THE NINE FORMS OF GODDESS DURGA AND NAVARATRI SIGNIFICANCE

"Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Budhi Roopena Samstita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah"


 

The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga


Goddess Durga is the symbol of Infinite Power, Shakti, vibrant force. She provides vibrant energy, removes obstacles, eliminates all tantras with enormous Power, provides peace by eliminating evil forces through her Chandi, Durga rupa.  She wards off the people who worship her from evil eye. People worship nine forms of goddess Durga during the auspicious navaratri days in all parts of India. This auspicious period is widely known as Dassera festival in various parts of South India. Those who worship the nine forms of goddess Durga will be protected from evil forces to lead an extremely happy and prosperous life. The auspicious Navaratri period is from 19th September 2009 to 28th September 2009.


The description of the nine forms of goddess Durga to Worship during Navaratri(nine nights) days is  in the ancient scripture Devi Kavacha. The following Stortra elaborates it.


“Pradhamam Sailaputreeti ,dwiteeyam Brahma Charini,triteeyam Chandra Ganteti , Kushmandeti Chaturtakam. Panchamam Skanda Mateti Shashtam Katyayaneeti Cha Saptamam Kala Ratreeti Maha Gaureeti ashtamam, Navamam Siddhidatri “

Sailaputri(Daughter of Himalaya)
This is the first form of Goddess Durga.  Those who worship her will  be able to finish their future activities without any hurdles. She gives strong foundation to what ever we want to accomplish.  This form of the goddess also shows the beginning of spiritual life.  


Brahma Charini(Leads to Salvation)
This is the second form of Durga which signifies Penance.  The grace of Brahmacharini makes the person victorious and successful in all his undertakings. The mind of the individual becomes completely devotional with the blessings of the goddess.   Her devotees an uncanny ability to come out of complicated situations in life.


Chandra Ghanta


This is third  form of Goddess Durga  which represents bravery and courage.   She improves the courage of the worshippers by manifold.   She gives mundane success. We can get rid of our sorrows and fears to lead our life in the path of spirituality. She provides us spiritual discipline so that we can attain the perfection in our life.


Kushmanda
The fourth form of Goddess Durga is Kushmanda.The Sanskrit word Kushmanda means Pumpkin. She portrays glowing Sun with her body.  She provides lightning energy into our lives.   She resembles brilliance in the world through her splendor. A miserable life of the individual can be transformed into a successful life through the worship of Kushmanda.


Skanda Mata

 This is the fifth form of the goddess Durga.  Skanda is another name for Lord Kartikeya. She holds infant Kartikeya in her lap. Those who worship this form of Goddess will also have the blessings of Lord Kartikeya. She represents calmness and peace. She cares for the people who worship her like a mother and bestows them a peaceful life.


Katyayini
The Sixth form is known as Katyayini.   She is the grand daughter of  Sage Kat.  She provides protection from all diseases, difficulties and fears.   Her worship removes our past life sins and make us lead a happy and comfortable life.  She is worshipped  to remove our pains, fulfillment of desires.


Kalaratri
The Seventh form is the most fiery, dreadful form of the goodess. The devotees of the goddess are free from fear and carriers of valour into the world. She eliminates all evil effects and bestows good health to her worshippers. She removes all evil spirits. The fear and danger from enemies is also destroyed.


Maha Gauri
This is the eighth form of the Goddess Durga.  The worshipper gets purification through the worship of this form of goddess Durga. She represents transformation of life into a different plane. She bestows meditational powers to the individual which provides great concentration and gives right direction to the final path of life.




Siddhidatri(Salvation)
This is the ninth and last form of Goddess Durga. She is the mother of ashta siddhis. These siddhis are Anima, Mahima,Garima,Laghima,Prapti,Prakamya,Isitwa and Vasitwa.   Lord Shiva got these Ashta Siddhis by worshipping this form of the Goddess Durga.  Those who get these siddhis through her worship can conquer the universe. She shows the path of salvation through her worship by giving the grace of siddhis.  She also represents fulfillment of worldly desires and a state of undoing of the soul.

In South India during the festival of Dassera Goddess Durga is Decorated in the following forms.
Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi
Sri Gayatri Devi
Sri Annapurna Devi
Sri Lalita Tripura Sundari Devi
Sri Saraswati Devi
Sri Maha Lakshmi Devi
Sri Durga Devi(Kanaka Durga)
Sri Mahishasura Mardini Devi
Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi


"Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Thrishnaa Roopena Samstita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah"
"OM TAT SAT"