Goddess Kushmanda is the fourth of the Navadurgas, who is worshipped during Navratri. She is said to be the creator of the Universe.
‘Ku’ means ‘small’, and ‘Ushma’ means ‘warmth’ or ‘energy’. ‘Anda’ means ‘egg’, which is the cosmic egg of creation. She is believed to have created the Universe from the cosmic egg. Goddess Kushmanda supposedly created the entire Universe, or Brahmanda, by just flashing a little bit of her smile.
The Goddess is also called Surya Mandala Antarvardhini, meaning ‘the one who resides in the Surya mandala’, meaning she lives within the Sun. It suggests that the Sun’s radiance is caused internally by the Shakthi. She resides in the mandala to give life to her creation. Kushmanda is the source of the Sun’s power. The Sun’s light and energy will become dim and fade away without her.
Story of the Goddess Kushmanda
After the end of Kalpa (kalpantha), Parashakthi took the form of Kushmanda. She reinitiated the creation of the Universe, which was filled with total darkness.
The Goddess removed the darkness with her radiance and brought light to the Universe.
Then she began to create the entire Universe from the cosmic egg with her radiance and gentle smile.
She became the energy source for the Universe to sustain life.
Later she created the entire Universe and settled her Shakti in the Surya mandala, thereby bestowing power to the Sun to provide adequate light in the Universe.
In this manner, she became the power source of Surya or the Sun God.
Goddess Kushmanda in the Scriptures
The Devi Kavacha of Chandi mentions that Goddess Kushmanda, along with the other Navadurgas, are forms of Durga.
Her name is also mentioned in the Varaha Purana and Shaiva agamas as one of the Navadurgas.
She is linked to the Anahata (heart) chakra in Kundalini vidya, according to the Yoga shastras.
The Puranas describe her as having the radiance of millions of suns.
She is the Goddess of Purification, of Tapasya for sadhaks or spiritual aspirants. She adds heat and light to purify all our actions. She bestows her grace on those who wish to learn the sacred texts and commit to practicing their chosen sadhana.
She is the Goddess of Purification who elevates us on the spiritual path by purifying all our actions and turning everything we do into a form of Pooja.
She offers clarity, brightness, clarity, and peace to her devotees and brings light into darkness and harmony into our life. Worshipping Goddess Kushmanda enables us to enter into the heart chakra. Her warmth nurtures the whole Universe.
It is Kushmanda who has the power of creating the cosmic egg. Another name for her is Jagatprasūtye meaning ‘she who gives birth to the world’. Hence, she has associations with conceiving, pregnancy, and birth. She is a creative energy that generates love, abundance, and happiness. The nourishing white pumpkin gourd is one of her symbols. The goddess is also associated with increasing ojas, which strengthens the immune system, slows aging, and boosts longevity.
Iconography
Goddess Kushmanda rides a Lion or Tiger and has 8 hands, due to which she is called Ashtabhuja Devi (goddess with 8 hands).
She holds many things in her hands, including a chakra (discus), shoola (trident), gadha (mace), dhanu (bow), bana (arrow), padma (lotus), mala (rosary), and two jars, one of which contains blood and the other, elixir (Amrit).
She has three eyes and a pleasant face, and a gentle smile. She has the power to bestow Ashta siddhis - the eight supernatural powers mentioned in the ancient versions of yoga and also Navanidhi, or the 9 different types of wealth. This power to bestow Siddhis and Niddhis is believed to dwell in her Jap Mala. She represents justice and Dharma.
She likes white pumpkins ( Kushmanda).
Mantra and Prayer for Goddess Kushmanda
Mantra
Om Kushmandayai Namaha
Prayer
Suraa sampurna kalasham rudhiraplutameva cha
Dadhana hasta padmabhyam Kushmaanda Subhadasthu mae
Meaning:
Holding a kalasham (pot) one filled up with Amrit, another with blood and
holding them by her lotus-like hands, O Mata Kushmanda, please bestow on me good luck and fortune.
The Importance of Goddess Kushmanda
Hindus worship Kushmanda for auspiciousness, abundance, and protection.
We can grasp her nature from the kalasha she holds. It contains the divine elixir, or Amrit, which suggests that she grants her devotees’ wishes. The kalasha of blood indicates that she protects them by destroying their enemies.
She is also worshipped to attain divine knowledge, siddhis, and wisdom.
Festivals for Goddess Kushmanda
1. Navaratri – 4th day of Navratri is dedicated to her worship
2. Kushmanda Navami – In some regions, people celebrate Navami in the Kartika month to gain her blessings.
Temples for Goddess Kushmanda
1. Kushmanda Durga Temple, Durga Kund, Varanasi. (In Varanasi, there are 9 dedicated temples to the Navadurga goddesses)
2. Kushmanda Devi Mandir, Ghatampur, Uttar Pradesh.
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