Navratri, one of the most revered and widely celebrated festivals of Hindus, is a time of devotion, joy, and worship. It is a nine-day festival that honours the divine feminine, celebrating the various forms of Goddess Durga. While the festival is marked differently across states, it remains a Hindu tradition and spirituality pillar.
On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Kushmanda, the smiling goddess who is believed to have created the universe. Her story is one of warmth, light, and creation—a tale that brings to life the cosmic forces that shaped today’s world.
Who Is Maa Kushmanda
Maa Kushmanda’s name is derived from three words: “Ku” (little), “Ushma” (energy or warmth), and “Anda” (cosmic egg), symbolizing her as the creator of the universe – the cosmic egg. Before her existence, the universe was a void, filled with darkness. Her radiant smile dispelled this darkness and brought the universe into being.
Her divine light illuminated the empty cosmos and birthed the celestial bodies, including the Sun, which she occupies at its core, radiating energy and life. It is through her energy that all living beings are sustained, and she is regarded as the source of all creation.
The Story of Maa Kushmanda
Long ago, in a time when the universe was empty and dark, two demons named Mali and Sumali decided to perform intense meditation, called tapas, to impress Lord Shiva. They wanted to gain power and become unstoppable. Their dedication was so strong that their bodies began to glow with a bright, mysterious light.
Far away in the heavens, Suryadev, the Sun God, noticed this strange glow. His curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to leave his place in the sky to take a closer look. He came down towards the earth, eager to see what was causing the light. However, as Suryadev moved closer, his intense heat became too much for the demons. Their bodies couldn’t handle it, and they were burnt to ashes in an instant.
This upset Lord Shiva. He had been watching over Mali and Sumali and felt angry that Suryadev had destroyed them. In a fit of rage, Shiva threw his powerful trident, the trishul, towards Suryadev. The force of this attack killed Suryadev, and suddenly, the entire universe was plunged into darkness. There was no light or warmth with no sun, and everything fell silent and cold.
Realizing the severity of what he had done, Lord Shiva felt regret. He knew the universe needed light, and life could not exist without the sun. So, he went to Parvati, his wife, seeking her help.
Parvati, full of wisdom and compassion, took on her divine form as Mata Kushmanda. Her name has deep meaning—’Ku’ means “a little,” ‘Ushma’ means “warmth,” and ‘Anda’ means “cosmic egg.” Mata Kushmanda, with just a small smile, had the power to create life itself.
With a gentle smile, Mata Kushmanda brought light back to the universe. Her smile created a new cosmic egg, from which the stars, planets, and galaxies were born. She also created Amrit, the nectar of life, and used it to bring Suryadev back to life. The Sun God returned to the sky, shining brighter than ever before, spreading light and warmth across the universe.
It is said that the energy that powers the sun comes directly from Mata Kushmanda. Her smile, though small, revived the universe, proving that even the tiniest action can have a great and lasting impact. From that day, Mata Kushmanda was worshipped as the goddess who gave life to the universe, and every year, people celebrate her on the fourth day of Navratri, honoring her smile that brought light back to the world.
As the legend goes, Maa Kushmanda created three other goddesses – Mahalakshmi, Mahakali, and Mahasaraswati – from her eyes, each representing various aspects of power and knowledge. These deities went on to give birth to the gods Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and their divine consorts, creating the foundation of the Hindu pantheon.
Maa Kushmanda is often depicted riding a lioness, symbolizing strength and courage. She has eight arms, each holding significant objects that reflect her power and grace. These include a bow, an arrow, a lotus, a discus, a mace, a pot of nectar, a rosary, and a kamandalu (water pot). Her eight arms have earned her the name “Ashtabhuja,” meaning “eight-armed goddess.”
The rosary she holds is said to grant devotees the “Ashtasiddhis” (eight types of divine powers) and “Navniddhis” (nine types of treasures). She is also closely associated with the Sun, as she resides at its center, radiating the warmth and energy that sustains all life in the universe. Due to her association with the Sun, she is believed to govern its energy and direction.
Benefits of Worshipping Maa Kushmanda
Maa Kushmanda embodies Shakti, the divine energy that creates and sustains the cosmos. In spiritual practice, she represents the Anahata (heart) chakra, which governs love, compassion, and healing. Worshipping her during Navratri brings joy, prosperity, strength, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Her divine blessings help eliminate darkness in the world and within ourselves, leading to a life of harmony and fulfilment.
On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees perform special pujas to honour Maa Kushmanda. The rituals typically involve using sacred items such as clay pots, grains, mango leaves, and a kalash (holy water pot). Red flowers, the goddess’s favourite, are offered with mantras and prayers to seek her blessings.
Devotees chant her mantra, Surasampurnakalasam Rudhiraplutameva Cha / Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kusmanda Subhadastu Me, during the puja to invoke her divine energy and seek protection from life’s challenges.
Maa Kushmanda’s radiant smile continues to inspire devotion among her followers. She brings light into darkness, establishes balance, and nurtures all living beings. Her tale reminds us of the divine power that exists within and around us, and during Navratri, we celebrate her as the source of all life, strength, and prosperity.
Maa Kushmanda Mantra
ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥
Maa Kushmanda Prarthana
सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha।
Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me॥
Maa Kushmanda Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Maa Kushmanda Dhyana
वन्दे वाञ्छित कामार्थे चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहरूढ़ा अष्टभुजा कूष्माण्डा यशस्विनीम्॥
भास्वर भानु निभाम् अनाहत स्थिताम् चतुर्थ दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
कमण्डलु, चाप, बाण, पद्म, सुधाकलश, चक्र, गदा, जपवटीधराम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां कमनीयां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल, मण्डिताम्॥
प्रफुल्ल वदनांचारू चिबुकां कान्त कपोलाम् तुगम् कुचाम्।
कोमलाङ्गी स्मेरमुखी श्रीकंटि निम्ननाभि नितम्बनीम्॥
Vande Vanchhita Kamarthe Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Simharudha Ashtabhuja Kushmanda Yashasvinim॥
Bhaswara Bhanu Nibham Anahata Sthitam Chaturtha Durga Trinetram।
Kamandalu, Chapa, Bana, Padma, Sudhakalasha, Chakra, Gada, Japawatidharam॥
Patambara Paridhanam Kamaniyam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala, Manditam॥
Praphulla Vadanamcharu Chibukam Kanta Kapolam Tugam Kucham।
Komalangi Smeramukhi Shrikanti Nimnabhi Nitambanim॥
Maa Kushmanda Stotra
दुर्गतिनाशिनी त्वंहि दरिद्रादि विनाशनीम्।
जयंदा धनदा कूष्माण्डे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
जगतमाता जगतकत्री जगदाधार रूपणीम्।
चराचरेश्वरी कूष्माण्डे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
त्रैलोक्यसुन्दरी त्वंहि दुःख शोक निवारिणीम्।
परमानन्दमयी, कूष्माण्डे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Durgatinashini Tvamhi Daridradi Vinashanim।
Jayamda Dhanada Kushmande Pranamamyaham॥
Jagatamata Jagatakatri Jagadadhara Rupanim।
Charachareshwari Kushmande Pranamamyaham॥
Trailokyasundari Tvamhi Duhkha Shoka Nivarinim।
Paramanandamayi, Kushmande Pranamamyaham॥
Maa Kushmanda Kavacha
हंसरै में शिर पातु कूष्माण्डे भवनाशिनीम्।
हसलकरीं नेत्रेच, हसरौश्च ललाटकम्॥
कौमारी पातु सर्वगात्रे, वाराही उत्तरे तथा,
पूर्वे पातु वैष्णवी इन्द्राणी दक्षिणे मम।
दिग्विदिक्षु सर्वत्रेव कूं बीजम् सर्वदावतु॥
Hamsarai Mein Shira Patu Kushmande Bhavanashinim।
Hasalakarim Netrecha, Hasaraushcha Lalatakam॥
Kaumari Patu Sarvagatre, Varahi Uttare Tatha,
Purve Patu Vaishnavi Indrani Dakshine Mama।
Digvidikshu Sarvatreva Kum Bijam Sarvadavatu॥
Maa Kushmanda Aarti
कूष्माण्डा जय जग सुखदानी। मुझ पर दया करो महारानी॥
पिङ्गला ज्वालामुखी निराली। शाकम्बरी माँ भोली भाली॥
लाखों नाम निराले तेरे। भक्त कई मतवाले तेरे॥
भीमा पर्वत पर है डेरा। स्वीकारो प्रणाम ये मेरा॥
सबकी सुनती हो जगदम्बे। सुख पहुँचाती हो माँ अम्बे॥
तेरे दर्शन का मैं प्यासा। पूर्ण कर दो मेरी आशा॥
माँ के मन में ममता भारी। क्यों ना सुनेगी अरज हमारी॥
तेरे दर पर किया है डेरा। दूर करो माँ संकट मेरा॥
मेरे कारज पूरे कर दो। मेरे तुम भण्डारे भर दो॥
तेरा दास तुझे ही ध्याये। भक्त तेरे दर शीश झुकाये॥