Navratri Day 6 Maa Katyayani: The sixth form of Goddess Durga is ‘Katyayani’. This is the fierce and radiant form of the Goddess, which she assumed to destroy unrighteousness. This form of the Goddess is as harsh towards the wicked as it is gentle and boon-giving towards her devotees. According to mythological beliefs, there was a famous sage named ‘Kat’, his son was sage ‘Katya’. The world-famous Maharishi Katyayan was born in his clan. He performed rigorous worship of Goddess Paramba, his wish was that the Goddess should be born in his house as a daughter.

Navratri Day 6 Maa Katyayani: Goddess slayed Mahishasura

The Goddess accepted their prayers. When Mahishasura’s atrocities increased, Mother Katyayani appeared from the radiance of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Sage Katyayana was the first to worship her, hence her name “Katyayani.” Born on Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi, she accepted worship from Shukla Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, and then killed Mahishasura. According to mythology, Mother Katyayani was also worshipped by Lord Rama and Shri Krishna. The Gopis of Braj worshipped her on the banks of the Yamuna to get Lord Krishna as their husband, hence she is considered the “wish-fulfilling goddess.” Maa Durga took this incarnation to maintain dharma in the universe.

Maa  Katyayani’s form is as radiant and divine as gold. She has four arms. Her upper right hand is in the Abhaya Mudra (freedom from fear), and her lower right hand is in the Varada Mudra (granting boons). In her upper left hand, she holds a sword, and her lower left hand holds a lotus flower. Her vehicle is a mighty lion.

Goddess associated with Ajna Chakra

From the perspective of spirituality and spiritual practice, Maar Katyayani holds a very special place. In yoga practice, Maa Katyayani is associated with the “Ajna Chakra,” located between the eyebrows (the third eye). Meditating on this chakra enhances the practitioner’s willpower. The practitioner’s mind becomes completely surrendered to the Mother’s feet, and they gain divine vision. In Tantra, Maa Katyayani is considered the “enemy killer.” She destroys the practitioner’s internal enemies (lust, anger, greed, attachment) and external obstacles.

Some of the famous Shakti Peethas and temples dedicated to Goddess Katyayani are among the spiritual centers of India, such as the Katyayani Temple, Kashi, located near the Scindia Ghat/Atma Vishweshwara area. Here, she is worshipped near the Vikat Sankata. She holds special significance in the nine Gauri and nine Durga temples of Kashi. The Goddess Katyayani Devi Temple in Chhatarpur, Delhi, is one of the largest and most beautiful temples in India, dedicated solely to Goddess Katyayani. The Katyayani Peeth in Vrindavan is the form of the Goddess worshipped by the Gopis. It is considered one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

Meditation mantra for the Goddess

I worship Rama, the half-moon-created peak, for the fulfillment of my desired desires. The illustrious four-armed goddess Kātyāyanī is seated on a lion

ध्यान मंत्र – मैं अपनी मनोकामनाओं की पूर्ति के लिए अर्धचंद्र से निर्मित शिखर राम की पूजा करता हूँ। चार भुजाओं वाली तेजस्वी देवी कात्यायनी सिंह पर विराजमान हैं

ध्यान मंत्रः वन्दे वांछित मनोरथार्थ चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम । सिंहारूढ़ा चतुर्भुजा कात्यायनी यशस्विनी