9 Avatars of Goddess Durga & Their Divine Powers

The 9 Avatars of Goddess Durga are not just religious idols but a blueprint of every woman’s life journey. The various forms of Maa Durga are the personification of strength, resilience, and power.

In each stage, Durga reminds us that growth is not linear. It’s messy, strong, and beautifully transformative. Goddess Durga is worshipped in many forms.

She is the mother of the world, and she is also Maa Annapurna, Maa Mahalakshmi, and Maa Saraswati. Mother sometimes takes the form of Maa Kali and sometimes Chandi.

Sometimes she is worshipped as Brahmacharini and sometimes as Mahagauri. Each of her forms reflects every aspect of women’s power and also presents a wonderful example of women’s empowerment.

In this blog, we will deeply understand the spiritual insights into the 9 Avatars of Goddess Durga.

Along with this, we will also learn the divine mantras of the nine forms of Maa Durga.

With 99Pandit, we will also get to know how you can worship these 9 forms of Goddess Durga. So let us get started!

What are the 9 Avatars of Goddess Durga?

The 9 Avatars of Goddess Durga are- Maa Sailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Khushmanda, Skand Mata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri.

These different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped for nine days in the festival of Navratri. These nine forms give different Siddhis.

The nine Avatars of Maa Durga are different from the ten Mahavidya forms of the Goddess. Devi Mahapuran describes those ten Mahavidyas.

The nine forms of the Goddess have different personalities. Nine different lessons can be learned from her nine forms, which can be very beneficial in everyone’s life, especially for women.

Mantra-

प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी।
तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति. चतुर्थकम्।।
पंचमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च।
सप्तमं कालरात्रीति.महागौरीति चाष्टमम्।।
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गा: प्रकीर्तिता:।
उक्तान्येतानि नामानि ब्रह्मणैव महात्मना:।।

Meaning – First Shailputri, second Brahmacharini, third Chandraghanta, fourth Kushmanda, fifth Skandha Mata, sixth Katyayani, seventh Kalratri, eighth Mahagauri and ninth Siddhidatri. These are the nine forms of Maa Durga.

1. Maa Shailputri

Goddess Durga was born in the Himalayas as Parvati. Her mother’s name was Maina. That is why the first name of the goddess was Shailputri, i.e. daughter of Himalaya.

Mother Shailputri is worshipped for wealth, employment and health. Shailputri teaches that for success in life, first of all, intentions should be strong and steadfast like a rock.

Mythological Story of Maa Shailputri

According to ancient mythology, Maa Shailputri was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha. The initial name of Maa Shailputri was Sati.

She was married to Lord Shiva, but King Daksha did not want his daughter to marry Lord Shiva, and he was angry with his daughter Sati and Lord Shiva.

Once Prajapati Daksha decided to perform a yagya. For this, he sent invitations to all the gods and goddesses, but did not invite his daughter Sati and son-in-law Lord Shiva.

Goddess Sati was restless about going to that yagya, but Lord Shiva forbade her from going there without an invitation.

But Sati Mata did not agree and remained adamant in her stubbornness. After this, Mahadev was forced to send her away.

When Sati reached her father, Prajapati Daksha’s place, no one treated her lovingly. They ridiculed her and Lord Shiva.

Goddess Sati was very hurt by this behaviour. She could not tolerate the insult of her husband and, in anger, sat in the yagya kund situated there.

When Shiva came to know about this, he reached there, burning in the flames of grief and anger and destroyed the yagya.

2. Maa Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini means one who follows the conduct prescribed by Brahma. One who helps one attain Brahma.

One who always lives with discipline. For success in life, it is very important to follow principles and rules. Without this, no destination can be reached.

Discipline is most important. Brahmacharini is worshipped to attain supernatural powers. Many siddhis are attained by worshipping her.

Mythological Story of Maa Brahmacharini

In her previous life, Goddess Brahmacharini was born as the daughter of the king of the mountains, Himalaya. Also, on the advice of Naradji, she did severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband.

Due to this difficult penance, she came to be known as Tapashcharini, i.e. Brahmacharini.

She spent a thousand years eating only fruits and flowers, and lived on vegetables for a hundred years, living on the ground.

She kept a strict fast for some days and endured the extreme hardships of rain and sun under the open sky. For three thousand years, she ate broken Bilva leaves and kept worshipping Lord Shiva.

After this, she even stopped eating dry Bilva leaves. She kept doing penance by staying without water and food for several thousand years.

Due to giving up eating leaves, she was named Aparna. Due to the tough penance, the body of the goddess became very weak.

Gods, sages, Siddhagans, munis, all praised the penance of Brahmacharini as an unprecedented virtuous act and said- O goddess, till date no one has done such a tough penance. This was possible only because of you.

Your wish will be fulfilled, and you will get Lord Chandramauli Shivji as your husband. Now leave the penance and return home. Soon your father will come to take you.

The essence of the story of the mother is that the mind should not be disturbed even in the difficult struggles of life. All the success is achieved by the grace of Mother Brahmacharini Devi.

3. Maa Chandraghanta

This is the third form of the Goddess, who has a bell-shaped moon on her forehead. Hence, her name is Chandraghanta. This Goddess is considered to be the Goddess of satisfaction.

Peace, along with success in life, cannot be experienced until there is a feeling of satisfaction in the mind. Anyone who is looking for self-welfare and peace should worship Maa Chandraghanta.

Mythological Story of Maa Chandraghanta

According to mythology, among the 9 Avatars of Goddess Durga, she took the form of Maa Chandraghanta when the terror of demons started increasing in heaven. Mahishasura was wreaking havoc and fighting a fierce war with the gods.

Because Mahishasura wanted to capture the throne of Devraj Indra and wanted to establish his supremacy over heaven, when the gods came to know about this, everyone got worried and approached Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

The Tridevas listened to the gods and expressed their anger. It is said that due to this anger, an energy came out of the mouth of the Tridevas, and from the same energy, a goddess named Maa Chandraghanta was born.

Lord Shankar gave his trident to that goddess, Vishnuji gave his chakra, Indra gave his bell, Surya gave his brightness, sword and lion. After this, Maa Chandraghanta killed Mahishasura and protected the gods and heaven.

4. Maa Kushmanda

Maa Kushmanda is the fourth Avatar of Maa Durga. According to the scriptures, the universe was created by the gentle smile of this Goddess.

This is why she was named Kushmanda. This Goddess removes fear. Fear is the biggest obstacle in the path of success.

One who wants to live a happy life free from all kinds of fears should worship Goddess Kushmanda.

Mythological Story of Maa Kushmanda

As per the ancient Hindu scriptures, Tridev (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva) took the resolution to create the universe.

At that time, there was dense darkness in the entire universe. The entire universe was absolutely quiet.

There was no music, no sound, only a deep silence. In this situation, Tridev requested help from Jagat Janani Adishakti Maa Durga.

Maa Kushmanda, the fourth form of Jagat Janani Adishakti Maa Durga, created the universe instantly.

It is said that Maa Kushmanda created the universe with her light smile. The entire universe became illuminated with the smile on Maa’s face.

Thus, due to creating the universe with her smile, Jagat Janani Adishakti is known as Maa Kushmanda. The glory of the mother is unique. The mother’s abode is Surya Lok.

According to the scriptures, Maa Kushmanda resides in Surya Lok. The radiance on the face of Maa Kushmanda, who created the universe, makes the sun shine. The mother can reside in every place inside and outside Surya Lok.

A radiant aura appears on the face of the mother, which brings welfare to the entire world.

She is covered with a radiant radiance like the sun. This radiance is possible only through the mother of the world, Adishakti Maa Kushmanda.

5. Skanda Mata

This form of Maa Durga is a symbol of love, kindness, compassion and care, which completely reflects the quality of motherhood. Kartikeya is the first son of Lord Shiva and Parvati; one of his names is Skanda.

Being the mother of Kartikeya, i.e. Skanda, the fifth form of the Goddess is named Skanda Mata.

Apart from that, she is also the giver of power. For success, it is necessary to have both the ability to accumulate power and the ability to create. This form of the Mother teaches and provides this.

Mythological Story of Skanda Mata

According to the ancient mythological tale, a demon named Tarakasur was performing severe penance to please Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma was pleased with his severe penance and appeared before him.

Asking for a boon from Lord Brahma, Tarakasur asked for immortality. Then Lord Brahma explained to him that whoever is born on this earth has to die.

Disappointed, he said to Lord Brahma that he should die at the hands of Lord Shiva’s son. Tarakasura believed that Lord Shiva would never marry.

Therefore, he would never die. Then he started committing violence against people. Troubled by the atrocities of Tarakasura, all the gods approached Lord Shiva and prayed for freedom from Tarakasura. Then, Shiva married Parvati and became the father of Kartikeya.

Mother Parvati took the form of Skanda Mata to train her son Skanda (Karthikeya) for war. After taking war training from Skandamata, Lord Kartikeya killed Tarakasur.

6. Maa Katyayani

Maa Katyayani is the 6th Avatar of Goddess Durga. She is the daughter of sage Katayana.

Sage Katyayana did a lot of penance for Goddess Durga, and when Durga was pleased, the sage asked for a boon so that Goddess Durga could be born in his house as a daughter.

She was named Katyayani because she was Katyayana’s daughter. She is the goddess of health. Success can never be achieved with a disease and a weak body.

The body needs to be healthy to reach its destination. Those who want freedom from disease, grief, and suffering should please Goddess Katyayani.

Mythological Story of Maa Katyayani

According to mythology, Sage Katyayana was a great devotee of Goddess Durga. One day, pleased with his penance, Goddess Durga blessed him to be born as his daughter.

Goddess Durga is called Maa Katyayani because she is the daughter of Sage Katyayana.

It is believed that by worshipping Maa Katyayani, a person can control their senses. It was Maa Katyayani who killed Mahishasura.

That is why Maa Katyayani is also called Mahishasura Mardini. Apart from this, Mata Rani is called the goddess who destroys demons and asuras.

Lord Shri Krishna also did this worship. According to mythology, Maa Katyayani was also worshipped by Lord Rama and Shri Krishna.

It is said that the gopis worshipped this form of Maa Durga to get Lord Shri Krishna as their husband. Maa Durga took this incarnation to maintain religion in the universe.

7. Maa Kaalratri

Kaalratri is one of the most powerful forms of Maa Durga. Kaal means time, and Raatri means night. Mother Kaalratri gives all the siddhis that are obtained by doing sadhna at night.

This goddess is worshipped for supernatural powers, tantra siddhi, and mantra siddhi. This form teaches that for success, forget the difference between day and night.

Only those who want to move ahead continuously without stopping or getting tired can reach the peak of success.

Mythological Story of Maa Kaalratri

According to the mythological tale, gods and humans were troubled by a demon named Raktbeej.

The speciality of the demon Raktbeej was that as soon as a drop of his blood fell on the earth, another demon like him was born.

Troubled by this demon, all the gods approached Lord Shiva to find a solution to the problem. Lord Shiva knew that in the end, Goddess Parvati would kill him.

Lord Shiva requested the mother. After this, Mother Parvati herself created Maa Kaalratri with her power and brilliance.

After this, when the mother killed the demon Raktbeej, Maa Kaalratri took the blood coming out of his body in her mouth before it fell on the ground. In this form, Mother Parvati was called Kaalratri.

8. Maa Mahagauri

The eighth form of the Goddess Durga is Mahagauri. Gauri means Parvati, and Mahagauri means the most excellent form of Parvati.

Mahagauri is worshipped and meditated upon to get rid of the dark veil of one’s sins and to make the soul pure and clean again. She is the Goddess symbolising the purity of character.

If success is achieved with a tainted character, then it is of no use; only if the character is bright does one get the joy of success.

Mythological Story of Maa Mahagauri

According to the legend, Maa Mahagauri was born in the house of King Himalaya, due to which her name was Parvati.

Still, when Maa Parvati turned eight years old, she started remembering the events of her previous birth clearly.

From this, she came to know that she was the wife of Lord Shiva in her previous birth.

From that time onwards, she accepted Lord Bholenath as her husband and started doing severe penance to get Shiva as her husband.

Mother Parvati did severe penance for years to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Due to doing penance without food and water for years, her body became black.

Seeing her penance, Lord Shiva became pleased, and he purified her with the holy water of Ganga ji, after which Mother Mahagauri became bright and radiant. With this, she became famous by the name of Mahagauri.

9. Maa Siddhidatri

The last and 9th Avatar of Goddess Durga is Maa Siddhidatri. This goddess is the origin of all siddhis.

Devi Purana says that Lord Shiva attained many siddhis from this form of the goddess. The half-goddess in the Ardhanarishwar form of Shiva is Siddhidatri Mata.

This goddess is worshipped for all kinds of success. Siddhi means efficiency. If there is efficiency and skill in work, then success becomes easy.

Mythological Story of Maa Siddhidatri

The ninth form of Maa Durga is that of Maa Siddhidatri. She is considered to be the bestower of all kinds of siddhis.

According to Markandeya Purana, Maa Siddhidatri has eight types of siddhis, namely Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitva, and Vashitva.

According to mythology, Lord Shiva had attained all eight siddhis by performing rigorous penance of Maa Siddhidatri.

It was by the grace of Maa Siddhidatri that half of Lord Shiva’s body became a goddess, and he was called Ardhanarishwar.

This form is a very powerful form among the nine forms of Maa Durga. It is believed that this form of Maa Durga has appeared from the brilliance of all the gods and goddesses.

It is described in the story that when all the gods, troubled by the atrocities of the demon Mahishasura, reached out to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Then, a brilliance arose from all the gods present there, and from that brilliance, a divine power called Maa Siddhidatri was created.

Divine Mantras of the 9 Avatars of Goddess Durga

1. Shailputri Stuti Mantra: या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

2. Brahmacharini Stuti Mantra: या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

3. Chandraghanta Stuti Mantra: या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां चन्द्रघण्टा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

4. Kushmanda Stuti Mantra: या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

5.Skandamata Stuti Mantra: या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

6. Katyayani Stuti Mantra: या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

7. Kaalratri Stuti Mantra: या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

8. Mahagauri Stuti Mantra: या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

9. Siddhidatri Stuti Mantra: या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Conclusion

In conclusion, these 9 Avatars of Goddess Durga are so powerful that even chanting their Stuti Mantras can remove the fear. The nine forms of the Goddess have different personalities.

Nine different lessons can be learned from her nine forms, which can be very beneficial in everyone’s life, especially for women.

The nine forms of Maa Durga are the personification of strength, resilience, and power.

Yet they’re not fixed or idealised; they’re living, breathing phases that reflect the multifaceted nature of real life.

In each stage, these forms of Maa Durga remind us that growth is not linear. It’s messy, strong, and beautifully transformative.

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