Siddha Dhatri Durga - Day 9
My personal favourite Day # 9 - There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions. Siddha Dhatri is represented by Ketu. Siddhidayini or Siddhidatri In this form Durga is seated on a lotus and is four armed. She holds a lotus, mace, discus and book. 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 worshipping her. The Siddhi that she provides is the realization that only She exists. Siddhidayini form of Durga is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. She is the mistress of all achievements and perfections. The narrative regarding her emergence runs as follows: When the Universal Mother was gripped with the idea of projecting Creation, She, first of all, created Lord Shiva who prayed to Her to endow him with perfections. For this purpose, the Universal Mother (Durgaa) produced Goddess Siddhidaatri from Her own person. As the behest of the Universal Mother, Goddess Siddidaatri bestowed eighteen kinds of rare perfections and powers and potentialities (Siddhis) on Lord Shiva. By virtue of these siddhis, Lord Shiva happened to develop a divine splendor. 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. Mother Siddhidaatri possesses four arms and she rides on a lion. She carries the mace, the lotus, the conch-shell and the disc in her four hands. He who acquires her grace attains salvation after enjoying the pleasures of life. She fulfills all the mundane and divine aspirations of her devotees. Her worship destroys all distresses. Mantras Om Devi Siddhidatryayi Namah (108 Recititation of Siddhidatri Mantra) Siddha Gandharva Yakshdyairasurairamarairapi | Sevyamaanaa Sadabhuyaat Siddhida Siddhidayini || Which means, Goddess Siddhidatri who is worshipped by Siddha, Gandharva, Yaksh, Gods, Demons etc., holds Conch, Chakra, Gada and Lotus in her hands, giver of all siddhis and victory all over, be propitious to me. Devotees worship Goddess Siddhidatri on ninth day of Navratri because she gives the results of nine days worship. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GODDESS SIDDHIDATRI: Siddhidatri is the ninth aspect of Goddess Durga worshiped in Navaratri. The last among the nine forms of Maa Shakti is Goddess Siddhidatri who is worshiped on the ninth orfinal day of Navratri. Mother Siddhidatri po...ssesses twenty six siddhis. ‘Siddhi’ is aSanskrit term which means ‘perfection, accomplishment, attainment or success.’ The term ‘siddhi’ is first used in the Mahabaratha. The Panchatantra describes it to be any unusual skill or faculty or capability. The Manusmriti refers it to a settlement of a debt. The Siddhars or Sithars in Tamil have developed siddhi from in the Shaivite tradition. This would be posted as a separate piece in the days to come. After having worshipped the eight Durgas in an appropriate manner on the ninth day devotees undertake her worship. After the completion of Goddess Siddhidatri's worship the devotees and strivers get their desires mundane or otherworldly fulfilled. But the main thing is this that there remains no such desire in a favourite devotee of Siddhidatri which he may wantto fulfill. Such a devotee transcends all material desires and necessities. Spiritually he moves in the divine abode of the Devi and always drinks the nectar of her favour. He becomes completely devoid of lust and enjoyment. Theabsolute nearness of the goddess becomes the only aim of his actions. After acquiring this position there remains nothing for him to require. There are many tales of the goddess in the form of Mahalakshmi that are very wellknown. Some people believe that the worship of the Goddess Laxmi should be donewith her mate Vishnu, however she is usually worshipped with Lord Ganesha. She is the goddess of Tantra, Mantra, Yogic accomplishments achieved by means of spiritual practices in the form of Supernatural powers as well as worldly accomplishments. Generally Siddhidatri is considered as the goddess of Wealth however she is also the goddess of Beauty, Arts, accomplishment of worldly desires and the Sciences. DEPICTION: Goddess Siddhidatri has four arms. She holds a Chakra in her right lower hand and a mace in the upper. In the leftlower hand there is a conch and in her upper left hand a lotus flower. She isseated on a lotus flower with the lion as her mount. Mother is dressed in red sari and that is her traditional dress. She wears a crown of many ornaments. SIDDHI: Goddess Siddhidatri is capable of giving all sorts of occult powers and is also the possessor of 26 different wishes to grant her worshipers.All these achievements, the Siddhis, which according to the MARKANDAYE PURANA are:- Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitva and Vashitva are 8 siddhis. Usually, a purnayogi or siddhar in the path of Kundalini Yoga is said to possess eight of these major siddhis. Notwithstanding, these teachings and the acquirement of siddhis are considered highly secretive in the hands of the gurus and sadhaks. Indeed they hardly speak about their blessings. 1. Anima: The Yogi can become as minute as he pleases; 2. Mahima: This is the opposite of Anima. He can become as big as he likes. He can make his body assume a very large size. He can fill up the whole universe. He can assume a Virat Svarupa ; 3. Laghima: He can make his body as light as cotton or feather. Vayustambhanam is done through this Siddhi. In Jalastambhanam also the power is exercised to a very small degree. The body is rendered light by Plavini Pranayama. The Yogi produces a diminution of his specific gravity by swallowing large draughts of air. The Yogi travels in the sky with the help of this Siddhi. He can travel thousands of miles in a minute 4. Garima: This is the opposite of Laghima. In this the Yogi acquires an increase of specific gravity. He can make the body as heavy as a mountain by swallowing draughts of air. 5. Prapti: The Yogi standing on the earth can touch the highest things. He can touch the sun or the moon or the sky. Through this Siddhi the Yogi attains his desired objects and supernatural powers. He acquires the power of predicting future events, the power of clairvoyance, clairaudience, telepathy, thought-reading, etc. He can understand the languages of the beasts and birds. He can understand unknown languages also. He can cure all diseases; 6. Prakamya: He can dive into the water and can come out at any time he likes. The late Trilinga Swami of Benares used to live for six months underneath the Ganges. It is the process by which a Yogi makes himself invisible sometimes. By some writers it is defined to be the power of entering body of another (Parakaya Pravesh). Sri Sankara entered the body of Raja Amaruka of Benares. Tirumular in Southern India entered the body of a shepherd. Raja Vikramaditya also did this. It is also the power of keeping a youth-like appearance for any length of time. Raja Yayati had this power; 7. Vashitvam: This is the power of taming wild animals and bringing them under control. It is the power of mesmerising persons by the exercise of will and of making them obedient to one’s own wishes andorders. It is the restraint of passions and emotions. It is the power to bring men, women and the elements under subjection; and 8. Ishitvam: It is the attainment of divine power. The Yogi becomes the Lord of the universe. The Yogi who has this power can restore life to the dead. Kabir, Tulsidas and range of blessed souls had this power of bringing back life to the dead. BRAHMAVAIVART PURANA: There are 18 types of achievements which are Anima, Mahima, Garima, Ladhima, Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitva,Vashitva, Sarvakaamaal, Saadhita, Sarvagynatva, DurShravana, Parkaayapraveshan, VakaSiddhi, Kalpavrushatva, Shrishti, Samharkaransaamarthya, Amaratva, Sarvanyayakatva, Bhavana and Siddhi According to this Purana, Dev, Danav, Gandharva, Kinnar, Yaksh, Manav, all do worship Maa Siddhidaatri and attain achievements. Maa Durga removes ignorance and she provides the knowledge to realize That orBrahman. That is why She is surrounded by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Demonsand Gods who are worshiping her. The Siddhi that she provides is the realizationthat everything is Supreme Being or Brahman. If a “sadhaka” worships in theprescribed manner with his full faith he acquires all “Siddhis” and nothingremains unattainable from him in the universe ARDHANARISHVARA: In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and wasblessed with all Siddhis or supernatural powers. By her blessings his half bodybecame female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara. Legend has it that the Supreme God Shiva was blessed with all these ‘siddhis’ by worshiping Maha Shakti and by her grace alone. With her gratitude the half bodyof Shiva became that of the Goddess Shakti and therefore he also came to becalled as ‘Ardhanarishvar’. MAHANAVAMI: This sacred day is dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri as the manifestation of Mother Durga. It is a day boosted with reverence to mother goddesses as observed as Mahanavami prayers and rituals throughout the world. Puja, archanai, andhavan are conducted. There is group chanting of Her mantras and singing Mother’s glory. In many parts of the country it is a noted celebration, with community and temple puja. Private functions are also elaborate and dedicated. As Siddhidatri, Mother Durga ever showers jnana. She removes fear and impurities from one’s heart. To show reverence devotees wear red cloths during the celebrations. Ma Siddhidaatri can be pleased by chanting the above stated Mantra as many time and these done in the prescribed manner avails one to acquire the siddhis. It is gainsaid that there remains nothing unattainable in the universe. The devotee develops competency to conquer the whole universe and cross the ocean of miseries, remaining untainted and progressing the goals of purusharta. MANTRA: “ Ya Devi sarvbhuteshu laxmi rupen samsthita, namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah”. Hari Om Yogi Ananda Sarasvathi
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Maha Gauri Durga - Day 8
There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions. Maha Dauri is represented by Rahu 8th day- Mahagauri or Maha Gowri In this form Durga is four-armed and she rides on a bull or a white elephant. She carries a trishul and a damaru. Two hands are in blessing posture. She is pure and is believed to have been in the form of Mata Parvati when she did penance to get Shiva as her husband. Purity is depicted in this form of Durga. Mahagowri form of Durga is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. Goddess Parvati made up her mind to perform an austere penance as advised by Sage Narada so that she might beget Lord Shiva as her husband. So, she renounced all the comforts of the palace and started performing penance in the forest. Her severe penance continued for many years. She braved heat and cold, rains and drought and terrible storms. Her body was covered with dust, earth, soil and leaves of trees. She had developed a blackish skin over her body. At last, Lord Shiva appeared before her and gave his solemn word that he would marry her. He bathed her vigourously by the holy waters of the Ganga emanating from his matted hair. The holy and sacred waters of Ganga washed off all the dirt clinging to Parvati’s person and she became became white-complexioned and glorious. Thus by virtue of having acquired a white complexion, Parvati came to be known as Mahagauri (Extremely Fair). Mahagauri Devi is worshipped on the eighth day of the Navaratri. This manifestation of hers is very placid and serene. 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 Mahagauri Devi Om Devi Mahagauryayi Namah (108 Recitation of Mahagauri Mantra) Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetaambardhara Shuchih | Mahagari Shubham Dadyanmahadev Praodadaa || Which means, Goddess Mahagauri who rides on white bull, wear pure white clothes, giver of happiness, be propitious to me. --------------------------------------------------------------------- GODDESS MAHA GAURI is the eight aspect of Goddess Durga and worshipped on the eighth day of the Navaratri festival. The name ‘Maha Gauri’ implies a bright ray of lightning that lightens the universe. She is said to be an intelligent, peaceful and calm Goddess. 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. She has the power to fulfill all the desires. Maha Gauri bhaktas are relieved from their sufferings. She takes the name of Shambhavi as Lord Siva’s consort. Maha Gauri is inseparable from Mahadeva. This is the radiant and tranquil form of Goddess Parvathi. She is the manifestation of divine energy and perfect wife of Lord Siva. In that role she represents purity and austerity. She took many forms to earn the Lord’s attention. As Gauri she was a Kannya or virgin performing severe austerities. Her penance is best seen as the mythology herein and worship attributed to Maa. DEPICTION: Maha Gauri Swaroopa depicts her as white as a conch, moon and jasmine. Even her clothes are symbolically pure white. She has matching ornaments of cool nature. She is also depicted to have a divine golden complexion. Maha Guari is shown to have three eyes. Mother has four arms. Her right arm is in the mudra of allaying fear. She holds a trident in her lower right hand symbolical of birth, sustenance and destruction . She holds a tambourine in her left upper arm to symbolize divine pranava Om and for Mother’s blessings to reach her devotees in the form of various sounds in prakriti. The lower left hand is the form of a blessing. Mother always appears calm and peaceful. VAHANA: Her vahana is a white bull. It has a bell hanging from its neck to announce her arrival. Maha Guri is seated on a tiger skin placed on the bull. Bhaktas often hear this as little ringing sounds in their hearts. The bull is a symbol of fertility. According to another legend, the lion is also her vahans. Once, a hungry lion sat in front of Mother, waiting for her penance to be over so that it can satisfy its hunger. But days passed and the lion became weak. When Mother opened her eye she saw the lion sitting in front of her in an adverse condition. She felt moved because the lion had also indirectly observed penance along with the goddess. She then made the lion her vahana. Since then the lion and bull are considered as the ride of Mother Mahagauri. MYTHOLOGY: She observed severe penance as Goddess Parvati to get earn Lord Siva as her husband. Once, Lord Shiva was rude to her by pointing out her dark complexion. She started observing hard penance. This went on for over a thousand years. During this period her body got covered with soil. It became darker than ever. Then one day when Lord Shiva came looking for Mother. He was pleased with her penance. Thereafter he took Maa to the Ganges and bathed her lovingly. Mother regained her beauty with pure complexion and earned the name Maha Gauri. WORSHIP: The eighth day of Navarathri is also Durga Ashtami Puja. This celebration is regional and rituals differ from place to place. The morning is Maha Ashtami. The day commences with ritualistic bathing and fasting for Pushpanjali or flower offerings. Durga’s deity is invoked by the usual kalasa puja. Flowers are held cupped in the hands while prayers go on. Mantra is chanted and normally a priest is in attendance. Flowers are then showered at Mother’s feet to seek blessings. Kumari Puja, or the worship of very young virgin girls is one of the main attractions. The girls, viewed in their pure state are deemed to be Goddess Durga herself. This is the generalized notion of seeing divinity in humans. Mother Durga’s first eight aspects are also worshipped. Mother’s companions such as Jayanti. Mangala Kali, Bhadra Kali, Kapalini. Kshama Dhatri, Siva, Svaha and Svadha known as Yoginis are also worshipped. Lord Siva and Lord Brahma are also venerated. Arathi is performed in the evening. This is performed with fire or yagna. It symbolizes light which is the remover of ignorance and purifier of sins. Santhi Puja marks the end of Durga Ashtmi. It is the interlinking puja between Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. There is an interval of 48 minutes which is called Sandhi when Ashtami Tithi transits into Navami tithi. Sandhi in Tamil is also connection. Sandhi is highly sacred. The first 24 mins falls in Ashtami and second 24 mins fall in Navami. During these times, Mother Durga is venerated as Mother Chamunda, the Kali manifestion that slayed the demons Chanda and Munda. It is also to be noted that Sri Krishna was born in Ashtami Tithi and Rama, Navami Tithi. Unmarried girls worship Mother with the hope of getting decent life partners. The goddess protects the husband of those females who worship her with full devotion. Mother’s powers are unfailing and instantly fruitful. Mother’s bull is venerated as a symbol of fertility and prospertity. All sins of devotees are washed away with the result of her worship. Even accumulated sins get destroyed and in future no sins or sufferings come to him. Bhaktas gets purified in all respects and becomes fit for inexhaustible virtues MANTRA: The goddess appears faithful, affectionate, calm and soft in nature. All the gods and sages worship this form of the goddess by chanting, “Sarvamangal Mangaleya, Shiva Saevartha Sadhike. Sharaneya Ambeyagauri Narayani Namastute.” Om Maha Gauriye Namaha. Om Shivaya Namah Yogi Ananda Saraswati Kala Ratri Durga - Day 7
There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions. Kala Ratri is represented by the Big Lord the rectifier of karma Lord Shani, Saturn. 7th - day Kalaratri In this form Durga is four-armed and rides a donkey. She carries sword, trident and noose. With one hand she blesses. In this form she is dark and repulsive in appearance. She is cruel and excited. This is the violent and dark side of Durga. This form primarily depicts that life also has dark side. Kalaratri is worshipped on seventh day of Navarathri. Her person is like the dense darkness and is absolutely black. She possesses three eyes in her forehead which are as round as the universe itself. The hair on her head is very dense but disheveled. She is bedecked with a glorious garland round her neck which emits great refulgence. She breathes out horrible and terrible flames of fire. Although her person is absolutely black yet refulgent rays keep on emanating from her. 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) Ekveni Japakarnpoora Nagn Kharaasthita | Lamboshthi Karnika karni Tailaabhyaktshariirini || Vaam Paadollasallohlata Kantakbhushanaa | Bardhan Moordham Dhwajaa Krishnaa Kalratribhayankari || This mantra describes her form. She is naked, rides on an donkey, long tongue, lustrous body, wearing ornaments in legs like lightning, black in color, unlocked hair, big eyes and ears and very dangerous looking. Meditating on this form of Kalratri removes all obstacles as well as removes all magical effects created by others. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GODDESS KALARATRI: Devi is the Sanskrit word for Mother Goddess. This theme in the Hindu pantheon of goddesses explodes Puranic literature around the end of the 3th century AD. New narratives take place to state the place of goddesses in the evolution of mankind and the universe, their checks and balances and momentary or ultimate destruction. Goddesses thereafter find a prominent role amidst, celestial gods, devas, asuras, genealogy if kings, sages, rishis and demigods. They are described in Tantra, cosmology and philosophy. Various Puranas take shape to give credit to Mother worship and Devi’s manifestations. Goddesses are variously depicted in anthromorphic iconography and rituals. They are diversely conceived and variedly named. Markandeya Purana is the earliest known literature on Goddess Durga and her Nine Appellations. Cumulatively she is known as Nava Durga. This Purana contains a full book known as Devi Mahatmya in which Devi is conceptualized and adored. Devi is specifically referred to as Durga in this Purana. This is a departure from the Indus valley civilization goddesses. Maa Durga is depicted as a supremely radiant goddess with ten arms, rifing a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons and a lotus flower while maintaining a meditative smile. She practices mudras or symbolic hand gestures. Durga manifests as nine shaktis who are seen as Goddesses with different roles. They are Goddesses Shailaputri, Brahmcharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri. The Nine Goddesses are worshipped on each different day during Mothers festival called Navarathri. Goddess Kalaratri is the seventh facet. Durga also took her place in the Dasa Mahavidyas, the Wisdom Goddesses to represent feminine divinity. KALARATRI: Nav-Durga means Scourer of Darkness; Enemy of Darkness. Kalaratri is the seventh aspect Shakti of Maa Durga worshipped on the 7th day sequence during Durga Navaratri. She is also called Kaalatri Navadurga. Indeed she is the most violent of Durga manifestations. She appears aggressive. She can curse and bless. Her intensity induces fear. She us believed to be the destroyer of demons, thus symbolizing destruction of evil. Kalaratri means the One who is “the Death of Kaal”. Here Kaal is dedicated as time and death. Kalaratri is the one who destroys avidya, ignorance and removes ru, darkness. This is symbolic of human life having dark side that Mother nature bombards one with violence to create havoc before all ‘dirt’ is removed. Darkness also represents Tamas gunas. So symbolically Kalaratri exhorts a devotee to get rid the tamasic qualities of bad, evil and negative tendencies. Kalaratri destroys demons, devils, daanava, daitya, asura and also the wicked. It is said that bhota, pretha nad psacha will run upon hearing Kalaratri’s name. She is also the remover of planetary evils. But Mother always appears auspicious in her effect hence she is called Shubhankari, meaning ‘doing good’. As Subhankari, she makes bhaktas fearless. They have no fear from fire, water, wild being or the enemy. They do not the darkness of the night. By revering Goddess Kalarathri in the heart, meditating on her and doing japa-nama, her bhaktas worship single mindedly. He or she observes all Yamas, Niyamas and Samyamas, that is, spiritual rules of ‘dos’ and ‘donts’ . MYTHOLOGY: In her fights with demons, she is known as Shubhankari. In this form Goddess Kalratri killed Raktabeej. Raktabeej was a demon who could multiply from every drop of his blood which fell on the ground. The Goddess Kaalratri killed him by licking the blood before it could reach the ground and hence conquered him. She endows her devotees with calm acourage. DEPICTIONS: Kalaratri is the manifestation of a fearful Durga. She is of the dark night complexion which colour is black. Her thorny necklace shines like the lights from thunders. Her three eyes, the Trinetri, emanate rays like lightning also. She is clad in loose red cloth to cover her upper body and wears tiger skin below her waist. Her whole body adorns various forms of thorny garlands, anklets, waist-bands, wrist-bands and armlets Fierce flames hiss out from her nostrils when she inhales and exhales. Her hair is bountiful but disheveled. She has four arms called Chaturbhuji. On the left side are held the cleaver and torch. The right hands depict the ‘giving and protecting’ mudras. This is a gesture of protection assuring bhaktas of freedom and fear from troubles. Sometimes she carries a sharp thorn like iron weapon and the lower hand holds a sparkling sword to battle all evil.. She has a donkey for her vahana. Devotees need not fear her as she basically symbolizes auspiciousness. NAVARATHRI: The seventh day of Navratri pooja is dedicated to Durga Kalratri. This is the most violent form of Godess Durga. Kalaratri is the one of the fiercest forms of Durga and her appearance itself evokes fear. This seventh day worship of much importance to yogis and sadhaks. They do penance on Shahasrara Chakra on this day. For such a striver the door of all Siddhis of the universe start opening. This day the sadhaka with all his faculties is identified with the mother Kalaratri. As a result of her direct vision the devotee becomes quite fit to earn all sorts of virtues. All sins and obstacles in his way are completely destroyed. He attains the abodes which are the fruit of inexhaustible virtues. For sadhaksrs every siddhi in universe is open on this day. Maa Kalratri created the three forms before the creation of universe at the time when Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha appeared. Kalratri is also known by the names of Mahamaya, Mahamari, Mahakali, Shudha, Trisha, Nidra, Trishna, Ekveera and Durtyaya. With her magnificent eyes, Maa has a vision of grace on her devotees. Om Kalatriye Namah By Yogi Ananda Saraswathi Katyayani Ma Druga - Day 6
There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions. Katya yani is represented by the Graha (planet) Jupiter, Brishispati, Guru In this form 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 worshipped as the sixth manifestation of Goddess Durga. She is adored on the sixth day of the Navaratri. The narrative regarding her birth has been as follows: The world-renowned sage Kaatyaayana was born in the dynasty of sage Kaatya. He was an excellent devotee of Goddess Durga and performed an austere penance for many years to propitiate her. Being delighted by his devotion, Goddess Durga appeared before him and asked him to demand the desired boon. Thereupon the great Sage Kaatyaayana demanded that she should be born as a daughter to him. Goddess Durga granted his wish. 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 recitation of this mantra) Chandrahaasojjval Karaa Shaardoolvarvaahanaa | Katyayani Shubham Dadyaad Devi Daanavghatini || Which means, Devi Katyayani, who holds Chandrahaas Sword and other weapons in her ten hands, rides on Lion, and destroying demons, be propitious to me. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GODDESS KATYAYANI. The sixth aspect of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’ or Kathyayani In Tamil she is known as Kartiyayini. She is worshiped on the six day of Navaratri festival. Incidentally, the Amarakosha, the Sanskrit Lexicon states Katyayani as Goddess Parvathi’s second name. In the Dakshan’s yagna episode, Lord Siva addresses Parvathi as Karthiyayini. She is also known as Katyayani Gouri later manifesting as the fierce form of Shakti, including Bhadrakali and Chandi. Katyayani is first mentioned in the Tittiriya Aranyaka part of the Krishna Yajurveda. Details about Katyayani is also found in the Matsya Purana, Agni Purana and Vamana Purana. Indeed some scriptures suggest that Goddess Katyayani is just another name for Mahishasura Mardini Durga. DEPICTION: Goddess Katyayani is depicted to be extremely divine and radiant. She is of golden complexion. At times she is shown to be of the colour of Atasi flower which is sky blue or violet blue. She is Chaturbhuji or four-armed. He arms blesses the devotees. Her one hand is in Abhay Mudra and the second hand is in Varamudra. She holds a sword as weapon in her left upper hand. Her lower left hand is adorned by a lotus. She wears a jewelled crown with a prominent Crescent moon. Katyayani is also adorned with beautiful bangles, wrist band and attractive anklets. In all Katyayani portrays herself to be plain and simple. Her vahana is a lion on which she is seated like a radiant gemstone. Some scriptures describe her Vahana to be Sardula, a mythical animal regarded as the Mother of Tigers. The Vamana Purana depict Katyayani’s fierce form. The Trinity emit fierce flames that a mountain of efflugence was formed manifesting Goddess Katyayani. She had three eyes, black hair, and eighteen arms all wielding weapons. She held Brahma’s rosary and water pot; Siva’s trident; Vishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra; Varuna’s conch shell; Agni’s dart; Vayu’s bow; Surya’s arrows; Indra’s thunderbolt; Kuvera’s mace; Visvakarma’s battle axe and other weapons. Armed with weaponry, Katyayani proceeded to the Vindhya hills. There her beauty captivated Mahishasura. His anxiousness to obtain her brings his disastrous end. MYTHOLOGY: Goddess Katyayani’s name is explained in a myth linked to the great sage Kata. He is also known as Katyayan Rishi of the Katya lineage. He had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. Kata yearned for a daughter in the form of the Goddess and does severe penance of Maa Bhagavati Devi. Mother was pleased with Kata’s tapas so she graces him his request. Goddess Katyayani is born as a avatar of Durga. In the Vamana Purana, it is also said that when the demon Mahisasura became high-handed, the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and other Gods apportioned some part of their splendor to destroy the demon. Goddess Devi manifested as Durga. The sage Kata had the first privilege to worship her. Thus she was called Katyayani. After sometime when high-handedness of Mahisasura, the demon, crossed every limit, the trinity of Gods-Brahma, Visnu and Siva, got infuriated and they created a goddess by apportioning some part of their splendor, in order to destroy the demon. The Kalika Purana states that the sage Katyayana had the first privilege to worship her, so she was called Katyayani. It is also said that the Kata’s daughter was born of the 14th dark month Asvina and accepted worship of Goddess Katyayani for three days of the bright fortnight in the same month and killed Mahisasura on Vijayadasami. Her exploits are also described in the Devi Bhagavata Purana and Devi Mahatmyam in the part attributed to the sage Markandeya Rishi. BHAGAVATA PURANA: Goddess Katyayini is the Queen of Vraj, said to grant the wishes of Her sincere and unnerving devotees. She is ever unfailing in granting the wishes of the devotees. For instance, the pastimes of Radharani and Sri Krishna are self-efflugent. They are happiness personified, unlimited and all-powerful. But their spiritual pastimes are never complete without the Vraja damsels. They are Sri Krishna’s personal friends and Radha’s aides. It is said that the Vraja gopis worshipped Goddess Katyayani with a desire to have Sri Krishna as their husband. They therefore observed Katyayani vrata and ate only unspiced khichri after their Yamuna bath. In Tamil this vrata is known as Margali Nombu. They make an earthen, clay or mud deity of the goddess on the riverbank and worship her with aromatic substances. The deity is later immersed in the Yamuna. This episode is the one that tells the story of Sri Krishna taking the gopis’ clothes away. Indeed she is an established presiding deity of Vraja area. There is a Sri Katyayani Peeth Temple in the Vrindavan. WORSHIP: Devi Katyayani Puja Vidhi is not dissimilar to the first five days of prayers. The sadhak establishes the Ajna Chakra in his or her mind by worshipping her with devotion and faith. This leads to the attainment of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. The Kalash puja is done after Lord Ganesha is venerated. It is believed that Goddess Katyayani resides in the kalasa and worshipped as such. The family of goddesses are seated on both sides of the kalasa.They are prayed to and Goddess Katyayani is worshipped in the end with flowers and mantras. As with the previous aspects of Mother Durga, Lord Shiva and Brahma should also be worshipped after worshipping the goddess. Goddess Katyayani’s bhaktas are equipped with an unearthly splendor and influence. They becomes immune from all diseases, sorrows and fears etc. Worshipping Mother is made flexible as love and dedication is the basis to her prayers. It is said that worshiping Katyayani is a better and easier way for the destruction of sins accumulated in the previous lives. Her bhaktas are said to be always in close company becoming fit for the supreme abode. PONGGAL: Pongal is a harvest festival in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, The Thai Pongal coincides with the Makara Sankranthi. During this festival young damsels pray for rain and prosperity. They avoid milk and milk products. Worship of Goddess Katyayini takes place after the morning bath. Sometimes the idol of the Goddess is carved out of wet sand. Katyayani is also worshipped for blessings of good husband and household. CHAKRA: In the Yogic discipline Ajna Chakra is of greatest importance. In Hindu Yoga and Tantra, Katyayani is ascribed to the sixth ajna chakra or the ‘Third Eye Chakra.’ The sixth day of Navarathri the mind of the sadhaka stays in ajna chakra when Goddess Katyayani is worshipped to invoke her blessings. The bhakta, while concentrating on the ajna chakra completely surrenders to Mother. Such unconditional surrender is the way to get the direct vision of the mother Katyayani. It is also a way to achieve the purushartha goals. Katyayani puja during Durga Navaratri prepares devotees to be mentally and physically fit to face challenges in their life and proceed with courage. Om Durgaye Namaha. Yogi Ananda Saraswati DUS (10) MAHA VIDYA
Goddess Vidya (streams or rivers of feminine Wisdom) दस महाविद्या The ten great learnings are related with Sati, Shiva and Parvati, all synonymous of the same Shakti (power). She is also known as Nav Durga, Chamunda, Vishnupriya etc and is worshipped. The origin of this ten great knowledge is as follows. Daksha Prajapati, the father of Sati, once performed a religious sacrifice (Yagya) in which he invited all the deities and sages, except his own Son-in-law lord Shiva, because of his jealousy towards him. Sati wanted to be present at that occasion but Lord Shiva refused to give permission, thinking it was improper for her to go without the invitation. But she was unmoved: . She said "I will certainly got to the Yagya performed by Daksha Prajapati, I would either get the fortune of that religious sacrifice for my dearest, deity of the deities, husband or else I would destroy that religious sacrifice itself." Sati's eyes became red. She looked at Lord Shiva violently, her lips began to flutter, and her complexion became dark. The fire of her anger made her appearance look frightened and violent. Such an appearance of Sati was frightening even for Lord Shiva. Her appearance, which had the blaze and radiance of crores of mid-noon-suns, made her so fearful that he just ran away. To stop Lord Shiva from running away in all the possible ten directions, Sati manifested herself in to ten different forms. These ten Shaktis (powers) of Sati are known as the ten great knowledge's. They are:- 1) KALI 2) TARA 3) CHHINNAMASTA 4) SHODASHI 5) BHUVANESHWARI 6) TRIPURA - BHAIRAVI 7) DHUMAVATI 8) BAGLAMUKHI 9) MATANGI 10) KAMALA Among all the ten great learning’s, Kali is the main. All the other nine are nothing but the violent and somber appearances of Kali. These ten appearances of Mahakali are called the ten great learning’s. These are considered as the powers of Lord Shiva, the Lord of all the knowledge’s. Though these ten great learning’s are worshipped in many other forms and appearance, but these ten forms mentioned above are the main. The method of worship of all these ten forms is different. KALI, TARA, CHHINNAMASTA, BAGALAMUKHI AND DHOOMAVATI are apparently violent but in reality they are most merciful, where as BHUVANESHWARI, SHODASHI, TRIPUR, BHAIRAVI, MATANGI and KAMALA are the somber appearances. These ten great learnings are the most valuable wealth of the Sadhakas (accomplishers), which give infinite accomplishments and also are capable of introducing the infinity to them. Maa Kamakhya is a shakti of Shiva and she is a goddess of tantra. All tantric in this world devotee her. She gave him power of Tantra and meditation. She is Adhi Vidhya and Mahashakti. Her temple is situated in Assam.Maa Kamakhya, temple is situated on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, which is away from eight km west of the city. This temple honour the Mother Goddess Kamakhya, the essence of female energy. It is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas of Maa Aadishakti. Legend has it that Kamakhya came into existence when Lord Shiva was carrying the corpse of his wife Sati, and her “yoni” (female genitalia) fell to the ground at the spot where the temple now stands. The temple is a natural cave with a spring. Down a flight of steps to the bowel of earth, is located a dark, mysterious chamber. Here, draped with a silk sari and covered with flowers, is kept the “mantra yoni”. The most Important three days festival observed here is the Ambuvaci (Amite) fertility festival where in it is believed that the Goddess (mother Earth) undergoes her menstrual period. It’s happen every year last week of June that’s called Ambuvachi. It’s a great tantric festival for Maa Kamakhya devotee. The ten great learning’s are related with Sati, Shiva, Guri, Parvati, all synonymous of the same Adi Shakti (eternal power). She is also known as Navdurga, Chamunda, Vishnupriya etc and is worshipped. The origin of this ten great knowledge is as follows. They are;- (1) KALI (2) TARA (3) SHODASHI (4) BHUVANESHWARI (5) TRIPURSUNDARI (6) CHHINNMASTA (7) DHOOMAVATI (8) BAGLAMUKHI (9) MATANGI (10) KAMALA . The worship of these is also prescribed as an astrological remedy – for the 9 planets and the Lagna as follows: Kali for Saturn, Tara for Jupiter, Maha Tripura Sundari (or Shodasi-Sri Vidya) for Mercury, Bhuvaneshvari for Moon, Chinnamasta for Rahu, Bhairavi for Lagna, Dhumavati for Ketu, Baglamukhi for Mars, Matangi for Sun, and Kamala for Venus. ( The tantrik worship of these most powerful Vidyas must be practiced only under the guidence of a siddha Guru. ) Daksha Prajapati,the first ruler of our mortal world and the father of Sati, once performed a Yagna (religious sacrifice) in which he invited all the deities and sages, except his own Son-in-law Lord Shiva, because of his jealousy towards him.Sati wanted to be present at that occasion but Lord Shiva refused to give permission, thinking it was improper for her to go without the invitation. But she was unmoved. She said “I will certainly go to the Yajna, I would either get the fortune of that religious sacrifice for my dearest, deity of the deities, husband (Lord Shiva) or else I would destroy that religious sacrifice itself.” Sati’s eyes became red. She looked at Lord Shiva violently, her lips began to flutter, and her complexion became dark. The fire of her anger made her appearance look frightened and violent.Such an appearance of Sati was frightening even for Lord Shiva. Her appearance, which had the blaze and radiance of Crores of mid-noon-suns, made her so fearful that he just ran away.To stop Lord Shiva from running away in all the possible ten directions, Sati manifested herself in to ten different forms. These ten Shaktis (powers) of Sati are known as the ten great knowledge’s or 10 great learning’s or ten Mahavidhya. These ten Mahavidyas provide knowledge of all possible sciences. Skanda Mata Durga Day 5
There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions. Skanda is represented by Mercury, the great planet of discernment and intellect Buddhi. 5 - Day Skanda Mata In this form Durga is four-armed and rides on a lion. She carries a lotus, a kamandalu and a bell. Her one hand is in blessing posture. Skandamaataa is the fifth manifestion of Goddess Durga. She is worshipped on the fifth day of the Navaraatri. Her son Karttikeya is also called Skanda. So, she is called Skandamaataa or the Mother of Skanda. Lord Skanda can be seen in her lap. She possesses four arms out of which two hold the lotus flowers. One of her hands is always in the boon-conferring gesture and with the other she holds her son Skanda in her lap. Her complexion is white and she is seated on the lotus. So, she is also called the Goddess with a lotus-seat. The Lion also is her vehicle. 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 recitation of this mantra) Sinhaasangataam Nityam Padmaanchit Kardwayaa | Shubhdaastu Sadaa Devi Skandmata Yashaswini || Which means, Skandmata, who rides on Lion with Kartikeya, holds lotus in her two hands and Varmudra in one hand, be propitious to me. Skandmata take care of a devotee as her own child. Devotees must worship Skandamata specifically if they have many obstacles in life. Skandmata then take care of devotee as her own child and remove all his obstacles. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GODDESS SKANDMATA. The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as Skanda Mata. Her name literally means Mother of Skanda Kumara 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. Devi Skandmata is herself the daughter of Himalaya and is also known as Parvati. She is also known as Maheshwari and Gauri. Being the daughter of the king of mountains, she is also known as Parvati. After doing penance she is married to Shiva. As the wife of Lord Mahadeva, she is Maheshwari. The goddess loves her son very much and is pleased to be named after her son’s name. Skanda is a great warrior, vanquishing enemies in the battle between the Devas and Asuras as he sits astride a peacock and straddles the earth with unerring swiftness. Skandamata is revered from having produced such a remarkable son. Devotees worshiping her in this manifestation get immense love and affection. Although depicted astride a lion, She is also known as Padmaasanaa as her seat of choice is the lotus. DEPICTION: The goddess can be seen showering her motherly blessings on her son Skand Kumar. Lord Skanda accompanies the goddess in his infant form. Whenever the oppression by the demons increases, goddess Skandmata rides on a lion, the Singhasana Nityam, and kills them. Devi Skandmata has four arms. She holds lotus in two hands and uses the other hand to support Lord Kartikeya sitting on her lap. Her fourth hand is raised to bless the devotees. It is a cliché that even a fool, when blessed becomes an ocean of wisdom. The great poet Mahakavi Kalidas is sited as an example. Mother does not carry any weapons. One sees the energies of Skandamata transforming the healing blessing of Goddess Durga and sending then to open hands of bhaktas to receive balls of energy brought into their homes and place of work. Mother has three eyes. She has a bright complexion and often depicted as seated on a lotus. WORSHIP: Vidhi means rules and regulations pertaining to worship. The Skandamata Puja Vidhi would be similar to the first four days. The bhakta should be seated on a sacred seat on a blanket while performing the rituals and start worshipping the goddess as he has done in the first four days of the Navratra followed by chanting the given mantra: ‘Sinhasangata Nityam Padyashritakardya Shubhdastu Sada Devi Sakanmata Yashaswani’ As in the previous Navarathra days puja, Lord Shiva and Brahmaji are worshipped in the end of the Puja according to the rituals mentioned in the Shastras. Some people observe the fast of on the fifth day of the Navratra. This fast is considered to be very fruitful. Devotees who worship Devi Skandmata with full devotion and attention gets blessings from her and their all his wishes are fulfilled. Her usual offerings are bunches of grapes, fragrant flowers, fruits, gems and clothings. SOLAR DEITY: Goddess Skandmata is also the diety of the solar system. By worshiping the goddess in the form of Skandamata, the devotee gets all his desires fulfilled and tastes the supreme joy even in this very mortal world. A supernatural aura in the atmosphere is discharged by the goddess and the one who worships her with pure heart. He gets freedom from all troubles and sufferings. CHAKRA: As the potent force and facet of the female energy, Goddess Skandamata claims as her own the Vishuddhi Chakra. This is symbolized by a lotus of 16 petals, this Chakra is also known as the throat Chakra that symbolises creativity and communications. The Kundalini aspirant enters the Visuddha Chakra during Skandamata prayers. To incise the chakra the devotee he or she should first worship the goddess by performing the rituals to reach Visuddha Chakra. She carries the beautifying image of a goddess seated on a lotus flower. This is the reason that she is also known as Padamasani. MANTRA: Skandmata Mantra: Sinhasangata Nityam Padyashritakardya; Shubhdastu Sada Devi Sakanmata Yashaswani Yogi Ananda Saraswathi Kushmanda Durga - Day 4
There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions. 4th day - Kushmanda The fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga. She is adored and worshipped on the fourth day of the Navaraatri. She dwells in the abode of the Sun God. That is why her hue and spendour is as brilliant as the sun itself. It is her spendour that pervades every plant and creature of this universe. All the ten quarters are illuminated by her divine refulgence. Kushmanda Durga is represented by Surya the Sun the King of the Universe. The name Kushmanda is made of three other words that are “Ku + Ushma + Amnda= Kushmanda”. Here “Ku” is “Little”, “Ushma” is “Warmth or Energy” and “Anda” is “Egg” , meaning the one who create the universe as “Little Cosmic Egg” with the energy of Her divine smile, is called “Kushmanda”. 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. In her seven hands she holds Kamandalu, Bow, Arrow, Lotus, a Jar of Nectar, Discus, and Mace. In her eighth hand she holds a mala capable of giving eight Siddhis and nine Niddhis. She rides a lion who represents “Dharma”. On worshiping Her, ailments and sorrows are eliminated and life span, name, strength and health improved. 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 recitation of this mantra) Suraasampoornam Kalasham Rudhiraaplutamev Cha | Dahdana Hastpadmaabhyaam Kushmanda Shubhdaastu Me || Which means, Goddess Kushmanda who holds two pitchers full of Madira and Blood in her lotus hands, be propitious to me. Goddess Kushmanda is Mother of Sun. She creates the entire universe and solar system. Devotees must worship her in order to get success in her creation. Devotees, who has malefic Sun in their birth chart should worship Kushmanda Devi. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GODDESS KUSHMANDA. She is the fourth form of the Mother Durga. Thus she is also glorified by the ten different aspects of the power of Shakti known as Dasa Mahavidyas. Durga’s nine different aspects are Nava Durga. Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. This day is called Chaturthi Thithi or Chavithi. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ means little; ‘ushma’ means ‘warmth’ and ‘anda’ means ‘the cosmic egg’. Therefore, the word Kushmanda means the Goddess represents the cosmic egg which created the Universe. Or it can also be said as ‘that is from whose fraction of warmth the universe has been emanated’. Mother is considered to have created the universe when even Kala or time was not there. Before her advent there was neither Sat nor Asat. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness. She created the universe with her Sankalpa as her mental projection. Her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. It is said that Goddess Kushmanda created the Anda with her divine smile. She is therefore also known as Adi Shakti. The core of the Sun is the residence of the Goddess. Thus She is controls the functioning of Suryalokha. Indeed she was the only one who could occupy the inner portion of Surya Loka and live there. Goddess Kushmanda has the power and strength to live the core of Suryalokha. So the Sun is also the recipient of her smile. DEPICTION: Goddess Kushmanda shines like the glowing sun. Indeed the hue and luster of her body also is just like that if the Sun glowing and incomparable with any other God or Goddess to match. All the ten quarters of the lokhas are illuminated with her effluence. Whatever brilliance is observed in the world or in living beings or objects, is the simple a reflection of her splendour. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. ‘Ashtabhuja’ is a reference to her having eight arms. She holds weapons such as bow, arrow, discuss and mace. In the remaining hands she holds a lotus, a rosary and a kamandal. She also carries a Jar of Nectar which is symbolical prasada for bhaktas health and long life. The Rosary represents Kushmanda’s powers to bless her bhaktas with Astasiddhi, meaning eight types of wisdoms and Navanidhi meaning nine types of wealth. Her vahana is a lion representing, courage and dharma. PUJA: Ailments and sorrows are eliminated on worshipping her and longevity, name, strength and health are improved. The puja rituals pertaining to Kushmanda are somewhat similar to that of Goddess Chandraghanta and Brahmacharini. The kalash is worshiped right after Lord Ganesha is venerated and invoked. The Kalasha puja is an invitation for the Goddess and her family to reside in it. One keeps flowers in the hands for offering. The chant is ‘Surasampurnakalasham Rudhiraplutmeva Cha; Dadhana Hastpadhyabhayam Kushmanda Shubhdastu Me’. As with the previous two Goddesses, Lord Shiva and Brahma are also worshiped after the Kushmanda puja. Lord Vishnu is to worshipped along with the Mother Lakshmi. Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped according to Shastras and the Puranas. Generally Goddess Durga is worshipped in this form as she eradicates sorrow and diseases and augments life, fame and strength. But one is not stopped from praying to Mother in his or her own way. Mother means Love. Goddess Kushmanda is pacified with the slightest devotion and if anyone whole heartedly worships the deity, the bhakta is certain of a blessing. If there is going to be a sacrifice then it is the kushmandam. This is a vegetable pumpkin termed ‘kushmandam’ because in Sanskrit, Kushmanda means pumpkin. Offerings to Goddess is called naivaidhya or naibidhya. CHAKRA: The pooja of Devi Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri in Durga Pooja has a great significance. Yogis, Sadhakas and other dedicated devotees meditate their mind for Anahata Chakra. The devotees should perform the Pooja of the goddess with pure and calm mind. While worshipping, the aspirant should keep in mind the purest form of the goddess. Kushmanda pooja during Navratri increases one’s health and strength and the person gets freedom from all kinds of fears. The life span, name, strength and health would increase. Mother Kushmanda is easy to propitiate. If the bhakta surrenders guilelessly, he or she is sure to reach her Supreme abode. MANTRA: Devi Kushmanda Mantra : Ya devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kushmanda Rupen Sansthita; Namastaseya Namastaseya Namastaseya Namoh Namah Yogi Ananda Saraswathi The photo is when Durga passes the sword to become Kali, this is called Trishula
MEDITATING ON MOTHER DURGA: When Mother Durga appeared to slay Mahisha, the gods ask who she was? “I am Durga, the inaccessible one” replied Ma. “I am Prakriti, the substance that gives form and identity to all things. I am Shakti, the power that enables all creatures to exist, to feel, think, act and react. I am Maya, the delusion that makes life alluring yet elusive.” Mother Durga is the most splendid manifestation of Devi. She has the combined power of all the Goddesses and the invincible power of Nature. According to Vamana Purana , Lord Shiva then gave her his trident, Vishnu his discuss and mace, Surya a quiver full of arrows, Indra his thunderbolt, Varuna a conch shell, Kumara his lance, Brahma his rosary and water pot, Agni a dart, Vayu a bow, Kuwera a mace, Kala a shield and sword and Visvakarma a battle-axe and other weapons. Other Gods gave their instruments. Then, mounting a lion, Ma Durga prepared for battle and proceeds to the Vindhya hills. And the Devas prayed. Even the Gods pray. If Ma Durga is good for Devas and Gods, what are we? “Let me meditate on the Supreme Goddess who is existence itself, who sits on the lotus, who rides on the tiger, who plays the lute, whose divine form dazzles gods, demons and humans, whose tomb contains Time and Space, who embodies cosmic energy, who holds in her hands the implements of life and the instruments of death, who spins the cycle of existence as she creates and destroys all that is, was and will be and who empowers and enriches her devotee with the ability to accept and appreciate the unfathomable universe”. Salutations to She who is beautiful to the seeker of truth ‘Om Dum Durgayei Namaha’. Hari Om Yogi Ananda Saraswati Chandra Ghanta Durga - Day 3
There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions. Chandra ghanta Durga is represented by Shukra (Venus) with a name Chandra one would think the it would be represented by the Moon but in this tradition it is represented by Venus 3rd day - Chandraghanta or Chandra-khanda In this form Durga is 10-armed and rides a tiger. This is a terrible aspect 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. Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navarathri. Her forehead is bedecked with the crescent moon resembling the shape of a ghantaa. That is why she is called Maa ‘Chandraghantaa’ by devotees. 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. The complexion possessed by Maa Chandraghantaa is golden. She possesses ten arms which wield weapons and missiles like the sword, the bow, the mace, the arrows and the like. During the battle between the gods and the demons, the horrible sound produced by her ghantaa had sent thousands of wicked demons to the abode of the Death-god. She is ever in a warring posture which shows her eagerness to destroy the foes of her devotees so that her devotees may ever live in peace and prosperity. Divine vision is acquired by her grace. If a devotee happens to enjoy divine fragrance and hears diverse sounds, he is said to be blessed by the Mother. 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 Om Devi Chandraghantayayi Namah (108 recitation of this mantra) Pindaj Pravaarudh chandkopastrkairyuta | Prasadam Tanute Madhyam Chandraghanteti vishrutaa || Which means, O Goddess Chandraghanta, who rides on Tiger, angry on enemies, holds many weapons in 10 hands, be propitious to me. Devotees, who have many enemies and obstacles in their life, should worship Devi Chandraghanta on third day of Navratri. Goddess Chandraghanta then destroy all obstacles and fears of devotee and destroy enemies and demons. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GODDESS CHANDRAGHANTA. The Nava Durga are nine sisters of the Goddess Durga. They are described as aspects of Devi in represented in a specific sequence. This sequence is important to their interpretation and understanding. Goddess Chandraghanta is the third facet of Goddess Durga who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri. Chandraghanta is the Goddess Wearing the Crescent Moon on her forehead. She represents supreme knowledge and bliss. She is worshiped for blessings of peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. One worshiping her is said to be relieved from the stress and pain caused by society. She is an apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to wage war against evil. Despite her appearance , she nonetheless exemplifies calm and material well being. Her pacifying form clears all the sorrows and sadness of her devotees. One that worships her attains spiritual bliss. Mother is pleased with devotees that worship with full devotion and dedication. It helps him or her achieve respect, fame and glory. The energy level is always there in the devotee and the home where Mother is worshipped becomes holy and pure. DEPICTION: She is is very charming and bright golden complexioned. Mother adorns a prominent jeweled crown. It is said that Mother’s face appears like an image of the solar system. Notwithstanding she is also intense with anger and violence. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. The sound of the bell always protects her devotee from evil spirits. In meditation, as soon as the sadhak invokes her, her bell immediately become active and starts ringing to protect the devotee under her shelter. The crescent moon is symbolic of feminine energy. It is also associated with clairvoyance and knowing without thinking. The crescent also represents illumination,new beginnings and making dreams a reality. It is connected to rebirths and how our true essence really is immortal. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. Her ornaments are rich and signify material comfort. She has ten hands, three eyes. Eight of her hands display weapons. She holds bow, arrow, Trishul, sword and mace. She also holds a rosary, lotus and kamandal. The lotus is symbolic of knowledge and wisdom. The remaining two are respectively in the Varada and Abhaya mudras of boon and stopping harm. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons. She is always in a prepared position for war. Her vahana is the lion or tiger both symbolizing courage and dharma. This is symbolic of bhaktas becoming valorous and fearless like a lion. Her roaring voice while riding on her lion is said to make demons tremble. This is symbolic of the fear she instills in one’s enemies. PUJA: The ritual on the third day is similar to that of the second day. All the gods and goddesses, are worshiped together with the planets and the Lords in the Kailash. Ganesha, Lakshmi, Vijaya, Kartikeya, and Sarswathi are worshipped first and the last worship is to Mother Chandraghanta. This is followed by a prayer to Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. The devotees should worship the goddess chanting, “Ya devi sarvabhuteshu chandraghanta rupen sansthita, namastaseya namastaseya namastaseya namo namah”. It means that I join hands in front of the supreme Goddess and adore the goddess with a bell shaped mark of moon on her forehead. One can please goddess Chandraghanta by worshipping her with utmost devotion. CHAKRA: She is the holder of potent energy that is yet to be unleashed. She claims Manipura Chakra as her own. This Chakra is influenced by the planet Mars. This is symbolized by a lotus with ten petals, this chakra is also known as the ‘nabhi’ or navel chakra. On this day, while worshipping Mother Chandraganta, yogis and practitioner of Tantra, meditate while concentrating their energy on Manipura Chakra. Their mind enters Manipura Chakra. With grace of Mother Chandraganta mysteries and divine things can be seen and heard. The sadhak smells the divine fragrance and many types of sounds become audible. She is said to relive the sadhaks of negative energies. In this stage of discipline, the sadhak is required to be most careful. The Manipur Chakra emboldies the change or conversion from simplicity to complexity. PRAYER: The Chandra Ghanta Sthuti: ’Kalikaam thu kalatheethaam kalyana hurdayaam shivaam,Kalyana jananim, nithyam kalyanim pranamamyaham’. I salute the Goddess who is forever auspicious, Who is mother Kali, who is beyond measurement of time, Who is consort of Shiva in the hearts of auspicious people, Who is the mother who is auspicious and divine. By her blessings all the hindrances coming in the way of a bhakta is said to be removed. She clears one of sorrows or sadness. Bhakatas are solaced by her ever-willingness and readiness for against evil and demons. In other words, she is the Goddess who rids our life of obstructions and evil energy. MALE AND FEMALE PERSPECTIVES: There is a difference between masculine and femine interpretation of the Nava Durgas. The masculine interpretation demonstrates the process of creation from nothingness to ego. The female interpretation follows the path of a woman’s life. Separately, each shows a reverence for the path of creation and development of life. As a result of these interpretation, the Nava Durgas should be listed in the correct order to signify the individual phases of each interpretation. The male perspective of Chandraghanta represents fire while the female perspective represents a girl who has begun menstruating, a formative period of cycles of the season or phases of the moon. Hari Om Yogi Ananda Saraswathi Brahma charini Durga - Day 2 Graha representation Mars
There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions. Brahma charini is represented by Mars, Mangla, the energetic strong devoted focused honourable one. 2nd Day - Brahmacharini In this form Durga is two-armed, clad in white and carries a rudraksha mala and sacred Kamandalu. She is in a highly pious and peaceful form or is in meditation. 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. She is also known as Tapasyacharini and is worshipped on the second day of Navrathri. The narrative regarding her birth has been described as follows: Having immolated herself in the sacrificial fire, Sati was born of Maina as a daughter to the Mountain-King Himalaya. Keeping in view her auspicious traits, she was given the name of ‘Parvati’. When she had grown up into a beautiful maiden, the celestial sage Narada while roaming about happened to reach the court of king Himalaya. Sage Narada was warmly welcomed by the Lord of mountains. Thereafter Himalaya and Maina prayed to Sage Narada to predict the future of Parvati by reading her palms. Sage Narada agreed to their request. Seeing Goddess Parvati, Sage Narada stood up and bowed to her with great reverence. The mountain-king Himalaya and queen Maina were amazed at such an unusual behavior of Sage Narada. They were curious to know the cause of this unique behavior. Thereupon he spoke with a smile, “O Lord of Mountains! This daughter of yours in her previous birth was Sati, the daughter of Daksha and the consort of Lord Shiva. She sacrificed her body in the fire of the Yanja as Daksha hurled disgrace on Lord Shiva. Now she is born again as your daughter Parvati. That is why I bowed to her. By virtue of her merits, she shall again beget Lord Shiva as her husband.” Having listened to the prediction of Sage Narada, Goddess Parvati inquired of him how to beget Lord Shiva as her consort. Thereupon Sage Narada advised her to perform an austere penance. Acting upon the advice of Sage Narada, Goddess Parvati renounced all the pleasures of the palace and started performing penance to beget Lord Shiva as her husband. She spent the first thousand years of her penance by living on fruit and roots. Thereafter she lived on leaves for another three thousand years of her penance. Then she lived on water and then air alone braving heat and cold, rain and storms and all kinds of sufferings. 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 Devi Brahmacharini Om Devi Brahmcharinyai Namah (108 recitation of this mantra) Dadhaanaa Kar Padaabhyaamakshmala Kamandalu | Devi Prasidati Mayi Brahmcharinyanuttamaa. Which means, O Goddess Brahmcharini, who holds rosary and Kamandalu in her hands, please on me. A devotee who is eager to know God, who want knowledge, he should worship Devi Brahmcharini on the second day of Navratri. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GODDESS BRAHMACHARINI Is the second aspect of Goddess Durga in the Navarathri festivals. She is celebrated on the second day. It is wrongly written here and there that she has taken to sannyas due to the ‘brahmachari’ in her name! Brahma within the name Brahmacharini means meditation or penance. Veda, Tattva and Tapa are synonyms for Brahma. Indeed, the word ‘tapa’ or ‘tapasya’ and Brahma are interchangeably used in the scriptures. So Mother is also called Tapacharini. That is, the Goddess is the meditator or a practitioner of penance. Goddess Durga is capable of providing unending benefit. She gives devotees everlasting success. DEPICTION: Goddess Brahmachirini is tremendously effulgent. She holds a rudraksha rosary in her right hand. Rudraksha is her most adorned ornament. The rudraksha mala becomes the most important item to be associated with her in her forest life while she pays penance for Lord Siva. stay It also says much about her austerities and penance. She holds the Kamandalu, the water utensil in her left hand. This symbolizes that in her final years of tapasya she reduced her diet to plain water and nothing else. Mother is also shown with lotus attached to various parts of her body. Even her ear kundalas are two lotuses pointing towards the ground. Lotus symbolizes knowledge. The lotus plant grows from the mud of ignorance to seek light of knowledge. Towards that it grows above the water level symbolizing a person aspiring spiritual ascent. Mother is usually dressed in white saree to represent purity. She adorns a prominent crown just as Goddess Durga. This shows her majestic view despite her simplicity. Brahmacharini is always depicted with a smile and a very pleasing face. Her very sight is all but Grace. MYTHOLOGY: Mother was reborn as the daughter of King Himavanth. She was single-pointedness of mind to win the heart of Lord Siva. The sage Narada advises her to undergo penance and she does just that. Her intense tapas for one thousand years, earn her the name Tapasyacharini. Her habits change as she is focused on tapas. She tolerates tormenting weather. Torrential rains and bitter cold do not hinder her tapas. She is simply sky-clad without heeding the scorching sun. Her mind was Siva and Siva only 24/7. She cares not for food. Her menu is one of leafy vegetables. For three hundred years she diets on bilva leaves. When Siva does not make his descent to grace her, She is said to have given up fresh bilva leaves. She does that for Siva’s sake! It is now dry bilva leaves that the winds send dropping below the bilva tree. No Siva yet! This is also relinquished and the menu is further restricted to water only. This is the reference to her being called Aparna. She just carried her kamandala and pushed her austerities to the extremes. Lord Siva is still not in sight. Brahmacharini continued her painstaking contemplation until she had grown thin. She reduced herself to skin and bones. This was observed by Mother Menaka one day. Looking at the skinny daughter, she exclaims ‘U’ ‘Ma’ meaning ‘O No No, Not’. In Sanskrit ‘U’ is a word of address. So Goddess Brahmacharini, the second aspect of Durga, bags another name as Uma. As Uma, she comes close to Lord Siva, doesn’t she? Brahmacharini’s penance cannot be going unnoticed.Certainly not a penance of this nature. It starts to cause great disturbance in all the three lokhas. So the universe gets shaken. Up there the Gods, rishis, munis, sages and above all the siddhas are great Durga Maa devotees. They eulogised Brahmacharini’s virtuous tapas and the same is praised in all quarters. Lord Brahma is to act. So Brahma tells her that he was captivated by her meditation and devotion, Brahma blesses her. This blessing, after a few turns here and there, finally leads Brahmachirini into Lord’s Siva’s arms. There she has her cut off point as being a kannya or virgin. It would be wrong to view Brahmacharini as a married consort of Lord Shiva. If they are depicted together, then Siva is the divine prize she earned out of tapasya. Saying it another way, Brahmacharini is the early phase or stage before Mother Parvathi’s marriage. This stage is called Devi Yogini and Devi Tapsvini. PUJA: In the Hindu pantheon, each Gods and Goddess have their prayer rituals, rules and regulations. This is called pooja vidhi. Brahmacharini is sometimes worshipped along with other gods and goddesses. She is offered flowers, rice and sandalwood. These are placed in the kalash that was established on the first day of the Navrathri. Mother is given her abhishekam with milk, curd and honey. If a deity, then she is dressed immaculately. If an image, she is garlanded grandly. Aarti is performed. Prasada is offered as if it is offered to Mother Durga. Chanting is done. It is to be noted, unlike Durga or Kali worship. Brahmacharini is not worshipped as a single deity. She is worshipped along with her consort Lord Shiva. This symbolizes the penance she did for achieve him. So she is worshipped with the Divine prize to represent that tapas pays. Hence, Lord Shiva has to be worshipped with full faith and devotion to please Brahmacharini. As prayers to her also involves Brahma in no small measure, the chant during her prayers are: Om Brahmane Namah . CHAKRA: Mother Brahmacharini represents the Swadhistana chakra in spiritual practice. Sadhaks and yogis keep their mind on Swadhisthana Sneh Chakraburtty to maintain their devotion and dedication in a steady phase. Worship of this appearance enriches the faculties of sacrifice, honesty and self-discipline. In times of absolute distress the worship of this form gives success and the willpower to come out victorious. This way the mind of the aspirant that moves upward is established in Swadhisthana Chakra. The Yogi, who makes his mind stay in Swadhisthana Chakra, gets the devotion and blessings of the Goddess. Establishing the mind in the Swadhisthana chakra, while worshipping Devi is a pointed way of fulfilling desires. Mother Brahmacharini represents one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. The form of Devi Brahmacharini is similar to her name and gives infallible fruits to her devotees. By worshiping her, virtues such as penance, renunciation, dispassion and restraint progressively improves inherently. One also improves his or her ethical conduct. MANTRA: Brahmacharini Dhyana mantra is recited on the second day of Navarathri. “Dadhanakara Padmabhyam akshamala kamandalam; Devi prasidathu mayi brahmacharinya nuththama.” Goddess Brahmacharini is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. A person earns freedom from all the troubles and sufferings in life. Filled with bliss and happiness, Goddess Brahmacharini is the way to liberation, Moksha. Yet again Mother Durga is prayed to in another one of her milder and sweet manifestations via Brahmacharini. Together they bless us with immense courage, strength, dedication and concentration to face all challenges with courage and self-confidence. Goddess Brahmacharini is also not to be underwritten just as another goddess imposing the same story-line and blessing. Those having her close to the chest as Ishta Devata would know this truth. That being the eternal truth of attaining Sachidaanandamaya Brahmaswarupaya, the Existence-Knowledge-Bliss state. Yogi Ananda Saraswathi |
Trishula Das
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December 2018
C40 years experience study & practice of Eastern and Western Mind Body Soul, Meditation, Healing & Mysticism
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