The sixth day of the holy festival of Navratri is the day of worship for Mother Katyayani the goddess of power. This form of the goddess is world famous as a warrior who destroys enemies. Although most devotees know the stories of her fierce battle with Mahishasura another very interesting legend related to her life is prevalent. This story tells us how the goddess took the form of a very simple and gentle girl so that the ego of an arrogant demon could be crushed. This story describes that glory of divine power which can only be understood through humility.
When Arunasura Created Havoc
In ancient times when many demons had been defeated by the gods a very powerful demon named Arunasura started troubling sages and divine beings. He had obtained a special boon through intense penance which had made him invincible. This demon believed that no woman could ever defeat him. Due to this very ego of his he started attacking holy places and disturbing the peace of the sages. Seeing the situation worsening all the gods became extremely worried and prayed to the Mother Goddess for help.
That Secret Girl in the Forests of Himalayas
One day when Arunasura was wandering in the forests near the Himalayas he saw a very beautiful and gentle girl sitting by the river. That girl was sitting there with a very calm expression. The demon was surprised to see that even after seeing him in front of her the girl was not afraid at all. Out of curiosity and amusement he went to her and asked why she was not afraid of him. That girl replied with only a smile that she had no need to fear someone who does not understand the real power of the universe. The demon started laughing loudly at her words.
Appearance of the Goddess and the Illusion of the Demon
As soon as that demon started mocking that girl her form suddenly began to change. An extremely brilliant light spread all around her body. That calm looking young girl transformed into the extremely powerful and fierce form of Mother Katyayani in a moment. Divine energy began to flow from her body and the entire forest began to tremble. When the mother appeared riding her vehicle the lion only then did the demon realize that he was speaking to the Mother of the Universe herself. His laughter had now turned into fear.
The Battle That Freed the Sages from Crisis
Arunasura tried to attack the mother with his illusory powers and weapons. But Mother Katyayani was much more powerful than he had imagined. The mother destroyed all the weapons of that demon with extreme speed and skill. Finally using her divine trident the goddess killed that demon and ended that crisis which had been giving pain to the sages for a long time. This battle proves that no demonic illusion can stand before the power of the goddess.
The Lesson Obtained from This Legend
This legend reveals an extremely important truth about Mother Katyayani. The demon believed that power could only appear in a scary and huge form. Due to this very arrogance he failed to recognize the mother when she came before him. This story reminds devotees that divine power can appear in any form no matter how simple it may be. We should never consider anyone weak based on their gentleness.
Significance of the Worship of Mother Katyayani
On the sixth day of Navratri devotees worship Mother Katyayani for the attainment of courage and justice. Her stories show that whenever arrogance and evil become excessively powerful the Mother Goddess appears to restore balance and protect the world. Her blessing provides mental strength to devotees to overcome obstacles and face challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maa Katyayani
Why did Mother Katyayani take the form of a girl?
The mother took the form of a girl to break that ego of Arunasura according to which no woman could kill him.
Who was Arunasura?
Arunasura was a powerful demon who had tortured the sages and who was very proud of his power.
What is the vehicle of Mother Katyayani?
Mother Katyayani rides a lion which is considered a symbol of indomitable courage and strength.
With which weapon did the mother kill the demon?
The goddess ended Arunasura by striking with her divine trident.
What is obtained from the worship of the sixth day of Navratri?
From the worship of this day devotees receive the blessing of fearlessness and victory over enemies.
