Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Goddess Durga is one of the main goddesses in the Hindu religion. Durga is associated with strength, protection, motherhood, wars and destruction.
There are believed to be nine forms of Goddess Durga and each of the forms is highly valued in Hindu religions.
Among some sects of Hinduism, such as the followers of Shakti and Shiva, Durga is considered a single deity.
According to Hindu mythology, the nine forms of Goddess Durga are considered the nine phases of Durga during the nine-day war with the demon king Mahishashura, the last and tenth day was when Mahishashura was killed by Goddess Durga and is celebrated as Vijayadashami in the Hindu religion.
What are the nine forms of Goddess Durga?
The nine forms of Goddess Durga are collectively called Nava Durga, and the nine forms are as follows:
1. Shailaputra
2. Brahmacharins
3. Chandraghanta
4. Kushmanda
5. Scandamata
6. Katyayani
7. Kalaratras
8. Mahagauri
9. Siddhidhatri
1. Shailaputri
The first form of Goddess Durga is known as Shailaputri or Shailaja. “Shaila” means mountain and this form refers to the daughter of the mountain or goddess Parvati who was the daughter of King Himavata (the personification of the Himalayan mountains).
Goddess Parvati is considered to be the reincarnation of Goddess Sati and is depicted as a female form with two arms and a crescent moon on her forehead.
He carries a trident in his right hand and a lotus flower in his left. She is depicted with her vahana or riding the bull “Nandi”.
Shailaputri is the first form of Goddess Durga worshiped on the first day of Navaratri.
2. Brahmacharins
Brahmacharini or the female ascetic form of Goddess Durga is worshiped on the second day of Navaratri.
She is depicted as a female deity who carries a rosary of dried rudraksha in her right hand and a kamandal in her left.
3. Chandraghanta
The third form of Durga worshiped on the third day is Chandraghanta. The goddess is depicted with her third eye open and always ready for war with demons. It is also known as Ranachandi.
The goddess is depicted as a female deity with 10 arms, two of which carry a trident, a mace, a bow and arrow, a khadaga, a lotus, a ghanta and a kamandala, one of her hands is always in a benediction position or abhayamudra that drives away fears.
He has a bell-shaped crescent moon on his forehead which also leads to his being called Chandraghanta.
4. Kushmanda
The fourth form of Goddess Durga worshiped on the fourth day of Navaratri is Kushmanda. The name Kushmanda can be broken down into Ku, Ushma and Anda where Ku means “little”, Ushma means “heat” or “energy” and Anda means “cosmic egg”.
This form of Goddess Durga is also known as Asthabhuja Devi and she is also known as Adi Shakti who is responsible for the creation of the universe.
She is seen riding a lion as her mount.
5. Scandamata
Skandamata is the fifth form of Goddess Durga and is worshiped on the fifth day of Navaratri, this form of Goddess is depicted as a female deity carrying Kartikeya on her lap hence Kartikeya is also known as Skanda.
This form of the goddess is depicted as a female deity with four arms, three eyes and riding a lion. Of the four hands of the goddess, two carry a lotus, while of the other two, one carries Karthikeya on one hand and the blessing mudra or abhayamudra on the other hand.
6. Katyayani
Katyayani is the sixth form of Goddess Durga and is worshiped on the sixth day of Navaratri. She is depicted as the warrior form of the goddess Mahadevi or Durga. The other two fierce forms of Durga are Bhadrakali and Chandika.
This form of Goddess Durga is depicted as a female deity on a lion with eighteen arms and various weapons bestowed by the gods.
She is known as Katyayani after the sage Katyayani who performed penance on Goddess Durga and asked her to be born as his daughter as a boon.
7. Kalaratras
Kalaratri is the seventh and one of the most violent forms of Goddess Durga. She is the destroyer of darkness and ignorance and is depicted on a donkey, with four arms, two of which are in the pose of blessing and protection, while the other two carry the sabbath and thunderbolt.
She is sometimes known as Kali.
Kalaratri is worshiped on the seventh day of Navaratri.
8. Mahagauri
Mahagauri is the eighth form of Goddess Durga and this form is worshiped on the eighth day of Navaratri. This form of the goddess is depicted as a four-armed deity carrying a trident or Trishul in one hand and a damra in the other.
The other two hands are for blessings and for dispelling fears which are also known as varada and Abhaya mudra.
She rides a bull or a white elephant.
9. Siddhidhatri
The ninth and last form of Goddess Durga is Siddhidhatri and is worshiped on the ninth and last day of Navaratri. She is believed to be the purveyor of all Siddhis.
This form of the goddess is depicted as a female deity on a lotus and carries a lotus, a conch or shankha, a Gada or mace and a chakra or disk on her four arms.
According to Hindu mythology, she is the embodiment of Mahashakti or the supreme goddess who created the universe, and Shiva received all the siddhis while praying to the goddess Siddhidhatri.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education