According to Devi Bhagvata Purana and Devi Mahatayam, the ‘NAV DURGA’ are the nine manifestations of Goddess Parvati. They originate from her life story, and each of the nine forms represents a different aspect of her divine form.

The question arises of why the nine manifestations are called ‘NAV DURGA’ when they are different aspects of Devi Parvati.

Both Goddess Durga and Parvati are the manifestations of Adi Shakti but symbolize two different unique aspects.

“Durga” in Sanskrit means the ‘incomprehensible one’ or the ‘one difficult to reach.’ She represents the infinite power of the cosmos and is a fierce warrior. Goddess Durga manifests from her formless essence (Nirguna Swarup) to slay the demons and restore the cosmic balance.

Goddess Durga

Parvati is the gentle aspect of Adi Shakti, the loving devoted consort of Lord Shiva. She embodies the qualities; of love, fertility, devotion, and family. Devi Parvati is the reincarnation of Devi Sati, who relinquished her body after her father Daksha insulted Lord Shiva. Devi Parvati’s love and devotion brought Lord Shiva back from his ascetic life, as she became his eternal companion. She is an ideal wife and a caring, nurturing mother of Kartikeya, Ashoksundari, and Ganesha. 

Goddess Parvati with family

Goddess Durga and Parvati are two distinct forms of Adi Shakti but according to Shakta Puranas, Devi Parvati manifests herself as Durga whenever her loved ones and children feel threatened. Devi Parvati, the ever-loving benevolent Goddess transforms into a fierce protector, the warrior Durga during times of danger. 

This duality, this transformation emphasizes that the divine energy of Adi Shakti is not static, instead it adapts, evolves, and responds to restore the cosmic balance. 

The Nav Durga 

The nine manifestations of Goddess Parvati can be seen as a progression of her power, with each form representing a different aspect of her divine nature. It can also be known as a different stage of her life. 

Shailputri

Goddess Shailputri

“Shailaputri” means the daughter of the mountain. After, the self-immolation as Goddess Sati, Adi Shakti took birth as the daughter of King Himavat and was named Parvati. She embodies the power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and is also known as Hemavati.

Goddess Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. It is believed that the Moon, the provider of all fortunes, is governed by Goddess Shailputri and the negative effect of the Moon can be overcome by worshipping this form of Adi Shakti.

Mantra:

ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥

Om Devī Shailaputryai Namah॥

Worshipping Goddess Shailputri gives mental peace, perseverance, and a sense of devotion. With her blessings, devotees are empowered to overcome all kinds of difficulties in life. 

Bramhacharini

Goddess Brahmacharini

According to the Devi Bhagvata Purana, maiden Parvati resolves to marry Shiva. She begins to live in the mountains and performs severe penance for 5000 years eating only belpatra. it is this aspect of Parvati that is deemed to be that of the goddess Brahmacharini. Her ascetic pursuit draws the attention of Lord Shiva and awakens his interest.

During this time, a demon named Prakandasura attacks Parvati who is at the last stage of her penance and cannot defend herself. Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati intervene and try to defend Parvati but they get outnumbered. After many days of fighting, the kamandalu beside Parvati falls and all the demons are washed away in a flood, burning them to ashes.

Everyone in the universe is impressed by the penance performed by Devi Parvati, except Mahadeva who visits Paravati in disguise as Bhramachari. He then questions and tests Devi Parvati and proposes to her. Parvati realizes he is Shiva and accepts. Shiva appears in his true form and finally accepts her as his wife.

Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri and it is believed that Lord Mangal, the provider of all fortunes, is governed by Goddess Brahmacharini.

Mantra:

ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नम: II

Oṃ Devī Brahmacāriṇyai Namaḥ II

Worshipping Goddess Brahmacharini instills courage, perseverance, and inner strength. She is the deity of discipline and self-control, guiding us toward determination and dedication towards our goals.

Chandraghanta

Goddess Chandrghanta

Chandraghanta is the third manifestation of Goddess Parvati. Her name Chandra-Ghanta, means "one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell". She is also known as Chandrakhanda, Vrikahvahini, or Chandrika.

After marriage, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were leading a happy married life at Kailash and Tarkasura took over the heaven. He had a boon as he would be only killed by the biological son of Shiva and Parvati. He assigned one demon named Jatukasura to attack Parvati. Suddenly, one day Jatukasur called a war and marched towards Kailasa and covered the sky with the help of the wings of his bat army. Shiva was unable to leave his tapas, so he reminded Parvati about her inner power and that she was sufficient to fight and control this situation. Thus, Devi Parvati decided to fight the Jatakasur. Parvati went out in the darkness and could hardly see, so she wore Chandradev as a crescent on her head during the battle. A huge pack of wolves came to Parvati's aid. Devi Parvati brought a ghanta to the battlefield and rang it loudly, and the bats flew away. One of the wolves jumped on the Jatukasura, then Devi Parvati hit his head with the ghanta, cut off his wings with a sword, and killed him.

This fearsome form of Parvati, with the knife in one hand and Ghanta in the other; Moon on the forehead, and sitting on a wolf is named Chandraghanta by Brahmadev.

Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navratri and it is believed that the planet Shukra is governed by her.

Mantra:

ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥

Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥

Those who worship Goddess Chandraghanta are blessed with courage, strength, and fearlessness. 

Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda

Kushmanda is the fourth aspect of Goddess Parvati.

Once two asuras named Mali and Sumali were performing a severe penance to seek blessings from Lord Shiva, the energy generated from their body due to penance attracted Lord Surya and he came down to earth to have a look at them. This damaged the entire universe and as Lord Surya went near to Mali and Sumali, they burned to ashes. This made Lord Shiva angry and he incapacitated him with his trident. As a result, the entire world and solar system went into darkness, there was loss of Gravity, and the celestial bodies faced imbalance. Sage Kashyapa, father of Gods broke down after seeing Suryadev lying unconscious. Rishi Kashyap cursed Shiva as he killed his son; one day he will also kill his son. Shiva went to Parvati for help and made her realize that she was the complete incarnation of Adi Shakti, the source of all energies. Devi Parvati went to the place in the universe where Suryadev was placed. She created a spherical body of fire and light with her fierceness, which became the sun in the solar system.

Lord Shiva asked both Sukesh (father of Mali and Sumali) and Sage Kashyap to visit Devi Parvati for their sons. Sage Kashyap with his wife Devi Aditi begged Devi Parvati to bring Suryadev to life. Devi Parvati went into the kitchen and brought two pots. Devi Parvati asked them both to fill one pot with their blood. Sage Kashyap with his power filled the pot with blood from both their bodies. The other Pot then automatically got filled with Amrit. Goddess Parvati asked Sage Kashyap to pour the pious blood and Amrit into Suryadev's mouth. Sukesh and his wife Devavati also begged Devi Parvati with the ashes of Mali and Sumali. Devi Parvati gifted Devavati an Egg in her womb, the children born from the egg were demons due to the nature of parents.

This is how Goddess Parvati was called Kushmanda.  Her name means: Ku means "a little", Ushma means "warmth" or "energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg".

On returning to life, Lord Surya requested Devi Kushamanda to take place in the Suryasan in Suryalok.

The sun gives life to the world and Goddess Kushmanda herself is the power of the sun and is the source of all energy as she resides within the core of the Suryaloka. It was to create a balance in the universe and provide life to all living beings from the sun's rays, her power gives the sun its capability to give life to everyone, as she is a form of Adi Shakti herself. Goddess Kushmanda’s luminosity gives heat and brightness to the sun and directions to Lord Surya.

Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri.

Mantra:

ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥

Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥

Worshipping Goddess Kushmanda brings health, prosperity, and strength and fills the devotee’s life with vibrancy.

Skandmata

Goddess Skandmata

Skandamata is the Goddess of motherhood and children. She is the fifth aspect of Devi Parvati. Her name means mother of Skanda, also known as Kartikeya.

Lord Kartikeya was born from the tapas shakti of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Kartikeya was trained and guided by Devi Parvati to become a great warrior. She gifted him a special weapon, a divine spear called the "Vel" (or "Shakti") symbolizing power, valor, and righteousness.

Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri and planet Budha is governed by her.

Mantra:

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥

Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah॥

Worshipping Goddess Skandamata brings peace, prosperity, and the blessings of children.

 

Katyayani 

Goddess Katyayani

To slay the demon Mahishasura, Goddess Parvati took the form of Goddess Katyayani.

Goddess Katyayani emerged from the combined energies of all the Devtas when they failed to defeat the buffalo demon Mahishasura and prayed to Adi Shakti to help them. Their unified energy manifested itself in the form of a woman. The rays crystallized in the hermitage of sage Katayayan, who gave it a proper form, therefore, she is also called Katyayani or "daughter of Katyayana".

Goddess Katyayani is the slayer of the tyrannical buffalo demon Mahishasura, hence called mahishasurmardini or mahish-mardini. She is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri and governs the planet Brihaspati.

Mantra:

ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥

Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah॥

Worshipping Goddess Katyayani leads to the destruction of enemies, the removal of obstacles, and the attainment of victory.

 

Kaalratri

Goddess Kaalratri

 Kalaratri is one of the fearsome forms of the Goddess Parvati, her appearance itself invoking fear.

According to the Devi Bhagvata Purana, two demons named Shumbha and Nishumbha, invaded devaloka and defeated the Devtas. Indra with the other Devtas went to the Himalayas, they prayed to Goddess Parvati while she came near the lake Mansarovar for a bath. As soon as she heard the prayers and distress of all the Devtas a Goddess emerged from her body, she was called Chandi or Kaushiki as she was immensely fair in skin and carried all the celestial weapons. After the emergence of Kaushiki, Devi Parvati’s body turned pale black and looked fearsome with big red eyes and open black hair like a thunderstorm, she was called Kaalratri or Kali. Both Kaushiki and Kali marched towards the war and defeated the demons.

Chanda and Munda were two demon generals sent by Shumbha and Nishumbha. When they came to battle Devi Chandi, Kalaratri killed them and was called Chamunda.

Kaalratri is the power of the darkest of nights. She is the time of the night or the death of the night. She is called Maharatri, the great night of periodic dissolution, and Moharatri, the night of delusion. At the end of time, when destruction arrives, Adi Shakti transforms herself into Kalaratri, who devours all time without leaving any remains.

Goddess Kaalratri is worshipped on the seventh day of the Navratri and governs the planet, Shani.

Mantra:

 ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥

Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah॥

Goddess Kalaratri removes all fears and negative energies from life. She blesses her devotees with courage and fearlessness, driving away all calamities.

Mahagauri 

Goddess Mahagauri

Mahagauri is the eighth manifestation of Goddess Parvati and has a beautiful golden complexion.

After doing a severe penance of 5000 years to please Lord Shiva for marriage, Goddess Parvati’s body became weak and wrinkled as she lost her youthful bright skin. Pleased by Devi Parvati’s penance and after accepting her as his wife, Lord Shiva poured Ganga water from his matted locks of hair on Goddess Parvati. As the pure and sacred water cascaded on the body of Goddess Parvati, she regained her youthful radiance, a luminous aura like a thousand moons earning her the name Mahagauri, the Goddess of resplendent milky white complexion (Gaur-varna).

Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri and governs Rahu.

Mantra:

ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥

Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥

Goddess Mahagauri blesses her devotees with purity, peace, and good fortune. She eliminates negativity and bestows serenity and prosperity.

Siddhidatri

Goddess Siddhidatri

Siddhidhatri or Siddhidatri is the ninth and final manifestation of Goddess Parvati. Her name means: Siddhi means supernatural power or meditative ability, and Dhatri means giver or bestower.

Siddhidatri is the divine primordial energy, which is omnipresent, and omniscient. The Supreme Goddess gave birth to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and explained their duties to them. The Tridevas performed penances for many years. The pleased Goddess appeared before them in the form of Siddhidatri and blessed them with Shaktis in the form of their wives; Saraswati for Brahma, Laxmi for Vishnu, and her divine form Parvati for Lord Shiva.

Goddess Siddhidatri was pleased by Lord Shiva and blessed him with eight supernatural powers (siddhis); Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakambya, Ishitva, and Vashitva. This led to the origin of the Ardhanarishvara form of Lord Shiva which symbolizes the divine union of both masculine and feminine energies, one half of Lord Shiva’s body and the other half of Maa Siddhidatri are unified.

Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri and governs Ketu.

Mantra:

ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥

Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah॥

By worshipping Goddess Siddhidatri, we gain knowledge to lead a life of attainment of both spiritual and material success. The Goddess blesses her devotees with achievement and accomplishment in life.  

 

The nine days of Navratri are celebrated throughout the Indian cultural and religious sphere. 

The worship of the nine forms of Navdurga during Navratri is a way to instill great values and principles in our lives. Each form of Goddess Durga carries a unique message that guides us on how to lead our lives. During Navratri worship, we spiritually grow and gain strength, courage, purity, peace, and success in our endeavors. Navratri inspires us to embrace righteousness and follow the path of truth to reach our ultimate goals.