The form of the Goddess
worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri is Siddhidatri
(‘giver of perfection’).
Siddhidatri is described
as clad in a red sari, and seated on a lotus. In her four arms, she bears a
lotus flower, gada (mace), sudarshana chakra (disc), and shankha
(conch shell). Her vahana is the lion,
and her appearance is resplendent.
In the Shaktha tradition the Supreme Being is
worshipped as Shakthi (feminine
energy). When Shakthi willed Creation, the first being she manifested was Shiva.
Lord Shiva invokes her Grace for the Siddhis (powers) needed for the creation.
preservation, and eventual dissolution of the cosmos. She then wills Siddhidatri
into existence who bestows upon Shiva these siddhis.
Thence follows the creation of Vishnu, Brahma, and the other entities.
As Siddhidatri, She is
is worshipped by gods, demons, demi-gods, seers, and, human beings; because She
is the source and giver of all attainments and perfections – be they spiritual,
material, or, mundane.
Among the Navagrahas, she governs Ketu. The sacred offering to Siddhidatri
is sesame seeds.
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