Nav Durga refers to the nine forms of Maa Durga, worshipped during the Hindu festival Navaratri, which means (nine nights). Each form of Durga represents a unique aspect of the Devi Maa, symbolizing power, strength, wisdom, and motherhood. The nine forms are respected for protecting devotees from evil, granting them wisdom and strength. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one form of Maa Durga.
myNachiketa presents the nine forms of Maa Durga (NavDurga), their story, and learnings for the children.
1. Devi Shailputri
This form of Navdurga is worshipped on the first day of Navratri
Devi Shailaputri is often shown riding a bull and carrying a trident and a lotus.
Devi Shailputri is known for her courage, bravery, and protection. She protected a frightened cow from the demon Tarika, sister of Tarkasur by taking the shape of a small mountain. In Sanskrit, a mountain is called Shail, thus she got her name as Shailputri (daughter of a mountain). Devi Shailputri defeated Tarika in a long and tough battle.
Children, you should be courageous enough to face your challenges like Mata Shailputri did when facing Tarikasura. You should always try to protect those who are weak and fearful.
2. Devi Brahmacharini
This form of Navdurga is worshipped on the second day of Navratri
Maa Brahmacharini is shown wearing white clothes and holds a Japa mala (loop of beads used for prayers) in her right hand and a kamandalu (oval-shaped water pot) in her left. She is known for great sacrifice, self-discipline, and devotion.
Mata Brahamacharini was determined to marry Shivji and so followed the path of an extremely difficult routine of control, strictness, and devotion. For a long time, she ate only fruits and vegetables. She slept on the floor of the forest and followed strict discipline.
Children, to achieve your goals, it's important to stay disciplined, and committed, and sometimes give up small pleasures like watching TV or playing video games. Instead, focus on following a disciplined life, just like Mata Brahmacharini, who teaches us the value of dedication and self-control.
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3. Maa Chandraghanta
This form of Navdurga is worshipped on the third day of Navratri
Chandraghanta (also known as Chandika) is depicted with a bell-shaped moon on her forehead and is known for her fierce and protective nature. She is depicted sitting on a tiger and has ten hands.
Bhagwan Shiv in his marriage procession was dressed wearing a garland of snakes, his body covered with ashes, so everyone got scared. Devi Parvati (also known as Maa Durga) when saw him dressed like this, took the fearsome form of Maa Chandraghanta and then requested Shivji to take a gentle and pleasing form like a groom. This fiery form depicts Devi as bold and courageous yet protective and caring.
Children, be bold enough to stand up for your beliefs, but always remember to protect and care for those around you. True strength lies in balancing courage with compassion.
4. Maa Kushmanda
This form of Navdurga is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri
Maa Kushmanda is believed to have created the universe with her smile. She is considered the goddess of energy and prosperity. Depicted with a radiant aura, Kushmanda Mata is often shown riding a tiger and carrying a pumpkin, where the tiger symbolizes power and strength and the pumpkin stands for abundance and nourishment.
Children, like Maa Kushmanda, we should spread happiness and warmth by speaking kindly and treating everyone with care.
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5. Devi Skandamata
This form of Navdurga is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri
The mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), Skandamata is depicted with her son on her lap while she rides a lion. She symbolizes motherly love and compassion.
Her story is centered around her role as a caring mother who helps her son defeat the demon Tarakasur. The demon could only be defeated by the child of Bhagwan Shiva and Devi Parvati (Maa Durga). So, when Kartikeya (Skanda) is born, Skandamata takes care of her son and also makes him brave enough to fight the demon.
Children, we should pray to Devi Skandamata to gain inner strength, so we can face challenges with courage and overcome them, just as Skanda defeated the demon Tarakasura, leading to success and victory
6. Devi Katyayani
This form of Navdurga is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri
Devi Katyayani is known for her fierce and warrior-like appearance. She is often depicted with four arms, riding a lion, and carrying weapons. Her story involves her slaying the demon Mahishasura, showing her strength and courage.
Mahishasura was a very powerful demon who was causing a lot of trouble and problems to all the devas and also destruction of the Earth. Thus to protect the world and to save Devas, Devi Katyani defeated this demon Mahishasura.
Children, when you are bold and ready to face a problem in life, there is no way that you cannot be victorious.
To get a deeper understanding on these quotes read our books.
7. Devi Kaalaratri
This form of Navdurga is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri
The fiercest form of Durga is Kaalaratri (also known as Devi Kali) riding a donkey. She is associated with the removal of darkness and ignorance in the inner self of a person.
Devi in this form had defeated the demon Rakhthbeej. Rakhtbeej was blessed with the boon that whenever a drop of his blood touched the ground, a new demon as powerful as him would spring up from that drop. In the battle with the Rakhtbeej, Maa Kali drank every drop of his blood before it could fall to the ground. This prevented the blood from creating more demons, thus defeating him.
Children, Devi Kaalratri is worshipped for the removal of fears, ego, and negative tendencies of a person.
8. Devi Mahagauri
This form of Navdurga is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri
Devi Mahagauri represents purity and beauty. She is depicted with a calm appearance, riding a bull, and dressed in white garments.
When Devi Parvati (Maa Durga) performed intense self-discipline and sacrifice for many years to win Bhagwan Shiva's affection and to marry him, her complexion became dark and her body withered. When Bhagwan Shiv pleased with her devotion agreed to marry her, Devi Parvati bathed in the holy waters of the river Ganga. The waters of the Ganga restored her original fair complexion. This radiant and fair form of Parvati became known as Mahagauri. She is compassionate and worshipped for spiritual guidance and wisdom.
Children, you should also be compassionate and calm like Maa Gauri for your behavioural and personality growth and development.
9. Devi Siddhidatri
This form of Navdurga is worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri
Devi Siddhidatri is often depicted with four arms, symbolizing her divine powers and balanced nature. In each hand, she holds objects like a lotus, a shell, a chakra, and a large heavy stick, which represent purity, spiritual sound, time, and strength, respectively.
Siddhidatri Devi gave siddhis (supernatural powers and abilities) to the gods, including Bhagwan Shiva himself. Devi Siddhidatri blessed Bhagwan Shiva with 8 primary siddhis.
Children, when you worship Maa Siddhidatri, you are blessed with wisdom and knowledge to move on the path of spiritual development and growth.
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