Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, and today, Tuesday, October 8th, marks the sixth day, which is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani. She is revered as the deity who removes disease, sorrow, and suffering. It is believed that those who worship her with full devotion are freed from all the miseries in their life.
The Form of Goddess Katyayani
The form of Goddess Katyayani is radiant and luminous. She is the presiding deity of the Braj region and is depicted riding a lion. She has four arms: her upper right hand is in a gesture of blessing (abhaya mudra), and her lower right hand is in a boon-giving gesture (varada mudra). In her upper left hand, she holds a sword, while her lower left hand carries a lotus. Astrologically, she is associated with the planet Jupiter.
Worship Ritual of Goddess Katyayani
To worship Goddess Katyayani, devotees begin by taking a bath in the morning and wearing clean clothes. The ritual starts with the worship of the kalash (sacred vessel), followed by the offering of prayers to Goddess Katyayani. A lamp is lit before her, and items for adornment, such as sindoor, kumkum, roli, and flowers, along with sweets, fruits, and honey, are placed before the goddess. A coin is also offered during her worship, and her sacred mantra is chanted. The ritual concludes with an aarti and the offering of food.
The Legend of Goddess Katyayani
According to legend, the great sage Maharishi Katyayan performed intense penance for many years, praying to Goddess Jagdamba. He expressed his desire for the goddess to be born as his daughter. The goddess accepted his request. Later, when the demon Mahishasura’s tyranny grew unbearable on Earth, the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh combined their divine energies to create a powerful goddess. Maharishi Katyayan was the first to worship this goddess, and thus, she came to be known as Katyayani, his daughter. She manifested specifically to destroy Mahishasura.
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