Navratri Day 4: Worshiping Goddess Kushmanda – Puja Guide, Mantras & Meaning
Who is Goddess Kushmanda and Why She Matters on Day Four
On the fourth day of the nine‑night Navratri festival, worship shifts to Kushmanda, the fourth avatar of Durga. Her name comes from three Sanskrit roots: ku (small), ushma (warmth), and anda (cosmic egg). According to myth, she infused a tiny spark of divine heat into the cosmic egg, birthing the entire universe. After assuming the form of Siddhidatri, she is said to have taken residence at the heart of the Sun, channeling solar energy to every corner of creation.
Kushmanda is often depicted as an eight‑armed lioness rider, known as Ashtabhuja Devi. Her right hands clutch a lotus, water pot, bow and mace, while her left hands hold a nectar pot, prayer beads, discus and another mace. The golden hue of her complexion mirrors the Sun’s radiance, and her luminous smile is believed to dispel darkness both cosmic and personal.
Astrologically, she governs the Anahata (heart) chakra and is ruled by Mercury (Budh). Devotees turn to her for relief from anxiety, depression, and lingering regrets, trusting her creative power to bring mental balance and emotional healing.
How to Perform the Kushmanda Puja – Step‑by‑Step Rituals and Mantras
Preparation: Rise before sunrise, take a ritual bath, and dress in clean green or yellow attire. Clean a small clay pan, line it with a layer of fresh mud, and sprinkle the seven sacred grains (Sapta Dhanya) followed by a light mist of water.
Kalash Setup: Fill a kalash with pure Ganga water, add a betel nut, a handful of coins, turmeric‑mixed rice (akshat), and a tuft of durva grass. Crown it with five mango leaves around the neck and a coconut on top.
Essential Items include vermillion, a sacred thread, sandalwood paste, rice, desi ghee, a clay lamp (diya), incense sticks, fresh flowers, seasonal fruits, sweets, and a packet of betel leaves stuffed with supari, cloves and cardamom.
Worship Procedure:
- Light the ghee‑filled diya and incense.
- Offer flowers, vermillion, fruit and sweets to the idol.
- Present the betel‑leaf packets as a symbolic offering.
- Recite the Durga Saptashati (the 700 verses of the Devi Mahatmya).
- Chant the Durga Chalisa.
- Repeat the core mantra Om Devi Kushmandaye Namah 51 or 108 times, using a rosary for counting.
- Perform the Durga Aarti, circling the flame clockwise.
- Conclude by seeking blessings for health, prosperity and inner peace.
Mantras to Chant:
- Primary:
ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥ - Extended:
ॐ ह्रीं कुष्मांडायै जगतप्रसूतयै नमः॥ - Devotional Verse:
सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च। दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥ - Universal Prayer:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मां कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Believers report a range of benefits after regular worship: improved physical health, financial stability, heightened fame, and greater personal strength. The energetic “sun‑spark” of Kushmanda is thought to cleanse the body of disease, while her heart‑chakra influence steadies the mind, easing fear and past traumas. Whether you are a seasoned devotee or a curious newcomer, observing the fourth day with sincerity can bring a burst of positivity and radiant energy into your life.