ll Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah ll ll Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana।
Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini ll
The sixth day of Shardiya Navratri is dedicated to the worship of sixth form of Goddess Durga that is Goddess Katyayani. It is believed that by worshipping this form of Goddess Durga, devotees are freed from all sorts of grief and fear. She is believed to radiate a supernatural energy. Goddess Katyayani is also known as Vikta Devi which is a well-known Shakti Peeth.
Sri Katyayani Durga Devi, the sixth manifestation of Goddess Durga is worshipped in the form of Goddess Katyayani. She was pleased with the hard penance of Maharishi Kaatyaayana and took birth on earth in the form of his daughter in accordance with his desire. The goddess is known as Katyayani as she was born to Sage Katyayan and was first worshipped by him only. Her form is supposed to be simple and divine. The devotees of Goddess Katyayani throng the temple on the 6th day of Navaratri.
Katyayani is the sixth form of Navdurga or the nine forms or Goddess Parvati. She was the daughter of Sage Katya of the Katya clan. This is how she got her name Katyayani the daughter of Sage Katya. Sage Katya did Tapasya to Maa Durga. She was impressed by his prayer and gave him his wish of her being born as his daughter. This form of Goddess Durga is shown as serene and loving daughter. She has gold complexion. She has three eyes and four arms. One arm carries sword, one lotus. The other two are defending and pouring blessings on the devotees. She rides the tiger. It is believed that one who prays Devi Katyayani with a true heart and devotion he can lead to four objects- Dharma (religion), Artha (meaning), Kama (desire) and Moksha (liberation from the cycle of births and re-births).
The legend says that she was born to Sage Katyayana on the 14th dark of the month (Krishna paksh) of Ashwina masa. The Sage then worshipped Goddess Katyayani for three days 7th, 8th and 9th day of the brighter fortnight (Shukla paksh).
According to one story Goddess Katyayani was once travelling to Mysore Hills. The asuras or demons saw her. They were mesmerized by her beauty. Asuras went straight to their king Mahishasur and told him about her. When he asked her for her hand, she said he must win a war. He came and fought with Goddess Durga who defeated him. She cut his head with her sword, which gave her the name Mahishasuramardini, the Slayer of Mahishasura.
According to Karveer Mahatmya, Goddess Katyayani along with Goddess Mahalaxmi went to Karvir (the town of Kolhapur) to participate in the war against Kolhasur. An ally of Kolhasur, Raktabeej, had vardaan or a blessing, according to which with every drop of his blood which fell on Earth will spring a demon. Goddess Katyayani swallowed all of Raktabeej’s blood to prevent it from falling on Earth.
The word Katyayini means one who removes destructive ego. Katyayani Mantra is very effective in removing all obstacles such as Manglik Dosha or negative influences of planets in a girl’s horoscope.
Katyayani mantra is for those whose marriage has got delayed, this is a very effective mantra.
