Maa Katyayani | माँ कात्यायनी

Who is Maa Katyayani

Maa Katyayani is considered one of the fiercest manifestations of Goddess Durga. Maa Katyayani is renowned for vanquishing the demon king Mahishasura, earning her the title of Mahishasurmardini. Katyayani is often depicted riding a lion, with four hands that hold a lotus flower and sword on the left side and display Abhaya and Varada Mudras on the right. She is revered as the destroyer of evil.

According to the Vamana Purana, Maa Katyayani was formed from the combined energies of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and other deities, a response to their anger over the wrongdoings of the demon Mahishasura. These divine energies coalesced in the hermitage of Katyayana Rishi, who molded them into the proper form. This is why this particular form of Maa Durga is also known as Katyayani or the daughter of Katyayana.

About Maa Katyayani | माँ कात्यायनी 

Maa Katyayani Story

Legend has it that there was a sage named 'Kat' who had a son named 'Katya.' Subsequently, a sage named 'Katyayan' was born as his descendant. Sage Katyayan, who initially had no children, embarked on rigorous penance and prayed to the gods for a child.

Around this time, the demon Mahishasura was causing immense trouble for the gods, and his oppression was on the rise. The gods sought Vishnu's guidance to find a solution to defeat Mahishasura. Following Vishnu's instructions, Shiva and Brahma joined him, and together, this divine Trinity emitted fiery energies that took the form of Katyayani.

Katyayani, a manifestation of Durga, was then born as the daughter of Sage Katyayan, hence acquiring the name Katyayani. She was created to put an end to the wicked deeds of the demons and was born as a warrior, adorned with three eyes and eighteen hands, radiant as a thousand suns. 

The Gods bestowed upon her an array of weapons to vanquish Mahishasura: 

1. Shiv ji gave her a trident.
2. Vishnu ji gifted her a discus (Sudarshana Chakra).
3. Varuna Dev provided a conch shell (shankha).
4. Agni Dev contributed a dart.
5. Vayu Dev granted a bow.
6. Surya Dev presented a quiver.
7. Indra Dev offered a thunderbolt.
8. Lord Kubera provided a mace.
9. Brahma Dev gave her a rosary and a water pot.
10. Kala bestowed a sword and a shield.
11. Vishwakarma handed her a battle axe, among many other weapons.

Her divine vehicle is a lion. Armed with these divine gifts, The extraordinarily beautiful Goddess Maa Katyayani positioned herself on the Vindhyachal mountains, where Mahishasura's followers saw her and implored her to become their king's queen. In her melodious voice, she replied that she would only accept a man who could defeat her in combat.

Mahishasur, deeming himself too significant to engage in combat with a woman, dispatched his army to confront her. However, her prowess swiftly vanquished his entire army. Formidable demons like Chakshura, Chamara, and many others were effortlessly defeated by her.

Unable to bear the humiliation of his army's defeat at the hands of a woman, Mahishasura himself entered the battlefield. Enraged, he took on various forms, at times transforming into a fearsome buffalo, then an elephant, a lion, and other menacing creatures. He leapt to attack the lion accompanying Devi. In his fury, Mahishasur triggered earthquakes and other disasters on Earth during the battle.

Mahishasur was no ordinary demon, and the battle raged on for ten days between him and Devi. Eventually, she made a colossal leap into the air, pinning him to the ground with her foot and driving her trident deep into his chest just as he was shifting from a buffalo into a human. She then swiftly beheaded him with a single stroke of her sword.

Sage Katyayana worshiped her during the last three days of Ashwin, part of the fall Navratri. On the tenth day, known as Vijayadashmi (the day of Victory), this captivating form of Mother Durga triumphed over the demon Mahishasura.

About Mahishasura

The birth of Mahishasura is also an intriguing tale. His father, Rambha, was the demon king (asura). He fell in love with Princess Mahishi, who had been cursed to take the form of a water buffalo. The word "Mahisha" in Sanskrit means buffalo, and thus, Mahishasura was born from the union of Rambha and Mahishi. Due to his lineage, he could transform between the form of an asura and a buffalo.

Maa Katyayani Iconographic Insights

In Hindu mythology, Maa Skandamata is depicted with four arms.

Maa Skandamata rides upon a fierce lion and cradles baby Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, in her lap. Murugan is the brother of Lord Ganesha. She is portrayed with four hands, holding lotus flowers in her upper two hands. 

One of her right hands carries baby Murugan (Kartikeya), and the other right hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, a gesture of reassurance and protection. Seated on a lotus flower, she is often referred to as Goddess Padmasana due to her association with the lotus.

Maa Katyayani Ruling Planet

Maa Katyayani governs over the planet Jupiter, and it is believed that worshipping her with pure intentions can ward off any adverse effects associated with the Jupiter.

Maa Katyayani Chakra Association

Maa Katyayani is associated with the sixth Agnya chakra, also known as the 'Third Eye Chakra

Worshipping Maa Katyayani : A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Begin your day by waking up in the morning and taking a sacred bath.
2. Take a wooden plank, drape it with red cloth, and place an idol of Goddess Katyayani on it.
3. Offer fresh flowers, vermilion, fruits, light a lamp, apply kumkum on your forehead, and present homemade sweets.
4. Present five adornment items to the Goddess (turmeric, vermillion, henna, a saree, and a bindi) while making a wish.
5. Light camphor and offer it to the Goddess.
6. Conduct the Aarti for Goddess Durga and Maa Katyayani.
7. Seek blessings and forgiveness from the divine mother.
8. Devotees can conclude their fast after presenting Bhog (offering) to the Goddess.

Benefits of Observing Maa Katyayani Puja 

As per the Bhagavata Purana, young unmarried girls in Gokula observed a fast throughout the month of Margashirsha and worshiped Goddess Katyayani with the hope of getting Lord Krishna as their husband. They crafted an earthen idol of the goddess and paid their respects.

Since then, it has been believed that girls who fast and worship Katyayani will find suitable husbands. In Tamil Nadu, Devi Kanya Kumari, the virgin goddess, is considered an avatar of Ma Katyayani and is worshiped during Pongal, coinciding with Makar Sankranti.

Maa Katyayani is renowned as a generous deity. It is a common belief that unmarried girls who worship Goddess Katyayani with the desire to get married or find their ideal life partner are blessed by the Goddess, and their wishes are granted.

For married individuals experiencing challenges in their marital life, it is recommended to chant the Maa Katyayani Mantra 108 times daily. This practice is believed to strengthen the marital relationship.

Maa Katyayani Mantra

ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
Om Devi kaatyaayanyai Namah॥

कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्य धीश्वरि ।
नन्द गोपसुतं देविपतिं मे कुरु ते नमः ॥
Katyayani Mahaamaye Mahaayoginya dheeshwari।
Nand Gopsutam Devipatim Me Kuru te Namah ॥

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां स्कंदमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। 
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhoo‍teshu Maa Skandamata Roopen Sansthita।
Namastasye Namastasye Namastasye Namo Namh ॥

ॐ ह्रीं कात्यायन्यै स्वाहा॥
Om Hrin Katyaynyai Swaaha॥

ह्रीं श्रीं कात्यायन्यै स्वाहा ॥
Hrin Shrin Katyaynyai Swaha॥

Maa Katyayani Aarti (आरती)

जय जय अम्बे जय कात्यायनी, जय जग माता जग की महारानी॥
बैजनाथ स्थान तुम्हारा, वहावर दाती नाम पुकारा॥
कई नाम है कई धाम है, यह स्थान भी तो सुखधाम है॥
हर मन्दिर में ज्योत तुम्हारी, कही योगेश्वरी महिमा न्यारी॥
हर जगह उत्सव होते रहते, हर मन्दिर में भगत है कहते॥
कत्यानी रक्षक काया की, ग्रंथि काटे मोह माया की॥
झूठे मोह से छुडाने वाली, अपना नाम जपाने वाली॥
बृहस्पतिवार को पूजा करिए, ध्यान कात्यानी का धरिये॥
हर संकट को दूर करेगी, भंडारे भरपूर करेगी॥
जो भी माँ को भक्त पुकारे, कात्यायनी सब कष्ट निवारे॥

Jai Jai ambe jay Katyayani, Jai jag Mata jag Ki Maharani॥
Baijanaath Sthaan tumhara, vahavar datee naam pukara॥
Kayi naam hai Kayi dhaam hai, yeh sthaan bhee to sukhadhaam hai॥
Har mandir mein jyot tumhari, kahee yogeshvaree mahima nyari॥
har jagah utsav hote rahate, har mandir mein bhagat hai kahate॥
katyaanee rakshak kaaya kee, granthi kaate moh maaya kee॥
Jhoothe moh se chudaane valee, apana naam japaane vaalee॥
Brhaspativaar ko pooja kariye, dhyaan Katyayani ka dhariye॥
Har sankat ko door karegee, bhandaare bharapoor karegee॥
Jo Bhi maan ko bhakt pukare, Katyayani sab kasht nivaare॥

Maa Katyayani Prasad 

When the mother got tired while fighting with Mahishasura, she ate betel leaf with honey. By eating betel leaf with honey, Mother Katyayani's fatigue went away and she killed Mahishasura. Those who practice and worship Katyayani should offer betel leaf with honey to please the mother. Or you can also offer honey separately.

Kheer is also a cherished food item presented to Maa Durga throughout the nine days of Navratri.

The time of worship of Maa Katyayani is twilight period. During this time, worshiping Mother Goddess with incense, lamp and Guggul removes all kinds of obstacles. 

Those devotees who offer 5 types of sweets to the Mother Goddess and distribute the Prasad among the virgin girls, the Mother Goddess removes the obstacles in their income and the person is successful in earning money as per his hard work and ability.