The Ninth day of Navarathri is given over to Goddess Siddhidhatri. In this form Mother Goddess provides ‘Siddhi’ or knowledge. Siddhidhatri is the full form of goddess Parvati. She has four hands holding a discus, conch shell, mace, and lotus. She is sitting on a fully bloomed lotus or a lion. The colour of the day is Purple.
Bhagavad Gita 10:34 … Of the qualities that, due to their grace and tenderness, are termed ‘female’, I am fame and fortune, sweet speech, memory, intelligence, steadfast perseverance, loyalty, and forgiveness.
To make up the nine nights, we will add repositories of truth and culture to the list given from the Bhagavad Gita.
Goddess of Day 9: Siddhiddatri
Day 9 is dedicated to goddess Siddhidatri. Goddess Siddhidatri is the 9th incarnation of Mother Durga, worshipped on the 9th day of Navratri. Dhatri means “giver” and Siddhi means “meditative ability”. Thus she is the Goddess of accomplishment, who bestows perfection (siddhis) on her devotees.
Goddess Siddhidatri is the Goddess of accomplishment who blesses her devotees with knowledge and wisdom. She signifies perfection and helps her devotees to attain perfection, happiness, and purity of heart. Sky blue color is the color of significance on Navami symbolizing nature’s beauty. One half of Lord Shiva’s body is that of Goddess Siddhidatri and thus he is called Ardhanarishwar. Kanya Pooja is done on the 9th day if not performed on Ashtami. 9 young girls are worshipped as Navdurgas. Their feet are washed and their foreheads are adorned with tilak. They are gifted with presents and money; they are lovingly served with puris, halwa, black chana etc. This is the final and concluding day of Durga Puja.
Stuti:
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Siddhidatri Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha
Women and Divinity
Primarily, women should keep their tongue under check. Since men are involved with multifarious activities, it may be difficult for them to control their tongue. Hence, it is the duty of women to look after the home diligently and conduct themselves in a pleasing manner. Treat guests in a cordial manner and, to the extent possible, extend your help to those who are in need of it. Today people do only lip service, they do not translate their words into action. You should empathise with those who are in difficulties and try to give them solace. You should comfort and console them with soothing words. Those who talk harsh words are verily demons. If you hurt others’ feelings, you will be hurt twice as much. You cannot escape from the consequences of your actions. You have to bear this truth in mind. Your life will be sanctified when you conduct yourselves in such a manner as not to hurt others.
People aspire to attain liberation. What is liberation? Help ever, hurt never. That is true liberation. To get rid of attachment is true liberation. Do not try to find faults with others. If you point an accusing finger at someone, remember that three fingers are pointing at you. Truth is the true ornament to the neck, charity is the true ornament to the hand. Your hands are useless if they do not perform acts of charity. You have to sanctify each limb of your body in sacred activities. Your eyes should look at only sacred things.
Do you know what an enormous power is latent in your eyes? There are crores of light rays in them. In olden days, people used to invoke the grace of sun god to have a better vision. When you perform Suryanamaskar (worship of sun god) and invoke his grace, the light rays in your eyes will become more effulgent. On the other hand, if you look for mistakes in others, the sun god will withdraw his rays from your eyes making you blind. Hence, make proper use of the limbs given by God.
These teachings are simple to practise in your daily life. Just because they are simple, do not take them lightly. Though they appear to be simple, they lead you to liberation. It is your good fortune that you are blessed with eyes to see. What is good fortune? Good fortune is that which cannot be seen. You may not be able to see the results of your meritorious deeds. But they confer on you all the happiness and comforts in due course of time. That is your good fortune. There are many things that follow you that cannot be seen by the naked eye.
A lioness protecting her young,
you rage when aroused.
Nothing stands before you,
no troubles can resist you,
no enemies defeat you.
A roaring in the distance announces your arrival,
scattering the dealers of cares.
You shake the Earth beneath their feet
upsetting all their plans.
108 Names of the Divine Mother (English)
Om… I bow to SHE who is the Mother of the Universe.
Each of the Divine Names (in English) ends with ~ swaha.
When you use the Sanskrit word swaha you are invoking the God / Goddess, you are arousing the God / Goddess to come and witness your action, to come and receive your prayer.
We append these 108 Names of the Divine Mother and pray that you will be understanding the significance of the prayers, along with the efficacy of same.
Download the 108 Names of the Divine Mother
It is said that each day has a colour, and that idols of the Gods worshipped on these days are clothed in sari and other clothing in the colours given. Several sources give several colours. We will be following the day colours as given by Drik Panchang, which may vary from other sources. It is not our intention to cause offence with colours given.
