Nav Durga: The Nine Forms of Durga Devi

Day 1 Meditation

The first name of Goddess Durga is Shailaputri. At the peak of any experience, there is Mother Divine. Shaila means the peak, that which is extraordinary and is rising to reach the heights. She represents the energy of the mountains—solid and yet radiating subtle, invisible waves. Shailaputri is that subtle energy from which the entire universe arises. Whenever we feel spiritually aligned, this consciousness is reflected as Shailaputri.

The second name of the Mother Divine is Brahmacharini. Brahma means infinity—something that moves within infinity. You might wonder, if it’s in infinity, what’s the point of movement? It’s everywhere, so where can it go?

The answer is both yes and no. Though all-pervading, it remains dynamic. If we think of infinity as static, we miss a subtle truth. Movement within infinity is the essence of the subtle, just as space, though appearing still, contains immense activity. Think of the ocean, which stays in place yet moves continuously through its waves. Even within its vastness, waves arise.

Wherein, one meaning of Brahmacharini is movement within infinity, and another is the pure, untouched aspect of energy. Like the sun’s rays—ancient yet always fresh and new. This newness is embodied in the second form of Durga.

Day 2 Meditation

Day 3 Meditation

The third form of the Mother Divine is Chandraghanta. Chandra means moon or that is related to the mind; that which charms the mind. She is the embodiment of beauty. Wherever anything appears beautiful to you, it is because of the Mother Divine’s energy there. If the energy is not there, nothing is beautiful. However beautiful a face one may have, if there is no life in it, we don’t call it beautiful. We don’t see beauty in a dead body because there is no energy in it. It is the energy that brings beauty to human beings, and animals too.

The fourth form of the Mother Divine is called Kushmanda. There are 440 Milky Ways and billions of suns. The consciousness that forms the basis of all creation, and has itself become the creation, is Kushmanda. It’s the prana energy, the consciousness that spans from the smallest microcosm to the vast macrocosmic universe—formless, yet giving rise to all conceivable forms. She is a ball of energy. Whenever you experience a ball of energy or prana, know that this is one aspect of Durga or Mother Divine.

Interestingly a pumpkin is also called Kushmanda because it is the source of tremendous energy or prana shakti. It has the highest prana among all vegetables.

Day 4 Meditation

Day 5 Meditation

The fifth form of the Mother Divine is Skandamata. While every mother embodies the nature of protection, the pride of Skanda Mata, the mother of the protector, is a blend of compassion, affection, and certain pride.

She is that aspect of Durga, which embodies protection for the entire universe and resides within our consciousness. She is also the mother of all the six systems of knowledge, the six schools, which are Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta, Uttara Mimamsa. These are the shad-darshanas. There are also shad-angas or 6 limbs of the body of knowledge – Jyotish, music, phonetics and many other disciplines. There are 64 different disciplines of art, science, and knowledge. Skandamata is the mother of all this wisdom.

The sixth form of the Mother Divine is Katyayani. She represents the energy that arises from the seer aspect of consciousness. Katyayan means seer—when you become a witness. When you realize, “I am not the body nor the mind,” and dive deep within, you become the seer of everything. From this seer state of consciousness, energy emerges, and with it comes the power of intuition. You’ve seen this intuitive ability in our children. This is the essence of Katyayani—seeing beyond the senses, knowing beyond logic. That energy is Katyayani.

Day 6 Meditation

Day 7 Meditation

The seventh form of Shakti is Kaalaratri. She embodies the deep, dark energy—a dark matter that holds infinite universes and brings solace to every soul. If you feel happy or at ease, it is the blessing of Ratri—the night. Why is night called Ratri? Because night brings comfort to all living beings. No matter what happens during the day, when you sleep, you find inner peace and rest. Kaalaratri is that aspect of the Mother Divine that exists beyond the universe, yet brings comfort to every heart and soul.

The eighth form of the Mother Divine is Mahagauri. She embodies beauty, grace, and the force that propels you toward ultimate freedom and liberation. Gauri means that which grants knowledge, brings movement to life, and liberates you.

Mahagauri is the epitome of purity and fairness. We call her Gauri, as fairness symbolizes this name. But in a deeper sense, ‘Gau’ signifies knowledge, progress, achievement, and liberation. Gauri is the one who bestows wisdom, moves us forward in life, fulfills our needs, and ultimately leads us to Moksha. This Gauri principle is the source of happiness, guiding us on the path to liberation.

Day 8 Meditation

Day 9 Meditation

The ninth form of devi shakti is Siddhidhatri. She brings the blessings of the Mother Divine and manifests miracles in life. What seems impossible, she makes possible. She allows us to think beyond limitations, to transcend the logical mind, and to perceive far beyond the boundaries of time and space.

Siddhidhatri is the one who grants the fruits of your efforts. While you may put in the work, the outcome is not in your hands. It rests in the hands of the Mother Divine—only through her grace do your efforts bear fruit.

From the spiritual peak of Shailaputri to the miracles of Siddhidhatri, these forms guide us to align with their divine qualities. As we meditate on each aspect, may we embrace their transformative power, enriching our lives and deepening our connection to the universal essence of Shakti.