Nine Forms, One Goddess: The Story of the ultimate energy - GetBengal Story
Devi Durga is not only a goddess, she encapsulates strength, compassion, and protection. She has existed in countless forms in the ages. She can appear fierce while taking the form of Maa Kali, or appear gentle while taking the form of Maa Chandi. She comes to her devotees when they need her the most! During Durga Puja it seems as if she is much more special and magical to the people who worship her.
During the nine days of Navratri, Devi Durga is being worshipped in her nine avatars. Each of the nine avatars has a power and blessing attributed to them. These nine forms are called Navadurga. These nine forms zest the journey we take in our lifetime - where we start with purity and discipline, strength, overcoming evil forces and bad energies, and ending with peace and wisdom.
The nine forms are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
These nine forms say, women are all of these things at once-a nurturer; a fighter; a guide; a protector. When one worships the nine forms, the difference is profound - it's much bigger than a ritual; It's a reminder of what we have in our capacity.
When the dhak beats and the air is filled with devotion, the nine avatars of Maa are fully present, and it just makes the celebration feel much more meaningful.
Shailaputri : - After Maa Sati’s sacrifice, Lord Shiva was filled with sorrow. He went into deep meditation, and the world lost its balance. At that time, King Himalaya prayed to have the Goddess as his daughter. By his devotion, his wish was fulfilled.
Maa was born again as Shailaputri. She came to bring good to the world and to bring Lord Shiva back to life on earth. In this form, she holds a lotus in her left hand and a trishul in her right. Her vehicle is the ox. Maa Shailaputri is the symbol of purity and strength.
Bramhacharini : -Maa’s second form is Brahmacharini. She was born as the daughter of King Himalaya. In this form, she is calm, patient, and full of devotion. She did hard penance to please Lord Shiva and to have him as her husband.
When the demon Prakandasur tried to disturb her, Maa destroyed him with her divine power. She then continued her penance without fear.
Maa Brahmacharini holds a japamala in her right hand and a kamandal in her left hand. She blesses her devotees with knowledge, peace and courage. Worshipping her takes away sorrow and grants the strength and wisdom to follow the path of devotion.
Chandraghanta : The third form of Maa is Chandraghanta. She took this form after getting married to Lord Shiva. There is a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead, which gives her the name Chandraghanta. She is kind to her devotees but very strong against demons. The demon Tarakasur was troubling the gods and the world. Maa Chandraghanta fought him bravely. The sound of her bell scared the demons, and she killed Tarakasur to protect everyone. She rides a lion and has ten hands with weapons. Worshipping her gives courage, removes fear, and brings peace.
Kushmanda :The Fourth Form is Devi Kushmanda. The Asura Mati Samali was meditating for Mahadev. Surya Dev got curious who was meditating with such power, and he left his seat. His strong heat destroyed everything to ashes, including asuras. Mahadev became furious with Surya Dev, cursed him, and made him disappear. Darkness spread relentlessly across the universe. To save the cosmos, Mahadev went to Devi Kushmanda. She appeared riding a lion, holding astras in all her eight hands. Her divine smile placed her own energy into the sun, and once again everything filled with light and life.
Skandamata : Devi Skanda Mata is the fifth form of Maa Durga. She is worshipped as mother of Lord Skanda (aka Kartikeya). When the demon Tarakasura became very powerful, the gods prayed for his end. In response, Mahadev and Maa Parvati united, and from that union was born Skanda, to defeat him. When under worship as Skanda Mata, Maa Parvati is depicted in a seated position either on a lotus flower or on a lion. She is portrayed as holding baby Skanda in her lap and has four arms. Those who worship her receive blessings of intellect, strength, peace, and wealth.
Katyayani — Devi Katyayani is the sixth form of Maa Durga. She took birth as the daughter of Rishi Katyayan after he performed penance for a very long time, hence she is called Katyayani. At that time, the demon king, Mahishasura was creating havoc in the world. To make an end to his barbarousness, Maa Katyayani took incarnation in her ferocious form, while riding a lion, and holding powerful weapons. She challenged him, fought vigorously, and ultimately killed Mahishasura and that is why she is called Mahishasura Mardini. Devi Katyayani is seen to represent courage, strength, and victory of good over evil.
Kalaratri — Devi Kalaratri is the seventh form of Maa Durga and is considered as a symbol of fearfulness and darkness. When the cruel Ruru Daitya started troubling three worlds, through his strength and arrogance, all gods prayed together. Maa Durga appeared with her terrifying form of Kalaratri, dark complexions, hairs flowing like clouds, shining necklace, and riding a donkey. Holding a sword and iron hook, she roared and motioned to shake up the universe. A war happened, and ultimately Maa Kalaratri killed Ruru Daitya and gave peace back to the world. She might look fierce in nature, but she is benign to her devotees, she removes fear, sorrow, and negative energy.
Mahagauri : Devi Mahagauri is the eighth form of Maa Durga. She is noted for her beautiful, fair complexion and calm, peaceful temperament. Long ago, Devi Mahagauri performed intense penance to appease Lord Shiva. She successfully persuaded Lord Shiva and they eventually got married. This brought the name Mahagauri, meaning "the extremely fair and brilliant one." Devi Mahagauri rides on a bull in carriage and holds a trident, damru, and rosary. Devi Mahagauri grants peace, happiness, and purity of mind. She cleanses all of her devotees' sins, sufferings, and troubles.
Siddhidatri: Devi Siddhidatri is the ninth avatar of Maa Durga. Devi Siddhidatri is worshipped as a goddess that provides her devotees with siddhi or divine powers. The gods were scared in the war created by the demons and the Devi Siddhidatri appeared before the gods in her full magnificence. She appeared either on a lotus flower or riding a lion. The Devi Siddhidatri has four arms, holding a discus, conch, mace, and lotus. Devi Siddhidatri radiates favorable blessings of the eight siddhis: Anima (to become tiny) Mahima (to become huge) Garima (to become heavy) Laghima (to become light) Prapti (to achieve anything) Prakamya (to fulfill desires) Ishitva (supremacy) and Vashitva (to control nature and beings). When we worship the Devi Siddhidatri, it removes all obstacles and gives us wisdom, peace, prosperity and spiritual growth in our lives..
Mother Durga is a ninefold manifestation that represents the immense power as well as the love of the goddess. Each aspect has its unique lessons to teach us, including bravery, loyalty, strength, and wisdom. Activities to honor each form, involved with worship during the week of Navratri, brings peace, joy, and prosperity. The goddess is with us, always with us—protecting and guiding us with her dexterity in every step of the way.
