Goddess Kushmanda is believed to be the fourth aspect in Navadurga forms of Mahadevi. Her name is derived from a combination of three words – Ku meaning “little”, Ushma means “warmth” or “energy” and Anda means “cosmic egg”. She is riding a lion and worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri to impart good health, wealth and strength.
Goddess Kushmanda is understood to have created the world with her divine smile. She is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi because of her eight hands in which she holds a Lotus, Chakra, Kamandalu, Dhanusha (Bow), Arrow, Gada (Mace), Akshamala (Rosary), Jar of holy Elixir i.e. Sura and blood. One of her hands is always on abhayamudra from which she blesses all her devotees. Her abode is in Anahata chakra (Heart Chakra). She is also known as Adiswarup and Adishakti, or creator of the universe.
The Legend of Goddess Kushmanda
The legend of Goddess Kushmanda begins with the creation of the universe. It is said that there was only darkness, and nothingness prevailed everywhere before the universe was created. At that time, Goddess Kushmanda appeared and created the world by breaking the cosmic egg with her divine powers. As the egg broke, it gave birth to the universe, and the four directions, namely North, South, East, and West.
She is also known to have created the sun and other celestial bodies in the universe. Her radiance is said to have brought light and warmth to the universe.
Navaratri Day 4: Significance
The fourth day of Navratri is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Kushmanda — the creator of the universe. According to Hindu mythology, she created the world by emitting a powerful light from her body. Worshipping Goddess Kushmanda is believed to bestow devotees with strength, courage, and prosperity. She is also believed to bless her devotees with good health, wealth, and happiness.
Also Read: The legend of Maa Shailputri
Colour
Goddess Kushmanda is associated with the colour orange. It is believed that the radiance and energy emitted by her body have an orange hue. Therefore, orange is considered the preferred colour for her worship, and devotees often dress in orange-coloured clothes while offering prayers to her. The colour orange also represents enthusiasm, creativity, and success, which are some of the qualities associated with the goddess.
Also Read: The Legend of Maa Chandraghanta
Puja Vidhi:
On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees worship Goddess Kushmanda and offer flowers, sweets, and fruits to her. The puja can be performed at home or in a temple, and it is believed to bring success, prosperity, and happiness to the devotees and overcome fears and obstacles in their life. Some people observe fasts on this day and consume only vegetarian food. It is also a common practice to recite hymns and mantras in honour of the goddess. Here is a step-by-step guide to worshipping Goddess Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri:
- Cleanse the puja room and take a bath to purify your body and mind.
- Place a picture or idol of Goddess Kushmanda on a clean and decorated altar.
- Light a lamp and incense sticks and offer flowers and fruits to the goddess.
- Chant the following mantras dedicated to Goddess Kushmanda:
- “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah”
- “Om Hreem Kushmandayai Namah”
- Offer the bhog or prasad to the goddess, which can include fruits, sweets, and other offerings.
- Perform aarti by waving a camphor flame in front of the goddess.
- Seek the blessings of the goddess and pray for prosperity, good health, and happiness.
- Share the prasad with family and friends.
It is important to perform the puja with utmost devotion and purity of heart to seek the blessings of Goddess Kushmanda.
Also Read: The Legend of Maa Brahmacharini
Bhog:
Various kinds of bhog or offerings are offered to Goddess Kushmanda. Some of these include Malpua (a sweet dish made with flour, milk, and sugar), Coconut (Coconut is offered to the goddess to bring good luck and prosperity), Banana which represents the element of earth is offered to the goddess, in addition to Kheer (or rice pudding), cooked Chana Dal, Puri and Sabzi. To finish off various kinds of sweets such as Ladoo, Barfi, and Pedha are also offered to the goddess.
It is pertinent to note that Goddess Kushmanda has no shortage or dearth of possessions that money can buy but is always looking for devotion and purity of heart with which the offerings are made. Hence even the poorest of the poor can worship Goddess Kushmanda. All she needs is love, respect and devotion (a rare commodity these days) from her devotees. These are more valuable to her than the glossy, packaged things that are available in the market.
Mantra
ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥
Hail Goddess Kushmanda. I bow before you
Prarthana
सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha।
Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me॥
May the auspicious Kushmanda who holds a pot filled with sura (an alcoholic drink), and who
appears as if drenched in blood while holding lotus flowers in her hands and feet, bless me
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
I bow down again and again to the goddess Kushmanda,
who is present in all living beings in the form of divine energy.
Dhyana
वन्दे वाञ्छित कामार्थे चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहरूढ़ा अष्टभुजा कूष्माण्डा यशस्विनीम्॥
भास्वर भानु निभाम् अनाहत स्थिताम् चतुर्थ दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
कमण्डलु, चाप, बाण, पद्म, सुधाकलश, चक्र, गदा, जपवटीधराम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां कमनीयां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल, मण्डिताम्॥
प्रफुल्ल वदनांचारू चिबुकां कान्त कपोलाम् तुगम् कुचाम्।
कोमलाङ्गी स्मेरमुखी श्रीकंटि निम्ननाभि नितम्बनीम्॥
Vande Vanchhita Kamarthe Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Simharudha Ashtabhuja Kushmanda Yashasvinim॥
Bhaswara Bhanu Nibham Anahata Sthitam Chaturtha Durga Trinetram।
Kamandalu, Chapa, Bana, Padma, Sudhakalasha, Chakra, Gada, Japawatidharam॥
Patambara Paridhanam Kamaniyam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala, Manditam॥
Praphulla Vadanamcharu Chibukam Kanta Kapolam Tugam Kucham।
Komalangi Smeramukhi Shrikanti Nimnabhi Nitambanim॥
I worship Kushmanda, who fulfills all wishes, wears the crescent moon as her crown, and rides a lion with eight arms.
She is radiant like the sun and has three eyes. She holds a kamandalu (water pot), bow, arrow, lotus, sudarshan chakra, mace, and japa beads.
She is adorned with beautiful clothes and ornaments like ankle bells, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and gemstones.
Her face is beautiful with a charming smile, and she has a slender waist and large breasts.
She is the beloved of Lord Shiva, and her navel is low.
Stotra
दुर्गतिनाशिनी त्वंहि दरिद्रादि विनाशनीम्।
जयंदा धनदा कूष्माण्डे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
जगतमाता जगतकत्री जगदाधार रूपणीम्।
चराचरेश्वरी कूष्माण्डे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
त्रैलोक्यसुन्दरी त्वंहि दुःख शोक निवारिणीम्।
परमानन्दमयी, कूष्माण्डे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Durgatinashini Tvamhi Daridradi Vinashanim।
Jayamda Dhanada Kushmande Pranamamyaham॥
Jagatamata Jagatakatri Jagadadhara Rupanim।
Charachareshwari Kushmande Pranamamyaham॥
Trailokyasundari Tvamhi Duhkha Shoka Nivarinim।
Paramanandamayi, Kushmande Pranamamyaham॥
Salutations to Devi Kushmanda, who is always filled with happiness and who bestows success and prosperity upon her devotees.
I bow to Goddess Kushmanda, who is present in all beings and destroys misery and poverty.
Victory to Kushmanda, who wears the crescent moon as her crown, who is seated on a lion and has eight arms. She is radiant like the sun and has three eyes. She holds a kamandalu (water pot), bow, arrow, lotus, Sudarshan chakra, mace, and japa mala (prayer beads).
She is adorned with beautiful clothes and jewellery, including anklets, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Her face is radiant and beautiful, with a gentle smile. She has a slender waist, full breasts, and is adorned with soft and flowing hair.
I offer my salutations to you, O Kushmanda, who destroys difficulties and miseries and is the sustainer of the three worlds. You remove the sorrow and grief of your devotees and bestow upon them supreme happiness.
Kavacha
हंसरै में शिर पातु कूष्माण्डे भवनाशिनीम्।
हसलकरीं नेत्रेच, हसरौश्च ललाटकम्॥
कौमारी पातु सर्वगात्रे, वाराही उत्तरे तथा,
पूर्वे पातु वैष्णवी इन्द्राणी दक्षिणे मम।
दिग्विदिक्षु सर्वत्रेव कूं बीजम् सर्वदावतु॥
Hamsarai Mein Shira Patu Kushmande Bhavanashinim।
Hasalakarim Netrecha, Hasaraushcha Lalatakam॥
Kaumari Patu Sarvagatre, Varahi Uttare Tatha,
Purve Patu Vaishnavi Indrani Dakshine Mama।
Digvidikshu Sarvatreva Kum Bijam Sarvadavatu॥
May Koushmanda protect my head like the swan,
May she protect my forehead with a smile and my eyes with a laugh,
May the virgin protect my entire body and the boar my north,
May Vaishnavi protect my east and Indrani my south,
May the seed (of this prayer) protect me in all directions always.
Aarti
कूष्माण्डा जय जग सुखदानी। मुझ पर दया करो महारानी॥
पिङ्गला ज्वालामुखी निराली। शाकम्बरी माँ भोली भाली॥
लाखों नाम निराले तेरे। भक्त कई मतवाले तेरे॥
भीमा पर्वत पर है डेरा। स्वीकारो प्रणाम ये मेरा॥
सबकी सुनती हो जगदम्बे। सुख पहुँचती हो माँ अम्बे॥
तेरे दर्शन का मैं प्यासा। पूर्ण कर दो मेरी आशा॥
माँ के मन में ममता भारी। क्यों ना सुनेगी अरज हमारी॥
तेरे दर पर किया है डेरा। दूर करो माँ संकट मेरा॥
मेरे कारज पूरे कर दो। मेरे तुम भंडारे भर दो॥
तेरा दास तुझे ही ध्याए। भक्त तेरे दर शीश झुकाए॥
Victory to the compassionate and blissful goddess Kusmanda, who grants happiness to the world. Oh great queen, please be merciful to me.
Pingala, Jwalamukhi, Nirali, Shakambhari, and Bhali Bhavani, all are your names. Many devotees are your worshippers.
Your abode is on the mighty peak of the Himalayas. I offer my salutations to you.
Oh Jagadamba, you listen to everyone and make them happy. I am thirsty for your divine vision, please fulfil my wish.
Your heart is filled with motherly affection, please listen to my request and remove my troubles.
Please fulfil my desires and fill my storehouse. I am your servant and always meditate upon you. Your devotees bow their heads at your feet.
