Day 6 of Navratri: Worshiping Maa Katyayani

Navratri, the nine-night festival of spiritual awakening, reaches a powerful milestone on Day 6 with the worship of Maa Katyayani. She is one of the most fierce and dynamic manifestations of Maa Durga, representing courage, righteous anger, and the divine force that removes obstacles and negativity. Revered as Mahishasura Mardini—the slayer of the buffalo demon Mahishasura—Maa Katyayani is a symbol of dharma triumphing over adharma, good over evil, and divine justice prevailing in the cosmic order.

Worshiping Maa Katyayani on the sixth day of Navratri is especially significant because it corresponds to the awakening and purification of the Ajna Chakra, the third eye center of intuition and divine wisdom. This stage in the nine-day spiritual journey marks the point where the devotee develops the clarity to discern truth from illusion and the courage to fight inner and outer battles with divine strength.

Navratri is incomplete without Garba and Dandiya, where the joyous dance celebrates Maa Durga’s victory and fills the nights with divine energy. Clad in colorful attire, devotees gather to dance, rejoice, and honor the Divine Mother in an atmosphere of joy and reverence.

At Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, the Navratri Mahotsav 2025 offers unforgettable evenings filled with Garba, Dandiya, Durga Pooja, children’s activities, delicious food, and vibrant cultural programs. As lamps glow and music fills the air, the community comes together in a beautiful celebration of tradition, devotion, and festivity—an experience of Navratri magic like never before.

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Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas | Navratri Mahostav 2025 | Garba & Dandiya Tickets

The Story of Maa Katyayani

Birth from the Combined Energy of the Devas

The origin of Maa Katyayani is one of the most inspiring and empowering stories from the Devi Mahatmya. When Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, overpowered the gods and took control of heaven, the devas, led by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, were distraught. They approached the Trinity, who, enraged at Mahishasura’s atrocities, released a powerful energy from their beings.

This combined divine energy took the form of a luminous Goddess whose radiance filled the three worlds. Each god bestowed upon her a weapon: Shiva gave her the trident, Vishnu the discus, Indra the thunderbolt, Varuna the conch, Agni the spear, and so forth. She was born in the hermitage of Sage Katyayan, who had been performing austerities to receive the Goddess as his daughter. Hence, she came to be known as Katyayani—the one born to Sage Katyayan.

The Slaying of Mahishasura

Once born, Maa Katyayani mounted a majestic lion and rode into battle. The fierce battle lasted for nine days and nights. On the tenth day, she slew Mahishasura, liberating the devas and restoring balance to the cosmos. This is why she is called Mahishasura Mardini.

This historical story is deeply symbolic. The buffalo demon represents the lower tendencies of the human mind—tamas (inertia), pride, lust, and arrogance. Maa Katyayani’s victory is not just a cosmic event but also an allegory for the devotee’s own journey: the destruction of inner demons through divine grace and determined spiritual practice.

Iconography of Maa Katyayani

Maa Katyayani is depicted with four, eight, or even ten arms depending on tradition, each carrying divine weapons. Her most common iconography includes:

• Lion as Her Vehicle (Vahana): Symbol of courage, strength, and fearlessness. The lion reminds devotees that true dharma requires boldness and the willingness to face challenges head-on.
• Trident (Trishul): Represents the destruction of the threefold miseries—physical (adhyatmik), mental (adhidaivik), and spiritual (adhibhautik).
• Sword and Mace: Signify power and decisiveness, the ability to cut through illusion and defend righteousness.
• Lotus: Symbol of purity and the blossoming of spiritual consciousness even amidst worldly challenges.
• Abhaya and Varada Mudras: Her hand gestures assure fearlessness and confer boons upon devotees.

Her expression is fierce yet compassionate, reminding seekers that divine power destroys evil but nurtures the righteous.

Day 6 of Navratri: Spiritual Significance

Awakening of the Ajna Chakra

Day 6 of Navratri is associated with the Ajna Chakra, located between the eyebrows, often called the third eye. This chakra governs intuition, insight, and spiritual perception. Worshiping Maa Katyayani on this day helps purify and activate the Ajna Chakra, giving the devotee the ability to perceive reality with clarity. When the Ajna Chakra is awakened, one develops the capacity to make righteous decisions and align one’s actions with dharma.

Courage to Face Inner and Outer Demons

Maa Katyayani symbolizes the courage needed to face adversities, whether they are external challenges or internal weaknesses. She represents the strength to eliminate fear, doubt, anger, and ego that prevent spiritual growth.

Transformative Power of Righteous Anger

While many spiritual traditions warn against anger, Maa Katyayani teaches that righteous anger—channeled appropriately—can be purifying. Her fierce form shows that when anger is directed toward injustice and unrighteousness, it becomes a divine instrument for restoring balance.

Rituals and Practices on Day 6

Kalash and Puja

Devotees wake up early, bathe, and perform Kalash Sthapana if not already done on Day 1. Maa Katyayani is worshiped with red flowers, kumkum, turmeric, and honey. Honey, in particular, is considered one of her favorite offerings and symbolizes sweetness and harmony after destruction of negativity.

Beej Mantra

Chanting her beej mantra is considered highly auspicious:

“ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥”
(Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah)

Regular chanting of this mantra is said to remove obstacles to marriage and harmonize relationships, which is why Maa Katyayani is often worshiped by unmarried girls seeking a suitable life partner (a practice even mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana during the Gopis’ Katyayani Vrata where Gopis undertook Katyayani Devi's Fast to get Shree Krishna as their beloved).

Fasting and Meditation

Many devotees observe fasts or consume only sattvic meals. Advanced practitioners meditate on the Ajna Chakra, visualizing a deep indigo light and invoking divine wisdom.

Symbolic Lessons from Maa Katyayani

• Overcoming Negativity: Just as Katyayani destroyed Mahishasura, devotees are inspired to conquer their inner demons—lust, pride, greed, and jealousy.
• Acting with Courage: Her lion mount urges seekers to act fearlessly in the pursuit of truth.
• Balancing Fierceness with Grace: Though fierce in battle, she is compassionate toward devotees, teaching that strength must be tempered with compassion.
• Standing for Dharma: Maa Kathyayini encourages us not to remain passive in the face of injustice but to stand up for righteousness.

Katyayani in Modern Life

Maa Katyayani’s message is profoundly relevant today. In a world filled with injustice, corruption, and distractions, her worship inspires devotees to live courageously and ethically.

• Overcoming Fear: Whether it is fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown, invoking Katyayani grants the strength to face challenges head-on.
• Transforming Anger: Instead of allowing anger to become destructive, we can channel it toward constructive ends—fighting injustice, protecting the weak, and uplifting society.
• Clarity of Purpose: Her association with the Ajna Chakra reminds us to cultivate clear thinking and spiritual vision in a world clouded by misinformation and confusion.
• Inner Strength for Devotion: In spiritual practice, obstacles and doubts inevitably arise. Maa Katyayani provides the fortitude to persevere, just as Parvati (her earlier incarnation) performed penance to win Shiva.

Navratri as a Spiritual Journey

Day 6 is pivotal in the Navratri journey. After grounding (Day 1), cultivating discipline (Day 2), balancing courage and grace (Day 3), awakening creative energy (Day 4), and nurturing selfless love (Day 5), Day 6 equips the devotee with the courage to destroy all that obstructs spiritual progress.

This prepares the way for Day 7 (Kalaratri), where the devotee fully embraces fearlessness, and Days 8 and 9, which bring purification and ultimate union with the Divine.

Final Thoughts: Katyayani and Raganuga Bhakti

Swami Mukundananda emphasizes that Raganuga Bhakti, the path of spontaneous, love-filled devotion, can only blossom in a heart that is free from inner negativities. Worshiping Maa Katyayani is therefore a crucial step on this journey.

Without courage, a devotee cannot stand firm against worldly temptations. Without clarity of vision, love for God may become sentimental rather than transformative. Maa Katyayani grants the power to fight the ego, arrogance, and inner Mahishasura, clearing the path for pure devotion.

When the Mind is pure, a devotee begins to “see” the Divine everywhere, naturally developing deep love and intimacy with God. This is the essence of Raganuga Bhakti—where love flows spontaneously, like the love of the Gopis for Shri Krishna.

🌸 Call to Action

On this sixth day of Navratri, bow to Maa Katyayani and pray for the strength to face life’s challenges fearlessly. Offer her your doubts, fears, and negative tendencies, asking her to transform them into courage, clarity, and divine wisdom. Let her lion remind you that you are protected, her trident empower you to destroy inner demons, and her lotus inspire you to blossom in love for God.

📚 Learn about all 9 forms of Goddess Durga and explore Navratri rituals in our Complete Navratri 2025 Guide »

📚 References

• Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya) – Markandeya Purana
• Srimad Bhagavatam – Gopi Katyayani Vrata Episode
• Swami Mukundananda. Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God
• Swami Mukundananda. The Science of Mind Management
• Swami Mukundananda. 7 Mindsets for Success, Happiness and Fulfilment

❓ FAQs

Q1: Who is Maa Katyayani?
Maa Katyayani is the sixth form of Maa Durga, born to Sage Katyayan, and known as Mahishasura Mardini, the slayer of the buffalo demon.

Q2: Why is Maa Katyayani worshiped during Navratri?
She represents the destruction of negativity and the courage needed for spiritual progress. Her worship strengthens the Ajna Chakra and grants fearlessness.

Q3: What is Maa Katyayani’s beej mantra?
“ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥” (Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah). Chanting it removes obstacles, grants courage, and is especially recommended for those seeking suitable life partners.

Q4: Which chakra is associated with Maa Katyayani?
The Ajna Chakra, the center of intuition and insight.

Q5: How does Maa Katyayani’s worship connect to Raganuga Bhakti?
By removing ego, fear, and inner negativity, she clears the way for natural, spontaneous, love-filled devotion to arise in the devotee’s heart.

🌸🪔 Happy Navratri! 🪔🌸

May Maa Katyayani bless you with divine courage, clarity, and an unwavering heart devoted to God. Jai Mata Di!