Maa Kushmanda is the fourth form of Goddess Durga, worshipped with devotion during the festival of Navratri. She is known as the “Goddess of the Cosmic Egg”, symbolizing the creation of the universe and the source of all life energy. Depicted with eight arms, she holds powerful symbols such as a bow, arrow, lotus, and a pot, representing her strength and ability to overcome all obstacles.
Maa Kushmanda is believed to reside at the center of the Sun, radiating immense warmth and energy that sustains the entire universe. Devotees pray to her for good health, prosperity, and the removal of difficulties. Her compassionate and nurturing form inspires strength, positivity, and hope, making her deeply revered by those seeking divine blessings.
Maa Kushmanda: Goddess of energy, creation and smile
On the fourth day of Navratri, the worship of Maa Kushmanda holds special significance. As the fourth of the nine different forms of Goddess Durga, Maa Kushmanda is believed to be the creator of the universe. According to ancient stories, when nothing existed in the creation and there was only baseless darkness, Maa Kushmanda gave shape to this universe with her smile. The meaning of her name is also related to this creation – “Ku” means small, “Ushma” means heat or energy, and “Anda” means cosmic egg. It is because of this divinity of her that we have received this world.
Maa Kushmanda: Various Names of the Goddess and Their Meanings
Maa Kushmanda has eight arms. Hence, she is also known as “Ashtabhuja Devi”. In Sanskrit, ‘Kushmanda’ means ‘Kumhda’ (pumpkin), and hence she loves the sacrifice of pumpkin. For this reason she is called ‘Kushmanda’.
Divine Form of Maa Kushmanda
Maa Kushmanda is depicted as a goddess with eight arms. In each hand, she holds special objects, which symbolize her unique qualities and powers. In her hands, there is a kamandal, bow, arrow, Amrit Kalash, lotus, garland, chakra and mace respectively. All these symbols represent her various forms and cosmic powers.
Maa Kushmanda rides a lion, which symbolizes her strength and courage. There is so much energy in her smile that the entire universe has been created from it. It is believed that Maa Kushmanda is the same goddess who sits in the center of the sun and transmits her energy and light to the entire universe.
How Maa Kushmanda gave shape and life to the universe
According to mythology, when there was nothing at the beginning of creation, Maa Kushmanda produced a small cosmic egg from her energy, which later became the entire universe. Maa Kushmanda resides in the center of the sun and from there provides energy and light to the universe. It is believed that the energy of the sun is spread throughout the universe by her grace.
Maa Kushmanda created three major powers after the creation of the universe. From her left eye, she produced Maa Mahakali, who is the symbol of anger and destruction. From her forehead, through the third eye, she produced Maa Mahalakshmi, who is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. From her right eye, she created Maa Mahasaraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge and art. These three powers together created the initial forms of life.
They looked towards Mahakali. A man and a woman emerged from Mahakali. The man had five heads and ten arms, whom they named Shiva. The woman had one head and four arms, and was named Saraswati. Then they looked at Mahalakshmi and from there also a man and a woman appeared. The man had four heads and four arms, whom they called Brahma. While the woman had one head and four arms, and was named Lakshmi.
After this Maa Kushmanda looked at Mahasaraswati and from there also a man and a woman appeared. This man had one head and four arms, whom they called Vishnu. The woman also had one head and four arms, and they named her Shakti.
Thus Lord Shiva and Goddess Saraswati originated from Maa Mahakali, Lord Brahma and Goddess Lakshmi from Maa Mahalakshmi, and Lord Vishnu and Goddess Shakti from Maa Mahasaraswati. Then Maa Kushmanda presented Shakti as the wives of Shiva, Saraswati as Brahma, and Lakshmi as the wives of Vishnu. She absorbed Mahakali, Mahasaraswati, and Mahalakshmi in herself.
After that, it is said that they got integrated into a powerful ball of energy. And since then, it is believed that Mata Kushmanda actually provides Sanjivani to the entire universe with her warmth and energy.
Favorite Bhog Samagri of Maa Kushmanda
Mother Kushmanda is especially fond of Kumhra, also known as Petha. Therefore, offering Petha in her worship is considered extremely auspicious. You can offer white Petha fruit to the Goddess, which is a symbol of receiving her blessings. Along with this, offering Malpua and Dahi-Halwa to Maa Kushmanda is also very auspicious and fruitful, due to which the Mother is pleased and showers special blessings on her devotees.
Powerful mantras for worship of Maa Kushmanda
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Roopena Sansthitah.
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.
