Goddess Durga is the mother of the universe and believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation, and destruction of the world. Since time immemorial she has been worshiped as the supreme power of the Supreme Being and has been mentioned in many scriptures – Yajur Veda, Vajasaneyi Samhita and Taittareya Brahman.
The Meaning of Durga with many Arms nad Lion as vehicle.
Nav durga is celebrated two times a year:
1) In chaitra month of Hindu lunar calendar, so called Chaitra Nav durga or Vasanta Nav durga or Rama Nav durga.
2) In September or October called Shardiya Nav durga.
Shree Durga Stuti
Shree Durga Stuti is an easy form of Shree Durga Saptsati composed by Maha Rishi Markande. Shree Durga Stuti is composed of powerful verses in praise of Durga Maa. People believe that daily and sincere recitation of Shree Durga Stuti relieves human beings from all their worries and blesses them with prosperity and happiness.
Shree Maa Durga Chalisa
Invoke the divine blessing of Durga Maa by reading aloud Shree Durga Chalisa everyday.
Nine Forms | Nine Shakti’s | Nine Names of Goddess Maa Durga Devi in Nav durga
Nav durga, which literally means nine Goddess Durga’s, constitute, the manifestation of Durga in nine different forms. Sailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Maha Gowri and Siddhidayini; together worshipped during the Nav durga (Nine Divine Nights) celebration each year.
1. Sailaputri or Shailaputri or Shailputri Mata
Among the Nine Durga’s, Maa Shailputri is considered to be the first manifestation of goddess Durga. Shail” means mountains, “Putri” means daughter. Parvati, the daughter of the King of the Mountains Himavan, is called ‘Shailputri”. The first among nine Durga’s and 1st night of Nav durga is devoted to the puja of Shailputri. Sailaputri devi worshipped on the first day of Nav durga. Her two hands display a trident and a lotus. Her mount is a bull.
The narrative regarding her birth has been described in scriptures like Shivapurana and Devi Bagvaatam Maa.
Shailputri in her previous birth was born as a daughter to Daksha Prajapati. She was named ‘Sati’. She had been deeply devoted to Lord Shiva since her childhood. When she grew into a maiden, she propitiated Lord Shiva by her penance and devotion and desired to beget him as her consort. Lord Shiva bestowed the desired boon on her and accepted her as his consort.
Once her father Daksha Prajapati organized a great Yanja in which all the gods including Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and saints and sages were invited, but Lord Shiva was excluded. When Goddess Sati came to know of it, she could not tolerate the disgrace of Lord Shiva. So, she decided to pay a visit to her father.
When Goddess Sati reached the site of the Yajna, she heard everybody denouncing Lord Shiva. Even Daksha, her father, surrounded by his servants was busy with the condemnation of Lord Shiva. All her sisters were mocking at Sati. Such a hostile situation fanned the fire of her fury even more. She failed to endure such a horrible disgrace of her Lord and consigned herself to the sacrificial flames. When Lord Shiva heard of Sati’s self-immolation, he sent his attendants to destroy the sacrifice.
Sati in her next birth was born as a daughter to Himalaya, the Lord of Mountains. She was named Parvati or Hemvati. Since she was born as a daughter to the mountain-king Himalaya, she is also known as Shailputri. She propitiated Lord Shiva by her severe penance and begot him has her husband. Among the Nine Durgas, the importance and powers of Mother Shailputri are unlimited. On the first day of auspicious Navaraatri, she alone is adored and worshipped.
Mantras for Shailputri Devi
Om Devi Shailputryai Namah (108 recitations of this mantra)
and
Vande Vanchhit Laabhaay, Chandrardhkritshekharaam | Vrisharudham Shooldharaam Shailputriim Yashaswinim ||
2. Brahamcharini Devi
The Second Shakti of Maa Durga is Brahamcharini Devi. Brahma that is who observes penance(tapa) and good conduct. Here “Brahma” means “Tapa”. The idol of this Goddess is very gorgeous.One hand hold a “Kumbha” or water pot, and the other holds a rosary. She personifies love and loyalty. Bhramcharini is the store house of knowledge and wisdom. Rudraksha beads are Her most adored ornaments! Brahamcharini devi worshipped on the second day of Nav durga.
Goddess Parvati meditated on Lord Shiva for thousands of years. The austere penance performed by her reduced her to a mere skeleton. A great hue and cry prevailed in the three worlds because of her severe penance. All the Gods including Indra and Saints and Sage were terrified by her penance. They approached Brahma in a body and prayed to him to bestow the desired boon on Parvati.
At last Brahma, appeared before Parvati and said to her, “O Goddess! All the Gods bow to you in deep reverence. Such an austere penance can be performed only by you. Your cherished desire shall soon be fulfilled. You shall beget Lord Shiva as your consort. By virtue of this austere penance you shall be known as “Brahmchaarini” – a woman of celibacy. Thereafter Brahma restored her physical charm and grace. Thus Goddess Parvati begot Lord Shiva as her husband by virtue of her penance. She earned the reputation of being a Brahmchaarini. The worship of Maa Brahmchaarini is conducive to penance, renunciation, virtue and nobility. Her devotees are endowed with peace and prosperity.
Mantras for Brahmacharini Devi
Om Devi Brahmcharinyai Namah (108 recitations of this mantra)
and
Dadhaanaa Kar Padaabhyaamakshmala Kamandalu | Devi Prasidati Mayi Brahmcharinyanuttamaa ||
3. Chandraghanta Maa
The Third Shakti of Mata Durga is Chandraghanta Devi. There is a half-circular moon in her forehead. She is charm and bright. She is Golden in color, possesses ten hands and 3 eyes. Eight of her hands display weapons while the remaining two are respectively in the mudras of gestures of boon giving and stopping harm. Chandra + Ghanta, meaning supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace and serenity, like cool breeze in a moonlit night. This Durga Shakti rides a tiger. She is mainly worshipped in Tamil Nadu. Chandraghanta devi worshipped on the third day of Nav durga.
By her grace all the sins, distresses, physical sufferings, mental tribulations and ghostly hurdles of the devotees are eradicated. Riding on the lion the Mother inspires her devotees with fearlessness. She is the very embodiment of serenity. The devotees who adore and worship her with their deeds, minds and speech develop an aura of divine splendor. Their persons emit out invisible power-waves which exercise
a great impact on those who come in contact with them. They easily achieve success in every walk of life. Maa Chandraghantaa is ever ready to destroy the wicked, but to her devotees she is ever visible as the kind and compassionate Mother showering peace and prosperity.
Maa Chandraghantaa should be adores and worshipped with great purity in mind and heart observing all the rites properly. Having acquired her grace, we get rid of all worldly turmoil and enjoy Supreme bliss. Devotees should always have her gentle form in their minds while meditating on her.
Mantras for Chandraghanta Devi
Om Devi Chandraghantayayi Namah (108 recitations of this mantra)
and
Pindaj Pravaarudh chandkopastrkairyuta | Prasadam Tanute Madhyam Chandraghanteti vishrutaa ||
4. Kushmanda Mata
The Fourth Shakti of Devi Durga is Kushmanda Mata. Begins with the worship of Kushmanda, possessed of eight arms, holding a weapons and a mala ( rosary), her mount is the tiger and She emanates a solar aura. “Kumbh Bhand” means to see the cosmic dance in the form of Pindi; the knowledge of cosmic intricacies in the human race. Kushmanda devi worshipped on the fourth day of Nav durga.
When this universe was non-existent and darkness prevailed everywhere, it was Maa Kushmaandaa who produced the Cosmic Egg with her mere smile. So Maa Kushmanda is also known as the creator the whole universe. Maa Kushmanda is also named as “Adi Shakti”. She is the only one who has the power and strength to live in the core of Suryaloka. Her body shines like the glowing Sun. All directions get light from Her Divine smile including the Sun God itself. Maa Kushmanda also known as “Ashtabhuja” as she is often depicted as having eight arms.
Mother Kushmaandaa is the bestower of all pleasures. Her adoration and worship delivers a person from all kinds of ailments and leads him on to the path of prosperity and pleasures. So, a devotee should adore and worship her with a purified mind and intellect.
Mantra for Kushmaandaa Devi
Om Devi Kushmandayayi Namah (108 recitations of this mantra)
and
Suraasampoornam Kalasham Rudhiraaplutamev Cha | Dahdana Hastpadmaabhyaam Kushmanda Shubhdaastu Me ||
5. Skanda Mata
The Fifth Shakti or Devi Durga is Skanda Mata. Rising a lion as Her chosen vehicle, She holds Her son skanda on her lap. She displays three eyes and four hands; two hands holds lotuses while the other two hand display defending and granting mudras, respectively. Its said, by the merch of Skandmata, even the fool becomes an ocean of knowledge. Skanda mata worshipped on the fifth day of Nav durga.
Skandamaataa who possesses the brilliance of the sun fulfills all the desires of her devotees. He who is selflessly devoted to her, attains all the achievements and treasures of life. The worship of Skandamaataa purifies the heart of a devotee. While worshiping her, he devotee should have absolute control over his senses and mind. He should free himself from worldly bondage and worship her with a single-pointed devotion. Her worship is twice blessed. When the devotee worships her, Lord Skanda, her son in her lap, is automatically worshipped. Thus the devotee happens to enjoy the grace of Skandamaataa along with the grace of Lord Skanda.
If a devotee worships her devoid of selfishness, the Mother blesses them with power and prosperity. The devotees who worship Skandamaataa shine with divine splendor. Her worship is ultimately conducive to salvation.
Mantras for Skandamaataa Devi
Om Devi Skandmatayayi Namah (108 recitations of this mantra)
and
Sinhaasangataam Nityam Padmaanchit Kardwayaa | Shubhdaastu Sadaa Devi Skandmata Yashaswini ||
6. Katyayani
The Sixth Shakti of Maa Durga is four-armed and she carries a sword, shield and lotus. One hand is depicted as giving blessing. She rides a lion. Mother Kaatyaayani is worshiped as the sixth manifestation of Goddess Durga. She is adored on the sixth day of the Nav durga.
When the atrocities committed by Mashisha, the wicked demon, became intolerable on the Earth, Goddess Durga’s sixth manifestation appeared as a daughter to sage Kaatyaayana. She came to be known as ‘Kaatyaayani’ as she was the daughter of Sage Kaatyaayana.
As soon as Mother Kaatyaayani was born, she assumed a huge and massive form. Seeing her Universal Form, sage Kaatyaayana bowed to her with great reverence and adored and worshipped her for three days from the Bright seventh to ninth. Having accepted the adoration and worship of the sage, Mother Kaatyaayani assassinated demon Mashisha.
Mother Kaatyaayani can give everything to her devotees. The gopis of Braja too worshipped her on the banks of the Yamuna in order to beget Lord Krishna as their husband. The four-armed Mother Kaatyaayani rides the Lion. She is easily propitiated by devotion and destroys all sins of her devotees. Her worship is conducive to Dharma, wealth, pleasures and salvation.
Mantras for Kaatyaayani Devi
Om Devi Katyayanyayi Namah (108 recitations of this mantra)
and
Chandrahaasojjval Karaa Shaardoolvarvaahanaa | Katyayani Shubham Dadyaad Devi Daanavghatini ||
7. Kalaratri Devi
The Seventh Shakti of Maa Durga is Kalaratri. Black (or blue ) skin with bountiful hair and 4 hands, 2 clutching a cleaver and a torch, while the remaining 2 are in the mudras of “giving” and “protecting”. Her vehicle is a faithful donkey. The destroyer of darkness and ignorance, Kaalratri is the seventh form of Nav durga meaning scourer of darkness; enemy of darkness. Kalaratri devi worshipped on the seventh day of Nav durga.
Although the outward form of Mother Kaalaraatri is extremely frightening yet she always bestows boons on her devotees. So, she is also called Shubhankari as she always brings about the welfare of her devotees. All sins are washed off by her adoration and worship. Devotees deserve all kinds of merits by having her vision. Those who adore and worship her selflessly are relieved of all distresses and turmoil. They will enjoy prosperity and pleasures.
Mother Kaalaraatri is the destroyer of demons, ghosts, goblins and evil-minded persons. All planetary hurdles are removed if a devotee chants her name with devotion. She confers the state of fearlessness on her devotees. A devotee should worship her with a purified mind and intellect in order to derive full merit of his devotion.
Mantras for Kalaratri Devi
Om Devi Kalratryayi Swaha (108 recitations of this mantra)
and
Ekveni Japakarnpoora Nagn Kharaasthita | Lamboshthi Karnika karni Tailaabhyaktshariirini ||
Vaam Paadollasallohlata Kantakbhushanaa | Bardhan Moordham Dhwajaa Krishnaa Kalratribhayankari ||
8. Maha Gowri
The Eighth Shakti of Mata Durga is Maha Gowri. She is as white as a conch, moon and Jasmine. She is of eight years old. With four arms and the fairest complexion of all the Durga’s Shaktis, Maha gowri radiates peace and compassion. She is often dressed in a white or green sari. She holds a drum and a trident and is often depicted riding a bull. Maha Gowri devi worshipped on the eightth day of Nav durga.
All the sins of the devotees are burnt to ashes by her adoration and worship. She possesses invincible powers and bestows merits on her devotees. She destroys all the distresses of her devotees and blesses them with all kinds of merits and virtues.
Maa Mahagauri’s meditation, her adoration, her worship, and her devotion are conducive to the welfare of devotees. He who concentrates his mind on her will enjoy her blessings. He who enjoys her grace achieves perfection in every walk of life. Mother Mahagauri fulfils all the desires of her devotees. She enables them to enjoy prosperity and pleasures here in this world and salvation hereafter.
Mantras for Maha gowri Devi
Om Devi Mahagowryayi Namah (108 recitations of this mantra)
and
Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetaambardhara Shuchih | Mahagowri Shubham Dadyanmahadev Praodadaa ||
9. Siddhidayini
The Ninth Shakti of Maa Durga is Siddhidatri Devi. There are eight Siddhis , they are- Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva & Vashitva.It is said in “Devipuran” that the Supreme God Shiv got all these Siddhies by worshipping Maha Shakti. With her gratitude the half body of Shiv has became of Goddess and there fore his name “Ardhanarishvar” has became famous.Usually shown ensconced a lotus with four arms, She is the grantor of 26 different wishes to Her Bhaktas. Siddhidayini devi worshipped on the ninth day of Nav durga.
Having acquired the siddhis from Goddess Siddhidaatri, Lord Shiva created Lord Vishnu who in turn created Lord Brahma who was entrusted with the task of the Creation whereas Lord Vishnu got the task of Protection and Lord Shiva that of Destruction.
Lord Brahma felt a great difficulty in his task of the Creation in the absence of man and woman. Thereupon he remembered Mother Siddhidaatri. When she appeared before him, Lord Brahma said to her, “Oh Great Mother! I cannot carry on with the task of the Creation in the absence of man and woman. You kindly solve this problem of mine through your supernatural attainments (siddhis).”
Having heard Lord Brahma, Mother Siddidaatri converted half the person of Lord Shiva into a woman. Thus Lord Shiva became half-male and half-female and came to be known as Ardhanaarishwara. Thus the problem of Lord Brahma was resolved and the task of the Creation went on smoothly.
Mantras for Siddhidayini
Om Devi Siddhidatryayi Namah (108 recitations of this mantra)
and
Siddha Gandharva Yakshdyairasurairamarairapi | Sevyamaanaa Sadabhuyaat Siddhida Siddhidayini ||
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