Goddess Durga is worshipped as the protector of the world. She is also known as the destroyer of evil and the giver of good. Goddess Durga is often depicted riding a tiger and carrying weapons in her hands. She is a powerful and revered goddess, and her worship is widespread throughout India.
Nav Durga, or the nine forms of Durga, each of the nine forms of Durga has her own unique characteristics and powers.
Nav Durga Stuti:
नव दुर्गा रूपेण प्रणिपतनम
प्रथम: शैलपुत्री च
द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी नमस्तुभ्यं
तृतीयं अर्धचंद्रधारणीय चंद्रघंटा देवी प्रणांभ्यम
प्रणामी ब्रह्माण्ड रचनी मां कुष्मांडा चतुर्थकम्
स्कंदमाता जगजननी पंचमं च
षष्टः महिषासुरमर्दिनी कात्यानी च
सप्तम महागौरी शिवआर्धागिनी नामों नम:
नवम सिद्धिदात्री मां सिद्ध सर्व करेशु सर्वदा।।
The nine forms of Durga are:
- Shailputri:
- Shailputri is the daughter of the mountain king Himavan. She is the first form of Durga and is worshipped as the giver of life.
- Mantra: Om Ya Devi Shailputri Devi Namah (ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥)
- vandē vāñchitalābhāya candrārdhakr̥taśēkharāṁ | vr̥ṣārūḍhāṁ śūladharāṁ śailaputrīṁ yaśasvinīm ||
- Brahmacharini:
- Brahmacharini is the second form of Durga and is worshipped as the giver of knowledge.
- Mantra: Om Ya Devi Brahmacharini Devi Namah
- dadhānā karapadmābhyāṁ akṣamālā kamaṇḍalū | dēvī prasīdatu mayi brahmacāriṇyanuttamā ||
- Chandraghanta:
- Chandraghanta is the third form of Durga and is worshipped as the giver of protection.
- piṇḍajapravarārūḍhā caṇḍakōpāstrakairyutā | prasādaṁ tanutē mahyaṁ candraghaṇṭēti viśrutā ||
- Kushmanda:
- Kushmanda is the fourth form of Durga and is worshipped as the giver of prosperity.
- surāsampūrṇakalaśaṁ rudhirāplutamēva ca | dadhānā hastapadmābhyāṁ kūṣmāṇḍā śubhadāstu mē ||
- Skandamata:
- Skandamata is the fifth form of Durga and is worshipped as the mother of Skanda, the god of war.
- siṁhāsanagatā nityaṁ padmāśritakaradvayā | śubhadāstu sadā dēvī skandamātā yaśasvinī ||
- Katyayani:
- Katyayani is the sixth form of Durga and is worshipped as the giver of victory.
- candrahāsōjjvalakarā śārdūlavaravāhanā | kātyāyanī śubhaṁ dadyāddēvī dānavaghātinī ||
- Kaalratri:
- Kaalratri is the seventh form of Durga and is worshipped as the destroyer of evil.
- ēkavēṇī japākarṇapūra nagnā kharāsthitā | lambōṣṭhī karṇikākarṇī tailābhyaktaśarīriṇī ||
- vāmapādōllasallōhalatākaṇṭakabhūṣaṇā | vardhanamūrdhvajā kr̥ṣṇā kālarātrirbhayaṅkarī ||
- Mahagauri:
- Mahagauri is the eighth form of Durga and is worshipped as the giver of peace.
- śvētē vr̥ṣē samārūḍhā śvētāmbaradharā śuciḥ | mahāgaurī śubhaṁ dadyānmahādēvapramōdadā ||
- Siddhidatri:
- Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Durga and is worshipped as the giver of perfection.
- siddhagandharvayakṣādyairasurairamarairapi | sēvyamānā sadā bhūyātsiddhidā siddhidāyinī ||
The nine forms of Durga are worshipped during the Navratri festival, which is celebrated twice a year. The first Navratri festival is celebrated in the Hindu month Chaitra, and the second Navratri festival is celebrated in the fall. During the Navratri festival, devotees worship each of the nine forms of Durga for nine days.