Ajit
Why we celebrate Navratri?

Every Indian festival has a reason and significance behind its celebration. It is not only celebrated for fun and enjoyment.

It is the divine power that provides energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing the changes in the outer nature and that this divine power must be thanked for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. Due to the changes in the nature, the bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change.

Due to climate change & solar influence, the energy level of the body goes up & down. If energy level is up, Satwa increases, positivity increases. On the result of it, human becomes dynamic, enthusiastic, creative & happier. When energy level is down, Tamas increases, negativity increases. So all types of negativity like greed, jealousy, hatred develops in human’s body.

In the month of Vadraba, there is lowest energy. Our saints are so clever. They thought about it & want to do something to keep our energy level up. So they performed Ganapati Puja for first 10 days of Vadraba. We worship the divine power to bestow upon all of us enough potent powers to maintain our physical and mental balance. Then they keep Shradha to remember our ancestors. So we can remember the beautiful memory those we have spent with our grandfather, grandmother & others. When we think about those happy moments, our Satwa goes up, so our energy level goes up.

Then on the first day of Ashvin, they put 9 days of worship to the mother, the source of energy. There is no rakhyas like Mahisasura. The real rakhyasas are our ego, sorrow, greed, jealousy etc which should be killed from ourselves. The 10 days (including Vijaya Dasami) refers to 10 evils.

1) Kaam (Lost)
2) Krodh (Anger)
3) Lobh (Greed)
4) Moh (Attachment)
5) Ahankar (Ego)
6) Darr (Fear)
7) Irsha (Jealousy)
8) Jadta (Inertia)
9) Nafrat (Hate)
10) Paschataap (Guilty)

Each day we take commitment to destroy one evil from our selves. On the tenth day, we celebrate Vijaya Dasami, i.e. win over all these negativity.

Reason for doing Religious Works at Night

The saints have given more importance to night. Understanding it scientifically; night is peaceful and quite, tantra-mantra and other supernatural things are in strong position. It is easy to concentrate in the night. Chanting Mantra in a peaceful environment yields auspicious results. Many obstacles of nature are removed. This time may be used for gaining mental power and Yogic powers.

Scientifically, performing things during the day increases the chances of problems in concentrating; just the way radio signals face problems during day time but improve in the night. The sound of the bells and conch kills Germs up-to far-away places. This period is used for Siddhi for fulfilling wishes.

The four important ratri (night)

There are four nights which are special meant for worship.
  • Navratri
  • Maha ratri (Maha Shiv Ratri)
  • Kaal ratri (Deewali)
  • ......... (Couldn't remember)
These four falls on 15th of the month instead of 14th.

What is Navratri?

Navratri is a combination of two words. 'Nav' means nine while 'ratri' means night. Therefore, this celebration is literally translated as 'nine nights'.
Navarathri is celebrated five times a year. They are Vasanta Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri, the Sharada Navaratri, and the Paush/MaghaNavaratri. Of these, the Sharada Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and the Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta kala are very important.

  1. Basanta Navaratri: Basanta Navaratri, also known as Vasant Navaratri, is the festival of nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the spring season (March–April). It is also known as Chaitra Navaratri. The nine days of festival is also known as Raama Navratri.
  2. Gupta Navaratri: Gupta Navaratri, also referred as Ashadha or Gayatri or Shakambhari Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Ashadha (June–July). Gupta Navaratri is observed during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).
  3. Sharada Navaratri: This is the most important of the Navaratris. It is simply called Maha Navaratri (the Great Navratri) and is celebrated in the month of Ashvina. Also known as Sharad Navaratri, as it is celebrated during Sharad (beginning of winter, September–October).
  4. Paush Navaratri: Paush Navaratri is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Paush (December–January). Paush Navaratri is observed during the Paush Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).
  5. Magha Navaratri: Magha Navaratri, also referred as Gupta Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Magha (January–February). Magha Navaratri is observed during the Magha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).

But popularly Navratra is celebrated twice a year. First Navratra is from Pratipada of Chaitra month to Navami and the second is exactly after six months in Pratipada of Ashwin Shukla Paksha to a day before Vijayadashami. In the two Navratras Sharada Navratra is given more importance. The celebrations begin on the first day of the month of Ashvin (i.e. Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada) according to the Hindu calendar.

First three days
The goddess is separated as a spiritual force called Durga also known as Kali in order to destroy all our impurities.

Second three days
The Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible wealth, as she is the goddess of wealth.

Final three days
The final set of three days is spent in worshiping the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life, believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship.

We need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights.

Each of the nine days of Navratri has special significance. Each day is dedicated to a particular Goddess who is worshipped on that day.


First Day - Shailputri

The first day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Shailputri', the daughter of the Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the companion of Lord Shiva.
Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

Second Day - Brahmacharini

She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. The name is derivative of the word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. Bharmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation - Moksha.

Third Day - Chandraghanta

The third day is dedicated to the goddess 'Chandraghanta', the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery.
The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half-moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.

Fourth Day - Kushmanda

The fourth day is dedicated to the goddess 'Kushmanda', the creator of the entire Universe.
Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.

Fifth Day - Skand Mata

The fifth day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Skand Mata', the mother of the chief warrior of the Gods army, the Skanda.
The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ - the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. The left arm is in pose to grant boons with grace and in left lower hand which is raised also holds a lotus. She has a bright complexion and often depicted as seated on a lotus.

Sixth Day - Katyayani

The sixth day is dedicated to the goddess 'Katyayani' with three eyes and four hands.
The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshipped on the six day of Navaratri. The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

Seventh Day - Kaalratri

The seventh day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Kaalratri', meant to make the devotees fearless.
This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, dishevelled hair and a fearlessness posture. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Her vehicle is the donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all worshippers and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying fears. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and there is a dragger in the lower left hand. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles. So she is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does good things.

Eighth Day - Maha Gauri

The eight day is dedicated to the Mata Rani or 'Maha Gauri' representing calmness and exhibits wisdom.
She is worshiped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life. Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely white. She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in the pose of allaying fear and her right lower hand holds a trident. The left upper hand holds a ‘damaru’ (a small rattle drum) and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.

Ninth Day - Siddhidatri

Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all Siddhis (supernatural powers). By her blessings his half body became female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara.

Tenth Day - Vijaya Dasami

Today is considered the Day of Victory, Vijaya Dashami, where the divine energy that is in all of us, the

power of the consciousness (devi shakti), is victorious over all the negative tendencies that sometimes

arise in the small mind and that prevent us from being happy, healthy and aware of our true nature (for

more details, also see the note I wrote on this page on the significance of the symbolism in Navaratri! :))

As is the custom the day, I wish all of you.

Shantir Astu (may there be peace in your life),
Pushtir Astu (may there be abundance in your life)
Tushtir Astu (may there be contentment and fulfillment in your life)!

Other related posts:
Ajit
Written by: Bhanumathi Narasimhan

We float in the effulgence of one scintillating unseen cosmic energy called the ‘Devi,’ Divine Mother, womb of all creation. She is the seed of all dynamism, radiance, beauty, equanimity, peace and nourishment. She is the life force energy.
Devi, as Goddess Durga is epitomised as Shakti who wards off all evil. Durga also means hill. Something difficult is often described as an uphill task. In the presence of Durga Shakti, negative forces fade away.

Durga is referred to as ‘Jaya Durga’ or the one who brings jai or victory. She is Durgatipariharini – one who removes obstacles. She transforms negativity into positivity. Even difficulties find it difficult to come near her.

When you pray to Mother Divine as Durga, you become courageous, victorious and compassionate. That is the beauty of the Divine as mother. She nourishes all qualities, nurturing the positive. It is like collecting good luck. For example, when you are with the mother all ‘goodies’ are available. We become meritorious and we gain power to manifest good luck and hold or sustain it as well. Many times life may shower you with courage, prosperity and abundance but your ability to hold and transform this energy into happiness and compassion is lacking. Navaratri is a special time to pray to Durga to have all these qualities together – uniting and harmonising –magnifying and inculcating it in one’s life.

If we are always victorious but not happy it is of no use. Similarly, if we are always making efforts but never succeeding, that is also frustrating. Durga energy can give you all this together. All qualities are available to you as one unit. We pray to Durga for all these qualities to be instilled in our consciousness, bringing physical well being, material fulfillment and spiritual uplift.
Durga is associated with the colour red. She is depicted wearing a red saree. Red is the colour of dynamism – a bright attitude, the ‘moving’ energy. You may be trained and skilled but if you are not able to move things together, move people or your efforts in unison, the fruits are delayed. But when you pray to Durga, she makes this possible. The fruit is immediate.

The Mother Divine is Prakriti or this entire creation. Everything is creation is made up of three gunas or qualities: Sattva, rajas and tamas. Sattva is associated with calmness, clarity of mind, enthusiasm and peace. Rajas is needed for action but often creates feverishness. Tamas is inertia and an imbalance in tamas can lead to laziness, dullness and even depression. When you handle tamas properly you move into sattva. Every being in this creation is caught in the play of the gunas. How does one come out of this cycle, and transcend them?

Raise your sattva and come out of the cycle through proper meditation, silence and food control. Transcending the gunas, one gets established in the Shiva tattva or the pure and infinite consciousness. Prakriti is full of opposites like night and day, heat and cold, pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow. Rising above opposites, transcending duality, once again the Shiva tattva is attained.

This is the purpose of all pujas and other rituals during Navratri -- to manifest the unmanifest and unseen energy, the Durga Shakti, by whose grace one can transcend the gunas and attain the supreme, undivided, indivisible, pure, infinite consciousness.
Ajit
Navadurga (Devanagari:नवदुर्गा), which literally means nine Goddess Durgas, constitute, according to Hindu mythology, the manifestation of Durga in nine different forms. These nine forms of manifestation are Śhailaputrī, Brahmachāriṇī, Chandraghaṇṭā, Kuṣhmāṇḍā, Skandamātā, Kātyāyanī, Kālarātrī, Mahāgaurī and Siddhidātrī.

Meditative mantra

Each one of the Navadurga is known by a particular name and the deity has a particular dhyana-mantra, a mantra for meditation.

1. Shailputri
वन्दे वांछितलाभाय चंद्रार्धक्रतशेखराम !
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्री यशस्विनीम !!

Vande Vanchhitalabhay chandrardhakritshekharam !
Vrisharudham Shooldharam Shailputreem Yashasvineem !!

Meaning (Hindi) - शैलपुत्री माता जो यशस्विनी हैं, जिनके मस्तक पे आधा चन्द्र सुशोभित है, जो वृष पे आरुड़ हैं , इच्छित लाभ देने वाली हैं, उनकी हम वंदना करते हैं !!

Explanation- Shailputri is one of many names of goddess Parvati. She is called Shail-bala or Shail-putri because she was born as Himalaya's Daughter. Himalaya, being a mountain( parvat or Shail), she is called parvati or shail-putri. Navratre's first day is devoted to Shailputri mata. She rides on Vrash (Bull), she has Shool (Trident) in one of her hands, there is half-moon on her crown, she is benefitial for whatever one wishes.


May the illustrious Shailputri Durga whom I salute and whose head is adorned by a halfmoon, who rides nandi, a bull and carries a spear fulfill the desires of my heart. She is known as 1st phase of Durga when she took birth as the daughter of Great Himalayas.

Durga Shailputri (Daughter of Mountain) : "Shail" means mountains, "Putri" means daughter. Parvati, the daughter of the King of the Mountains Himalaya, is called 'Shailputri". The first among nine Durgas and 1st night of Navratras is devoted to the puja of Shailputri. Her two hands display a trident and a lotus. Her mount is a bull.

2. Brahmacharini
दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलु !
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्म्चारिन्यनुतमा !!

Dadhana karpadmabhayaamaqshmala kamadalu !
Devi prasidatu mayi brahmchaarinyanutama !!

Meaning (Hindi)-
जिनके हाथों में पद्म (अर्थात कमल का पुष्प) , रुद्राक्ष माला, और कमंडल है, वो उत्तम ब्रह्मचारिणी माता मुझ पर प्रसन्न हों !!

Explanation-
Goddess Brahmchaarini wears white color clothes, she holds rudraksh mala, lotus flower, kamandalu, in her hands. Goddess brahmcharini is the "tapaswini" roop of goddess.. who gives freedom from Kaama, krodha.


May the supreme Brahmachari Durga, who holds rosary and kamandalu in her lotus hands and whose nature is to attain Sachchidanandamaya Brahmaswarupa the Existence-Knowledge-Bliss absolute, be propitious on me. Devi is Devi's that phase when Maa Parvati before marriage was Devi Yogni and Devi Tapsvini.

She is the Roop of Maa Parvati before Her marriage to Lord Shiva. Brahmacharini ~ One who has done severe Tapasya. Brahmacharini Maa is seen with Rosary and Kamandal.Her jwellery is made from Lotus. She is Goddess of Love and Loyalty. An ideal wife to be.

3. Chandraghanta
पिंडजप्रवरारुढ़ा चन्दकोपास्त्रकैर्युता !
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघंटेति विश्रुता !!

Pindajpravararoodha chandkopaastrakairyuta !
Prasaadam tanute mahyam chandraghanteti vishruta !!

As a goddess she exemplifies calm and material well being. Her adornments are rich and signify material comfort. In a sense, She is the goddess who rids our life of obstructions and evil energy.

She derives her name from her most prominent ornament, a half moon shaped like a bell that smites all evil beings such as demons and instills fear in their hearts.

As a potent force and facet of the female energy, Goddess Chandraghanta claims as her own the Manipur Chakra. Symbolized by a lotus with ten petals, this chakra is also known as "nabhi" or navel chakra. This Manipur chakra embodies the change or conversion from simplicity to complexity.


May that Durga Devi, who rides on Tiger, who is endowed with intense anger and violence and is renowned by the name of Maa Chandraghanta, bestow her grace on me. Chandraghanta Maa is known and named Chandraghanta or Chandra-Khanda as Maa Durga wears the semi-circular moon (Chandra) which appears like a bell (Ghanta) on her forehead.

She is the Goddess of Justice. Her name means the Moon Hour. A time of Peace and Bliss.

4. Kushmanda
सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रूधिराप्लुतमेव च !
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्याम कुष्मांडा शुभदास्तु मे !!

Sura-sampurn-kalasham Rudhiraplutmeva Ch !
Dadhana Hast-padhmabhyaam Kushmanda Shubhdaastu me !!

Goddess Kushmanda is always portrayed as radiating with an immense inner light. The radiance of a hundred thousand suns is contained in her, her brilliance is incomparable and she resides deep within the heart of the sun where no other god or goddess can withstand the brilliance. She alone illuminates the ten directions and all the worlds.

Anahat Chakra - symbolised by a lotus with 12 petals. Also known as Heart chakra, emphasis the qualities of the heart - love and compassion but most of all equilibrium.


May Kushmanda Ma Durga who holds two pitchers full of blood in her lotus hands and the universe is created, sustained and drawn within Devi's ownself in a wink be propitious for me. In this form Mother Durga creates solar system by liberating her power to Lord Sun.

5. Skandamata
सिंघासनगता नित्यम पद्माश्रितकरद्वया !
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्द माता यशश्विनी !!

Singashangata Nityam PadmashritKardwaya !
Shubhdaastu Sada Devi SkandMata Yashashwini !!

Meaning - नित्य सिंह के आसन पर विराजमान, दो हाथो में कमल के पुष्प धारण करने वाली, यशश्विनी देवी स्कन्दमाता सदा शुभ फल प्रदान करो !!

Explanation-
Astride a Lion while holding the infant, Skanda, in her arms, the four-armed goddess is also known as Pasmasana Devi !

Skandmata is revered for having produced such a remarkable son and worshiped as the mother figure par excellence. she does not wield a weapon and holds instead 2 lotuses in her 2 upper hands.As a potent force and facet of the female energy, Skandmata claims as her own the Vishuddhi Chakra.
Symbolized by a lotus with 16 petals, this Chakra is also known as the throat Chakra that symbolizes creativity and communications.

*SkandMata - Mother of Skanda (Kartikey) is another name of goddess parvati.


May the renowned Durga Devi Skandamata who is eternally seated on a throne and whose hands are adorned with lotuses, be ever propitious to me. As Mother of Skanda or Kartikeya, Maa Parvati or Maa Durga is known as Skandmata.

Skand literally means Reeds. If you will observe most Forms of Devi Maa have a Loop/Noose or पाश in their Hands. It symbolises attachment. The पाश noose is used to secure Demons before slaying them. You can say it's used as a rope. It's one of the weapons in Maa's Hands.

The 5th Vidya is Maa Bhairavi. Just seeing her makes the demons tremble. In Durga Saptashadi She is hailed as Chandi by Maa Parvati Herself. It is not that Maa Bhairavi and Maa Parvati are different. In Durga Saptashadi, on a complaint by a demon all manifestations of Maa become one. It is then explained in Durga Saptashadi that Names and Forms of Maa may be different, but ultimately they are all One, the Aadi Shakti. The demon complained, "You say You are One but have got so many women to fight with me" Maa replied, "Idiot they are but me".

6. Kathyayini
चंद्र्हासुज्ज्वलकरा शार्दुलवरवाहना !
कात्यायनी शुभम दध्यादेवी दानवघातिनी !!

ChandrhaasujjwalKara Shaardulvar-wahana !
Katyayani dadhyadevi Daanavghaatini !!

Meaning -
चन्द्र को उज्जवल करने वाली. सिंह के वाहन वाली , दानव का नाश करने वाली कात्यायनी देवी को प्रणाम !!

Explanation-
The origins of Katyayani goddess are closely linked to bloodline of the sage KAT who beget the saint Katya as his son. Eventually famous saint katyayan was born in this line. It was his desire that goddess be born in his house as his daughter. The world meanwhile was reeling under tyrannies of demon mahishasur. The goddess appealed by the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva born on 4th Navratra. Goddess accepted the ritual worship of katayayan rishi for 3days and on the tenth day Durga slew the demon Mahishasur. Goddess was born in Katayan's house so she adopted the name Katyayani.

Katyayani devi is depicted as a four armed goddess astride a lion. She holds a sword in one hand, a lotus in another, and remaining 2 hands are composed in mudras of blessing and the mudra of fearlessness, the blessing extended to all of katyayani's devotees.

As a potent force and facet of female energy, Katyayani claims as her own the Ajna or Agya Chakra. Symbolized by a lotus with 2 petals, this chakra is also known as third eye chakra.


May the ever watchful Durga Devi Katyayani, who holds shining Chandrahasa (Sword) in Devi's hand and rides a magnificent lion and destroys the demons, bestow welfare on me. When Maa Parvati's Partial expansion took birth in Sage Katya's home and gets energy from trinity and demi Gods, then the Goddess was known as Maa Katyani.

The sixth Durga - Maa Katyani (Ferocious Roop/ Demon slayer/ assoc.colour red/ daughter of Sage Katyayan). The sixth Mahavidya is Maa Chhinnamasta. Maa Parvati's companions since childhood Jaya and Vijaya are called Tara and Raja as Maa Chhinnamasta's companions. Roop of Maa Chhinnmasta teaches devotees to not get haughty on achieving materialistic gains in this world. Chhinnmasta means severed head. The benevolent Divine Mother would even severe her own head if Her devotees ask Her for food.

Maa Chhinnmasta stands for perpetuity. Life-Sex-Procreation-New Life-Death.

7. Kaalratri
जय त्वं देवि चामुंडे जय भूतार्तिहारिणी !
जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नामोSस्तु ते !!

Jaya-Twam Devi Chamunde Jaya Bhootartihaarini !
Jaya Sarwagate-Devi KaalRaatri Namostute !!

Meaning -
देवि चामुंडे ! तुम्हारी जय हो ! सम्पूर्ण प्राणियों की पीड़ा हरने वाली देवि ! तुम्हारी जय हो ! सब में व्याप्त रहने वाली देवि ! तुम्हारी जय हो ! कालरात्रि ! तुम्हे नमस्कार है !!

Despite her terrifying appearance, she is also known as Shubhankari because she is the unparalleled granter of boons and harbinger of success.

The terrible and terrifying energy of goddess Durga is manifested on the seventh day in the form of Kaalratri. Armed with Khadag apart from brandishing the scythe like weapon, Kaalratri is also a 4 armed goddess like Katyayani, her 2 bare hands are also composed in mudras of Var (blessing) and Abhay (Fearlessness).
She is also the most powerful force of protection, a goddess who protects all her devotees from all kinds of harm - physical and metaphysical.


May she Bhayankari Maa Durga who is with long lips, riding an ass, shining in various hues looks formidable because of the halo of Devi's lustre and is adorned with multi coloured ornaments remove my darkness of ignorance. In Skand Purana, Maa Parvati liberates Devi's golden outer sheath and becomes dark complexioned then Goddess becomes Goddess Kaalratri.

On Day 7 most ferocious form, Maa Kala Ratri is prayed to. The One who can kill even Time! The 7th Vidya is Maa Dhoomavati. In many traditions married women are not allowed to see the vigrahe of Maa Dhoomavati. Here's a song dedicated to Her.

Om Jayanti Mangla Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini,
Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Swaha Swadha Namastote

Let's see meaning of this song. The eleven names of mother is as follows.

11 Names of Maa
  1. Jayanti ~ the best
  2. Mangla ~ one who gives salvation
  3. Kali ~ The Destroyer
  4. Bhadrakali ~ accepts devotees offering
  5. Kapalini ~ Has a Kapal in Hand
  6. Durga ~ One who is pleased by Bhakti or Gyaan
  7. Kshama ~ One who forgives
  8. Shiva ~ One who blesses
  9. Dhatri ~ One who takes in all words
  10. Swaha ~ She gives the offering in yagya to devtas
  11. Swadha ~ One who looks after our ancestors

Now that you know the meaning of the song.

8. Mahagauri
श्वेते वृषे समारूढा: श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचि: !
महागौरी शुभम दद्यान्महदेवप्रमोददा !!

Shwete Vrashe Samarudhah Shwetambar-dhara Shuchi !
Mahagauri Shubham Dadhyanmahdev-pramodada !!

Representing Calmness and absolute innocence, this form of goddess represents the parvati aspect of the Great Goddess.

The eighth manifestation of Great Goddess Durga is MahaGauri. The white goddess, the fairness of her being is constantly compared to the conch, moon and kund flowers. All her adornments, clothes and jewelery are always white. She is always envisaged and worshiped as an 8-years old.

Due to Intense and prolonged nature of her arduous tapasya, the body of Sati was shriveled and blackened. When Shiva was moved bu her devotion, he consented to take sati as his consort and bathed her body with the waters of the celestial river Ganga and immediately her body became dazzling white and returned to the fresh vitality of 8-years old, the age at which possibly the goddess as a young girl heard the words of Narada muni, which moved her to seek the most perfect of bride-grooms, Shiva as her consort.

Mahagauri holds in 2 of her hands the Trishool and Damroo, symbols most closely associated with Lord Shiva. The benign goddess symbolizes the purity of childlike innocence as well as the unwavering determination needed to fulfill her arduous meditation.


May the Mahagauri Ma Durga who rides a white Rishabha bull and who wears spotless white clothes and remains ever pure and also provides ever lasting bliss to Mahadeva Lord Shiva bestow all auspiciousness. Devi is 16 years old unmarried Goddess Parvati.

On the 8th Day, Maa Maha Gauri is prayed. May I be allowed to see a similarity between Her and Maa Tripur Sundari. Maha Gauri Maa and Maa Tripur Sundari are both manifestations of 16 year old, Maa Parvati (before Her marriage to Lord Shiva).

Read in the Shiv Puran: Maa Parvati prayed to Lord Brahma to shed Her dark cells (of Maha Kaali avatar) and became Gauri (White).

But according to another belief, Maa became dark after Her penance to obtain Lord Shiva and then, Lord Shiva cleaned Maa Parvati with the Holy Ganga. She shed her dark cells and became crystal white. Then her Roop was called MahaGauri.

If you personally see, a lot of similarity between Maa Maha Gauri and Ganga. Both destroy sins, remain pure. The eighth Vidya of Maa is Maa Baglamukhi. She is the Goddess of Speech.

Maa Mahagauri fulfils all our desires. Mahagauri is the eight form of Goddess Shakti. She is white in colour. Whiteners is shown by shell, moon etc. Mahagauri means one clean and bright like a ray of lightning. This is also an important day for worshipping Maa Saraswati.

Actually she is the original form of Goddess Parvati when she did penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. It is believed that due to her intense Tapas without moving caused soil and dust to collect on her body her colour became black. Then Lord Shiva cleaned her with Ganga water. Due to this reason she becomes white and shines like an electricity and thus named as MahaGauri. This form of Durga depicts purity.In this form Maa is like aneight-year old child with complexion as fair as a conch, moon and jasmine. Her clothes and ornaments are white and pure. She has three eyes and four arms. Her right upper hand is in the pose of allaying fear and right lower hand holds a trident in it. The left upper hand holds a tambourine and the lower one is in the pose of blessing. All sins of devotees are washed away due to her worship. Her power is unfailing and instantly giving results. Unmarried girls can get good husband and married women are blessed with happy married life by offering puja to Maa Mahagauri.
Durga Ashtami Puja is celebrated in many parts of India. By worshipping her after fast the devotees get fruits immediately. She appeared in the form of Maa Ambaji, Maa Kalika, and Maa Bahucharaji etc. She rides on bull. He gets purified in all respects and becomes fit for inexhaustible virtue .Her power is said to be unfailingly and instantly fruitful. All sins of the past, present and future are vanished and we are purified in all aspects of life when we worship this form of Durga. Maha Gauri is calm, peaceful and exists in serene intelligence. She stays in devotes heart. Devotees can wear Red, Saffron, Yellow, White; Pinkcolour to please Maa. Devotees can see Maa Mahagauri in a temple at Kankhal near pilgrim center Haridwar, India.

MANTRA FOR WORSHIPPING MAA MAHAGAURI

Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu maa Gauri rupen sanisthita Namastasye,
namastasye namastasye namoh namah

HOW TO WORSHIP MAA MAHAGAURI

Devotees worship the small girls on this day. It is believed that at the time of her origin she was only eight years old so devotees get the blessings of Maa Mahagauri by offering food to eight girlchildren. She is the actual representation of Maa Annapurna in the form of small girl. You can do kanyapujan on Navmi but it is great to worship and feed them on Ashtami. If you are unable to arrange 8 kanya, you can worship only two girl child. The girl child should not more than 10 years. It is believed that two years old girl child is called Kumari, three years old girl is Trimurti, four years old girl is kalyani six years old girl is Kalika, seven years old is Chandika, eight years old is Shambhavi, nine years old girl is Durga and ten years girl is called Subhadra. Do not forget to give them dakshina after feeding and worshipping them to make your wishes fulfilled and to save ourselves from all problems.

MAHAUPAY TO PLEASE MAA MAHAGAURI

If you want Kuber Ji to always stay in your home, offer seven petals of rose kept in a paan on the feet of Maa Mahagauri, you will get enormous money. Shakti always resides with Shiv, to get the real vision of Shiv, get a chodahmukhi rudraksha stud in gold, keep it on a flower, offer milk, curd, honey, and Gangajal, worship it with dhoop, deep, and then have it , it can surely remove your financial problems and as well as you will get the blessings of Shiv and Shakti. To get married soon take 36 cloves, and 6 camphor, mix it with haldi and chawal and offer this in to the hawan.
To bless with a happy child mix pomegranate seeds with cloves and kapoor and offer it to Maa, you will be blessed very soon with a child. To flourish your business mix cloves and camphor with amaltash flower or any other yellow flower, it will create magic in the sudden development of your business.

BHOG FOR MAHAGAURI

On this day Coconut is offered to the Goddess as Bhog. Coconut is also given to Brahmans. Goddess Mahagauri fulfils the wishes of childless couples with child.
So do not lose your hope even in a very critical and crucial movement of your life. Believe in the magnificent and imperishable power of Maa Durga and worship her with all your love, devotion, dedication and commitment, Maa will take away all your sorrowand problems from your life and bless you with best of your health, wealth, joy and contentness.

9. Siddhidaatri
सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि !
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी !!

SiddhGandarv-Yaksha-dyair-Surai-ramrairapi !
Sevyamaana sada bhuyaat siddhida siddhi-daayini !!

Meaning-
सिद्ध गर्धर्वो , यक्षों , देवताओं, असुरों द्वारा सदा पूजित सिद्धि देने वाली माता हमको सिद्धि प्रदान करें !!

At once of the world and the originator of that world, SiddhiDaatri is the summation of the manifesations of Durga.

She is the repository of all the Siddhis or Blessings, whether the 8 listed in Markandaye puraana or the 8 listed in Brahmveyvat Purana. Siddhidaatri is possessor and dispenser of all these Siddhis.

Siddhidaatri has 4 hands. She holds in her hands the Chakra, mace , a conch and a lotus flower. She is depicted either astride a lion or, as is more common, sitting on a lotus. In her resides the ascetic virgin - Brahmachaarini , and the supreme content wife - Shailputri. The innocent child - Mahagauri , co-exists with the terrible destructive energy of Kaalratri. The warrior goddess Katyayani becomes one with the tender motherhood of Skandmaata. Siddhidaatri is the summation of all manifestations of Durga and by merging and mingling with the energy of Shiva, she brings the world and all its energy into perfect balance.


May the ever victorious Siddhidayini Ma Durga, who is always worshipped by the hordes of siddha, gandharva, yaksha, asura, and Deva, bestow success at my every venture. She is one who was worshiped by Lord Shiva to become in the form of Goddess Ardhnarishwara, then Goddess Shakti Appeared from the left side of Lord Shiva.

Other related posts:
Ajit
Written by: Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam


Friends, let me share with you a beautiful experience when I visited Greece in April 2007. I was negotiating and climbing towards Acropolis mountain top in Athens and came across a group of 150 Greek students. They threw a spontaneous smile on me, the teachers came forward and introduced the students. They said, they were very happy to see the Indian president and that the children would like to hear from him few words. My mind at that time was thinking about the great personalities, the land of Greece had given to the world: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The words of Plato were ringing in my mind when I saw the young students. Plato brings out that “Our aim in founding the State was not the disproportionate happiness of any one class, but the greatest happiness of the whole”, 2400 years ago.

With these thoughts, I made up my mind, of what to say to the students and the youth of Greece. I slowly repeated line by line, a hymn which I normally hear in Indian spiritual centers.

Righteousness
Where there is righteousness in the heart
There is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character,
there is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home.
There is an order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There is peace in the world.

When the students and the youth repeated with me, the tourists around at the Acropolis also repeated and there was all round ovations. Then I realized how people from multiple nations, young and experienced were influenced by the thought of righteousness in the heart irrespective of their nationality. You can see how the righteousness in the heart generates beauty in the character in the human beings and beauty in the character leads to harmony in the home. Harmony in the home in an integrated way generates order in the nation. Of course the order in the nation finally blossoms peace in the world. The righteousness in the heart is the starting point for great individual, great family and great nation and ultimately great planet earth.

Now the question is: How do we inculcate the righteousness in the heart. In my opinion, there are three sources which can build a youth with righteousness in the heart. One is mother, second is father and the third and the most important is the teacher, particularly primary school teacher. Also to provide righteousness in the heart to the young minds, we should have an environment of great education and a spiritual way of life and spiritual environment.