Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Siddhidatri Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
The ninth day of Navratri or Navami is the final day in a nine day actually nine spiritually vibrant nights of Devi or Shakti worship which is followed by the auspicious day of Dushehra or Vijaydashmi on the tenth day. On navami Mata Siddhidatri is worshiped. Siddhi means special knowledge or perfection and Datri means giver. Thus she is the bestower of siddhis or the ultimate knowledge or perfection and special / magical powers. She is said to possess 26 Siddhis which she bestows on her devotees based on their level and stage of spiritual progress.
She is visualized as a serene and charming manifestation of Devi gracefully seated on a fully blossomed red lotus, wearing a garland of white flowers. She has four arms carrying a lotus flower in the lower left hand, a shankh in the upper left hand, a mace in the lower right hand and a chakra in the upper right hand. Her favored vehicle is the Lion. Her powers and qualities are described in various ancient texts including Devi Puran and Devi Bhagwatham. Siddhis unlike psychic abilities are said to be under complete conscious control of the sadhaka and is achieved only through rigorous and continuous meditative approach with the blessings of Devi Siddhidatri.
This swaroopa of Devi is aglow with divine light, she is a very generous and a benevolent goddess. The Puranic texts narrate how Ma Shakti merged with Shiva forming his left half thus bestowing on Mahadeva Shiva all the 26 siddhis and manifesting the converged swaroopa of Ardhanarishwara.
She is worshiped using fragrant Jasmine flowers. Her blessings result in the surge and movement of divine energy within, the devotee is able to discard fruitless temptations and material attractions and adopt a simple and spiritual life. Wearing pink to purple color is considered auspicious as it is believed Devi prefers this color on Navmi.
Mata Siddhidatri rules over planet Ketu which is a shadow planet. In astrology it is an imaginary point in the sky with the tail end or the south node of the moon being called as Ketu. It is diagonally opposite to planet Rahu which is the north end. Ketu is the tail half of the dragon. It is associated with Tuesday. It is a associated with illusion, detachment, spirituality, secret studies. People with Ketu in a malefic position should worship Devi Siddhidatri to overcome any issues caused by such placement.
In the northern parts of India Navami is also celebrated with great fanfare being the last day of Ramleela. It is believed on this day Bhagwaan Shri Ram slayed demon king Ravana and rescued his consort Mata Sita. Ramleela’s are large fairs where an effigy of the ten headed Ravana is created using materials like bamboo, straw etc and on this night it is set alight marking the end of Ravana’s tyranny.
Some of the mantras offered to Devi Siddhidatri (gathered from various sources):
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Sēvyamānā sadā bhūyāta sid’dhidā sid’dhidāyinī ||
Continuing with my sharing of Devi Stuti from Devi Bhagwatam..
“..Kalado Chandrabhagayam Macchoudhay ShivaDharini
Venayam Mamrta Nama Bhadaraya Urvashi Tada
Aushadhishchoutar Raghuro KushiDeve Kushodhaga
Manmadha Hemagudhedho Kumudhe Satyavadini
Ashwathe Vandinyadou Nidhir Vaishnavalaye..”
Nine types of Siddhis have been described in Markandeya Purana viz Anima (ability to reduce one’s body even to the size of an atom.), Mahima (ability to expand one’s body to an infinite size), Garima (ability to make oneself infinitely heavy), Laghima (ability to become light almost to the point of weightlessness), Prapti (ability to be omnipresecent or be everywhere) , Prakyamya (ability to materialize whatever one desires), Istva (complete control over nature), Vastava (power to subjugate) , Kamavasayita Siddhi (ability to do anything) respectively. There are several other kinds of siddhis described in various ancient texts which can be achieved by propitiating Devi Siddhidhatri and through pursuing a life of meditation and spirituality.
The ninth day worship of Mata Siddhidatri marks the conclusion of Navaratri or worship of nine manifestations of Devi.
Namo Devi Maha Devi Siddhaye Shanthaye Namo Namah
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