9. Siddhidatri
The ninth form of mother Durga is Siddhidatri. She is capable of giving all sorts of occult powers. According to Markandeya Purana there are eight types of these powers - Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghuma, Prapti, Prakamya, Isitwa and Vasitwa. And according to Brahmavaivarta Purana, Sri Krishna Janma Khanda, the number is eighteen as given under-
8. Mahagauri
The eighth potency of mother Durga is Mahagauri. Her complexion is extremely fair. So it is compared to the conch, moon and Kunda flower. She is supposed to be eight year old always; all her garments and ornaments are also white. She has four arms. Her vehicle is a bullock. Her right upper hand is in the pose of allaying fear and right lower hand holds a trident in it. The left upper hand holds a Damaru and the lower one is in the pose of granting boon. Her appearance is very calm and serene.
5. Skandamata
The fifth aspect of Mother Durga is known as Skandamata. She is the mother of Kumara or Skanda or Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in the war against the demons. His glory has been narrated in the Puranas and he is referred to as Kumara. His vehicle is Peacock known as Mayuravahana.
4. Kushmanda
Kushmanda is the fourth phase of the mother Durga. (Ku+Usma+Anda) - That is how the word has been derived. 'Ku' means 'a little'; 'Usma' is warmth, heat or energy and 'Anda' means the cosmic egg or universe – meaning, “from whose fraction of warmth the universe has emanated”. So she is justifiably named Kushmanda.
2. Brahmacharini
Brahmacharini is the second face of the nine Durgas. Here Brahma means penance. So, Brahmacharini is one who practices penance. It is said Veda, Tattva and Tapa are synonyms for Brahma. The form of Brahmacharini is tremendously effulgent and extremely majestic. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a Kamandalu in her left.
Navaratri is derived from the words nava and ratri; nava meaning new as well as nine and ratri meaning night. Navaratri is a period of nine days starting on the first day of Ashwayuja (September-October) when Durga Devi, also known as Mother Goddess in Hindu tradition is worshipped through her various forms. The Puranas give detailed accounts of these forms as well as the three most significant forms, namely Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali.
It appears that Dr Giridhar Madras of the University of California @ Davis submitted to the site ftp://jaguar.cs.utah.edu/private/sanskrit/sanskrit.html, on Guru poornima day in 1996, an article entitled Dakshinamurti Stotra. I am leaving out his transliteration and word by word translation and am giving below only his introductory remarks and free English translation.
‘Offered on this holy day of guru puurnima, this poem is
transliterated and translated as a humble dedication to my various
