The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

durga matha forms no one told youBrahma, Vishnu and Shiva described the attainment of Shakti in the following manner


मृ्दा बिना कुलालश्च कतुं यथाक्षम:।

स्वर्ण बिना स्वर्णकार: कुण्डलं कर्तुमक्षम:।

शक्त्या बिना तथाहं च स्वसृ्ष्टि कर्तुमक्षम:।।


Meaning :- like a potter can not make pitcher without mud, a goldsmith can not make earrings without gold, similarly, universe can not be created without Shakti.


शक्तिं बिना बुद्धिमन्तो न जगद्रक्षितुं क्षमा:

शक्त्यालयास्तद्वदहं शाक्तियुत: क्षमा:।।


Meaning :- Like an intelligent person can not save the world without power, similarly, I (God) can not save the universe without Shakti.


This Shakti is Durga, Shiva, Paramba which is situated in Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu. It makes them capable for the duty and work. The nine incarnation of goddess are described as below


प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्माचारिणी।

तृ्तीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कुष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम।।

पंचमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च।

सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम।।

नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गा: प्रकीर्तितता।


The 9 Durga are the symbol of the 9 power.She 9 incarnation are worshipped during the Navratri. These goddesses are the symbol of Brahmacharya, awareness, sacrifice, simplicity, knowledge, fearlessness, patience and sense of servic


Goddess Shailaputri

Shail Putri was the name of Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya. Vrishabsitha Mata has Trishul in her right hand and lotus in the left hand. She includes all substances, power and creature. Devi Uma is the power of lightness. She is the goddess of nature.


Goddess Brahmacharini

Brahma means universe and meditation. Here, Brahma stands for tenacity. Brahmacharini is the other form of Brahmashakti Dhatri Devi. She is Jyotirmayi and very magnificent. She has a rosary in right hand and stoup in the left hand. She performed meditation to have lord Shiva and got the name of Tapasyacharini. First of all she used to eat Bel leaves and then she left eating them and got the name Aparna.


Maa Chandraghanta

There are two phase of power, mentioned in scriptures. First is Unmani and the second one is Samni. Samni includes 16 arts. It has relation with Brahma Shakti. There is a half moon in shape of bell on the head of Devi Chandraghanta, hence, she got this name. She is a Lavanyamayi Divine Devi. She has a body of gold. She has 10 arms which have different scripture. She rides lion. And, she is always ready for any war. By the terrifying sound of her bell, everyone starts shaking. She is said to be goddess of best disciplines.


Kushmanda Devi

Kushmanda Devi is Adhishtatri goddess of wellness. She is the Aaddh Shakti and Brahma Shakti of universe. She is described as the one who created the universe through her smile. Hence, she is called the Kushmanda.


She has 8 arms. In 7 of her arms she holds stoup, bow, arrow, lotus, flower, urn having Amrit, Chakra and Gada. And, the eighth arm has a rosary. Goddess Kushmanda rides a lion. Seasonal change is because of her. She stays in the center of nature. Her treasure are medicines, herbs etc.


Skanda Mata

Goddess Skanda is the mother of Karthikeyen, son of Shiva. She has 4 arms. The 2 right arms have Uffar Skand and lotus flower. Left arm contains Vardmudra and lotus flower. She is Kamlasana, Shubvarna and rides on lion.


Katyayani

Maha Rishi Katyayan was born in the Gotra of Rishi Kavya, son of Maharishi Kat. Rishi Katyayan worshipped Paramba and received Devi Katyayni is form of daughter. This is the 6th incarnation of goddess. From Chaturthi of Ashwin Krishna Paksha to Navami, goddess received respect and worship from Rishi Katyayan. She is the power of mind. She has a divine form as of gold. goddess Katyayani has 3 eyes and 8 arms, and she rides lion.


Kalratri

Kalratri is the 7th form of Durga. her hairs are all open and scattered. She wears a necklace which is as bright as light. Her 3 eyes are circular like universe which emit bright light. Terrifying flame of fires are emitted from nose. She rides Gardha. The right arm is in blessing position.


The lower hand is in Abhey Mudra. Left arms have Kota and Khadag. She looks terrifying but gives auspicious fruits. She is also called Shubankari. She is the winner of Kal and known as Kali. She is Maha Shakti of Rudra Shiva. She wears 51 heads of dead demons on her neck.


Mahagauri

Mahagauri is the 8th Shakti. Compared with shell, moon and Kund flower. She has 4 arms. She wears white clothes. Right arms have Damru, Varmundra. She has a position for 8 years. Maha Gauri remains in a peaceful manner. She is called as Shakumbari Devi, Shatakshi, Trinetri, Durga, Chandi, Raktbeej Sangharini. She is Trishakti. At times she has Gaur Van(fair color) or at times Krishna Van(black color). She has different forms. She killed many demons so she is called Durga.


Siddhidatri

The giver of 18 Siddhi, 4 arms, rider of lion, having lotus flower is called Shakti. She holds lotus, Gada, Chakra, shell. She is dear to Vishnu and called Vaisnav Shakti. She is said to be Kamla Shakti, and is a symbol of wealth. She is beautiful and has 10 arms. Sidhidatri has many forms and has many weapons.