Stories of Goddess from scriptures - Page 5

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Chandraghanta - Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third night of Navratri. She is called as Chandraghanta because she has moon in the form of a bell in her forehead - chandra means moon and ghanta means bell. She has 10 hands and 3 eyes. She has bright golden skin color. She holds various kinds of weapons. Her vehicle is a lion. Her worship gives peace and courage.

The mantra to worship her is: -

pindajpravraruda chandkopaastrkaiyurta
prasadam tanute mahyam chandraghanteti vishruta

Kushmanda - She is worshipped on the fourth night of Navratri. She created the universe with a smile. The "anda" in Kushmanda refers to Brahmand i.e. universe. She is the source of eternal power. She has eight arms. Therefore, she is also known as Ashtabhuja. In her eight hands she holds kamandal, bow, arrow, lotus, container containing nectar, discus, club, string of rosary beads. The string of rosary beads provides all siddhis.

Kushmanda also means pumpkin. Pumpkin is offered to Kushmanda in her worship.

She resides in the Sun and illuminates all the directions. All the beings derive power from her.

Her worship makes one free from sorrow and diseases and enhances life, fame and strength.

The mantra to worship her is: -

sooraa sampoornakalasham rudhiraaplutameva cha
dadhaanaa hasta padmaabhyaam kooshmaandaa shubhadaastu me

Skandmata-Skandmata is worshipped on the fifth night of Navratri. She holds her son Skand in her lap. This is why she is called Skandmata - mata means mother. Her vehicle is lion. She has four hands. In her two hands she holds lotus. The other two hands are in the gestures of defending and granting boons respectively.

Her worship gives knowledge.

Katyayani-One manifestation of Goddess Durga was took form from the energies of various gods. Sage Katyayan was the first to worship her. Therefore, she is called as Katyayani. Moreover, sage Katyayan asked her a boon that she would be born as his daughter. She fulfilled his wish. Since she was born as Katyayan's daughter, for that reason also she is called as Katyayani.
Her vehicle is lion. Her complexion is golden bright. Her right upper hand is in the gesture of allaying all fears, right lower hand is in the gesture of granting boon, in left upper hand she holds a sword and in left lower hand she holds a lotus. Her sword is called as chandrahas because it is in the form of half moon (i.e. chandra).

The gopis of Vraj worshipped this goddess to have Sri Krishna as their husband. Pandavas worshipped her before Mahabharat war.

Kalratri-Goddess Kalratri is worshipped on the seventh night of Navratri. Her complex is completely black like dark night. Her hair is open. She wears a garland of shining jewels. She has three eyes from which rays come out. When she breathes out, then fire comes out. Her vehicle is donkey. She has four hands. Her right upper hand is in the gesture of granting boon, right lower hand is in the gesture of allaying fears, left upper hand holds iron rod and left lower hand holds a sword.
She looks very frightening but to her devotees, she gives shubh(auspicious) results. Therefore, she is also called as Shubhankari.
Her worship saves from danger.

is kalratri and goddess kali one and the same.

Kalratri is one specific manifestation of Devi. But the name Kali is more generic. Therefore, there are various Kalis - Kalratri being one of them. There are Mahakali, Bhadrakali etc. I have to write about two more manifestations, viz., Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. I will write about them. Then I will talk about various Kalis.

Mahagauri-Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth night of Navratri. She is the fairest of all of the nine Durgas. Goddess Parvati did severe penance to please Lord Shiv as her husband. Because of this, her complexion became black. Lord Shiv made her bath in Ganges water. Then she became fair skinned and was called as Mahagauri. She wears clean white clothes. Her vehicle is a bull. She has three eyes and four hands. The upper left hand is in the gesture of granting fearlessness, lower left hand holds trident, upper right hand holds a damru and lower right hand is in blessing gesture. She is calm and peaceful.

It is said that her worship destroys sins and also she grants desired life partner.

The mantra to worship her is: -

shwete vrishe samaarudhaa shwetaambaradharaa shuchih
mahaagauree shubham dadyaanmahaadevapramodadaa

SiddhidatriGoddess Siddhidatri is goddess Kamla or Laxmi. Her consort is Lord Vishnu. She is worshipped on the ninth night of Navratri. She is seated on a lotus flower and her vehicle is lion. She is four armed. She holds a Cakra in her right lower hand and a mace in the upper. In the left lower hand there is a conch shell and in her upper left hand a lotus flower. Her worship gives mystic powers.

The mantra to worship her is: -

yaa devi sarvabhuteshu lakshmee roopena samsthitaa
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah

namastestu mahaamaaye shreepeethe surpoojite
shankhachakragadaahaste mahaalakshmee namostute