Nava-Durgā - The nine forms of Goddess Durgā

With her golden body blazing with the splendour of a thousand suns, seated on her lion vehicle, Durga is one of the most spectacular of all personifications of Cosmic energy. Devi, in her 'saumya' or benevolent form, looks serene and powerful. In her numerous hands, she holds a disc, mace, a sword, lotus, bow and an arrow, a trident and a conch shell. Her many weapons underscore the idea that the goddess incorporates the power of all the deities. Dressed in a green blouse and a red saree, she looks like a perfect picture of kindness. Adorned in jewellery and an elaborate crown, she is beautiful. The crown and jewellery studded with precious stones point to her supreme status amongst the Vedic gods and goddesses.

The background is mountainous, which is well thought of since the word ‘Durga’, itself means insurmountable, and this is why too most of Devi’s temples are built atop hills.

Durga (the goddess of power) is seated on a lion in a fearless pose (Abhay Mudra) signifying assurance of freedom from fear. The lion represents power, will and determination. She can be seen holding her weapons (a long Trishula/trident with upper hand of right side and lower hand of left side, a Chakra, a conch shell, a Mace, a Talwar/longsword, a lotus and a bow) with her hands. She uses her weapons to destroy evil and to produce an environment conducive to the growth of righteousness.

Navadurgā

The nine forms of Goddess Durgā:

Navadurga, which literally means the nine forms of Goddess Durga, constitute, according to Vedic scriptures, the manifestation of Durgā in Her nine different aspects. These nine forms of manifestation are Śhailaputrī, Brahmachāriṇī, Chandrakaṇṭā, Kuṣhmāṇḍā, Skandamātā, Kātyāyanī, Kālarātrī, Mahāgaurī and Siddhidātrī - together worshipped during the Navrātri Vrata (Nine Divine Nights). Each goddess has a different form and a special significance. Nava Durgā, if worshipped with religious fervour during Navaratri, it is believed, to bestow spiritual fulfilment.

Nava also means 'nine' – it denotes the number to which sages attach special significance. Hence, we have Nava-rātri (9 nights), Nava-patrika (9 leaves / herbs / plants), Nava-Graha (9 planets), and Nava-Durgā (9 forms of Durga).

According to Vedic scriptures, Goddess Durgā is a symbol of power. She is worshipped in nine different forms and is therefore termed Nava-durgā. Each of the nine manifestations of Durgā is worshipped with full devotion during Navarātri.

1.) Śailaputrī (Daughter of the Himālayas)

2.) Brahmachāriṇī (One who observes the state of celibacy doing penance)

3.) Chandraghaṇṭā ( One who bears the moon in her necklace )

4.) Kūṣmāṇḍa (the creator of the universe)

5.) Skanda-Mātā (The mother of Skanda, Kārttikeya, born out of her powers)

6.) Kātyāyanī (The daughter of sage Kātyāyana, who incarnated to help the Devas)

7.) Kālarātrī (black as night, destroyer of Kālī)

8.) Mahāgaurī (the wife of Lord Shiva, doing great penance)

9.) Siddhidātrī (Provider of Siddhis, giver of mystic powers)