Ma Kushmanda: The Smile that Launched a Million Lives

This Katha dates back to the Kalpantha (the end of a Kalpa) when the cosmos was an empty dark space. From this emptiness, an amazing light emerged and slowly changed into a beautiful female form—Ma Kushmanda. As she smiled, the soft light began giving birth to life: galaxies, planets, plants, animals, insects, and humans. It was Ma Adi Parashakti, the primordial Shakti, who had taken the form of Ma Kushmanda to re-initiate life in the cosmos.

The word Kushmanda is made of three words: ‘Ku,’ meaning little; ‘Ushma’ meaning warmth; and ‘anda’ meaning egg. She is the mother who bore the little cosmic egg of creation. Ma Kushmanda is the source of all energy, light, warmth, and life. She is also known as the “smiling mother.” 

The One Who Resides in the Surya Mandala

Later, she created the Universe and settled her Shakti in the Surya mandala, powering the sun to provide light and warmth. She is the source of light living in the sun's core. Therefore, one of her names is ‘Surya mandala Antarvardhini.’ 

Devi Kushmanda is the mother of purification and Tapasya (penance), as she gives light and heat to purify all our deeds.

Creation of Mahashaktis

After creating the Universe, Ma Kushmanda is said to have created other powerful deities from her smile alone. She created the first three Mahashaktis.

Mahakali: From Ma Kushmanda’s left eye, a fierce female form with a pitch-black complexion emerged. She had ten faces, ten arms, ten feet and was armed with various weapons. Ma Kushmanda named her Mahakali.

Mahalakshmi: From Ma Kushmanda’s third eye, a fierce female form appeared whose complexion was like molten lava. She had a warrior appearance and wore saffron clothes. In her eighteen arms, she carried different weapons. Ma Kushmanda named her Mahalakshmi.

Mahasaraswati: From Ma Kushmanda's right eye, a gentle, smiling female form with a milky complexion emerged. She had eight arms and was adorned in a pristine white saree and jewellery. Ma Kushmanda named her Mahasaraswati.

These three Mahashaktis gave birth to the trinity of Gods and Goddesses. From Mahakali were born Lord Shiva and Saraswati. Mahasaraswati gave birth to Lord Vishnu and Shakti, while Lord Brahma and Ma Lakshmi were born from Mahalakshmi. 

Then, Ma Kushmanda paired the offsprings with each other as consorts: Shiva and Shakti, Vishnu and Lakshmi, and Brahma and Saraswati.

The Navratri time is an auspicious period to pray and seek the blessings of Ma Kushmanda—the fourth Navadurga.