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Katyayani is the 6th form of Navadurga or the nine forms of Devi Parvati or (Shakti), worshipped during Navaratri celebrations. This the second name given for Parvati in 'amarakosha', the Sanskrit lexicon. ('uma katyayani gaouri kali haimavathi iiswai'). In Shaktism she is associated with the fierce forms of Shakti or Durga, a warrior goddess which also includes Bhadrakali & Chandika, & traditionally she is associated with colour red, as with Goddess Durga, the primordial of Shakti, a fact also mentioned in Patanjali's Mahabhaysa on Panini, written in 2nd BCE. She is first mentioned in 'Tattiriya Aranyaka' part of the Krishna Yajurveda. Skanda Purana mentions her being createdout of the spontaneous anger of gods, which eventually led to the slaying of demon, Mahishasur, mounted of the lion, given to her by Goddess Gouri. This occasion is celebrated during the annual Durga Puja festival in most parts of India. Her exploits are described in the 'Devi-Bhagavata Purana' & 'Devi Mahatyam' part of the 'Markandeya Purana' attributed to the sage Markandeya rishi who wrote it in Sanskrit ca 400-500 CE. Over a period of time, her presence was also felt in Buddhist & in Jain texts & several Tantric texts, especially 'Kalika Purana' (10th century) which mentions 'Uddiyana' or Odradesha (Orrisa), as the seat of Goddess Katyayani & Lord Jagganath. In Hindu traditions like Yoga & Tantra, she is ascribed to the 6th 'Ajna Chakra' or the third eye chakra, & her blessings are invoked by concentrating on this point.
MYTHOLOGY:- According to the legends, she was born a daughter to the rishi Katyayan, born in Katya lineage , thus called 'Katyayani', daughter of Katyayan . Elsewhere in texts like 'Kalika Purana', it is mentioned that it was rishi Katyayan who first worshipped her, hence she came to be known as 'Katyayani.'In either cases she is a demonstration or apparition of Durga, & is worshipped on the 6th day of Navratri. The Vamana Purana mentions the creation of her in great detail: 'When gods had sought Vishnu in their distress, he, & at his command Shiva, Brahma & other gods, emitted such flames from their eyes & countenances that uge mountain of effulgence was formed, from which became manifest Katyayani, refulgent as a thousands suns, having 3 eyes, black hair & 18 arms. Shiva gave her his 'trident (Trishul)', Vishnu a 'Sudrashan Chakra' or discus, Varuna a 'shankha' (a conch shell),Agni a 'dart', Vayu a 'bow', Surya a 'quiver full of arrows', Indra a 'thunderbolt',Kuvera a 'mace',Brahma a 'rosary'& 'water pot', Kala a 'shield & sword', Vishwakarma a 'battle-axe & weapons.'Thus armed & adored by gods, Katyayani proceeded to the Vindhya hills. there the asuras Chanda & Munda saw her, & captivated by her beauty they so described her to their king, Mahishasura,that he was anxious to obtained her. On asking for her hand, she told him to she must be won in fight. He came & fought; at length dismounted from her lion, & sprang on the back of Mahisha, who was in the form of a buffalo, & with her tender feet so smote him on the head that he fell to the ground senseless, when she cut off his head with her sword & hence was called 'Mahishasuramardini', the slayer of Mahishasura, the legends also finds mention in 'Varaha Purana' & the classical texts of Shaktism the 'Devi-Bhagavata Purana'.According to the tantras, she revealed through the north face, which one of the 6 faces of Shiva. This face is blue in color & with 3 eyes, & also reveals the Devi's, 'Dakshinakalika','Mahakali','Guhyakah','Smashanakalika','Bhadrakali','Ekajata','Ugratara (fierce Tara)','Taritni','Chinnamasta','Nilasarasvati (BlueSaraswati)','Durga','Jayadurga','Vashuli','Dhumavati','Navadurga','Vishalakshi','Gauri','Bagalamukhi'.
Elsewhere in history, Katyayani & Maitreyi are mentoined as wives of sage Yagnavalkya of vedic India,credited with the authorship of the 'Shataphata Brahmana,'
- WORSHIP:- In the 'Bhagavata Purana' in the 10th Canto,22nd chapter describes the legend of 'Katyayani vrata', where marriageable daughters(gopis) of cowherd men of Gokula in Braja, worshiped Goddess Katyayani & took a 'vrata' or vow during the entire month of 'Marghashirsha', the 1st month of winter season, to get Lord Krishna as their husband.. During the month they ate only unspiced khichri, & after bathing at Yamuna at sunrise, made an earthen deity of Goddess on the riverbank, & worshiped the idol with aromatic substances like sandalwood pulp, lamps, fruits, betel nuts, newly grown leaves & fragrant garlands & incense. This follows the episode where Lord Krishna takes away their clothes while bathing in the yamuna river.She is worshiped as Demigod,who if you make vow of fasting, would give you the husband you wished & prayed for. The fasting called Katyayani vrata is made for whole month, offerings such as sandal,flowers,incense etc."During the month of Margasirsa, every day early in the morning the young daughters of cowherds would take one another's hands &, singing of Krishna's transcendal qualities, go to Yamuna (Jamuna) to bathe. Desiring to obtain Krishna as their husband, they would then worshpi Goddess Katyayani with incense, flowers & others".Each day they rose at dawn. Calling out to one another's name, they all held hands & loudly sang the glories of Krishna while going to Kalindi (Kalindi- personified Jamuna. to take their bath.During the Pongal (Thai Pongal), a harvest festival which coincides with the 'Makara Sankranti', & is celebrated in Tamil Nadu, young girls pray for rain & prosperity & throughout the month, they avoid milk & milk products.Women used to bath early in the morning, & worship the idol of Goddess Katyayani, carved out of wet sand.The penance end their fast on the 1st day of the month Thai (january-february).
- TEMPLES :-
- SRI KATYAYANI PEETH TEMPLE, VRINDAVAN, UTTAR PRADESH
- SRI KATYAYANI BANESHWARA TEMPLE, AVERSA, KARNATAKA, built in AD 1510 (murtis brought from Goa).
- CHATTARPUR TEMPLE, DELHI.
- SRI KATYAYANI TEMPLE,CHERTHALA,ALPUZZHA, KERALA.
- SRI KATHYAYANI TEMPLE, KOLHAPUR, MAHARASHTRA.
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