Navadurga are the nine forms of Goddess Durga that are worshipped on separate days during the Navaratri festival. During the battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, she assumed each of these nine forms on nine different days before killing Mahishasura on the 10th day of the battle.
Who is Goddess Durga?
Goddess Durga or Mahishasurmardini is a form of Goddess Parvati, which she took to kill a demon named Mahishasura. She is a major goddess in Hinduism. The followers of Shaktism consider her to be Supreme Being. She is one of the fierce forms of Goddess Parvati and is associated with strength, protection, destruction, and wars.
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The Names of Navadurga:
The names of Navadurga are Shailapatri, Bramhacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
The Battle Between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura:
Mahishasura was a very powerful demon and had defeated gods because of a boon he had received from Lord Brahma. As only a woman was able to kill him, all the gods approached Goddess Parvati and requested her to kill him.
When Mahishasura came to know that the gods had sent a woman to kill him who was very beautiful, he laughed at first and sent a marriage proposal to her. When Goddess Durga declined his proposal, he sent his army to kill her, which was butchered by the goddess. Therefore, Mahishasura decided to confront her.
A fierce battle took place between Devi Durga and Mahishasura. The demon was very powerful, and it was not easy to kill him. The battle lasted for 10 days. She took nine different forms in nine days. These nine forms are known as Navadurga. Mahishasura took the forms of different animals to confuse the goddess. On the 10th day, he took the form of a buffalo again. At that time, Goddess Durga pierced his heart with a trident. This day is celebrated as Vijayadashami, the victory of good over evil.
Navadurga:
1. Shailaputri – the Daughter of Mountain:
Goddess Shailaputri is Goddess Parvati herself. Her Vahana is Nandi. In her previous birth, she was Goddess Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva. She was reborn as the daughter of Himalaya who is also known as Shaila. Therefore, she is called Shailapatri, the daughter of the Himalayas.
This is the first and the most important form among the nine forms of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the first day of Navaratri. She sits on her mount Nandi and carries a lotus and a trident in her hands.
Mantra: Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah.
2. Brahamacharini – The Ascetic Goddess:
This is the ascetic form of Goddess Durga. When Goddess Parvati grew young, she decided to marry Lord Shiva after an encounter with Sage Narada and observed penance to get married to him. She did penance for about 5000 years and lived a life of ascetics. This form is known as Brahamacharini.
This is the second form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri. She is depicted in a standing posture and carrying a rosary bead and a Kamandalu in her hands.
Mantra: Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah.
3. Chandraghanta – Destroyer of Demons:
Because of the strict penance observed by Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva was propitiated and accepted her as his wife. After their marriage, he adored her forehead with a half-moon made from the sandal. This half-moon looks like a bell. Therefore, this form of Goddess Parvati is called Chandraghanta.
This is the third form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri. She rides a tigress and has 10 hands carrying different weapons and other things.
Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah.
4. Kushmanda Devi – Goddess of the Cosmic Egg:
The word Kushmanda means “a small warm cosmic egg”. Goddess Kushmanda is credited with creating the universe with her divine smile. In the beginning, there was no sign of the physical world, and the universe was a void full of darkness. Then a ray of light illuminated each nook of the void. Slowly this sea of light took the form of a divine lady who was Goddess Kushmanda.
This is the fourth form of Goddess Durga. She is depicted as having eight arms and riding a tiger.
Mantra: Om Devi Kushmandyai Namah.
5. Skandamata – The Mother of Skanda:
Skanda is the name of Lord Kartikeya. When he was born, Goddess Parvati became her mother. Therefore, she is known as Skandamata.
This is the fifth form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She has four arms and three eyes and rides a lion. She is accompanied by Lord Kartikeya.
Mantra: Om Devi Skandamatyai Namah.
6. Katyayani Devi – Goddess of Power:
Per some stories, Goddess Parvati was born at the home of Sage Katya. Therefore, she is known as Katyayani. She is the sixth form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the sixth day of Navaratri. She rides a lion and has four hands. Worshipping Goddess Katyayani helps solve marital problems.
Mantra: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah.
7. Kalaratri – Goddess of Auspiciousness:
Goddess Kalaratri is the most ferocious form of Goddess Durga among her nine forms. Raatri means night and Kala has several meanings, like time, black, and death. The word Kalaratri generally means “the night of time”. Goddess Parvati took this form to kill demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Devi Kalaratri is the seventh form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has four hands and a dark complexion. She rides a dark donkey, and her appearance causes fear in the hearts of her enemies. Worshipping her removes fear from the heart of her devotees.
Mantra: Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah.
8. Mahagauri – Goddess of Beauty:
Mahagauri means “The Great Gauri”. This form of Goddess Parvati has an extremely white complexion. Therefore, she is called Mahagauri.
This is the eighth form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. She is very beautiful and radiant and rides a white ox. Worshipping her removes the sins of the person.
Mantra: Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah.
9. Siddhidatri – Goddess of Superpowers:
The word Siddhidatri means “the one (female) who gives special powers”. She is the primordial form of Goddess Parvati and possesses eight superpowers.
Devi Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. She has four hands and is sitting on a lotus.
Mantra: Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah.
Other Forms:
According to Agni Purana, the names of Navadurga are:
1. Rudrachanda.
2. Prachanda.
3. Chandogra.
4. Chandanayika.
5. Chanda.
6. Chandavati.
7. Chandarupa.
8. Atichandika.
9. Ugrachanda.
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