Goddess Katyayani is one of the most powerful and fierce forms of Devi Durga, the supreme mother goddess in Hinduism. She is the sixth manifestation of Navadurga, the nine divine aspects of Durga that are worshipped during the festival of Navratri. She is also known as Mahishasura Mardini, the slayer of the demon Mahishasura, who had terrorized the gods and humans alike.
According to the legends, Mahishasura was a powerful demon king who had obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that he could not be killed by any man or god. He became arrogant and invincible, and started to wage war against the gods and conquer their realms. He also oppressed and tortured the humans and other beings on earth. The gods were helpless and sought refuge in Lord Vishnu, who along with Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, decided to create a female warrior who could defeat Mahishasura.
The three supreme gods emitted flames of anger from their eyes and faces, which merged into a huge ball of fire. From this fire emerged a radiant goddess with four arms, holding a sword, a shield, a lotus and a conch. She was adorned with jewels and ornaments, and wore a red sari. She had three eyes, black hair and a fair complexion. She rode on a lion as her mount. She was named Katyayani, as she was born in the hermitage of sage Katyayana, who was an ardent devotee of Devi Durga.
Sage Katyayana performed a penance to please the goddess and requested her to be his daughter. The goddess agreed and stayed with him for some time. She also accepted his worship and offerings during the first three days of Navratri. On the fourth day, she set out to battle Mahishasura, who had heard about her beauty and power and wanted to marry her.
Mahishasura sent his army of demons to capture her, but she easily defeated them with her sword and shield. Then he sent his generals, who were also slain by her. Finally, he himself came to face her, changing his form from a buffalo to a lion to a human to an elephant. But the goddess matched his every move and attacked him with her weapons. She also used her conch to create a loud sound that stunned him. She then threw her lotus at him, which bound him in a net. She then jumped on him with her lion and pierced his chest with her sword, killing him instantly.
The gods rejoiced at the victory of Katyayani and praised her as the savior of the universe. They also sang hymns in her honor and showered her with flowers. The goddess smiled and blessed them with peace and prosperity. She then returned to sage Katyayana’s ashram and spent the remaining six days of Navratri with him as his daughter. She also granted him his wish of attaining liberation.
Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri by devotees who seek her blessings for courage, wisdom, health, wealth and success. She is especially revered by unmarried girls who wish to get married to their desired partners. She is also associated with the Ajna chakra or the third eye chakra in yoga and tantra, which represents intuition, insight and vision.
Goddess Katyayani is one of the most glorious forms of Devi Durga, who embodies the feminine power that can overcome any evil or obstacle. She is an inspiration for all those who strive for justice, righteousness and harmony in the world.
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