Maa Katyayani – Sacred Story of the Sixth Goddess of Navratri

Maa Katyayani is a beloved form of Goddess Durga, especially worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. She is revered for her immense strength and is famously known as Mahishasura Mardini, the powerful slayer of the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Depicted as a radiant goddess with four arms, she holds a sword and a lotus, symbolizing both her fierce warrior nature and her nurturing, compassionate qualities.

Maa Katyayani represents the true essence of feminine power, devotion, and protection. Devotees seek her blessings for success, prosperity, and inner strength. Her worship holds special importance for those desiring love and marital happiness, as the gopis of Braj worshipped her with deep devotion to attain Lord Krishna’s affection. Through her divine grace, devotees believe they can overcome obstacles and fulfill their heartfelt wishes.

Maa Katyayani: The powerful sixth form of Goddess Durga

Maa Katyayani is the sixth form of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, who is worshipped especially on the sixth day of Navratri. Maa Katyayani is an extremely powerful form of Goddess Durga, who is especially worshipped as Mahishasura Mardini. Let us know about the form and glory of Maa Katyayani.

Various names of Maa Katyayani and their glory

Maa Katyayani is also called “Mahishasura Mardini”, because she killed the tyrannical demon named Mahishasura.

Divine form of Maa Katyayani

Maa Katyayani is a four-armed goddess. In one hand she holds a sword, in the other hand she holds a lotus flower. With the third hand she showers grace and blessings on her devotees. With the fourth hand she protects the devotees in every crisis and adversity. Her vehicle is a lion, which is a symbol of her indomitable strength and courage. Her color is shining golden, and her brilliance is such that even darkness cannot hide from her.

Story of Maa Katyayani: Origin and Glory

There is an ancient and interesting story associated with the name and origin of Maa Katyayani. According to this story, there was a famous Maharishi named Kat, whose son was Maharishi Katya. Maharishi Katyayana was born in the lineage of Katya Rishi, who was famous for his rigorous penance and worship of Bhagwati Paramba. He did rigorous penance for years, so that Maa Bhagwati would be born as his daughter in his house. Maa Bhagwati accepted his prayer.

At the same time, a demon named Mahishasura was becoming extremely powerful, who had even defeated the gods. The gods, frightened, approached the Trimurti for a solution. Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma collected their respective powers and created a wonderful goddess, whose brilliance was like thousands of suns. The form of this goddess was extremely divine, and she had eighteen hands. She was riding a lion and there was a unique brilliance in her eyes. Every god gave him his own divine weapons to help him in the war.

Lord Shiva presented his powerful trident to Maa Katyayani, while Vishnu presented her with the Sudarshan Chakra. Brahma gave her a sacred water-urn and a garland. Varuna offered her a conch, and Agni handed her an arrow. Surya presented her with a quiver, while Vayu presented a bow. Indra handed over his famous Vajra to Maa, and Kubera gave her a heavy mace. Kaal presented her with a sword and shield, and Vishwakarma gave her a special war-weapon.

The Goddess was named Katyayani because Maharishi Katyayana was the first to worship and pray to her. Maa Katyayani roared from the peak of the Himalayas and challenged Mahishasura and his army to battle. With this challenge, a fierce battle began between Maa Katyayani and Mahishasura’s army. Maa Katyayani was engaged in destroying the demons with all her might. Seeing her unique form, the demons were filled with fear, and they started running away. Whoever came to the battlefield was sure to be defeated.

When Mahishasura saw his army close to defeat, he himself had to enter the battle. He tried to defeat the mother many times by cunning, but every time he had to face failure. Ultimately, Mother Katyayani cut off the torso of Mahishasura using the Sudarshan Chakra given by Lord Vishnu. Thus, she freed the entire universe from his terror. For this reason, one of the names of the mother is also “Mahishasura Mardini”.

The day when the mother freed the creation from the terror of Mahishasura, we celebrate that day today as Vijay Dashami. This day is not only a symbol of victory, but also a celebration of the unique power and courage of Mother Bhagwati.

Mother Katyayani is considered to be infallible. To get Lord Krishna as their husband, the gopis of Braj performed a special puja of Maa Katyayani. This puja was performed at Kalindi situated on the banks of Yamuna, where the gopis prayed to the mother for the success of their love. Thus, Maa Katyayani is revered as the presiding deity of Braj Mandal.

Devotion to Maa Katyayani brings success, love and peace in life, and she makes her devotees’ life happy by freeing them from all obstacles.

Favorite color of Maa Katyayani

Maa Katyayani is especially fond of red and yellow colors. On the sixth day of Navratri, when Maa Katyayani is worshipped, devotees worship her wearing red and yellow clothes, so that they get the blessings of the mother and get blessings of courage, prosperity and inner strength in life.

Which bhog should be offered to Maa Katyayani?

Different types of bhog can be offered to please Maa Katyayani, but the most loved bhog is honey. The goddess is pleased by offering honey. Apart from this, halwa, sugar and fruits are also offered to Maa Katyayani.