Navratri Day 4: Significance of Goddess Kushmanda

The fourth day of Navratri falls on Sunday, October 6. During Shardiya Navratri, Hindu devotees honour Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms, collectively known as Navdurgas. These incarnations include Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. On Day 4, devotees specifically worship Maa Kushmanda.

Here's everything you need to know about Maa Kushmanda:

Maa Kushmanda, the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga, is revered on the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri. Her name is derived from Sanskrit, where "Ku" means "a little," "Ushma" signifies "warmth," and "Anda" refers to the "cosmic egg." In Hindu mythology, Maa Kushmanda is believed to have created the universe by manifesting a small cosmic egg from which the entire cosmos was born. She is traditionally depicted with eight arms, each holding various weapons and symbols of power, radiating a divine light that represents her ability to spread positivity and enlightenment. Devotees pray to her for blessings of happiness, well-being, and prosperity.

The colour green symbolises the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri. Green represents nature and embodies the qualities of growth, fertility, peace, and serenity. Wearing green on this day is believed to attract tranquillity and invoke the blessings of Goddess Kushmanda. The colour also signifies fresh starts and new beginnings, making it a particularly auspicious choice for this sacred festival day.

Brahma Muhurat for Chaturthi Tithi: from 1:11 PM

Vijaya Muhurat: 2:26 PM to 5:15 PM

To honour Maa Kushmanda during Chaitra Navratri, begin by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha, seeking his blessings for the strength to observe the Navratri vrat with devotion. Traditional offerings for Maa Kushmanda include sindoor, mehendi, kajal, bindi, bangles, toe rings, combs, alta, mirrors, anklets, perfume, earrings, nose pins, necklaces, red chunri, mahavar, and hairpins. Prasad such as malpuas, halwa, or curd can be prepared and later offered to priests at a Durga temple as a gesture of reverence and devotion.

Prathana:

1) Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥

2) Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha।

Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me॥

3) Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita।

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥

4) Durgatinashini Tvamhi Daridradi Vinashanim।

Jayamda Dhanada Kushmande Pranamamyaham॥

Jagatamata Jagatakatri Jagadadhara Rupanim।

Charachareshwari Kushmande Pranamamyaham॥

Trailokyasundari Tvamhi Duhkha Shoka Nivarinim।

Paramanandamayi, Kushmande Pranamamyaham॥