Today is the Fourth Night of The Divine Mother's Nine Nights -
Day 4 - Kusmanda is the fourth phase of the mother Durga. (Ku+Usma+Anda) - that is how the word has been derived. \'Ku\' means \'a little\'; \'Usma\' is warmth, heat or energy and \'Anda\' means the cosmic egg or universe. That is from whose fraction of warmth the universe has emanated. So she is justifiably named Kusmanda.
When there was only a void full of darkness, at that time, when even time was not there, the mother Kusmanda created the universe with her Sankalpa as a mental projection. Before her advent there was neither Sat nor Asat.
She has her abode in the inner portion of Surya-Loka. Only she could live there and no one else. The hue and luster of her body also is just like that of the Sun glowing and effulgent, incomparable with any other god or goddess-herself being her own match. All the ten quarters are illuminated with her effulgence. Whatever brilliance is observed in the world-in living beings or objects is simply a reflection of her splendor.
She has eight arms. So Astbhuja the name. In her seven hands she holds Kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, a jar of nectar, discus, mace, respectively. In her eighth hand there is rosary capable of giving eight Siddhis and nine Nidhis. Her vehicle is lion. Kusmanda in Sanskrit stands for pumpkin, which she likes most as a sacrificial offer. So also she is Kusmanda.
When there was only a void full of darkness, at that time, when even time was not there, the mother Kusmanda created the universe with her Sankalpa as a mental projection. Before her advent there was neither Sat nor Asat.
She has her abode in the inner portion of Surya-Loka. Only she could live there and no one else. The hue and luster of her body also is just like that of the Sun glowing and effulgent, incomparable with any other god or goddess-herself being her own match. All the ten quarters are illuminated with her effulgence. Whatever brilliance is observed in the world-in living beings or objects is simply a reflection of her splendor.
She has eight arms. So Astbhuja the name. In her seven hands she holds Kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, a jar of nectar, discus, mace, respectively. In her eighth hand there is rosary capable of giving eight Siddhis and nine Nidhis. Her vehicle is lion. Kusmanda in Sanskrit stands for pumpkin, which she likes most as a sacrificial offer. So also she is Kusmanda.
On the fourth day of Navratra, Kusmanda is worshipped. This day the mind of the striver enters and stays in Anahata Cakra. So the striver is required to meditate on this aspect of the Mother with a steady mind and worship her single-mindedly. As a result of her worship the devotees get rid of all ailments and sorrows. The life span, name, strength and health are on the increase. The mother Kusmanda is easy to propitiate. If some body surrenders before her guilelessly, he is sure to reach her Supreme abode.
We should worship her in befitting manner prescribed in the Sastras and be a true devotee of her. Later on the striver has unearthly perceptions and he feels her grace. This miserable world transforms for him into a divine place. Her worship is the best and easiest means to cross the mire of the world. So an aspirant should worship her for his mundane as well as spiritual success.
Below is a part translation of one of my favourite sacred texts - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmanda_Purana
http://www.astrojyoti.com/brahmandapurana-4.htm
http://www.astrojyoti.com/brahmandapurana-4.htm
Brahmananda Purana - 4
Manifestation of Lalita Devi
At the end of the Homa, Lalita Devi came out of the Chidagni Homa Kunda, seated on a special chariot called "Chakra Raja Ratha". Therefore, we find the descriptions such as "Chidagnikunda sambhoota" "Deva kaarya samudyataa" and "Chakra Raja Rathaa Roodha Sarvaayudha Parishkritaa" in Lalita Sahasranama.
The Sri Chakra Raja Ratha had the following dimensions:
Manifestation of Lalita Devi
At the end of the Homa, Lalita Devi came out of the Chidagni Homa Kunda, seated on a special chariot called "Chakra Raja Ratha". Therefore, we find the descriptions such as "Chidagnikunda sambhoota" "Deva kaarya samudyataa" and "Chakra Raja Rathaa Roodha Sarvaayudha Parishkritaa" in Lalita Sahasranama.
The Sri Chakra Raja Ratha had the following dimensions:
A. Width 4 Yojanas (1 Yojana is approximately 9 miles)
B. Height 10 Yojanas
C. Parvas (landings)9 in number
D. Chakras (wheels) – the four Vedas.
E. Horses – the four-fold aims (Purusharthas)
F. Flag absolute bliss.
G. The seat at the topmost landing is the Bindu Peetha.
H. Form – of the form of Meru Prastara.
I. The material that was used to make this was 'Tejas'.
The Lalita Parameshwari so manifested, created a male form from within Herself. His name was Kameshwara. By her power of will, she created 4 different weapons. They were,
(i) Ikshu Dhanus
(ii) Five arrows
(iii) Pasha (noose)
(iv) Ankusha (a special hook).
She held all these weapons in her hands. We see the description – "Chaturbahu samanvitaa" in the Lalita Sahasranama. She was shining like the morning sun, with crimson color. (Udyad bhanusahasraabhaa is a description found in Lalita Sahasranama). Her beauty was full in all aspects. (Sarvarunaanavadyangee sarvaabharanabhooshitaa – Lalita Sahasranama). She always appears as though she is 16 years of age. (Nityaa shodashikaaroopaa is a description in Lalita Sahasranama. This description has two meanings. One meaning is that she always appears as one who is sixteen years of age. The other meaning is, there are 16 Nityaa Devis. She is of the form of these 16 Nityaa Devis. Maha Shambhunatha praised Her in many ways. Order of Creation. She extended Herself in both male and female forms and continued the process of creation.
A. From the left eye, which was of the nature of Soma (moon) came Brahmaand Lakshmi Devi.
B. From the right eye, which was of the nature of Soorya (sun) came Vishnu and Parvati.
C. From the third eye, which was of the nature of Agni (fire), came Rudra and Sarasvati.
D. Lakshmi & Vishnu, Shiva & Parvati and Brahma & Sarasvati became couples.
E. Lalita Devi directed them to continue the process of Creation. She herself continued to create certain things.
(i) From her long hair she created darkness.
(ii) From her eyes, she created the sun, the moon and the fire.
(iii) From the pendent hanging in front of her forehead came the stars.
(iv) From the chain above her forehead came the nine planets.
(v) From the eyebrows, she created the penal code.
(vi) From her breath, she created the Vedas.
(vii) From her speech, she created poetry and plays.
(viii) From her chin she created the Vedangas.
(ix) From the three lines in her neck, she created various Shaastras.
(x) From her breasts, she created mountains.
(xi) From her mind, she created the power of bliss.
(xii) From her fingernails, she created the 10 incarnations of Vishnu.
(xiii) From her palms, she created the Sandhyas.
(xiv) She created other things as narrated in the Purusha Sookta.
(xv) From her heart, she created Baalaa Devi.
(xvi) From her intellect, she created Shyamala Devi.
(xvii) From her ego, she created Vaaraahi Devi.
(xviii) From her smile, she created Vighneshwara.
(xix) From the Ankusha (a special hook), she created Sampatkaree Devi.
(xx) Form the noose, she created Ashwaa Roodha Devi.
(xxi) From her cheeks, she created Nakuleshvari Devi.
(xxii) From her Kundalini Shakti, she created Gayatri.
(xxiii) From the eight wheels of the Chakra Raja chariot, she created 8 Devatas.
(xxiv) In the 9th landing, in the Bindu Peetha, she herself was seated.
(xxv) Afterwards, she created the Devatas who would protect the Chakra Rajachariot.
After having thus completed the great creation, Lalita Devi requested her consort, Shiva Kama Sundara to created the Shiva Chakra. He immediately brought out a big humming sound and from this, the Shiva Chakra Devatas numbering 23 manifested. Later, Lalita Devi crowned Shyamala Devi as the prime minister. Therefore Shyamala Devi is called Mantrini Devi. Lalita Devi handed over the finger ring to Mantrini Devi.
She made Vaartaalee Devi the chief of her army. Therefore Vaartaalee Devi is also called as Dandanaathaa Devi. She is also called as Vaaraahee Devi. Lalita Devi created a mace (a weapon) from her eye brows and gave it to Dandanathaa Devi. After this, Lalita Devi created two chariots from her chariot and gave them to Mantrini Devi and Dandanatha Devi. Mantini Devi's chariot is called "Geya Chakra Ratha". This chariot used to make musical sounds whenever it moved. Dandanatha Devi's chariot is called "Kiri Chakra Ratha". Later, Lalita Devi hummed with rage. From this hum, 64000000 Yoginis were born. Another 64000000 Bhairavas were also born. Innumerable Shakti Senas (armies) were also created by her hum.
Devi vijaya yatra (Devi's victory procession) Later Lalita devi, making the noise emanating from the four oceans as the drums and accompanied with several other instruments proceeded for the battle against Bhandasura. From Lalitha devi's Ankusham (=spear), 'Sampat karidevi', came out along with crores and crores of elephants and started following Lalita devi (sampatkarisamarudha sindhura vraja sevita). Sampatkari Devi was sitting on the elephant named 'Ranakolahalam' (=battlebustle, battle uproar). From Lalita devi's Pasham (=whip) arose Ashwaroodha devi along with a big army of horses and was moving in front of Lalita devi.(ashwarudhadhishtishtaswa koti kotibhiravruta) . The horse carrying Ashwaroodha devi was named 'Aparajitam' (=one whichcannot be defeated). Later , commander of the army Dandanatha devi played the drums to startmarching. As the march started Dandanatha devi got down from her chariot and sat down on the lion. The lion is named 'Vajraghosham' (kirichakra ratha rudha damdanadhapuraskruta).
All her soldiers started praising her by twelve different names. (Panchami dandanatha cha sakjeta samayeshwaritatha samaya sakjeta varahi potrini tathavartali cha maha sena pyajna chakreshwari tathaarighni cheti samproktam nama dwadasakam yune). Later Mantrini devi played the drums of marching. Her soldiers were mainly decorated sensuously. They were playing veenas and singing. Mantrini devi was moving in her Geyachakra ratha (circle of army formed by singers) [geyachakra ratha rudha mantrini parisevita). She was being praised by sixteen names. (Sangeeta yogini shyama shyamala mantra nayikamantrini sachiveshani pradhaneshi shukapriyavina vati vainiki cha mudrini priyakapriyanipapriya kadambeshi kadamba vanavasinisadamada cha namani shodashaitaini kumbhaja) One who recites this strotra can conquer all the three worlds.
Then, from the bird in the hands of Mantrini devi, appeared god Dhanurveda with a spectacular bow in his hand and said "Mother! this bow is called chitrajeevam. This quiver is akshaya (=one which is unlimited, fills up spontaneously). Please accept them for demolishing the demons." Now Lalita devi started moving with sugarcane, bow, arrows, spear and whip in the 'srichakraraja'chariot. She is being praised with 25 names –
simhasanesi
lalitha
maharajni
varankusha
sundari
chakranathacha
samrajni
chakrini
rathachakreshwari
mahadevi
kameshi
parameshwari
kamaraja
priyakamakotika
chakravartini
mahavidya
shivananga
vallabha
sarvapatalakulanatha
amnayanatha
sarvamnaya
nivasinishringara
nayika
cheti
panchavimshati
namabhih.
One who recites this stotra attains ashta siddhi (8 spiritual accomplishments).
B. Height 10 Yojanas
C. Parvas (landings)9 in number
D. Chakras (wheels) – the four Vedas.
E. Horses – the four-fold aims (Purusharthas)
F. Flag absolute bliss.
G. The seat at the topmost landing is the Bindu Peetha.
H. Form – of the form of Meru Prastara.
I. The material that was used to make this was 'Tejas'.
The Lalita Parameshwari so manifested, created a male form from within Herself. His name was Kameshwara. By her power of will, she created 4 different weapons. They were,
(i) Ikshu Dhanus
(ii) Five arrows
(iii) Pasha (noose)
(iv) Ankusha (a special hook).
She held all these weapons in her hands. We see the description – "Chaturbahu samanvitaa" in the Lalita Sahasranama. She was shining like the morning sun, with crimson color. (Udyad bhanusahasraabhaa is a description found in Lalita Sahasranama). Her beauty was full in all aspects. (Sarvarunaanavadyangee sarvaabharanabhooshitaa – Lalita Sahasranama). She always appears as though she is 16 years of age. (Nityaa shodashikaaroopaa is a description in Lalita Sahasranama. This description has two meanings. One meaning is that she always appears as one who is sixteen years of age. The other meaning is, there are 16 Nityaa Devis. She is of the form of these 16 Nityaa Devis. Maha Shambhunatha praised Her in many ways. Order of Creation. She extended Herself in both male and female forms and continued the process of creation.
A. From the left eye, which was of the nature of Soma (moon) came Brahmaand Lakshmi Devi.
B. From the right eye, which was of the nature of Soorya (sun) came Vishnu and Parvati.
C. From the third eye, which was of the nature of Agni (fire), came Rudra and Sarasvati.
D. Lakshmi & Vishnu, Shiva & Parvati and Brahma & Sarasvati became couples.
E. Lalita Devi directed them to continue the process of Creation. She herself continued to create certain things.
(i) From her long hair she created darkness.
(ii) From her eyes, she created the sun, the moon and the fire.
(iii) From the pendent hanging in front of her forehead came the stars.
(iv) From the chain above her forehead came the nine planets.
(v) From the eyebrows, she created the penal code.
(vi) From her breath, she created the Vedas.
(vii) From her speech, she created poetry and plays.
(viii) From her chin she created the Vedangas.
(ix) From the three lines in her neck, she created various Shaastras.
(x) From her breasts, she created mountains.
(xi) From her mind, she created the power of bliss.
(xii) From her fingernails, she created the 10 incarnations of Vishnu.
(xiii) From her palms, she created the Sandhyas.
(xiv) She created other things as narrated in the Purusha Sookta.
(xv) From her heart, she created Baalaa Devi.
(xvi) From her intellect, she created Shyamala Devi.
(xvii) From her ego, she created Vaaraahi Devi.
(xviii) From her smile, she created Vighneshwara.
(xix) From the Ankusha (a special hook), she created Sampatkaree Devi.
(xx) Form the noose, she created Ashwaa Roodha Devi.
(xxi) From her cheeks, she created Nakuleshvari Devi.
(xxii) From her Kundalini Shakti, she created Gayatri.
(xxiii) From the eight wheels of the Chakra Raja chariot, she created 8 Devatas.
(xxiv) In the 9th landing, in the Bindu Peetha, she herself was seated.
(xxv) Afterwards, she created the Devatas who would protect the Chakra Rajachariot.
After having thus completed the great creation, Lalita Devi requested her consort, Shiva Kama Sundara to created the Shiva Chakra. He immediately brought out a big humming sound and from this, the Shiva Chakra Devatas numbering 23 manifested. Later, Lalita Devi crowned Shyamala Devi as the prime minister. Therefore Shyamala Devi is called Mantrini Devi. Lalita Devi handed over the finger ring to Mantrini Devi.
She made Vaartaalee Devi the chief of her army. Therefore Vaartaalee Devi is also called as Dandanaathaa Devi. She is also called as Vaaraahee Devi. Lalita Devi created a mace (a weapon) from her eye brows and gave it to Dandanathaa Devi. After this, Lalita Devi created two chariots from her chariot and gave them to Mantrini Devi and Dandanatha Devi. Mantini Devi's chariot is called "Geya Chakra Ratha". This chariot used to make musical sounds whenever it moved. Dandanatha Devi's chariot is called "Kiri Chakra Ratha". Later, Lalita Devi hummed with rage. From this hum, 64000000 Yoginis were born. Another 64000000 Bhairavas were also born. Innumerable Shakti Senas (armies) were also created by her hum.
Devi vijaya yatra (Devi's victory procession) Later Lalita devi, making the noise emanating from the four oceans as the drums and accompanied with several other instruments proceeded for the battle against Bhandasura. From Lalitha devi's Ankusham (=spear), 'Sampat karidevi', came out along with crores and crores of elephants and started following Lalita devi (sampatkarisamarudha sindhura vraja sevita). Sampatkari Devi was sitting on the elephant named 'Ranakolahalam' (=battlebustle, battle uproar). From Lalita devi's Pasham (=whip) arose Ashwaroodha devi along with a big army of horses and was moving in front of Lalita devi.(ashwarudhadhishtishtaswa koti kotibhiravruta) . The horse carrying Ashwaroodha devi was named 'Aparajitam' (=one whichcannot be defeated). Later , commander of the army Dandanatha devi played the drums to startmarching. As the march started Dandanatha devi got down from her chariot and sat down on the lion. The lion is named 'Vajraghosham' (kirichakra ratha rudha damdanadhapuraskruta).
All her soldiers started praising her by twelve different names. (Panchami dandanatha cha sakjeta samayeshwaritatha samaya sakjeta varahi potrini tathavartali cha maha sena pyajna chakreshwari tathaarighni cheti samproktam nama dwadasakam yune). Later Mantrini devi played the drums of marching. Her soldiers were mainly decorated sensuously. They were playing veenas and singing. Mantrini devi was moving in her Geyachakra ratha (circle of army formed by singers) [geyachakra ratha rudha mantrini parisevita). She was being praised by sixteen names. (Sangeeta yogini shyama shyamala mantra nayikamantrini sachiveshani pradhaneshi shukapriyavina vati vainiki cha mudrini priyakapriyanipapriya kadambeshi kadamba vanavasinisadamada cha namani shodashaitaini kumbhaja) One who recites this strotra can conquer all the three worlds.
Then, from the bird in the hands of Mantrini devi, appeared god Dhanurveda with a spectacular bow in his hand and said "Mother! this bow is called chitrajeevam. This quiver is akshaya (=one which is unlimited, fills up spontaneously). Please accept them for demolishing the demons." Now Lalita devi started moving with sugarcane, bow, arrows, spear and whip in the 'srichakraraja'chariot. She is being praised with 25 names –
simhasanesi
lalitha
maharajni
varankusha
sundari
chakranathacha
samrajni
chakrini
rathachakreshwari
mahadevi
kameshi
parameshwari
kamaraja
priyakamakotika
chakravartini
mahavidya
shivananga
vallabha
sarvapatalakulanatha
amnayanatha
sarvamnaya
nivasinishringara
nayika
cheti
panchavimshati
namabhih.
One who recites this stotra attains ashta siddhi (8 spiritual accomplishments).
(to be continued tomorrow ... :)
Happy Navratris !!
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