Siddhidatri is the ninth aspect of Goddess Durga worshiped in Navaratri. The last among the nine forms of Maa Shakti is Goddess Siddhidatri who is worshiped on the ninth orfinal day of Navratri. Mother Siddhidatri possesses twenty six siddhis.
‘Siddhi’ is aSanskrit term which means ‘perfection, accomplishment, attainment or success.’ The term ‘siddhi’ is first used in the Mahabaratha. The Panchatantra describes it to be any unusual skill or faculty or capability. The Manusmriti refers it to a settlement of a debt. The Siddhars or Sithars in Tamil have developed siddhi from in the Shaivite tradition. This would be posted as a separate piece in the days to come.
After having worshipped the eight Durgas in an appropriate manner on the ninth day devotees undertake her worship. After the completion of Goddess Siddhidatri's worship the devotees and strivers get their desires mundane or otherworldly fulfilled. But the main thing is this that therere mains no such desire in a favourite devotee of Siddhidatri which he may want to fulfill. Such a devotee transcends all material desires and necessities.Spiritually he moves in the divine abode of the Devi and always drinks thenectar of her favour. He becomes completely devoid of lust and enjoyment. Theabsolute nearness of the goddess becomes the only aim of his actions. After acquiring this position there remains nothing for him to require.
There are many tales of the goddess in the form of Mahalakshmi that are very well known. Some people believe that the worship of the Goddess Laxmi should be done with her mate Vishnu, however she is usually worshipped with Lord Ganesha. She is the goddess of Tantra, Mantra, Yogic accomplishments achieved by means of spiritual practices in the form of Supernatural powers as well as worldly accomplishments. Generally Siddhidatri is considered as the goddess of Wealth however she is also the goddess of Beauty, Arts, accomplishment of worldly desires and the Sciences.
DEPICTION:
Goddess Siddhidatri has four arms. She holds a Chakra in her right lower hand and a mace in the upper. In the left lower hand there is a conch and in her upper left hand a lotus flower. She is seated on a lotus flower with the lion as her mount. Mother is dressed in red sari and that is her traditional dress. She wears a crown of many ornaments.
SIDDHI:
Goddess Siddhidatri is capable of giving all sorts of occult
powers and is also the possessor of 26 different wishes to grant her worshipers. All these achievements, the Siddhis, which according to the MARKANDAYE PURANA are:- Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitva and Vashitva are 8 siddhis. Usually, a purnayogi or siddhar in the path of Kundalini Yoga is said to possess eight of these major siddhis. Notwithstanding, these teachings and the acquirement of siddhis are considered highly secretive in the hands of the gurus and sadhaks. Indeed they hardly speak about their blessings.
1. Anima:
The Yogi can become as minute as he pleases;
2. Mahima:
This is the opposite of Anima. He can become as big as he likes. He can make his body assume a very large size. He can fill up the whole universe. He can assume a Virat Svarupa ;
3. Laghima:
He can make his body as light as cotton or feather.
Vayustambhanam is done through this Siddhi. In Jalastambhanam also the power is exercised to a very small degree. The body is rendered light by Plavini Pranayama. The Yogi produces a diminution of his specific gravity by swallowing large draughts of air. The Yogi travels in the sky with the help of this Siddhi. He can travel thousands of miles in a minute
;4. Garima:
This is the opposite of Laghima. In this the Yogi acquires an increase of specific gravity. He can make the body as heavy as a mountain by swallowing draughts of air.
5. Prapti:
The Yogi standing on the earth can touch the highest things. He can
touch the sun or the moon or the sky. Through this Siddhi the Yogi attains his
desired objects and supernatural powers. He acquires the power of predicting
future events, the power of clairvoyance, clairaudience, telepathy,
thought-reading, etc. He can understand the languages of the beasts and birds. He can understand unknown languages also. He can cure all diseases;
6. Prakamya:
He can dive into the water and can come out at any time he likes. The late
Trilinga Swami of Benares used to live for six months underneath the Ganges. It is the process by which a Yogi makes himself invisible sometimes. By some
writers it is defined to be the power of entering body of another (Parakaya
Pravesh). Sri Sankara entered the body of Raja Amaruka of Benares. Tirumular in Southern India entered the body of a shepherd. Raja Vikramaditya also did this. It is also the power of keeping a youth-like appearance for any length of time. Raja Yayati had this power;
7. Vashitvam:
This is the power of taming wild animals and bringing them under control. It is the power of mesmerising persons by the exercise of will and of making them obedient to one’s own wishes and orders. It is the restraint of passions and emotions. It is the power to bring men, women and the elements under subjection; and
8. Ishitvam:
It is the attainment of divine power. The Yogi becomes the Lord of the universe. The Yogi who has this power can restore life to the dead. Kabir, Tulsidas and range of blessed souls had this power of bringing back life to the dead.
BRAHMAVAIVART PURANA:
There are 18 types of achievements which are Anima, Mahima, Garima, Ladhima, Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitva,Vashitva, Sarvakaamaal, Saadhita, Sarvagynatva, DurShravana, Parkaayapraveshan, VakaSiddhi, Kalpavrushatva, Shrishti, Samharkaransaamarthya, Amaratva, Sarvanyayakatva, Bhavana and Siddhi
According to this Purana, Dev, Danav, Gandharva,
Kinnar, Yaksh, Manav, all do worship Maa Siddhidaatri and attain achievements.
Maa Durga removes ignorance and she provides the knowledge to realize That or
Brahman. That is why She is surrounded by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Demons
and Gods who are worshiping her. The Siddhi that she provides is the realization
that everything is Supreme Being or Brahman. If a “sadhaka” worships in the
prescribed manner with his full faith he acquires all “Siddhis” and nothing
remains unattainable from him in the universe
ARDHANARISHVARA:
In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was
blessed with all Siddhis or supernatural powers. By her blessings his half body
became female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara. Legend
has it that the Supreme God Shiva was blessed with all these ‘siddhis’ by
worshiping Maha Shakti and by her grace alone. With her gratitude the half body
of Shiva became that of the Goddess Shakti and therefore he also came to be
called as ‘Ardhanarishvar’.
MAHANAVAMI:
This sacred day is dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri as the manifestation of Mother Durga. It is a day boosted with reverence to mother goddesses as observed as Mahanavami prayers and rituals throughout the world. Puja, archanai, andhavan are conducted. There is group chanting of Her mantras and singing Mother’s glory. In many parts of the country it is a noted celebration, with community and temple puja. Private functions are also elaborate and dedicated. As Siddhidatri, Mother Durga ever showers jnana. She removes fear and impurities from one’s heart. To show reverence devotees wear red cloths during the celebrations. Ma Siddhidaatri can be pleased by
chanting the above stated Mantra as many time and these done in the prescribed
manner avails one to acquire the siddhis. It is gainsaid that there remains
nothing unattainable in the universe. The devotee develops competency to conquer
the whole universe and cross the ocean of miseries, remaining untainted and
progressing the goals of purusharta.
MANTRA:
“ Ya Devi sarvbhuteshu laxmi rupen samsthita, namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah”.
Hari Om
(draft Gods and Goddess)
Yogi Ananda Sarasvathi
My personal favourite Day # 9 -
There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions.
Siddha Dhatri is represented by Ketu.
Siddhidayini or Siddhidatri In this form Durga is seated on a lotus and is four armed. She holds a lotus, mace, discus and book. In this form Durga removes ignorance and she provides the knowledge to realize That or Brahman. She is surrounded by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Demons and Gods who are worshipping her. The Siddhi that she provides is the realization that only She exists. Siddhidayini form of Durga is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri.
She is the mistress of all achievements and perfections. The narrative regarding her emergence runs as follows:
When the Universal Mother was gripped with the idea of projecting Creation, She, first of all, created Lord Shiva who prayed to Her to endow him with perfections. For this purpose, the Universal Mother (Durgaa) produced Goddess Siddhidaatri from Her own person. As the behest of the Universal Mother, Goddess Siddidaatri bestowed eighteen kinds of rare perfections and powers and potentialities (Siddhis) on Lord Shiva. By virtue of these siddhis, Lord Shiva happened to develop a divine splendor.
Having acquired the siddhis from Goddess Siddhidaatri, Lord Shiva created Lord Vishnu who in turn created Lord Brahma who was entrusted with the task of the Creation whereas Lord Vishnu got the task of Protection and Lord Shiva that of Destruction.
Lord Brahma felt a great difficulty in his task of the Creation in the absence of man and woman. Thereupon he remembered Mother Siddhidaatri. When she appeared before him, Lord Brahma said to her, “Oh Great Mother! I cannot carry on with the task of the Creation in the absence of man and woman. You kindly solve this problem of mine through your supernatural attainments (siddhis).”
Having heard Lord Brahma, Mother Siddidaatri converted half the person of Lord Shiva into a woman. Thus Lord Shiva became half-male and half-female and came to be known as Ardhanaarishwara. Thus the problem of Lord Brahma was resolved and the task of the Creation went on smoothly.
Mother Siddhidaatri possesses four arms and she rides on a lion. She carries the mace, the lotus, the conch-shell and the disc in her four hands. He who acquires her grace attains salvation after enjoying the pleasures of life. She fulfills all the mundane and divine aspirations of her devotees. Her worship destroys all distresses.
Mantras
Om Devi Siddhidatryayi Namah
(108 Recititation of Siddhidatri Mantra)
Siddha Gandharva Yakshdyairasurairamarairapi | Sevyamaanaa Sadabhuyaat Siddhida Siddhidayini ||
Which means, Goddess Siddhidatri who is worshipped by Siddha, Gandharva, Yaksh, Gods, Demons etc., holds Conch, Chakra, Gada and Lotus in her hands, giver of all siddhis and victory all over, be propitious to me.
Devotees worship Goddess Siddhidatri on ninth day of Navratri because she gives the results of nine days worship.
-