Maa Siddhidatri: The Ninth Manifestation of Durga

Maa Siddhidatri is the ninth avatar of Maa Durga. She is the last in all the nine forms of the goddess. Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on Navami, which is the ninth day of the Navratri. The name Siddhidatri is derived from a Sanskrit word “Siddhi,” which means accomplishment or success in any endeavour. Mahabharata was among the first places where this expression was formerly used. The practice of this term varies in various ancient scriptures. For example, the Manusmriti describes the word as clearance of debt. Panchtantra describes the word as an unusual skill.

The Siddhidatri pooja takes place after all the nine forms of the goddess Durga are worshipped. It is said Goddess Siddhidatri grants the wishes of all those who worship her. One who worships the goddess is set free from all the worldly desires. The grace of the goddess is such that devotees overcome all the desires of the physical and the material world. Worshipping Goddess Siddhidatri brings gradual positive change in the life of the worshippers. The devotee moves towards the higher state of consciousness in the divinity of the Devi Siddhidatri. Oneness with the God becomes the only aim, thus putting an end to the temptation of material comforts.

Depiction of the Goddess

The ninth form of the Goddess Durga is depicted as a four-armed goddess. In her right lower hand, there is a chakra, and in the upper right hand, the Goddess holds a mace. There is a conch in the lower left hand and a lotus flower in the upper left hand. Ornamented with jewellery, the beauty of the Goddess is ineffable. The Goddess is dressed in a red sari and rides on a lion.

Powers of the Goddess Siddhidatri

The ninth avatar of the Goddess is famous for her occult powers and can grant her worshippers twenty-six different wishes. According to the antique Hindu scripture of Markandaye Purana, there are eight siddhis or achievements granted by the Goddess to her worshippers, which are as follows:

Mahima
Anima
Laghima
Garima
Prapti
Prakaamya
Vashitva
Ishitva

Generally, a sadhak or a purna yogi following the Kundalini Yoga possesses these eight major siddhis. The masters or the gurus consider the knowledge of these siddhis as a matter of great accomplishment, and the deployment of the power of this knowledge is handled very secretively. Different siddhis are believed to bring different results for the worshippers. With the Mahima siddhi, a devotee can enlarge himself to fill up the entire universe. In Sanskrit, this phenomenon is described as Virat Swarupa. On the contrary, Anima is the power to become minute or invisible. The yogi can actually hide his existence from the universe. Laghima is the third siddhi mentioned in Markandeya Purana. Practicing this siddhi gives the devotee the power to become light as a feather. One of the major accomplishments of this siddhi is Vayustambhanam. With Plavini Pranayama, the body becomes light by swallowing enormous air. The opposite of Laghima is Garima. The yogi gains weight thus increasing his specific gravity. He possesses the will to make himself as heavy as a mountain. The fifth siddhi is Prapti. It is known for the attainment of desired objectives. Prapti gives the yogi many powers. Significant among them is the power of forecasting future events, power of clairaudience and thought reading. The one who masters the art of Prapti siddhi is believed to cure all the diseases. Prakamya is the sixth siddhi granted by siddhidatri. By practising Prakamya, the yogi has the power to control his senses under the water. It is said that the Trilinga Swami resided in Benaras and was famous for his attainment of Prakamya siddhi. He was known for his art of making himself invisible. Prakarma siddhi helps in maintaining the youthful appearance. The seventh siddhi is Vashitvam, which gives the power to control people by exercising will and make them follow one’s own orders. Vashitvam empowers you with the power of subjugation. The last and the eight siddhi is Ishitvam. This siddhi is the final attainment of the power to divinity. One has the power to restore life by bringing back people from the clutches of death.

According to Brahmavaivart Purana, all categories of people like Gandharva, Danav, Dev, Manav, Yaksh and Kinnar can perform the pooja of Goddess Siddhidatri. Worshipping Goddess Siddhidatri on the final day of Navratri bestows all the siddhis to the worshipper. Worshipping the Goddess makes the devotee realize the supreme truth that every small thing in the universe originated from the ultimate creator, Brahma. The one who worships Siddhidatri with full faith and devotion is called a sadhak. If a sadhak worships the Goddess with complete devotion and faith following every ritual in the prescribed manner, he is bound to get what he desires. He reaches a phase of sadhna or meditation where nothing is un-achievable.

Myths linked with the Devi Siddhidatri

According to Bhagvata Purana, Lord Shiva worshipped Goddess Siddhidatri. The Goddess blessed Shiva with all the siddhis. Shiva’s half body turned into that of a female body. Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti became united. Hence, Ardhanarishwar was the name given to Shiva. The term Ardhanarishwar is a combination of two words namely Ardha or half and Narishwar or one with the female body. The Ardhanarishwar form has its own sacramental importance in Hindu belief of worship. It symbolizes that the female and male form in nature are inseparable. The male half of the body of Ardhanarishwar represents Purusha or the passive force, and the female form of the Ardhanarishwar represents Prakriti or the active force.

How to worship Maa siddhidatri / Mantra of Goddess Siddhidatri

Mantra –

ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah॥

Prarthana –

सिद्ध गन्धर्व यक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि।
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी॥

Siddha Gandharva Yakshadyairasurairamarairapi।
Sevyamana Sada Bhuyat Siddhida Siddhidayini॥

Stuti –

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Siddhidatri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥

The above-mentioned mantra is the most revered mantra to worship Goddess Siddhidatri. This mantra is chanted to seek blessings from the Goddess and remove impurities from the heart.

Dhyana –

वन्दे वाञ्छित मनोरथार्थ चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
कमलस्थिताम् चतुर्भुजा सिद्धीदात्री यशस्विनीम्॥
स्वर्णवर्णा निर्वाणचक्र स्थिताम् नवम् दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
शङ्ख, चक्र, गदा, पद्मधरां सिद्धीदात्री भजेम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम्॥
प्रफुल्ल वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोला पीन पयोधराम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां श्रीणकटिं निम्ननाभि नितम्बनीम्॥

Vande Vanchhita Manorathartha Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Kamalasthitam Chaturbhuja Siddhidatri Yashasvinim॥
Swarnavarnna Nirvanachakra Sthitam Navam Durga Trinetram।
Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padmadharam Siddhidatri Bhajem॥
Patambara Paridhanam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala Manditam॥
Praphulla Vandana Pallavadharam Kanta Kapolam Pin Payodharam।
Kamaniyam Lavanyam Shrinakati Nimnanabhi Nitambanim॥

Stotra –

कञ्चनाभा शङ्खचक्रगदापद्मधरा मुकुटोज्वलो।
स्मेरमुखी शिवपत्नी सिद्धिदात्री नमोऽस्तुते॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
नलिस्थिताम् नलनार्क्षी सिद्धीदात्री नमोऽस्तुते॥
परमानन्दमयी देवी परब्रह्म परमात्मा।
परमशक्ति, परमभक्ति, सिद्धिदात्री नमोऽस्तुते॥
विश्वकर्ती, विश्वभर्ती, विश्वहर्ती, विश्वप्रीता।
विश्व वार्चिता, विश्वातीता सिद्धिदात्री नमोऽस्तुते॥
भुक्तिमुक्तिकारिणी भक्तकष्टनिवारिणी।
भवसागर तारिणी सिद्धिदात्री नमोऽस्तुते॥
धर्मार्थकाम प्रदायिनी महामोह विनाशिनीं।
मोक्षदायिनी सिद्धीदायिनी सिद्धिदात्री नमोऽस्तुते॥

Kanchanabha Shankhachakragadapadmadhara Mukatojvalo।
Smeramukhi Shivapatni Siddhidatri Namoastute॥
Patambara Paridhanam Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Nalisthitam Nalanarkshi Siddhidatri Namoastute॥
Paramanandamayi Devi Parabrahma Paramatma।
Paramashakti, Paramabhakti, Siddhidatri Namoastute॥
Vishvakarti, Vishvabharti, Vishvaharti, Vishvaprita।
Vishva Varchita, Vishvatita Siddhidatri Namoastute॥
Bhuktimuktikarini Bhaktakashtanivarini।
Bhavasagara Tarini Siddhidatri Namoastute॥
Dharmarthakama Pradayini Mahamoha Vinashinim।
Mokshadayini Siddhidayini Siddhidatri Namoastute॥

Kavacha –

ॐकारः पातु शीर्षो माँ, ऐं बीजम् माँ हृदयो।
हीं बीजम् सदापातु नभो गृहो च पादयो॥
ललाट कर्णो श्रीं बीजम् पातु क्लीं बीजम् माँ नेत्रम्‌ घ्राणो।
कपोल चिबुको हसौ पातु जगत्प्रसूत्यै माँ सर्ववदनो॥

Omkarah Patu Shirsho Maa, Aim Bijam Maa Hridayo।
Him Bijam Sadapatu Nabho Griho Cha Padayo॥
Lalata Karno Shrim Bijam Patu Klim Bijam Maa Netram Ghrano।
Kapola Chibuko Hasau Patu Jagatprasutyai Maa Sarvavadano॥

The ninth avatar or manifestation of the Goddess is believed to remove ignorance and darkness from the life of her devotees. Devotees, generally, wear red clothes to please the goddess. In India, the pooja of Goddess Siddhidatri is considered very significant.

Other Forms of Navdurga: