Goddess Kushmanda

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Introduction to Kushmanda Day 4 Navratri Goddess

Goddess Kushmanda, The Creator of the Universe with Her Divine Smile is one of the nine forms of the divine Goddess Durga. She is associated as a creator of the earth with her divine smile. However, Maa Kushmanda form is celebrated on the fourth day of Chaturthi October 06, 2024, Sunday of Navratri. This avatar of Maa Durga is also known as the smiling goddess. Her name signifies her role in the world as the ‘Ku’ word means small or tiny, Ushma means energy or warmth, and Anda means the egg, indicating the cosmic egg of creation, finally giving the meaning as the creator of the Universe from cosmic egg or the creator of the egg-shaped Universe.

The Origin of Goddess Kushmanda Devi

According to Hindu mythology, Maa Kushmanda is believed to have emerged from the void as a form of Adi Shakti. She was the first to create light in the dark and formless universe with her divine smile. She then made the Sun, the moon, the stars, and the planets with her power and energy. She also created Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the three supreme gods of Hinduism, and gave them their respective roles of creation, preservation, and destruction. She is also considered the mother of all living beings and the source of all knowledge and wisdom.

The Iconography of Devi Kushmanda

Kushmanda Mata is often depicted riding on a Lion or Tiger and as Ashtabhuji, the one with eight hands. She holds a chakra (discus), Shula (trident), gadha (mace), dhanu (bow), bana (arrow), Padma (lotus), mala (rosary), and two aesthetic jars, one filled with blood and the other with elixir (Amrutha). Her one hand is always on abhayamudra, from which she blesses all her devotees. She has three eyes, a pleasant face, and a gentle smile. Her complexion is golden and radiant like the Sun. She wears a red saree and ornaments made of gold and pearls.

The Worship of Mata Kushmanda

Mata Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day October 6, 2024, Sunday of Navratri (nine nights of Navadurga) and is believed to improve health and bestow wealth and strength. She is also worshipped on Kushmanda Navami, which falls on the ninth day of Kartik month in some parts of India. She is offered white pumpkin or kushmanda as a special offering, as it is believed to be her favorite food. She is also pleased by offering red flowers, coconut, incense, lamps, fruits, sweets, and naivedya. Her devotees chant her name, mantra, and prayer and sing her praises while performing her puja.

The Legends of Maa Kushmanda

Many legends associated with Goddess Kushmanda depict her power and glory. One is related to her role in killing Mahishasura, the demon king with a boon that any man or god could not kill him. He terrorized the three worlds with his army of demons and challenged the gods to a war. The gods were helpless against him and sought refuge in Goddess Durga. She then assumed the form of Kushmanda and joined the battle along with other forms of Navadurga. She fought bravely with Mahishasura and his generals and finally killed him with her trident. She thus restored peace and order in the universe and was hailed as Mahishasuramardini, the slayer of Mahishasura.

Another legend is related to her role in saving Lord Shiva from Bhasmasura, a demon who had a boon that he could turn anyone into ashes by touching their head. He wanted to test his power on Lord Shiva and chased him all over the universe. Lord Shiva could not escape him and prayed to Goddess Parvati for help. She then took the form of Kushmanda and appeared before Bhasmasura as a beautiful woman. The Goddess seduced him with charm and asked him to dance with her. She then performed a dance move, touching her head with her hand. Bhasmasura imitated her without realizing that he would burn himself to ashes by doing so. He thus met his end by his boon, and Goddess Kushmanda’s cleverness saved Lord Shiva.

Planet controlled by Goddess Kushmanda

Maa Kushmanda is said to control the planet Sun, considered the source of light and life in Hindu astrology. The Sun represents a person's soul, ego, vitality, courage, authority, and fame. It also influences the health, career, and success of a person. By worshipping Goddess Kushmanda, one can appease the Sun and gain its positive effects. One can also overcome the adverse effects of the Sun, such as anger, arrogance, pride, and jealousy, by seeking her blessings.

The Significance of Goddess Kushmanda

Kushmanda Mata is significant for her role as the creator of the universe and the mother of all living beings. She is also significant for her role as the giver of light and energy to the world. She is the embodiment of joy, happiness, and bliss. She is the symbol of power, wisdom, and compassion. She is the protector of her devotees from all evils and dangers. She is the bestower of health, wealth, and strength to her devotees. She is the guide of her devotees towards their best path and destiny.

The Mantras of Goddess Kushmanda

Many mantras are used to invoke and worship Goddess Kushmanda. Some of them are:

Om Kushmandayai Namaha: This simple mantra means “Salutations to Goddess Kushmanda.”
Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me: This is a mantra that means “Holding a kalsham’s (aesthetic pots ) one filled up with Amrutha, another with the blood and holding them by her lotus like hands, O Mata Kushmaanda, please bestow me good luck and fortune.”
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah Sura Sampurna Kalasham Rudhira Plutamev Cha Dadhanya Hastpadmaabhyaam Kushmanda Shubhdaastu Me: This is another mantra that means “Salutations to Goddess Kushmanda who holds two pots in her lotus hands, one full of nectar and another full of blood, please grant me auspiciousness.”
Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Kushmande Namah: This is a mantra that combines the seed sounds of Goddess Lakshmi (Shreem), Goddess Saraswati (Hreem), and Goddess Kali (Kleem) along with the name of Goddess Kushmanda.

The Prayers of Maa Kushmanda

Many prayers are used to praise and worship Goddess Kushmanda. Some of them are:

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah: This is a prayer that means “Salutations to the Goddess who resides in all beings as Maa Kushmanda.”
Sura Sampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me: This is a prayer that means “Holding a kalsham’s (aesthetic pots ) one filled up with Amrutha, another with the blood and holding them by her lotus like hands, O Mata Kushmaanda, please bestow me good luck and fortune.”
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah Sura Sampurna Kalasham Rudhira Plutamev Cha Dadhanya Hastpadmaabhyaam Kushmanda Shubhdaastu Me: This is a prayer that means “Salutations to Goddess Kushmanda who holds two pots in her lotus hands, one full of nectar and another full of blood, please grant me auspiciousness.”

The Rituals of Mata Kushmanda

Many rituals are performed to worship Goddess Kushmanda. Some of them are:

On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees wake up early and bathe. They then wear clean clothes and decorate their puja place with flowers, rangoli, lamps, and incense.
They then install an idol or a picture of Goddess Kushmanda on a pedestal or a chowki. They also place a white pumpkin or kushmanda near the idol or image of the Goddess as an offering.
They then perform puja by offering the Goddess red flowers, coconut, incense, lamps, fruits, sweets, and naivedya. They also offer dhoop (incense smoke), deep (lamp), pushp (flowers), Chandan (sandalwood paste), sindoor (vermilion), akshat (rice grains), abeer (colored powder), gulal (red powder), moli (sacred thread), vastra (cloth), phal (fruits), mithai (sweets), pan (betel leaf), supari (betel nut), elaichi (cardamom), laung (clove), dakshina (money) and other items as per their capacity and tradition.
They then chant her name, mantra, and prayer and sing her praises while performing her puja.
They then perform an arti by waving a lamp before the Goddess while singing her arti song.
They then distribute the prasad among themselves and others as a blessing from the Goddess.

The Temples of Goddess Kushmanda

There are many temples dedicated to Goddess Kushmanda in India and abroad. Some of them are:

Kushmanda Devi Temple in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh: This is one of the oldest and most famous temples of Goddess Kushmanda. It is located on a hilltop and offers a panoramic view of the surroundings. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during their exile. The temple celebrates Navratri with great zeal and devotion.
Kushmanda Mata Temple in Jodhpur, Rajasthan: This is another ancient and famous temple of Goddess Kushmanda. It is situated on a hill near the Mehrangarh Fort. The temple is known for its exquisite architecture and sculptures. The temple attracts many devotees and tourists throughout the year.
Kushmanda Devi Temple in Banda, Uttar Pradesh: This is a modern and beautiful temple of Goddess Kushmanda. It is located on the banks of the Ken River. The temple has a spacious hall and a dome-shaped roof. The temple also has a garden and a pond. The temple organizes various cultural and religious programs during Navratri and other festivals.
Kushmanda Devi Temple in New Jersey, USA: This is one of the few temples of Goddess Kushmanda outside India. It is located in the town of Edison. The temple was established by a group of devotees who wanted to spread the worship of Goddess Kushmanda in the USA. The temple has a simple and elegant structure and a serene atmosphere. The temple conducts regular puja and aarti for the Goddess and celebrates Navratri with enthusiasm and devotion.

The Benefits of Worshipping Goddess Kushmanda

Worshipping Goddess Kushmanda can bring many benefits to her devotees. Some of them are:

She can bless her devotees with good health, wealth, and strength.
She can protect her devotees from all evils and dangers.
She can grant her devotees with wisdom, knowledge, and creativity.
She can guide her devotees towards their best path and destiny.
She can fulfill her devotees' wishes and desires.
On Sunday, October 06, 2024, honor Goddess Kushmanda and wear blue. She will give the person peace and wealth as a blessing.

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