Devi Kushmanda is the fourth form of Navadurga. She is worshipped on the fourth day during Navratri. ‘Kushmanda’ can be parted as ‘Ku’ means a little; ‘Ushma’ means ‘warmth’; and ‘Anda’ means ‘the cosmic egg’, together it is the fourth form of Goddesses Durga which is worshipped during Navratri. It is said that Kushmanda is the originator of this universe. She keeps everyone’s health well and bequeaths wealth and strength. She holds her weapons, glitter, rosary in her hands, and rides on a lion or tiger. She is also characterised with eight or ten hands.
A Make-Believe Theory by Mythology
Devi Kushmanda is very happy in her manifestation and when there was no existence of any universe and there was the everlasting darkness, Maa Kushmanda smiled and omitted all the darkness from the universe. That is why she has known as the creator the whole universe or “Adi Shakti”. The essential of Suraymandala (Sun) is the home of Devi Kushmanda. She is the one who has the control & strength to survive at the core Sun. Her form shines like a shining Sun.
She is also known as “Ashtabhuja” because she is portrayed as having eight arms. Her seven hands hold Kamandalu, Bow, Dart, Lotus, a Jar of Nectar, Circle, and Mace. She also holds a rosary to give all the eight Siddhis and nine Niddhis to her worshipers. She rides on a lion that signifies “Dharma”. Worshiping her eliminate illnesses and sorrows from everyone’s life.
On this day, the Yogis and Sadhaks keep their respective mind in Anahata Chakra. She represents Anahata Chakra for a spiritual task. Worshipping her increases one’s health and strength.
She exists in solar systems and signifies all the knowledge. The all seven types of weapons are placed in her individual seven hands and the rosary beads in her right hand. The offering of “Kumhde” is something that she love.
‘Krishnamanda’ is her another identity and she had created the universe and that is the reason she is known as Adi Swarup.
“Kumbh Bhand” means to see the intergalactic liveliness in Pindi shape. The residence of Devi Kushmanda is at Bhimaparvat.
She acts as a spiritual knife who destroy negatives and untrue character. On this day everybody meditates for letting go the bad habits from their life and ask for clemency. People arrange puja at their houses and buy several puja samagris to make the occasion more colourful, and some buy Navratri puja kit to save time and get the full kit at their preferred location.And people who miss the puja physically, today the technology bring them at such a brilliant and tech-advanced world that sitting outside of India can bring elation to their life through Online Durga Puja by Skype, web portal, or any other forms.
Devi Kushmanda is worshipped with a devotional mantra:
“सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥”
“Suraasampoornam Kalasham Rudhiraaplutamev Cha |
Dahdana Hastpadmaabhyaam Kushmanda Shubhdaastu Me ||”
Durga Puja is a festival to enjoy and worshiping Maa Durga for fulfilling everyone’s respective desires. May goddesses Durga bring happiness, success, good health and plenty of wealth in everyone’s life!