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.
When there was only a void full of darkness, at that time, when even time did not exist, the mother Kushmanda created the universe with her Sankalpa, as a mental projection. Before her advent there was neither Sat nor Asat. She has her abode in the inner portion of Surya-Loka. Only she could live there and no one else. The hue and luster of her body also is just like that of the Sun, glowing and effulgent, incomparable with any other god or goddess. She being her own match. All the ten quarters are illuminated with her effulgence. Whatever brilliance is observed in the world, whether in living beings or objects is simply a reflection of her splendor.
She has eight arms (Ashtabhuja). In her seven hands she holds Kamandalu, bow, arrow, and lotus, a jar of nectar, discus, and mace, respectively. In her eighth hand is a rosary capable of giving eight Siddhis and nine Nidhis. Her vehicle is lion. Kushmanda in Sanskrit stands for pumpkin, which she likes most as a sacrificial offer. This is another reason why she is known as Kushmanda.
On the fourth day of Navratri, Kushmanda is worshipped. This day the mind of the sadhaka enters and stays in Anahata Chakra. So the striver is required to meditate on this aspect of the Mother with a steady mind and worship her single-mindedly. As a result of her worship the devotee gets rid of all ailments and sorrows. The life span, name, strength and health are on the increase. The mother Kushmanda is easy to propitiate. If some body surrenders before her guilelessly, he is sure to reach her Supreme abode. We should worship her in a befitting manner as prescribed in the Sastras and be a true devotee of her. Later on the sadhaka has mystical perceptions and he feels her grace. This miserable world transforms for him into a divine place. Her worship is the best and easiest means to cross the mire of the world. So an aspirant should worship her for his mundane as well as spiritual success.