Navratri, a vibrant festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, culminates on the ninth day with the reverence of Maa Siddhidatri. This day, known as Maha Navami, holds immense significance for devotees seeking spiritual empowerment and fulfillment of desires.
Who is Maa Siddhidatri?
Maa Siddhidatri is revered as the ninth manifestation of Goddess Durga. According to Hindu mythology, she emerged from the left half of Lord Shiva during his penance to Adi-Parashakti, symbolizing the union of masculine and feminine energies as Ardha-Narishwar. She is portrayed riding a lion and seated on a lotus, embodying purity, strength, and divine grace. Maa Siddhidatri is known as the giver of supernatural powers or Siddhis, which include:
- Anima: Ability to shrink one’s body
- Mahima: Ability to expand one’s body
- Garima: Ability to become infinitely heavy
- Laghima: Ability to become infinitely light
- Prapti: Ability to obtain anything desired
- Prakamya: Ability to fulfill all desires
- Ishitva: Ability to possess absolute lordship
- Vashitva: Ability to control all material elements
This divine form is particularly worshipped by sadhaks and tantriks who aspire for these spiritual accomplishments.
Significance of Navami
Maha Navami marks not just the end of Navratri but also a day filled with spiritual fervor. It is believed that worshipping Maa Siddhidatri brings prosperity, spiritual enlightenment, and the removal of obstacles in life. Devotees express their gratitude and seek blessings for success in various endeavors.
Rituals and Puja Vidhi
The rituals performed on this day are elaborate and hold deep significance. Here’s a step-by-step guide for devotees:
- Early Morning Rituals: Wake up early and take a holy bath (mahasnan) to purify oneself.
- Cleanliness: Wear new or clean clothes, symbolizing purity.
- Preparation of Puja Space: Clean the puja area and remove any wilted flowers from previous offerings.
- Lighting the Diya: Light an oil lamp (diya) before the idol of Maa Siddhidatri.
- Offerings (Bhog):
- Offer seasonal fruits, sweets like halwa, puri, and chana.
- The favorite flower of Maa Siddhidatri is believed to be Night Blooming Jasmine (Raat Ki Rani).
- Kanya Pujan: This day also emphasizes Kanya Pujan, where young girls are honored as manifestations of the Goddess.
- Recitation of Mantras: Chanting specific mantras dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri invokes her blessings and presence.
- “Hriim Kleem Aim Siddhaye Namah.”
- Aarti and Stuti: Conclude the puja with an Aarti, expressing devotion through songs that glorify her divine qualities.
Colors and Symbolism
Each day of Navratri is associated with specific colors that enhance the spiritual atmosphere. For Day 9, the color is purple, symbolizing luxury, grandeur, and nobility. Wearing purple while worshipping Maa Siddhidatri is believed to attract wealth and spiritual strength.
Key Mantras
Here are the mantras dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri, the ninth form of Goddess Durga, celebrated during Navratri:
- Basic Invocation Mantra:
- ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः।
- (Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah)
- Puja Mantra:
- सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि,
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी। - (Siddh Gandharva Yakshadyair Asurair Amarair Api,
Sevyamana Sada Bhuyat Siddhida Siddhidayini.)
- सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि,
- Stuti Mantra:
- या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः। - (Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Siddhidatri Rupena Samsthita,
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.)
- या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता।
- Beej Mantra:
- ह्रीं क्लीं ऐं सिद्धये नम:।
- (Hreem Kleem Aim Siddhaye Namah.)
- Meditation Mantra:
- वन्दे वाञ्छित मनोरथार्थ चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
कमलस्थिताम् चतुर्भुजा सिद्धीदात्री यशस्विनीम्।
स्वर्णवर्णा निर्वाणचक्र स्थिताम् नवम् दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
शङ्ख, चक्र, गदा, पद्मधरां सिद्धीदात्री भजेम्। - (Vande Vanchhit Manoratharth Chandrardha Kritshekharam,
Kamalsthitam Chaturbhuja Siddhidatri Yashasvini,
Swarnavarna Nirvana Chakra Sthitam Navam Durga Trinetram,
Shankh, Chakra, Gada, Padma Dharam Siddhidatri Bhajem.)
- वन्दे वाञ्छित मनोरथार्थ चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
Usage
These mantras can be chanted during the puja on Maha Navami, the ninth day of Navratri, to seek blessings for spiritual growth and fulfillment of desires. Devotees often recite these mantras with devotion and focus to invoke the divine presence of Maa Siddhidatri.
