Ajay Kumar at 16:29, 3 August 2023

2023-08-03T16:29:28Z

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{{short description|Sixth form of goddess Durga}}
{{distinguish|text = Katyayani, wife of sage [[Yajnavalkya]]}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Katyayani Sanghasri 2010 Arnab Dutta.JPG
| caption = Daughter of Sage Katyayana, hence known as ''Katyayani''
| name = Katyayani
| affiliation = [[Avatar]] of [[Durga]]
| god_of = Goddess of Power
| abode =
| Devanagari =
| Sanskrit_transliteration =
| Tamil_script =
| Tamil_transliteration =
| Kannada_script =
| Kannada_transliteration =
| mantra = चंद्रहासोज्जवलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दध्यादेवी दानवघातिनि।।
| weapon = [[Talwar|Khadga]] (longsword) <br />[[Indian lotus|Padma or Lotus]], Abhayamudra, Varadamudra
| mount = [[Lion]]
| consort = [[Shiva]]
| father= [[Katyayana]]
| planet = Jupiter
}}

'''''Katyayani''''' (कात्यायनी) is an aspect of [[Mahadevi]] and the slayer of the tyrannical demon [[Mahishasura]]. She is the sixth among the [[Navadurgas]], the nine forms of Hindu goddess [[Durga]] who are worshipped during the festival of [[Navratri|Navaratri]].<ref name=asso>{{Cite web |url=http://www.s-a-i.info/assoc_change/navarathri_5_6.html |title=The Sixth form of Durga |access-date=2009-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511140031/http://www.s-a-i.info/assoc_change/navarathri_5_6.html |archive-date=2017-05-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She is depicted with four, ten or eighteen hands. This is the second name given for [[Goddess]] [[Adi Parashakti]] in [[Amarakosha]], the Sanskrit lexicon (Goddess [[Parvati]] names- [[Parvati|Uma]], [[Durga|Katyayani]], [[Parvati|Gauri]], [[Kali]], [[Parvati|Haimavati, Ishwari]]).

In [[Shaktism]], she is associated with the fierce forms of [[Shakti]] or [[Durga]], a warrior goddess, which also includes [[Bhadrakali]] and [[Chandi]]ka,<ref>''Religious beliefs and practices of North India during the early medieval period'', by Vibhuti Bhushan Mishra. Published by BRILL, 1973. {{ISBN|90-04-03610-5}}. ''Page 22''.</ref> and traditionally she is associated with the colour red, as with Goddess [[Parvati]], the primordial form of [[Shakti]], a fact also mentioned in [[Patanjali]]'s [[Mahabhashya]] on [[Pāṇini]], written in 2nd century BCE.<ref>''Devī-māhātmya: the crystallization of the goddess tradition'', by Thomas B. Coburn. Published by Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1988. {{ISBN|81-208-0557-7}}. ''Page 240''.</ref>

She is first mentioned in the [[Taittiriya]] [[Aranyaka]] part of the [[Yajurveda]]. [[Skanda Purana]] mentions her being created out of the spontaneous anger of Gods, which eventually led to slaying the demon, [[Mahishasura]], mounted on the lion. This occasion is celebrated during the annual [[Durga Puja]] festival in most parts of India.<ref name=vam>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/hmvp/hmvp34.htm#page_306 CHAPTER VII. UMĀ.] ''Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic'', by W.J. Wilkins. 1900. ''page 306''</ref>

Her exploits are described in the [[Devi-Bhagavata Purana]] and [[Devi Mahatmyam]], part of the [[Markandeya Purana]] attributed to sage [[Markandeya]] Rishi, who wrote it in Sanskrit ca. 400-500 CE. Over a period of time, her presence was also felt in Buddhist and Jain texts and several Tantric text, especially the [[Kalika Purana]](10th century), which mentions ''Uddiyana'' or ''Odradesa'' ([[Odisha]]), as the seat of Goddess Katyayani and Lord [[Jagannath]] {{Citation needed|date=October 2011}}.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=DbxE8zOuRbUC&dq=Katyayani&pg=PA9 Uddiyana Pitha] ''Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Orissa: Text'', by Thomas E. Donaldson, [[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]]. Abhinav Publications, 2001. {{ISBN|81-7017-406-6}}. ''Page 9''.</ref>

In Hindu traditions like [[Yoga]] and [[Tantra]], she is ascribed to the sixth [[Ajna]] [[Chakra]] or the Third eye chakra and her blessings are invoked by concentrating on this point.<ref name=asso/>

==Origin==
[[File:Durga 2005.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Born out of the anger of Gods, Katyayani kills the demon, Mahishasura]]

According to the [[Vamana Purana]] she was created from the combined energies of the gods when their anger at the demon [[Mahishasura]] manifested itself in the form of energy rays. The rays crystallized in the hermitage of [[Kātyāyana]] [[Rishi]], who gave it proper form therefore she is also called Katyayani or "daughter of Katyayana".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hinduscriptures.in/scriptures/puranas-18-puranas-mahapurana/vamana-purana/chapter-18/topic-1|title = Topic 1}}</ref> Elsewhere in texts like [[Kalika Purana]], it is mentioned that it was Rishi Kaytyayana who first worshipped her, hence she came to be known as ''Katyayani''. In either case, she is a demonstration or apparition of the [[Durga]] and is worshipped on the sixth day of [[Navratri]] festival.<ref>[http://www.durga-puja.org/different-forms-of-durga.html Forms of Durga]</ref>

[[File:Devimahatmya Sanskrit MS Nepal 11c.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Devi Mahatmya]] in [[Sanskrit]], the central text of [[Shaktism]], dated 11 CE]]

The [[Vamana Purana]] mentions the legend of her creation in great detail: "When the gods had sought [[Vishnu]] in their distress, he and at his command [[Shiva]], [[Brahma]] and the other gods, emitted such flames from their eyes and countenances that a mountain of effulgence was formed, from which became manifest Katyayini, refulgent as a thousand suns, having three eyes, black hair and eighteen arms. Shiva gave her his trident, Vishnu a [[Sudarshan Chakra]] or discus, [[Varuna]] a [[shankha]], a conch-shell, [[Agni]] a dart, [[Vayu]] a bow, [[Surya]] a quiver full of arrows, [[Indra]] a [[Vajra|thunderbolt]], [[Kuvera]] a [[Gada (mace)|mace]], Brahma a [[Japamala|rosary]] and [[Kamandalu|water-pot]], Kala a shield and sword, [[Visvakarma]] a battle-axe and other weapons. Thus armed and adored by the gods, Katyayani proceeded to the Mysore hills. There, the [[asuras]] saw her and captivated by her beauty they so described her to [[Mahishasura]], their king, that he was anxious to obtain her. On asking for her hand, she told him she must be won in fight. He took on the form of Mahisha, the bull and fought; at length Durga dismounted from her lion, and sprang upon the back of Mahisha, who was in the form of a bull and with her tender feet smote him on the head with such a terrible force that he fell to the ground senseless.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-10|title=Shardiya Navratri 2021 Day 6: Maa Katyayani story, puja vidhi, and significance|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/shardiya-navratri-2021-day-6-maa-katyayani-story-puja-vidhi-and-significance-101633872263089.html|access-date=2021-10-12|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Then she cut off his head with her sword and henceforth was called [[Mahishasuramardini]], the Slayer of Mahishasura.,<ref name=vam/> The legend also finds mention in [[Varaha Purana]] and the classical text of [[Shaktism]], the [[Devi-Bhagavata Purana]]<ref>''The triumph of the goddess: the canonical models and theological visions of the Devī-Bhāgavata Purāṇa'', by Cheever Mackenzie Brown. SUNY Press, 1990. {{ISBN|0-7914-0363-7}}. ''Page 97''.</ref>
Skanda Purana have an other Version, where Katyayani appear as 2 armed Goddess and later Expand Into 12 armed. Here Because of Kartikey's splendor She got her name. Parvati gifts her lion in this Version.
Its unique version as Katayayani ''forgives Mahisha''{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

==Other legends==
[[Raktabīja]], an aide of Kolhasur, possessed a power ([[Siddhi]]) whereby every drop of his blood spilled on earth would give rise to a demon. Due to this power, [[Bhairava]] was finding it impossible to kill Raktabīja. Katyayani swallowed all of Raktabīja's blood without letting it fall on earth. She created an Amrut Kunda (tank of nectar) to rejuvenate Bhairava's soldiers, thus playing a crucial role in the war. Her temple to the South of Kolhapur commemorates this.<ref>Shree Katyayani devi Bakor, Mahisagar, Gujarat</ref><ref>Shree Karveer Mahatmya, Author – Dajiba Joshirao, Publisher – Minal Prakashan, Edition/Year of Publication – 2012</ref>

The second among the 'Shaktipeeths' is Tulja [[Bhavani]] ([[Parvati]]) of Tuljapur. It is the family deity of the Bhosale Royal family, the Yadavs and of countless numbers of families belonging to different castes. The founder of the Maratha kingdom, Shivaji always visited the temple to seek her blessings. It is believed that the Goddess [[Durga]][[Bhavani]](Katyayani) gave him a sword - 'the Bhawani sword' - for success in his expeditions. The history of the temple has been mentioned in the Skanda Purana. {{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

According to [[Tantra]]s, she revealed through the North face, which is one six Faces of [[Shiva]]. This face is blue in colour and with three eyes and also revealed the [[Devi]]s, Dakshinakalika, [[Mahakali]], Guhyakali, Smashanakalika, [[Bhadrakali]], [[Ekajata]], Ugratara (fierce [[Tara (Devi)|Tara]]), Taritni, [[Chhinnamasta]], Nilasarasvati(Blue [[Saraswati]]), [[Durga]], Jayadurga, [[Navadurga]], Vashuli, [[Dhumavati]], [[Visalakshi]], [[Parvati]], [[Bagalamukhi]], [[Pratyangira]], [[Matangi]], [[Mahishasuramardini]], their rites and [[Mantra]]s.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/tantra/sas/sas06.htm Chapter Six: Shakti and Shakta] ''Shakti and Shâkta'', by [[Arthur Avalon]] (Sir John Woodroffe), 1918.</ref>

==Worship==

The [[Bhagavata Purana]] in 10th [[Canto]], 22nd Chapter, describes the legend of ''Katyayani Vrata'', where young marriageable daughters ([[gopis]]) of the cowherd men of [[Gokula]] in [[Braja]], worshipped Goddess Katyayani and took a [[vrata]], or vow, during the entire month of [[Margashirsha]], the first month of the winter season, to get [[Lord Krishna]] as their husband. During the month, they ate only unspiced [[khichri]] and after bathing in the Yamuna at sunrise made an earthen deity of the goddess on the riverbank and worshipped the idol with aromatic substances like sandalwood pulp, lamps, fruits, betel nuts, newly grown leaves, fragrant garlands and incense. This precedes the episode where Krishna takes away their clothes while they are bathing in the [[Yamuna River]].<ref>[http://www.salagram.net/parishad108.htm Sri Katyayani Vrata Story] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612132727/http://salagram.net/parishad108.htm |date=2010-06-12 }} [[Bhagavata Purana]] 10th Canto 22nd Chapter.</ref><ref>''Ancient Indian tradition & mythology: Puranas in translation'', by Jagdish Lal Shastri, Arnold Kunst, G. P. Bhatt, Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare. Published by Motilal Banarsidass, 1970. ''Page 1395''.</ref>

She is worshiped as the Adi shakti swaroop who if you make vow of fasting, would give you the husband you have wished and prayed for. The fasting, called Kātyāyanī-vrata is made for a whole month, offering such things as sandal, flowers, incense, etc.:
"During the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, every day early in the morning the young daughters of the cowherds(gopis) would take one another's hands and singing of [[Krishna]]'s transcendental qualities, go to the [[Yamuna]](Jamuna) to bathe. Desiring to obtain Krishna as their husband, they would then worship the goddess Kātyāyanī with incense, flowers and other items".{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

Each day they rose at dawn. Calling out to others by name, they all held hands and loudly sang glories of Krishna while going to Kālindī(personified Jamuna) to take their bath.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

The Adolescent Virgin Goddess in the southern tip of India, [[Devi Kanya Kumari]] is said to be the [[avatar]] of [[Devi]] Katyayani Or [[Devi]] [[Parvati]]. She is the goddess of penance and Sanyas.
During the [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]]([[Thai Pongal]]), a harvest festival, which coincides with the [[Makara Sankranthi]] and is celebrated in [[Tamil Nadu]], young girls prayed for rain and prosperity and throughout the month, they avoided milk and milk products. Women used to bath early in the morning and worshiped the idol of Goddess Katyayani, carved out of wet sand. The penance ended on the first day of the month of [[Thai (month)|Thai]](January–February) in [[Tamil calendar]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.4to40.com/culture/index.asp?id=60&society=Goddess_Katyayani |title=History of Pongal Festival |access-date=2009-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119202607/http://www.4to40.com/culture/index.asp?id=60 |archive-date=2010-01-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Prayers ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}

=== Mantra ===
चंद्रहासोज्जवलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना। कात्यायनी शुभं दध्यादेवी दानवघातिनि॥: ''Chandra Hasojja Valakara |''

''Shaardulavar Vaahana ||''

''Kaatyayani Shubham Daddya |''

''Devi Daanav Ghaatini ||''

ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नम:
Oṃ Devī Kātyāyanyai Namaḥ

''Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana |''

''Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini ||''

''Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Katyayani Rupena Samsthita |''

''Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah ||''<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=October 12, 2021 |title=Navaratri 2021 Day 6: Worship of Maa Katyayani|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/navaratri-2021-day-6-worship-of-maa-katyayani-1863748-2021-10-12|access-date=2021-10-12|magazine=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

=== Dhyan Mantra ===
स्वर्णाआज्ञा चक्र स्थितां षष्टम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीत करां षगपदधरां कात्यायनसुतां भजामि॥
Swarnagya chakra sthitam shashtam Durga Trinetram.
Varabhit Karam shadgpadmdharam katyayansutam Bhajami

==Temples==
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2021}}

* [[Delhi]]
** [[Chhatarpur Temple]], built in 1974.

* [[Gujarat]]:
** Sri Katyayani Temple at [[Bakor]] in [[Mahisagar]] district.<ref>http://www.katyayanidevibakor.org/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308221047/http://www.katyayanidevibakor.org/ |date=2017-03-08 }} ''Katyayani Mandir, Bakor'', by [[N.R.Upadhyay]],2016.</ref>

* [[Haryana]]:
** [[Kalayat Ancient Bricks Temple Complex#Katyayani|Katyayani temple at Kalayat]] in [[Kaithal district]].

* [[Karnataka]]:
** [[Shri Katyayani Baneshwar Temple, Aversa]], built in 1510 CE, original idols brought from Goa during Portuguese rule.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shreekatyayani.org/ |title = Shreekatyayani.org}}</ref>

* [[Kerala]]:
** Sri Kartyayani Temple, [[Cherthala]], Alappuzha, , India.
** Sri Kumaranalloor Karthyayani Temple at [[Kumaranalloor]] in [[Kottayam]] district.

* [[Maharashtra]]:
** Sri Katyayani Temple in [[Kolhapur]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kolhapur.nic.in/Htmldocs/katyani.htm |title=Katyani |access-date=2016-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410065419/http://kolhapur.nic.in/Htmldocs/katyani.htm |archive-date=2009-04-10 }}</ref>

* [[Rajasthan]]:
** Sri Katyayani Shakthipeeth Adhar Devi Temple (Arbuda Devi Temple) at [[Mount Abu]] in [[Aravali Range]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hill-temples.blogspot.in/2010/07/adhar-arbuda-devi-temple.html|title=Hill Temples: Adhar (Arbuda) Devi Temple|date=21 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://astrobix.com/hindumarg/69-अर्बुदा_देवी_मन्दिर__Arbuda_Devi_Temple__Arbuda_Devi_Mandir__Arbuda_Devi.html |title = अर्बुदा देवी मन्दिर {{!}} Arbuda Devi Temple {{!}} Arbuda Devi Mandir {{!}} Arbuda Devi}}</ref>

* [[Tamilnadu]]
** Sri Kathyayini Amman Temple at Marathurai area if [[Thanjavur]] in [[Tanjore]] district.<ref>[http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=1531 Temple details and description from Dinamalar composition on temples]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=1531|title = Kathyayini Amman Temple : Kathyayini Amman Temple Details | Kathyayini Amman- Marathurai | Tamilnadu Temple | காத்யாயனி அம்மன்}}</ref>

** Sri Kathayee Amman temple, Nelli Thoppu at Kovilur in Thanjavur city of Tanjore district.

* [[Uttar Pradesh]]:
** [http://www.katyayanipeeth.org.in Sri Katyayani Peeth Temple] in [[Vrindavan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.katyayanipeeth.org.in |title = Katyayanipeeth, Religious Trust, Vrindaban, India}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.katyayanipeeth.org.in Katyayani Peeth, Vrindavan]
* [http://www.stutimandal.com/gif_devi/pandav_krit_katyayani.htm Eulogy to Katyayani, ascribed to Pandava Brothers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008083749/http://www.stutimandal.com/gif_devi/pandav_krit_katyayani.htm |date=2008-10-08 }} from [[Devi-Bhagavata Purana|Devi Purana]]

{{HinduMythology}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Katyayani}}
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Navadurgas]]
[[Category:War goddesses]]

Katyayani - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 16:29, 3 August 2023