On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees honor Ma Kushmanda, the fourth form of Ma Durga, who is revered as the Ma of light and energy. Known as the creator of the universe from a dark, empty space, Ma Kushmanda is believed to bestow health, strength, and courage on her devotees. Her radiant smile is said to have produced the cosmos, earning her the title of the “Smiling Goddess.”
Maa Kushmanda is often associated with the creation of the universe, with her smile radiating the warmth that gave rise to the cosmic egg. Her name, derived from Sanskrit, reflects her divine role: “Ku” means “a little,” “Ushma” means “warmth,” and “Anda” means “cosmic egg.” This signifies her as the Ma who initiated the creation of life, light, and energy. She is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi due to her eight arms, each holding powerful objects symbolising her strength and blessings.
The Ma is believed to reside in the Anahata Chakra, the heart center, where she radiates love and warmth. Worshipping her is said to grant devotees strength, intelligence, fame, and longevity. Devotees believe that offering prayers to Ma Kushmanda removes diseases, grief, and fear while bringing peace and happiness.
Iconography and Symbolism
Ma Kushmanda is depicted with eight arms, carrying a kamandal (waterpot), bow, arrow, lotus flower, chakra (discus), mace, and a nectar-filled urn, symbolising prosperity and power. In one of her hands, she holds a rosary that is said to grant all siddhis (perfections) to her devotees. Her golden complexion and bright appearance are akin to the radiance of the sun, emphasising her role as the source of energy and warmth.
Ma Kushmanda is known to be fond of the kumhada fruit, also known as ash gourd or petha, which is offered to her as a special offering during Navratri. It is believed that through her blessings, all sorrows, diseases, and negative influences are eliminated, and devotees are granted her infinite grace.
Rituals and Offerings
On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees wake early, take a bath, and prepare to worship Maa Kushmanda. The sacred color of the day is green, representing growth, energy, and harmony. Devotees set up an altar with a ghee lamp, incense, and offerings to the Ma, including a bhog (prasad) of almonds, raisins, cardamom powder, condensed milk, rice, and milk.
After lighting the lamp and offering धूप (incense), गंध (fragrance), अक्षत (unbroken rice), and लाल पुष्प (red flowers), devotees meditate on the Ma and recite her mantras to seek her blessings. The mantra often chanted is:
“या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मां कूष्मांडा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:”
(Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah)
This is followed by offering the prepared bhog and concluding the puja with a recitation of the aarti, which praises the Ma for her role in creating the universe and her benevolent protection over her devotees.
According to mythology, before the universe existed, everything was in a state of complete darkness. It was Maa Kushmanda’s smile that illuminated the void and gave rise to the cosmos, which is metaphorically referred to as the “Little Cosmic Egg.” Her divine energy is said to control the Sun, and she is believed to be the source of all light and direction within the solar system.
Maa Kushmanda is also credited with creating the three principal Ma — Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati — who help maintain balance in the universe. As the Ma of creation, she is revered as Adiswaroopa (the primordial form) and Adishakti (the primordial energy).
During Navratri, special remedies can be performed to invoke the blessings of Ma Kushmanda. One such remedy involves collecting soil from under a peepal tree, bringing it home, and pouring milk, curd, अक्षत, and रोली over the soil before lighting a lamp. The soil is then returned to the peepal tree to complete the ritual. This practice is believed to help devotees get rid of all problems and attract the Ma’s grace.
The fourth day of Navratri is a time for devotees to celebrate the creation and energy that Maa Kushmanda represents. Her radiant smile is a symbol of life, warmth, and prosperity, and by worshipping her, devotees seek her blessings for intelligence, strength, and courage to overcome the challenges of life.
