Goddess Katyayani the sixth form of Navadurgas or Mahadevi. She is depicted with four, ten or eighteen hands. The names for Goddess Parvati include – Uma, Katyayani, Gauri, Kali, Haimavati, and Ishwari.
She is first mentioned in the Taittiriya Aranyaka part of the Yajurveda. Skanda Purana mentions her being created out of the spontaneous anger of the Gods, which eventually led to her slaying the demon, Mahishasura, mounted on the lion. This occasion is celebrated during the annual Durga Puja festival in most parts of India
Her exploits are described in the Devi-Bhagavata Purana and Devi Mahatmyam, part of the Markandeya Purana attributed to sage Markandeya Rishi, who wrote it in Sanskrit ca. 400-500 CE.
Goddess Katyayani represents one of the fiercest forms of Maa Durga or warrior goddess (which also includes Bhadrakali and Chandika) who was born to destroy the evil from the earth. According to legend Goddess Parvati was born at the home of sage Katya, hence she is known as Katyayani.
She is full of power, and energy and fights against the demons. Maa Katyayani rules planet Jupiter (Brahaspati or the guru of deities). Goddess Katyayani killed the demon Mahishasur by beheading him, which is why Goddess Katyayani is known as Mahishasurmardini.
In Hindu mythology, she is ascribed to the sixth Ajna Chakra or the Third eye chakra and her blessings are invoked by concentrating on this point.
Navaratri Day 6: Significance
The Bhagavata describes the legend of Katyayani Vrata, where young marriageable daughters (gopis) of Gokula, worshipped Goddess Katyayani to get Lord Krishna as their husband. During the month, they ate only unspiced khichri, after bathing in the Yamuna at sunrise and worshipped an earthen idol of the goddess.
Since those days Goddess Katyani is worshipped as the Adi shakti Swaroop who can give you the husband you wish and pray for. This is why unmarried girls observe Katyayani-vrata for a whole month, and offer sandalwood, flowers, incense, et during the month of Margasirṣa
Unmarried women who recite Maa Katyayani’s Beej Mantra 108 times get married soon.
कात्यायनी महामाये , महायोगिन्यधीश्वरी। नन्दगोपसुतं देवी, पति मे कुरु ते नमः।।
Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadheeshwari, Nandgopsutam Devipatim Me Kurute Namah..!!
The Vamana Purana mentions in great detail how the gods sought Lord Vishnu’s help to fight and destroy Mahishasur. Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma as well as the other gods pooled their energies. These led to the birth of Goddess Katyayini with three eyes, and eighteen arms. Lord Shiva gave her his trident, Vishnu gave her his Sudarshan Chakra, and Lord Brahma gave her a rosary and water pot, while other Gods gifted her their special weapons. Such heavily armed Katyayani proceeded towards the Mysore hills. The asuras were captivated by her beauty. Mahishasura, their king, became anxious to obtain her and asked for her hand. Goddess Katyani dared Mahishasura, to first defeat her before asking for her hand. So Mahishasura assumed the form of Mahisha, the bull and fought.
As soon as Mahishasur became tired and weak, Maa Katyayani dismounted from her lion and cut off his head. This is how she came to be called Mahishasuramardini, the Slayer of Mahishasura. This legend also finds mention in Varaha Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and Skanda Purana.
Colour
Red colour flowers especially rose. Orange colour represents auspiciousness, good luck and abundance.
Puja Vidhi:
On the sixth day of Navratri, devotees should begin their day by getting up early, taking a bath, and wearing new clothes. Clean the puja place and offer fresh flowers to the idol of Maa Katyayani. Additionally, worshippers should offer honey and prasad as bhog to the Goddess and carry lotus flowers in their hands while reciting mantras and prayers.
Bhog:
Honey is the favourite bhog of Katyayani mata
Mantra
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah॥
Hail Goddess Devi Katyayanyai
Prarthana
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद् देवी दानवघातिनी॥
Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana।
Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini॥
O Devi Katyayani, who rides on the back of a lion and whose form shines like a bright moon.
Bestow good fortune on me and destroy all my obstacles.
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Katyayani Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Salutations to the goddess who resides in all beings in the form of Mother Katyayani, I bow to her, again and again.
Dhyana
वन्दे वाञ्छित मनोरथार्थ चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहारूढा चतुर्भुजा कात्यायनी यशस्विनीम्॥
स्वर्णवर्णा आज्ञाचक्र स्थिताम् षष्ठम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीत करां षगपदधरां कात्यायनसुतां भजामि॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां स्मेरमुखी नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम्॥
प्रसन्नवदना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोलाम् तुगम् कुचाम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां त्रिवलीविभूषित निम्न नाभिम्॥
Vande Vanchhita Manorathartha Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Simharudha Chaturbhuja Katyayani Yashasvinim॥
Swarnavarna Ajnachakra Sthitam Shashthama Durga Trinetram।
Varabhita Karam Shagapadadharam Katyayanasutam Bhajami॥
Patambara Paridhanam Smeramukhi Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala Manditam॥
Prasannavadana Pallavadharam Kanta Kapolam Tugam Kucham।
Kamaniyam Lavanyam Trivalivibhushita Nimna Nabhim॥
I worship Goddess Katyayani, who fulfills all desires and wears the crescent moon as her crown.
She has four arms and rides on a lion, she is the one who bestows fame.
She is golden complexioned and has the sixth chakra on her forehead, and three eyes.
I worship the daughter of Katyayana, who holds a sword, a lotus, a bell, and a gada (mace) in her hands.
She wears a silk garment, is adorned with various ornaments, and has a pleasant smile on her face.
Her lips are like lotus petals and her breasts are beautiful.
She is graceful, charming, and her navel is decorated with three lines.
Stotra
कञ्चनाभां वराभयं पद्मधरा मुकटोज्जवलां।
स्मेरमुखी शिवपत्नी कात्यायनेसुते नमोऽस्तुते॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
सिंहस्थिताम् पद्महस्तां कात्यायनसुते नमोऽस्तुते॥
परमानन्दमयी देवी परब्रह्म परमात्मा।
परमशक्ति, परमभक्ति, कात्यायनसुते नमोऽस्तुते॥
विश्वकर्ती, विश्वभर्ती, विश्वहर्ती, विश्वप्रीता।
विश्वाचिन्ता, विश्वातीता कात्यायनसुते नमोऽस्तुते॥
कां बीजा, कां जपानन्दकां बीज जप तोषिते।
कां कां बीज जपदासक्ताकां कां सन्तुता॥
कांकारहर्षिणीकां धनदाधनमासना।
कां बीज जपकारिणीकां बीज तप मानसा॥
कां कारिणी कां मन्त्रपूजिताकां बीज धारिणी।
कां कीं कूंकै क: ठ: छ: स्वाहारूपिणी॥
Kanchanabha Varabhayam Padmadhara Mukatojjavalam।
Smeramukhi Shivapatni Katyayanesute Namoastute॥
Patambara Paridhanam Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Simhasthitam, Padmahastam Katyayanasute Namoastute॥
Paramanandamayi Devi Parabrahma Paramatma।
Paramashakti, Paramabhakti, Katyayanasute Namoastute॥
Vishwakarti, Vishwabharti, Vishwaharti, Vishwaprita।
Vishwachinta, Vishwatita Katyayanasute Namoastute॥
Kam Bija, Kam Japanandakam Bija Japa Toshite।
Kam Kam Bijam Japadasaktakam Kam Santuta॥
Kamkaraharshinikam Dhanadadhanamasana।
Kam Bija Japakarinikam Bija Tapa Manasa॥
Kam Karini Kam Mantrapujitakam Bija Dharini।
Kam Kim Kumkai Kah Thah Chah Swaharupini॥
Salutations to the Goddess Katyayani, who is present in all beings in the form of divine mother, and who is full of grace and power.
I worship the glory of Goddess Katyayani, who has a half-moon on her forehead, rides on a lion, and has four arms.
The sixth form of Durga, Katyayani is adorned with a golden complexion and a six-pointed star on her forehead. I bow to her.
Adorned with fine garments and jewelry, Katyayani has a charming face, delicate lips, and beautiful breasts. Her waist is slender, and she is decorated with anklets, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
She has a lotus in her hand, is seated on a lion, and wears a golden crown. I offer my salutations to Katyayani, the consort of Lord Shiva.
She is the embodiment of supreme bliss, the supreme Brahman, the ultimate reality, the supreme power, and the supreme devotion. I bow to her.
She is the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the universe, and she is loved by all. She is beyond all thoughts and imaginations. I offer my salutations to Katyayani.
The bija mantras (seed syllables) in this hymn are meant to invoke the divine energy of Katyayani and please her through repetition and meditation.
Kavacha
कात्यायनौमुख पातु कां स्वाहास्वरूपिणी।
ललाटे विजया पातु मालिनी नित्य सुन्दरी॥
कल्याणी हृदयम् पातु जया भगमालिनी॥
Katyayanaumukha Patu Kam Swahaswarupini।
Lalate Vijaya Patu Malini Nitya Sundari॥
Kalyani Hridayam Patu Jaya Bhagamalini॥
May Katyayani protect my speech and reveal her true form.
May Vijaya protect my forehead and the always beautiful Malini protect my forehead.
May Kalyani protect my heart and Jaya with her garland of blessings protect me.
Aarti
जय जय अम्बे जय कात्यायनी। जय जग माता जग की महारानी॥
बैजनाथ स्थान तुम्हारा। वहावर दाती नाम पुकारा॥
कई नाम है कई धाम है। यह स्थान भी तो सुखधाम है॥
हर मन्दिर में ज्योत तुम्हारी। कही योगेश्वरी महिमा न्यारी॥
हर जगह उत्सव होते रहते। हर मन्दिर में भगत है कहते॥
कत्यानी रक्षक काया की। ग्रंथि काटे मोह माया की॥
झूठे मोह से छुडाने वाली। अपना नाम जपाने वाली॥
बृहस्पतिवार को पूजा करिए। ध्यान कात्यानी का धरिये॥
हर संकट को दूर करेगी। भंडारे भरपूर करेगी॥
जो भी माँ को भक्त पुकारे। कात्यायनी सब कष्ट निवारे॥
Victory, victory to Amba, victory to Katyayani. Victory to the mother of the world, the empress of the world.
Baijnath is your abode, where the call of Daati echoes.
There are many names and many abodes, and this place is also a place of happiness.
Your light shines in every temple, and the greatness of Yogeshwari is spoken of.
Celebrations are always taking place everywhere, and devotees are always present in every temple.
Katyayani is the protector of the body, cutting the knots of Maya.
She frees us from false illusions and encourages us to chant her name.
Worship Katyayani on Thursday and meditate on her.
She will remove all difficulties and fulfill all desires.
Whoever calls upon the Mother, Katyayani, will have all their troubles removed.
