karnika flowers in her ears. Her whole body is oiled. She wears heavy iron jewelry on her left ankle, and the hair on her head is disheveled. It is in this form that the terrible Bhagavati Kalaratri comes. Her veneration destroys death. Meditate on it like this:
ekaveṇī japākarṇapūrā nagnā kharasthitā
lamboṣṭhī karṇikā-karṇī tailābhyakta-śarīriṇī
vāma - pādollasalloha - latā - kaṇṭaka - bhūṣaṇā
vardhan mūrdha-dhvajā kṛṣṇā kāla-rātrir bhayaṇkarī
Mantra Kalaratri:
ॐ क्लीं ऐं क्लीं मम् पुत्रं देहि देहि स्वाहा। (om klīṁ aiṁ klīṁ mam putraṁ dehi dehi svāhā)
Day 8: Maha Gauri
Mata Gauri
Mahagauri means pure and shining like a ray of light.
This is the form of Mata Parvati when she performed austerities, wanting Shiva to marry her. It is believed that during this intense tapas she did not move, and dust and dirt covered her body. Lord Siva purified her body with water from the Ganges. Purity is displayed in this form of Durga.
Mahagauri is supportive of her devotees, and she must be contemplated as follows:
śvete vṛṣe samārūḍhā śvetāmbaradharā śuciḥ
ṁahāgaurī śubhaṁ dadyan mahādeva-pramodadā
Mantra Mahagauri:
ॐ ह्रीं क्लीं हूं महागौर्ये फट् स्वाहा। (om hrīṁ klīṁ hūṁ mahāgaurye phaṭ svāhā)
Day 9: Siddhidatri
Siddhidatri
In this form, Mother Goddess bestows siddhi or knowledge.
This form of Durga eliminates ignorance and bestows knowledge of Brahman comprehension.
According to Devi Purana, Lord Shiva received siddhi by worshiping her and it was precisely because of her favor that half of Shiva's body became the form of Devi, and he became known as Ardhanarishvara. The Siddhidatri is surrounded by the Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshasas, Demons and Gods who revere her. The perfection it gives is the realization of a state in which everything is the Supreme Being or Brahman.
Meditation on this form grants siddhis to all devotees:
siddha - gandharva - yakṣadyair asurair amarair api
sevyamānā sadā bhūyāt siddhidā siddhidāyinī
Siddhidatri Mantra:
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं स्रीं क्लीं हसौः सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः। (om aiṁ hrīṁ srīṁ klīṁ hasauḥ siddhidātryai namaḥ)