Navratri 2017 Day 6: Worship Maa Katyayani, the Sixth Form of Goddess Durga
In the Kalika Purana, it is written that Sage Katyayan was the one who first recognized and worshipped this form of Goddess Durga and therefore, she is known as Katyayani. The iconography of Maa Katyayani is described as seated astride a lion, carrying a sword and a lotus flower in her right hand. Her left hands are in the Varada and Abhaya Mudra. Devotees must pray to Devi Katyayani by chanting this mantra: ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥ Om Devi Katyayani Namah.
Devi Katyayani is symbolic of Shakti i.e. strength. It is believed that this manifestation of Durga governs Bṛhaspati, God of eloquence (the largest planet, Jupiter). She is an important goddess in the Hindu pantheon and epitomizes knowledge and power. She has special blessings for her female devotees – to give them strength to fight off evil presence around them. Maa Katyayani also fulfils wishes of young women seeking the desired match and also blesses women of happy married lives. In the Bhagavata Purana, Katyayani Vrata is mentioned for the single, unmarried girls to observe fast for this form of Durga and seek blessings.
