Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comMaa Katyayani
Maa Katyayani is the sixth of the nine forms of Durga (Navdurga), worshipped on day 6 of Navratri, the Shukla Shashthi tithi. The Devi Kavach names her sixth in its list of the nine forms.
Maa Katyayani Mahatmya
The Goddess took the form of Katyayani to destroy the demon Mahishasura, so this is honoured as her warrior form. According to the scriptures she appeared at the home of the sage Katya, and so is called Katyayani. In the eleventh chapter of the Durga Saptashati the gods praise her by this very name.
She rides a magnificent lion and has four hands: a lotus and a sword in the left, the right hands in the gestures of fearlessness and blessing. Her prayer too speaks of 'candrahāsojjvalakarā', the shining Chandrahasa sword in her hand.
Worship of Maa Katyayani is believed to bless the devotee with freedom from obstacles to marriage, and to ease troubles linked to Jupiter (Brihaspati). Her customary bhog is honey.
Maa Katyayani: Mantra, Prayer and Stuti
Mantra
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
oṃ devī kātyāyanyai namaḥ||
Prarthana (Dhyana)
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद् देवी दानवघातिनी॥
candrahāsojjvalakarā śārdūlavaravāhanā|kātyāyanī śubhaṃ dadyād devī dānavaghātinī||
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu mām̐ kātyāyanī rūpeṇa saṃsthitā|namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ||
Navdurga in the Devi Kavach (verses 3-5) →
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी।तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम्॥पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च।सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम्॥नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः।
prathamaṃ śailaputrī ca dvitīyaṃ brahmacāriṇī|tṛtīyaṃ candraghaṇṭeti kūṣmāṇḍeti caturthakam||pañcamaṃ skandamāteti ṣaṣṭhaṃ kātyāyanīti ca|saptamaṃ kālarātrīti mahāgaurīti cāṣṭamam||navamaṃ siddhidātrī ca navadurgāḥ prakīrtitāḥ|
Readings Related to Maa Katyayani
Saptashati Reading (Day 6)
Festivals & Vrats
About Maa Katyayani
On day 6 of Navratri, after the morning bath, meditate on Maa Katyayani before the kalash with the prayer above, chant her mantra and offer the bhog. In the Durga Saptashati's seven-day reading order, the sixth day of Navratri covers chapter 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
On which day is Maa Katyayani worshipped?
On day 6 of Navratri, the Shukla Shashthi tithi, in both Chaitra and Ashwin (Shardiya) Navratri.
What is the mantra of Maa Katyayani?
Her mantra is "Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah", recited along with the stuti 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Katyayani Rupena Samsthita'.
What is Maa Katyayani's mount and form?
Mount: Lion. Form: Four hands, a lotus and a sword in the left, the right hands in abhaya and varada mudra.
Which Durga Saptashati chapters are read on day 6 of Navratri?
In the Durga Saptashati's seven-day reading order, the sixth day of Navratri covers chapter 11.