Kushmanda

Kushmanda

Kushmanda 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:

1. Shailaputri (daughter of mountain) — the beginning
2. Brahmacharini (ascetic) — spiritual practice
3. Chandraghanta (with moon-bell) — courage
4. Kushmanda (cosmic-egg) — creation
5. Skandamata (mother of Skanda) — nurturing
6. Katyayani (born of sage) — warrior-power
7. Kalaratri (dark night) — destruction of evil
8. Mahagauri (great-fair) — purification
9. 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.