Embody the 9 Devis of Goddess Durga: Awaken your Inner Power !
- Rhucha Kulkarni
- Sep 22
- 4 min read
#Navratri isn’t just about rituals and celebrations. It’s also a reminder of the different #strengths we hold within us as women and as human beings. Each of the 9 forms of Goddess Durga is like an archetype – an inner quality we can call upon when life challenges us.
Instead of seeing them only in temples, what if we invited them into our daily lives? Here’s how we can embody the 9 Devis in modern, practical ways:
1. Shailaputri – Stay Grounded
“Shaila” means the mountain and this form refers to the daughter of the mountain or Goddess Parvati who was the daughter of King Himavat (personification of the Himalayan Mountains).
Depiction: Depicted as a feminine form with two hands and a crescent moon on her forehead. She carries a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left. She is depicted with her vahana or ride the “Nandi” bull.
Messaging: Life pulls us in many directions. Shailaputri teaches us to root ourselves in our values.
Suggested Practice: Begin your day with a grounding ritual – journaling, walking barefoot on grass, or simply pausing to breathe deeply.
2. Brahmacharini – Commit to Growth
She is the female ascetic form of Goddess Durga.
Depiction: depicted as a female deity carrying a rosary bead made of dried rudraksha in her right hand and a kamandalu in her left hand.
Messaging: Her discipline and focus remind us that progress takes consistency.
Suggested Practice: Choose one habit you want to build – whether it’s meditation, reading, or exercising – and commit to it with devotion, even if results feel far away.
3. Chandraghanta – Balance Calm and Strength
Also known as Ranachandi, with her third eye open, she is always ready for war with demons.
Depiction: Depicted as a female deity with 10 hands of which two carry the trident, mace, bow and arrow, khadaga, lotus, ghanta and kamandalu, one of her hands is always in a blessing posture or the abhayamudra which dispels fears.
Messaging: She radiates peace, while carrying the power to protect.
Suggested Practice: The next time you face conflict, respond with calm but firm words. Being gentle and strong at once is your superpower.
4. Kushmanda – Spread Positivity
The name Kushmanda can be broken down into Ku, Ushma and Anda where Ku means "a little", Ushma means "warmth" or "energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg".
Depiction: Seen on a lion as her vahana, she is also known as Adi Shakti who is credited with the creation of the universe.
Messaging: Known for creating the universe with her smile, she shows us the power of joy.
Suggested Practice: Smile more often. Appreciate small wins. Share uplifting energy at work or at home – it creates ripples bigger than you imagine.
5. Skandamata – Nurture with Love
Depiction: Depicted as a female deity with four arms, three eyes and mounting on a lion. Of the four arms of the goddess, two carry lotus while of the other two, one carries Karthikeya on one hand and blessing mudra or abhayamudra on the other hand.
Messaging: She embodies care and compassion.
Suggested Practice: Schedule time for self-care as much as you care for others. A nurturer cannot pour from an empty cup.
6. Katyayani – Stand Fearlessly
Known as Katyayani after the sage Katyayana who performed penance of Goddess Durga and asked her to be born as his daughter as a boon.
Depiction: Depicted as a female deity mounted on a lion with eighteen arms and various weapons gifted by the gods.
Messaging: She is the fierce warrior.
Suggested Practice: Speak up for yourself in meetings, set boundaries in relationships, or stand against unfairness – even in small ways. Courage grows with practice.
7. Kalaratri / Maa Kali – Face Your Shadows
One of the most violent forms of Goddess Durga, she is the destroyer of darkness and ignorance
Depiction: Depicted mounted on a donkey, with four arms, two of which are in a blessing and protecting pose while the other two carry a scimitar and a thunderbolt.
Messaging: She teaches us that darkness isn’t to be feared but transformed.
Suggested Practice: Write down limiting beliefs or fears that hold you back, then challenge them. Transformation begins when you stop running from your shadows.
8. Mahagauri – Choose Clarity
Depiction: Depicted as a four-armed deity carrying a trident or Trishul on one hand and a damru on her other hand, mounted on a bull or white elephant. The other two arms are for blessing and for dispelling fears which are also known as varada and Abhaya mudra respectively.
Messaging: She represents purification and simplicity.
Suggested Practice: Declutter your space or mind. Say no to what drains you. Simplicity often leads to peace.
9. Siddhidatri – Share Your Gifts
Worshipped on the ninth and final day of Navaratri. She is believed to be the provider of all Siddhis. She is the embodiment of Mahashakti or the supreme goddess who created the universe and Shiva obtained all the siddhis while praying to the goddess Siddhidhatri.
Depiction: Depicted as a female deity mounted on a lotus and carrying a lotus, a conch or shankha, Gada or mace and chakra or discus on her four hands.
Messaging: She bestows wisdom and reminds us to use our talents.
Suggested Practice: Identify one strength you have – writing, listening, organizing – and use it to uplift someone else this week.
🌸 Bringing It All Together
Embodying the 9 Devis isn’t about being all of them at once. It’s about knowing which energy you need at which moment...
grounding when life feels shaky, courage when fear rises, or compassion when you’re too hard on yourself.
Navratri then becomes less about worshiping an external power and more about #awakening the many forms of power already alive within you.
✨Which #InnerPower are YOU seeking today?
Connect with us @ 9819890485 / mojomantra.coaching@gmail.com to unlock more #happiness, #peace, #purpose, #passion and #fulfilment in life !
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Excellent Article