The sixth Shakti is Mata Kaatyayani who is considered to be the daughter form of Durga. She is the epitome of love, but she can still get angry. She appears with four arms and three eyes sitting on a lion. Her left upper arm holds a sword and the lower left arm holds a lotus; right upper arm is in mudra (gesture) of allaying fears and the right lower in the mudra of granting boon. Her complexion is golden bright and radiant.
Goddess Kaatyayani is considered extremely benevolent and grants every wish of the devotees, especially the wish of getting associated with Lord Krishna. The gopis of Braj worshipped Maa Kaatyayani only for their desire of getting Lord Krishna as their husbands.
Kaatyayani Mata is the goddess of ‘Aagyan Chakra’. On the path of yogic sadhana, saadhak’s (striver) mind enters ‘Aagyan Chakra’ on this day. When the saadhak surrenders him or her completely, goddess Kaatyayani provides her darshan (direct vision). The saadhak get access to all the four objects – Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Even living in this mortal world, he gets unearthly splendor and influence. Diseases, sorrow, and fear nothing affects him or her in anyway.
Worshipping Mata Kaatyayani is the best way to get rid of the effects of sins committed in the previous lives.
Navratri Tithi
In Chaiti Navratri 2019, Maa Kaatyayani will be worshipped on 11th Apr, the sixth day of Navratri. The day changes according to lunar calendar.
Brief Legend
Legend has it that there was a great sage called Kata, who has son named Katya. Kata was a very famous and renowned saint. He worshipped goddess Kaatyayani for long years to get her blessings. When Devi got pleased and appeared before him, she asked sage Kata that what he is looking for. Kata said that he wants to have mother goddess as his daughter. Devi granted his wish.
Kaatyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.
Customs and Traditions
Navratri Pooja is very simple. You should observe fast whole day or have fruits or juice in day and eat pure vegetarian food in night. If fasting is not possible for you, you can simply chant the following mantra as much as you can:
"Om Ang Haring Kalimg Shreeng Maha Durgay Namah”
During Navratri, you should be careful about your aahar (food), vyavhar (behavior), and aacharan (character); eat pure vegetarian food, like fruits, Kuttu ka aataa, Shinghare ka aataa, curd or potatoes - strictly avoid non-vegetarian food. Consumption of garlic and onion is also not recommended.
Navratri is celebrated in the honour of female form of God. Hence, you should also worship only goddesses during Navratri days.
You can please Kaatyayani Devi with the following mantras:
"Om hreeng katyayini namah"
Offer six guavas and a deep (lamp) to Mother Kaatyayani in the morning and evening; accept and share the grape-prasad in the evening with others. You should also offer variety of fragrant flowers, fruits, gems, and clothing to the divine mother.
Red and white colours are associated with goddess Kaatyayani. Try wearing dresses of red or white colour on this day to please her.
Pooja Vidhi with Mantras
Pooja Items
- Picture or image of Maa Kaatyayani
- Durga Sapthashati book, Devi’s armour
- Water in a kalash, mango leaves, coconut
- Roli, moli, chawal, paan, beetle nut.
- Cloves, cardamom, sindoor, abhir, gulal
- Dhoop, deepak, matchsticks
- Flowers white or pink, such as hibiscus, lotus, roses and belpatr leaves
- Fruits of five types such as pomegranate and sweets such as laddoo and peda
- Panchpatra containing spoon and water, pata, mat to sit (Aasan)
Panchamrit Preparation
Take a little raw cow milk and mix small amount of dahi (curd), shakkar (sugar), madhu (honey), and ghee in it.
Wash the place of pooja with water and gangajal (the water from the river the Gnages). Place some grains of wheat on a beetle leaf, put on the ground and place water-filled on kalash (pot) on it. Insert five joined mango leaves in the kalash and, then, place a coconut on it. Tie moli (coloured thread representing cloth) in the kalash-neck. Light up a Deepak (lamp) there and keep it lit till the pooja lasts. Light up some dhoop (fragrant wood/material) too there.
Place Maa Kaatyayani on a beetle leaf in front of you. Concentrate on Maa Kaatyayani with the following mantra:
Chandrahaasojhwala karaa Shardhula varavaahana !!
Katyayani shubham dadyath devi danava ghathinee !!
Now, worship her step by step chanting the following mantras:
1. Atma-pooja
Perform ‘Atma-pooja’ for self-purification with the following mantra
Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gatoapi Va,
Yah Smrait Pundarika Aksham Sa Vahy Abhyantarah Shuchih
Meaning: whoever contemplates on Vishnu gets purified physically and mentally.
2. Tilak and Aachman
Tilak is considered auspicious mark and Aachman is considered helping washing off sins committed by action, thought, and speech.
Apply Tilak on your forehead and do ‘Aachman’ (drinking of holy water after accepting it in your palm) with the following mantra:
Om Keshavaya Namah, Om Narayanaya Namah, Om Madhavaya Namah, Om Govindaya Namah
Meaning: I bow to thee Keshav, I bow to thee Narayan, I bow to thee Madhav, I bow to thee Govind.
3. Sankalpa
To achieve the purpose of the pooja, do sankalpa (resolve) by taking a little water in hand and saying your wish in whispering voice to Maa Kaatyayani.
4. Aawahan
Pray to invite Maa Kaatyayani with the following mantra:
Aagachha Tvam Mahadevi ! Sthane Chatra Sthira Bhav. Yavata Pujaam Karisyami Tavata Tvam Snidho Bhav.
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha. Kaatyayani devimaawahayami. Aawahanartheye Pushpaanjali Samarpayami.
(Offer flowers at the feet of Maa Kaatyayani)
5. Aasan
After Dhyan and Mantras, Pray and offer:
Om sarvmangal mangaleye shivesarvaarth sadhike, Sharneye Traymbake gauri Narayani Namostute.
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha. Aasanarthey Pushpani Samarpayami.
(Offer flowers)
6. Paadha
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha. Padayoh Paadham Samarpayami.
(Offer water to Mother’s Shri Charan)
7. Arghya
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha. Hastyoh Arghya Samarpayami.
(Offer Chandan,Pushpa and Akshat mixed water)
8. Aachman
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha. Aachamanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Karpoor mixed water)
9. Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Snanartham Jalam Samarpayami.
(Offer GangaJal for Bath)
Snananga Aachaman Snanantey Punrachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami.
(Offer water for aachman)
10. Dugdha Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha DugdhaSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Cow-milk for Bath)
11. Dadhi Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha DadhiSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer curd made from cow milk for bath)
12. Ghrit Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha GhritSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Gou-Ghee for Bath)
13. Madhu Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha MadhuSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Honey for Bath)
14. Sharkara Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha SharkaraSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer sugar for Bath)
15. Panchaamrit Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha PanchaamritSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Panchaamrit for Bath)
16. Gandhodak Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha GandhodakSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer MalayaChandan and Agaru mixed water for Bath)
17. Shudhodak Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha ShudhodakSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer holy water for final bath)
18. Aachman
ShudhodakSnanante Aachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami.
(Offer water for Aachaman)
19. Vastra
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Vastropavastram Kanchukiyam ch Samarpayami.
(Offer saree or moli)
20. Aachman: Vastranante Aachamaniym jalam Samarpayami
21. Shobhagya Sutra
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha ShobhagyaSutram Samarpayami.
22. Chandan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Chandanam Samarpayami.
23. Haridrachurna
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Haridraam Samarpayami.
24. Kumkum
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Kumkumam Samarpayami.
25. Sindoor
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Sindooram Samarpayami.
26. Kajal
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Kajjalm Samarpayami.
27. Durvankur (Durva)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Durvankuraan Samarpayami.
28. BilvaPatra
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha BilvaPatram Samarpayami.
29. Abhushan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Abhushnaani Samarpayami.
30. Pushpamala
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Pushpamalam Samarpayami.
31. Nanaparimaldraviya (dravya or paisa)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha NanaparimalDraviyaani Samarpayami.
32. Shobhagya Patika
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Shobhagyapatikam Samarpayami.
33. Dhoop
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Dhoopmaaghrapayami.
34. Deep
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Deepam Darshyami.
(Show deep to mother and wash your hand)
35. Naibaidha
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Naibaidham Nivedyami.
Aachman: offer aachaman
36. Rituphal
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Rituphalani Samarpayami.
37. Tammbul (paan)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Tammbulam Samarpayami.
38. Dakshina (paisa)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Dakshinaam Samarpayami.
39. Aarti (karpoor and bati)
Chati Kaatyayaani ki Aarti
Jay Jay Ambein Jay Kaatyayani, Jay jagmaata jag ki Maharaani !!
Baijnaath sathan tumhaara, Waha Vardaati naam pukara !!
Kai naam hai kai dhaam hai, Yah sathaan bhi to sukhdaam hai !!
Her mandir mai jayot tumhaari, Kahin Yogeshwari mahima nayaari !!
Her jagah utsav hote rahte, Her mandir main bhakat hai kahte !!
Kaatyayaani rakshak kaya ki, Ganthi kaate moh maaya ki !!
Jhoothe moh se churaane wali, Apna naam japaane wali !!
Brahspatiwar(Thursday) ko Pooja kariyo, Naam Kaatyayaani ka dhariyo !!
Her sankat ko door karegi, Bhandaare bharpoor karegi !!
Jo bhi Vandna MA ko pukare, Kaatyayaani ma sab kashat nivare !!
Durgaji ki Aarti
(With meaning in English)
Jai ambe Gowrii maiyaa, Jai shyaamaa Gowrii
Nishadina tumako dhyaavata, Hari brahma shivjii,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 1
(Meaning: Victory to mother Gowri, Victory to the dark colured Gowri, Who is being daily meditated by, Vishnu, Brahma and Lord Shiva, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Maang sinduur viraajat, Tiko mriga madako
Ujjvalase do nainaa, Chandravadaniko
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 2
(Meaning: With Vermillion in your parting of hair, Made with musk from the deer, You have two shining eyes, In your moon like face, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Kanaka samaan kalevar, Raktaambar raaje,
Raktapushpa galamaalaa, Kantan par saaje,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 3
(Meaning: With the golden body colour, Wearing blood red silks, Your neck is decorated by a necklace and, A garland of blood red colour flowers, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Kehari vaahana raajata, Khadaga khappara dhaari,
Sura nara muni jana sevata, Tinake dukha haari,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 4
(Meaning: You ride on the splendid lion, And hold a sword and a skull in your hands, And are served by Devas, men and sages, Whose sorrows, you drive away, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Kaanana kundala shobhit, Naasaagre motii
Kotika chandra divaakara, Sam raajata jyotii,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 5
(Meaning: You shine with ear studs on your ears, And a pearl on the tip of your nose, And shine like billions of suns and moons, And create a great halo of radiance, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Shumbha nishumbha vidaare, Mahishaasura ghaatii
Dhuumra vilochana nainaa, Nishidina madamaatii
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 6
(Meaning: Oh killer of Shumbha and Nishmbha, Oh slayer of Mahishasura, Your eyes are dark with rage, On killing of Dhoomralochana, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Chanda Munda Sanhare Sonith Bheeja Hare,
Madhu Kaidabha dou Maare, Sur Bhayaheen kare,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 7
(Meaning: Oh killer of Chanda and Munda, Oh killer of Raktha Bheeja, You killed the twins Madu and Kaidaba, And drove away the fear of devas, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Brahmaanii rudraanii, Tuma kamalaa raani
Aagama-nigama bakhaanii, Tuma shiva pataraani,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 8
(Meaning: You are Brahmani and Rudrani, You are Goddess Lakshmi living on a lotus, You are praised by Vedas and Shastras, And you are the queen of Lord Shiva, Say victory to mother Gowri.
Chausatha yoginii gaavat, Nritya karata bhairon,
Baajata taala mridanga, Aura baajata damaruu,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 9
(Meaning: Sixty four Yoginis are singing, Lord Bhairava is dancing, The mrudanga is playing, And also the big drum is playing, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Tuma ho jaga kii maataa, Tuma hii ho bhartaa,
Bhaktan ki dukha hartaa, Sukha sampati kartaa,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 10
(Meaning: You are the mother of universe, And you are the one takes care of it, You put an end to the sorrow of devotees, And you are the one who gives pleasure and wealth, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Bhujaa chaara ati shobhita, Vara mudraa dhaarii
Mana vaanchita phala paavat, Sevata nara naarii
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 11
(Meaning: You have four glowing hands, With one hand raised in blessing, You fulfill all the desires of the mind, Of those men and woman who do your service, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Kanchana thaala viraajata, Agaru kapuura baatii
Mala ketu mein raajat, Kotiratana jyotii
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 12
(Meaning: In the decorated plate which shines, Are kept incenses like Camphor and agarbathis, When they are lit and placed before you, They shine like billions of gems, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Maa ambe ki Aarthi jo koi nar Gave,
Kahat Shivananda swami, sukha sampati pave.
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 13
(Meaning: Shivananda Swami tells you, That the man who sings this offering to mother, Would get all pleasures and wealth. Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Karpooraratirkyam Samarpayami
40. Pradikshna (parikarma)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Pradikshnaanm Samarpayami.
41. Mantrapushpanjali
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Mantrapushpanjalim Samarpayami
42. Namaskar
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shanti rupena sansitha
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shakti rupena sansthita
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha !
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha Namaskaraan Samarpayami.
43. Kshma Yachna
Aawahanam Na Jaanami Na jaanami Tav archanam, Pujaam ch na jaanami Kshamattam Parameshwari.
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshwari, Yattpujitam Maya Devi Paripuranm Tadastu me.
Shri Jagadambaye Kaatyayani Devye Namha KshamaYachanam Samarpayami
44. Arpna
Aum Tattsad Brahmarpanmastu,
Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh.
OM Kaatyayani Maiya Rakhsa Karo!!
OM Pap-nashini Ambe Rakhsa Karo!!
OM Nav Durga Namah !!
OM Jag-Jana-ni Namah !!
Mool (main) Mantras for Navaratri:
1. Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shanti rupena sansitha
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shakti rupena sansthita
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha!
2. Sarva mangala maangalye shive sarvaartha saadhike. Sharanye trayambake
Gauri, Narayani namosthute
3. Namoh devyai mahadevyai shivayai satatam namah
Namah prakrutyai bhadraayai niyataah pranataahsma taam
4. Annapoorne sadapoorne shankarah praanavallabhe
Njana vairaagya sidhyardham bhikshaam dehi cha parvati
5. Om Dum Durga-ye Namah
6. Aim hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichchay
7. Aim Hreem Kleem Chamunday Vichchay, Om glon hrun kleem ju saha, jwala-ye jwala-ye, jwull, jwull prajwull prajwull, aim hrem kleem chamunda-ye vichchay, jwalam hung sung lung kshum phut swaha.
Maa Kaatyayani Mantra for Marriageable Girls:
‘Katyayani Mahamaye
Mahayoginiyadheeshwari
Nand Gop Sutam Devi Patim Me
Kuru te Namah’
Unmarried girls can recite this prayer as much as she can to please Maa Kaatyayani to get her married as per her wish.
P. S.: You may chant Durga Saptashati or Devi Kavach or ask a pundit to do so, to conclude the puja.