Katyayani
Katyayani is worshipped on the designated day of Navratri as one of the Navadurga — the nine progressive forms of the supreme goddess. The nine forms together narrate the complete theological progression from the newborn mountain-daughter to the liberated giver-of-siddhis:
- Shailaputri (daughter of mountain) — the beginning
- Brahmacharini (ascetic) — spiritual practice
- Chandraghanta (with moon-bell) — courage
- Kushmanda (cosmic-egg) — creation
- Skandamata (mother of Skanda) — nurturing
- Katyayani (born of sage) — warrior-power
- Kalaratri (dark night) — destruction of evil
- Mahagauri (great-fair) — purification
- Siddhidatri (giver of powers) — final liberation
The nine days of Navratri are thus a structured spiritual progression — the devotee moves with the goddess from mountain-innocence to liberated wisdom.
