Katyayani is the sixth form of Navadurga. She is the slayer of the tyrannical demon Mahishasura. She is depicted with four, ten, or eighteen hands. This is the second name given for Goddess Adi Parashakti in Amarakosha. (Goddess Parvati names- Uma Katyayani Gauri Kali Haimavati Ishwari). Goddess Katyayani was worshipped by Sita and for a good husband.
Being a Warrior goddess, which also includes Bhadrakali and Chandika, and traditionally she is associated with the colour red, as with Goddess Parvati, the primordial form of Shakti, a fact also mentioned in Patanjali’s Mahabhashya on Pāṇini.
She is first mentioned in the Taittiriya Aranyaka part of the Yajurveda. Skanda Purana mentions her being created out of the spontaneous anger of Gods, which eventually led to slaying the demon, Mahishasura, mounted on the lion. This occasion is celebrated during the annual Durga Puja festival in most parts of India.
Based on several Tantric texts, especially the Kalika-Purana(10th century), which mentions Uddiyana or Odradesa (Odisha), as the seat of Goddess Katyayani.
In Hindu traditions like Yoga and Tantra, she is ascribed to the sixth Ajna Chakra or the Third eye chakra and her blessings are invoked by concentrating on this point.
Why she is called Katyayani?
According to the Vamana Purana, she was created from the combined energies of the gods when their anger at the demon Mahishasura manifested itself in the form of energy rays. The rays crystallized in the hermitage of Kātyāyana Rishi, who gave it proper form therefore she is also called Katyayani or “daughter of Katyayana”.Elsewhere in texts like Kalika Purana, it is mentioned that it was Rishi Kaytyayana who first worshipped her, hence she is known as Katyayani. In either case, she is a demonstration or apparition of the Durga and is worshipped on the sixth day of the Navratri festival.
तथार्षितेजोत्तममुत्तमं महन्नाम्ना पृथिव्यामभवत् प्रसिद्धम् ।
कात्यायनीत्येव तदा बभौ सा नाम्ना च तेनैव जगत्प्रसिद्धा ।। 18.13 ।। Vamana Purana
The great and supreme splendor of hermit was popularly known as Katyayani and the goddess so originated became famous in this universe with the same name Viz. Katyayani.
चंद्रहासोज्जवलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दध्यादेवी दानवघातिनि।।
Candrahāsōjjavalakarā śārdūlavaravāhanā.
Kātyāyanī śubhaṁ dadhyādēvī dānavaghātini.
Mantra
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नम: Oṃ Devī Kātyāyanyai Namaḥ
ध्यान मंत्र
Meditation Mantra
स्वर्णाआज्ञा चक्र स्थितां षष्टम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीत करां षगपदधरां कात्यायनसुतां भजामि॥
Swarnagya chakra sthitam shashtam Durga Trinetram.
Varabhit Karam shadgpadmdharam katyayansutam Bhajami.
Favorite Color – Red