The Arrival of Ma Katyayani

“Jaya jaya hey mahishasura mardini ramya-kapardini sahilasute.”

(Victory to you, O, destroyer of the demon Mahishasura. The one with beautiful locks of hair, the daughter of the mountain.”)

Echoing through the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, this potent refrain (repeated line) inspires Devi devotees, who sway to its magnetic rhythm and tune." 

One of the glorious names of Mother Divine is ‘Mahishasura Mardini’. 

Let’s go back to the second Manvantara when Devi Aadi Parashakti manifested as Ma Katyayani—a form of Ma Durga—to save the devas and the universe from the cruel reign of Mahishasura. 

 

The Story of Mahishasura: Rambha’s Son

Mahishasura was conceived out of an unusual union between an asura or demon called Rambha and a female buffalo or Mahishi. Rambha had done extreme penance for thousands of years to please Agni Dev (The God of Fire). When Agnidev finally appeared before him, Rambha wished for a son who would rule the three worlds as a mighty warrior, and a master shape-shifter.

‘Tathastu. Take any female of your choice, and you will be blessed with a son.’ Granting the boon, Agnidev vanished.

Having spent numerous years in penance, the desire for intimacy burned within Rambha. The first female he laid his eyes on was a beautiful buffalo. Overcome by lust, he coupled with her. While he was taking the buffalo to his realm, the Patal Lok, a huge male buffalo, attacked Rambha and killed him.

The grieving she-buffalo walked into Rambha’s funeral pyre. Suddenly, a blinding light shot out, and from it emerged a half-human, half-buffalo child with horns on the head and a tail that flicked like an angry whip; this was Mahishasura. A little later, a demon with bloodshot eyes and distorted features also emerged from the fire. Reborn out of attachment for this son, this was Rambha, who had reincarnated as Raktabeeja or ‘born of the seed.’

 

Lord Brahma’s Boon and the Reign of Cruelty

Mahishasura became a fearsome warrior. His evil forces began to unleash cruelty all over the universe. For thousands of years, he meditated on Lord Brahma. When Pitamah Brahma finally appeared, Mahishasura immediately asked for a boon of immortality.

“Anyone born will surely meet death and decay. Deep oceans, lofty mountains, the Earth and the glittering galaxies will perish one day. So, Asura King, ask me anything besides immortality,’ said Lord Brahma.

“Revered Pitamah, then grant me the boon that no man from the three lokas —Prithvi, Patal or Swarg—should be able to kill me.” Corrupted by ego and pride, Mahishasura could not think that a woman could also challenge him too.

Suppressing a smile, he continued, “If I die, let that be at the hands of a woman.” Lord Brahma granted his wish. Unknowingly, Mahishasura had sowed the seeds of his destruction. It also became the reason for the grand arrival of Ma Katyayani.

With time, Mahishasura became the undisputed king of the Earth. There was no one strong enough to control him. Mahishasura's reign brought devastation. He disrupted yagnas and worship and later attacked Lord Indra. The Devas had severely underestimated Mahishasura’s strength. While the demons had spent hard years preparing for the war, the Devas had indulged themselves and became weak. Even the combined forces of the trinity and the Devas could not stop Mahishasura. Realising that Lord Brahma’s boon favoured Mahishasura Lord Vishnu and Mahadev returned to their abodes. The devas continued to fight for many years. Finally, they left the battlefield and hid in dense forests and caves. After many years of despair, the Devas gathered the courage to approach the Trinity—Lord Brahma, Sri Vishnu, and Mahadev.

 

The Emergence of Mother Divine

Lord Shiva reminded everyone that only a woman could kill Mahishasura. At the suggestion of Lord Vishnu, gods and devas decided to invoke their energies to create a Devi who could defeat the Asura king.

A fiery red light emerged from Lord Brahma’s brow; it was his feminine power. Similarly, a dazzling silvery Shakti emanated from Lord Shiva’s brow, and a brilliant blue flame flowed from Sri Vishnu. 

These three Shaktis, representing Rajas, Tamas, and Sattva, fused to form a vibrant flame. Dazzled by the spectacle, the devas also contributed their powers. Soon, it became a raging fire; its brightness charged up the entire place. A resplendent feminine form began to take shape from the dancing blaze. Devas and Gods had never seen or imagined a being more beautiful. They were dumbstruck. Tall as the sky, she had eighteen arms. She wore magnificent ornaments, the likes of which could neither be created nor visualised. Lord Vishnu commanded all deities to bestow her with their choicest ayudhas (arms and weapons). Indra gave her his Vajra, Yama his danda; Sri Vishnu forced out a second chakra from his Sudarshana; Lord Shiva created a trident for her from his own; and Varuna parted with a water noose. Lord Brahma gave her a kamandalu with Ganges water while Kaala offered her an axe. Armed with such formidable ayudhas, Ma Aadi Parashakti stood in her splendid glory. Devas and Gods offered stuti and salutations to her. They begged her to save them from Mahishasura.

A mischievous smile played on her lips as she spoke, “How shocking! The devas and Trimurti stand before me, trembling for fear of a Danava. Surely, time is the strongest God of all.” 

Sitting astride her ferocious vahana—a lion— she got ready to destroy Mahishasura and his army. Devas raised acclamations in her glory. “Simhavahini, Ma Durga ki jai!’ ‘Vijayi Bhava!’ She was a warrior, a mother, and a protector, all rolled into one.

 

Devi Ma Takes Birth as Katyayani 

In the meantime, Sage Katyayan, a devotee of the Devi Ma, had been performing intense penance to have her as his daughter. She granted him this wish and manifested on the earth as his daughter, Katyayani.

 

Nav Durga Sadhana

In the potent Nav Durga Sadhana, Devi Katyayani is invoked on the sixth day. Devotees pray to her for strength, courage and protection.

The Sanskrit word ‘Durg’ means a ‘fort’. The who seeks Devi Ma is ever-protected by the strongest of forts —her grace and protection. She becomes the Sadhak’s Durg,  a fort that would never fail them.

Wish to start the Nav Durga Sadhana? Don’t worry. Sadhana App has you covered! To Start Nav Durga Sadhana, follow these steps:

• Download Sadhana App. (100% Free. No hidden subscription! No pesky Ads. All features unlocked & available.)
• Click on the lion icon on 26 June '25 to know all the details.
• Follow the day-wise instructions in the app.
• Begin your sadhana by doing the first Japa on 26 June’ 25 and the first yagna on 27 June ‘25.
• The mantra of the day will get updated everyday.
• For the next ten days (26 June-5 July) perform the Devi japa every evening and yagna in the morning.

All the rituals are completely guided. Grab the opportunity to seek the love and blessings of Mother Divine!

Sadhana Se Sambhav Hai!