Nav-Durga Part III

Nava-Durga names with Sanskrit meaning and Their significance

(From Devi Kavacham)

Nava-Durga

प्रथमं शैलपुत्रीति द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी ।

तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम् ॥

पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनी तथा ।

सप्तमं कालरात्रिश्च महागौरीति चाष्टमम् ॥

नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः ।

उक्तान्येतानि नामानि ब्रह्मणैव महात्मना ॥

English Transliteration

Prathamam Shailaputrii-[I]ti Dvitiiyam Brahmacaarinnii |

Trtiiyam Candraghanntte[aa-I]ti Kuussmaanndde[aa-I]ti Caturthakam ||

Pan.camam Skandamaate[aa-I]ti Ssassttham Kaatyaayanii Tathaa |

Saptamam Kaalaraatrish-Ca Mahaagaurii-[I]ti Ca-Assttamam ||

Navamam Siddhidaatrii Ca Navadurgaah Prakiirtitaah ||

Uktaany[i]-Etaani Naamaani Brahmannai[a-E]va Mahaatmanaa ||

Meaning:

(These are the names of Nava Durgas)

First is Shailaputri (Daughter of the Mountain).

Second is Brahmacarini (Who wanders in Brahman, or a Tapaswani (performer of Penance).

Third is Chandraghanta (Bell of Moon), Crescent moon.

Kushmanda (Glowing substratum of Universal Egg) is Fourth.

Fifth is Skandamata (Mother of Skanda).

 

Sixth is Katyayani (Daughter of Katyayana Rishi).

Seventh is Kalaratri (Dark Night of Destruction).

Mahagauri (Great Shining White Form) is Eighth.

And Nighth is Siddhidatri (Bestower of Siddhis or Accomplishments).

 

These are eulogized as Nava Durga (Names of Nine Durgas),

These Names were indeed uttered by (none other than) the great-souled Brahma.

Savita Tyagi

11.10.2022

Nav-Durga Part II

Meaning And Symbolism In Nine Names of Devi

Shailaputri : Besides mountain in Vedic terminology
Mountain also represents our material body.
It also means Sun.
If mountain represents the matter
Sun represents the active truth or power of entire Cosmos.
The combined flavor gives us one of two side of Devi!
The first of two cosmic principles-
Know it as Para Shakti , Supreme Nature or Cosmic Force.

Brahmacharini: Dwells in Brahman or performs Brahmanic action.
Devi as Brahamcharini or bearer of cosmic consciousness
Dwells in cosmos as well as in us performing all kinds of actions.
She is Chit-Shakti, Mahamaya beyond the grasp of mortals!

Skanda: Upward rise, jumping upward, power to ascent.
Katyayan: Sad feeling or expression. By association it invokes
A hint of downward trend or power to descend. Opposite of Skanda.

As Skanda Mata and Katyayni Mother goddess is instrumental
Of cosmic evolution and dissolution.

Chandraghanta: Crescent moon-bell, signifies Nature’s calm, tranquil and mellow phase.

 
Kushmanda: Glowing heat or energy. The substratum of Universe,

Imagined as the Cosmic Egg.

Kaalratri: Dark night of death and destruction.

Mahagauri: Great shining white form! What could be a better symbol
For the Cosmic re-emergence of Life.

Siddhidatri: Bestower of siddhis or accomplishments.

The above eight principles of Mother Nature are pivotal in the workings of life. Understanding, achieving, and working through these divine forces, guided by their influences and protected with their grace
A human being achieves satisfaction from daily activities to lead a happy life.
Such is the power of these nine names of Devi contained in Devi Kavacham.

Note: Devi Kavacham is part of Devi Mahatamyam, also called Durga Saptashati for it has 700 verses. The names above are part of 61 verses of Devi Kavacham. These beautiful verses are recited by devotees wishing for Devi’s protection.

Nav-Durga Part I

An Ode To Names Of Mother Goddess

Nine ancient names of Mother Goddess,
So mesmerizing in its melodious rendering.

Varied intense emotions and reverence is invoked
simply by its poetic composition and sound vibration.

Beyond my grasp is the full meaning,
Of these melodious, unforgettable verses.
Wandering at the corridors of my mind
I dwell on it’s poetic charm day and night.

By some mysterious processes
Each name starts to reveal
It’s meaning and a deeper connection
To cosmic workings,
And to our own self.
Awe-struck I am!

In six lines, eight of these names are paired in set of two.
Look at the duality of the Cosmic forces,
And at our physical and psychological energies
Working in pairs!
Pairs that seem to work as opposites,
Yet create and sustain a symphony
Of Life cycle!

The ninth name stands alone as the bestower of grace,
Both in Macrocosm and Microcosm!

Note: Nav-Durga Part II is an elaboration of these names as I understand.