Navratri Day 4, Maa Durga’s Kushmanda form: The cosmic creator & cource of universal energy

On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Kushmanda, the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga. She is revered as the cosmic creator, the goddess who produced the universe with her divine smile and radiant energy. 

The name Kushmanda is derived from three Sanskrit words: Ku meaning little, Ushma meaning warmth or energy, and Anda meaning cosmic egg. Together, they signify “the creator of the universe through her divine cosmic energy.”

Maa Kushmanda is depicted as a radiant goddess seated gracefully on a lion, symbolising strength and fearlessness. She is portrayed with eight hands, Ashtabhuja, carrying different divine objects, a kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, mace, discus, rosary, and a pot of nectar (amrit kalash). In some depictions, she is shown with ten hands as well. Her dazzling aura is said to be as bright as the sun, illuminating all directions of the universe.

Mythological Significance

According to the Puranas, before creation there was nothing but darkness. It was Maa Kushmanda who, with her gentle smile and divine energy, created the cosmic egg, the foundation of the universe. She is thus known as the Adiswaroop or the primal form of Shakti, the one who initiated life and creation.

She is also believed to reside in the core of the Sun, from where she regulates and provides energy to all living beings. Her power to generate light and warmth makes her unique among the Navadurgas. By creating the universe and sustaining it with her energy, Maa Kushmanda is worshipped as the mother of all creation.

Spiritual Importance

Devotees believe that worshipping Maa Kushmanda, especially during Durga Puja, brings vitality, health, and prosperity. She is said to cure illnesses, remove sorrows, and fill life with happiness. As the goddess of energy, she blesses her followers with strength to overcome struggles and clarity to lead a purposeful life.

The Deeper Meaning

Maa Kushmanda symbolises the creation and sustenance of life through divine energy. She embodies the power of light, knowledge, and vitality, inspiring devotees to radiate positivity and nurture the universe around them. Her form reminds us that even a gentle smile holds the power to create and sustain the cosmos.