Chaitra Navratri 2018 Day 4: Worship Kushmanda Mata, the Fourth Form of Goddess Durga
Apart from Kushmanda Puja, the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri 2018 will also see Varad Vinayaka Chauth and Lakshmi Panchami Puja.
The fourth day of Chaitra Navratri 2018 will be celebrated in honour of Kushmanda Mata. She is the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga (Parvati Mata). This form of Navadurga will be venerated on March 21, 2018, with devotees performing Kushmanda Puja on auspicious Chaturthi. According to Hindu mythology, she gets her name after Siddhidatri Mata began living inside the centre of the Sun, it earned Goddess Parvati with the name Kushmanda. The name when broken down signals the role of Maa Kushmanda - Ku means "a little", Ushma means "warmth" or "energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg". She governs the Sun, providing the bright star with energy and direction to liberate energy to the Universe.
There is another story behind Mata Parvati being named Kushmanda Mata. As per Hindu legends, when darkness prevailed everywhere, Goddess Kushmanda is believed to create the universe (called Brahmanda in Sanskrit) with just a smile. Devi is also said to like Bali of white pumpkin known as Kushmanda. The combination of Brahmanda and Kushmand formed the name, Kushmanda Mata. She represents Anahata Chakra in spiritual practice.
ICONOGRAPHY OF GODDESS KUSHMANDA
Kushmanda Mata is depicted with eight hands holding a Trishul (trident), discus, sword, hook, mace, bow, arrow and two jars of (Amrit Kalash) honey and blood. Her one hand is always on Abhaya Mudra from which she blesses all her devotees. Meanwhile, the power to bestow siddhis and niddhis to one who venerates her with stern austerity is located in her Jap Mala. Devi Kushmanda is said to be so radiant that she provided luminosity to the Sun. She mounts a lioness. Because of her eight hands, Devi Kushmanda is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi.
Devotees must offer Kushmanda Mata with red-coloured flowers as they are said to be her favourites. They must also recite Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah (ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥) 108 times to please the goddess who has the power to improve health and take away the sufferings of her devotees. She also grants her followers with wealth and prosperous life. Apart from Kushmanda Puja, the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri 2018 will also see Varad Vinayaka Chauth and Lakshmi Panchami Puja.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2018 01:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).