Navaratri is a festival of nine nights that celebrates the different aspects of the Hindu mother goddess Mahadevi. On each night, a different form of the goddess is worshipped with devotion and reverence. The ninth and final form of Mahadevi is Siddhidatri, the giver of perfection and supernatural powers.
Siddhidatri is derived from two Sanskrit words: siddhi, which means fulfillment or perfection, and datri, which means giver or awarder. Siddhidatri is the goddess who grants all kinds of siddhis or divine abilities to her devotees. She is also the one who bestows the ultimate siddhi of moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Siddhidatri is depicted with four hands holding a chakra (discus), shankh (conch shell), mace, and lotus. She is seated on either a fully bloomed lotus or a lion as her mount. In some pictorial depictions, she is flanked by Gandharvas, Yakshas, Siddhas, Asuras and Devas who are portrayed as paying obeisance to the goddess.
The origin of Siddhidatri can be traced back to the beginning of the universe, when there was nothing but a massive void filled with darkness. From this void emerged a ray of divine light, which was the supreme goddess of power, Adi-Parashakti. She created the trinity of gods: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and instructed them to perform their respective duties of creation, preservation and destruction.
The trinity of gods meditated on the bank of an ocean for many years to understand their roles and seek the blessings of Adi-Parashakti. The goddess was pleased with their devotion and appeared before them in the form of Siddhidatri. She gave them their consorts: Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati, who were manifestations of her own power. She also bestowed upon them eight siddhis: Anima (the ability to become small), Mahima (the ability to become large), Garima (the ability to become heavy), Laghima (the ability to become light), Prapti (the ability to obtain anything), Prakambya (the ability to fulfill any desire), Ishitva (the ability to control anything) and Vashitva (the ability to subjugate anyone).
One of the most remarkable stories involving Siddhidatri is that of Lord Shiva attaining the form of Ardhanarishwara, which means half-man and half-woman. Lord Shiva was so fascinated by the beauty and grace of Siddhidatri that he wished to have her as his consort. He prayed to her with utmost sincerity and devotion for a long time. Siddhidatri was moved by his love and devotion and agreed to become his wife. She merged with his left half and became one with him. Thus, Lord Shiva became Ardhanarishwara, the symbol of the union of Shiva and Shakti, the masculine and feminine principles of the universe.
Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri by all those who seek perfection in their endeavors and liberation from their bondage. She fulfills all the divine aspirations and grants all kinds of boons to her devotees. She is also revered by not only humans but also by devas or gods, asuras or demons, gandharvas or celestial musicians, yakshas or nature spirits, siddhas or perfected beings, and other creatures. She is the ultimate source of all power and bliss in the universe.
Siddhidatri is invoked by chanting her mantra:
ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah॥
This means: “Salutations to the goddess Siddhidatri who grants perfection.”
She is also praised by singing her stuti:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Siddhidatri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
This means: “The goddess who is present in all beings as mother Siddhidatri, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.”
She is also meditated upon by reciting her dhyana:
वन्दे वाञ्छित मनोरथार्थ चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
कमलस्थिताम् चतुर्भुजा सिद्धीदात्री यशस्विनीम्॥
स्वर्णवर्णा निर्वाणचक्र स्थिताम् नवम् दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
शङ्ख, चक्र, गदा, पद्मधरां सिद्धीदात्री भजेम्॥
Vande Vanchhita Manorathartha Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Kamalasthitam Chaturbhuja Siddhidatri Yashasvinim॥
Swarnavarnna Nirvanachakra Sthitam Navam Durga Trinetram।
Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padmadharam Siddhidatri Bhajem॥
This means: “I bow to the one who fulfills the desired wishes, who has a crescent moon on her head. She is seated on a lotus and has four arms. She is Siddhidatri, the glorious one. She is the ninth form of Durga, who has three eyes and a golden complexion. She holds a conch, a discus, a mace and a lotus. I worship Siddhidatri.”
By worshipping Siddhidatri with love and devotion, one can attain all kinds of perfection and liberation in life. She is the ultimate goal of all spiritual seekers and the supreme mother of all creation
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