Navratri Day 4 - Celebrate the spirit of Goddess Kushmanda

The day 4 of Sharad Navratri 2017 shall fall on 24th of September, 2017. The Sharad Navratri 2017 would commence from 21st of September & shall last till 30th of September. We at MyKundali, sincerely hope that you and your life be filled with happiness and contentment on the pious festival of Navratri . Here, we come up with the sheer and the veritable scriptures of the festival to enlighten you with the gist of this significant Hindu festival.

Appearance of Goddess Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda is also referred to as “Ashtabhuja” as she is often delineated grasping weapons, rosary etc in her eight hands. In her seven hands, she holds bow, arrow, discus, mace, lotus, kamandalu and a jar of nectar. In her eighth hand she possesses a rosary which endows upon her devotees with the Ashta Siddhis (8 types of studies or Wisdom sources) and Nava Nidhis (9 types of wealth). Goddess Kushmanda sits or rides a lion which itself encapsulates “Dharma”. Holding a jar in her hand proffers her devotees with longevity and salubrious health.

The devotees of Goddess Kushmanda should perform puja with pure, serene and tranquilized mind. In Sanskrit, “Kushmand” is referred to as pumpkin and Goddess Kushmanda appreciated the sacrifice of pumpkin and hence this is the other reason that she is superscribed with the name of Kushmanda.

Legend

Contemplating the nine days of Navratri, every single day is significant in itself epitomizing all the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. So, on the fourth day of Sharad Navratri i.e. Sharad Navratri Chaturthi, Kushmanda Devi is worshipped who is regarded as the fourth form of Goddess Durga. Goddess Kushmanda is well known for her supreme power,capability and the aptness to dwell inside the sun. Her name Kushmanda means, Ku- a little, ushma- warmth and anda- the cosmic egg and hence, she is referred to as the creator of the universe. In accordance with the religious beliefs and darkness prevailed everywhere then Goddess Kushmanda created the universe with her deific smile and hence, the eternal darkness got eliminated. The devotees who lay their faith in her and worship her, are known to get rid of all the diseases and the miserable conditions in their life. Worshipping Goddess Kushmanda enhances the health and status of the devotees, bestowing her grace on them.

Mantras for Goddess Kushmanda

The mantra to be chanted for Kushmanda devi is -

“Surasampurnakalasham Rudhiraplutmeva Cha |
Dadhana Hastpadhyabhayam Kushmanda Shubhdastu Me”

सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च ।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥

It is believed that Kushmanda Devi created the universe in the form of an egg with her divine smile like a flower which blossomed with a bud, thus giving light to the universe through her empyrean smile. The Goddess inhabits on the nub of the Sun and therefore steers the functioning and operations of Surya, the Loka. Maa Kushmanda bewitches a rapturous face and her body shimmers with the golden colour complexion.

Astrological Aspect

Goddess Kushmanda uproots all the obstacles and hindrances from the life of their devotees and also obliterates all the afflictions and malaises from her devotee’s lives. It is also believed that Kushmanda Devi accords the direction to Sun, so reverencing and worshipping her quashes all the malefic effects of the astrological planet Sun .

We at MyKundali hope that Maa Kushmanda blesses you with utmost grace and fulfills all your desires. We wish you a very happy and prosperous Navratri!