दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 138 (31.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 137 (30.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 136 (29.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 135 (28.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 134 (27.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 133 (26.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 132 (25.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 131 (24.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 130 (23.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 129 (22.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 128 (21.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 127 (20.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 126 (18.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 125 (17.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 124 (16.10.12)

Nine Goddesses of Navratri – The Nine Goddess worshipped during Navaratri

Nine Goddesses of Navratri are collectively known as Navdurga and are mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya and Durga Saptashati. The Nine Goddesses worshipped on each nine-day of Navaratri are incarnations of Goddess Shakti. The nine goddess worshipped are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kala Ratri (Kaalratri), Maha Gowri and Siddhidayini.

Maa Shailaputri – Goddess Worshipped on the first day of Navratri

‘Shail’ means mountains and ‘Putri’ means daughter. She is also known as Parvati or Hemavati

Shailaputri is believed to be the rebirth of Sati, the daughter of Daksha and the wife of Lord Shiva. In her second birth she is Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya and later she became the consort of Shiva. This is one of the very first forms of Shakti and is closely associated with Lord Shiva.

Maa Brahmacharini – Goddess Worshipped on the second day of Navratri

Here Brahma means ‘one who constantly meditates on the Supreme Being’. Brahmacharini is highly pious and is a peaceful form or is in meditation. She is also known as Tapashcharini, Aparna and Uma.

This form of Durga is related to the severe penance undertaken by Sati and Parvati in their respective births to attain Lord Shiva as husband. Some of the most important Vratas observed in different parts of India by women is based on the strict austerities followed by Brahmacharini.

Maa Chandraghanta – Goddess Worshipped on the third day of Navratri

Her name Chandraghanta comes from the crescent moon worn by her on the head.

This is a terrible aspect of Goddess Shakti and is roaring in anger. This form of Durga is completely different from earlier forms and shows when provoked she can be the terrible or malevolent.

Maa Kushmanda – Goddess Worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri

The name Kushmanda consists of three words. ‘Ku’ means ‘a little’, ‘Usma’ means ‘energy’ and ‘Anda’ means ‘the cosmic egg or universe.’ She is also known as Ashtabhuja.

Goddess Shakti is very happy in this incarnation and it is believed that the eternal darkness ended when she smiled. And this led to the beginning of creation.

Maa Skanda Mata – Goddess Worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri

Skanda is one of the names of Subrahmanya or Lord Muruga or Kartik – the General of the Army of the Devas and the most handsome God. Skanda Mata is the mother of Kartik. She is also known as Padmasana.

This the motherly form of Durga and she is benevolent.

Maa Katyayani – Goddess Worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri

She is called Katyayani because she was born as the daughter of Sage Katya of Katya clan.

This is the daughter form of Durga. Here is she a loving daughter. She is epitome of love but won’t hesitate to rise up in anger to defend righteousness and Dharma.

Maa Kalaratri – Goddess Worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri

Kalaratri is the one who destroys ignorance and removes darkness. She is also known as Shubhamkari.

In this form she is believed to have licked the blood of demon Rakta Beeja who had the capacity to bring out thousand demons from a drop of blood spilt from his body.

This is the most violent form of Durga. This form primarily depicts that life also has dark side – the violent Mother Nature and creates havoc and removes all dirt.

Maa Mahagauri – Goddess Worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri

Mahagauri means one clean and bright like a ray of lightning.

This is the form of Mata Parvati when she did penance to get Shiva as her husband. It is believed that due to the intense Tapas performed by her without moving caused soil and dust to collect on her body. Lord Shiva cleaned her with water from Ganga. Purity is depicted in this form of Durga.

Maa Siddhidatri – Goddess Worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri

In this form Mother Goddess provides ‘Siddhi’ or knowledge.

In this form Durga removes ignorance and she provides the knowledge to realize That or Brahman. She is surrounded by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Demons and Gods who are worshiping her. The Siddhi that she provides is the realization that everything is Supreme Being or Brahman.

Learn the Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

Learn the Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

Nava – that also means 'new' – denotes 'nine,' the number to which sages attach special significance. The Hindu goddess Durga has nine manifestations: each goddess has a different form and a special significance.

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Shailaputri

Shailaputri, literally means the daughter of the mountains. Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. 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.

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini, is the second form of Mother Goddess, and her name means one who practices devout austerity. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation – Moksha

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Chandraghanta

The third facet of Goddess Durga is Chandraghanta. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Kushmanda

Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess. 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.

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Skanda Mata

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. 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.

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Katyayani

The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as Katyayani. According to legend, she is the daughter of a great sage called Kata, who wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Kaal Ratri

Kaal Ratri is the seventh form of Mother Durga. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearless posture. 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.

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Maha Gauri

Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess and has supernatural healing powers. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess.

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 123 (15.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 122 (14.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 121 (13.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 120 (12.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 119 (11.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 118 (10.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 117 (9.10.12)

दैनिक कल्याण - सूत्र 116 (8.10.12)