6. Katyayani

Dhyana Mantra

चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना। कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद्देवी दानवघातिनी॥

May Devi Katyayani, whose hands gleam with the sword that shines like the moon, who rides the noble lion and slays the demons, grant auspiciousness.

The sixth form of Mother Durga is named Katyayani. The story of how she came by the name Katyayani is as follows: there was a famous maharshi named 'Kata'. His son was the rishi Katya. In the lineage of this Katya was born the world-famous maharshi Katyayan. He performed very hard penance for many years, worshipping Bhagavati Paramba. His wish was that the Mother Bhagavati be born as a daughter in his house. Mother Bhagavati accepted this prayer of his.

After some time, when the demon Mahishasura's tyranny on earth grew very great, then Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, all three, gave a portion of their own brilliance and created a Devi for the destruction of Mahishasura. Maharshi Katyayan was the first to worship her. For this very reason she came to be called Katyayani.

Another story is also found: that she was born as a daughter in Maharshi Katyayan's house. Taking birth on Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi, she accepted the worship of the rishi Katyayan for three days — Shukla Saptami, Ashtami and Navami — and on Dashami killed Mahishasura.

Mother Katyayani grants unfailing fruit. To obtain Lord Krishna as their husband, the gopis of Braja worshipped her on the banks of the Kalindi-Yamuna. She is established as the presiding deity of the Braja region. Her form is supremely magnificent and divine. Her complexion is radiant and shining like gold. She has four arms. The Mother's upper hand on the right side is in the abhaya mudra (the gesture of fearlessness), and the lower one in the varada mudra. In the upper hand on the left side shines a sword, and in the lower hand a lotus flower. Her mount is the lion.

On the sixth day of Durga Puja her form is worshipped. On that day the seeker's mind is established in the 'Ajna' chakra. In yogic practice this Ajna chakra has an extremely important place. The seeker whose mind is established in this chakra offers his all at Mother Katyayani's feet. Such a devotee, who makes a complete self-offering, easily obtains the darshan of Mother Katyayani. Through devotion to and worship of Mother Katyayani, a person very easily obtains all four fruits — artha (wealth), dharma (righteousness), kama (desire) and moksha (liberation). Even while living in this world he becomes endowed with extraordinary brilliance and influence. His disease, sorrow, affliction and fear are all completely destroyed. There is no easier and simpler path than the Mother's worship for destroying the sins of many births. Her worshipper, remaining constantly in her presence, becomes worthy of the supreme abode. Therefore we should, with all our being, take refuge in the Mother and be ready in her puja and worship.