The nine forms of Goddess Durga

People worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga during Navratri. These nine forms represent not just the secrets of nature but also carry a message for the human race.

Shelputri is the first form of Goddess Durga. Lord Shiva is the Lord of compassion and Shelputri spreads that compassion among masses. This form of Goddess Durga gives the message of protecting and conserving the nature.

Brahmacharini is the second form of Goddess Durga. This form represents the high values of a woman. Her third (Chandraghat) and fourth (Kushmanda) forms represent the different faces of woman. The fifth form of Goddess Durga (Skandmata) represents a mother.

The sixth form is Katyayani. Usually, the son carries forwards the lineage but because of a boon given to Katyayani rishi, Goddess Durga is born as his daughter, Katyayani, who carries his lineage forward. This form depicts the equality between man and woman.

The seventh form is Kalaratri. Goddess Kali rules death. She make Lord Shiva’s work easier.

The eighth form is Mahagauri. This form represents the house wives, the home maker. In this form Goddess Durga show that no man can enjoy all pleasure of life without his wife.

The ninth form is Siddhidatri. In this form Goddess Durga says that the not even a leaf can sway without my wish. I am omnipresent.