The ninth and final day of Navratri is a significant spiritual milestone in the journey of devotion. On this day, Maa Siddhidatri, the ultimate form of Goddess Durga, is worshipped. This day marks the culmination of the sacred Navratri festival, representing the attainment of spiritual perfection and divine blessings. Maa Siddhidatri, whose name translates to “Giver of Siddhis” (spiritual powers), is revered as the goddess who bestows supernatural abilities, wisdom, and ultimate fulfilment to her devotees.
The Spiritual Significance of Maa Siddhidatri
Worshipping Maa Siddhidatri is not only a step towards material success but also spiritual enlightenment, as she embodies divine grace and knowledge. In her graceful form, she is seated on a lotus, a symbol of spiritual detachment and purity. With her four arms, she holds a discus (chakra), conch (shankh), mace (gada), and lotus, each of which symbolizes different aspects of divine power and spiritual knowledge. Her serene and peaceful appearance radiates her role as a benefactor of spiritual wisdom and mystical powers.
She is also revered as the divine form of Ardhanarishvara, a combined form of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. According to Achary Kalki Krishnan, the Ardhanarishvara form represents the inseparable union of masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) energies. This divine unity symbolizes the balance between opposites — male and female, destruction and creation, passivity and activity. The Ardhanarishvara form teaches that both energies are interdependent and must exist in harmony to maintain the cosmic balance. Without Shakti, Shiva is powerless, and without Shiva, Shakti is directionless. Worshipping Maa Siddhidatri in this form is believed to bring balance and harmony in one’s own life, uniting the masculine and feminine energies within each person.
Connection with Planet Ketu
In Vedic astrology, Maa Siddhidatri is associated with the shadow planet Ketu, which represents spiritual liberation, past-life karmas, and detachment. Ketu is often regarded as a malefic planet due to its influence on detachment, confusion, and losses. A negative Ketu can cause problems related to confusion, misguidance, sudden losses, and health issues, especially in the spiritual realm.
However, Ketu also plays a crucial role in spiritual growth, as it compels the native to look beyond materialism and focus on spiritual evolution. Worshipping Maa Siddhidatri can help balance Ketu’s energy by promoting wisdom, inner peace, and liberation from karmic burdens. Her blessings can shield devotees from the negative effects of Ketu, removing obstacles and leading them toward spiritual success.
Offerings and Rituals
Devotees offer nine types of flowers, fruits, grains, and sweets to Maa Siddhidatri as part of their worship, which symbolizes the nine forms of Durga and helps to remove obstacles from their lives. Offering these items with devotion is believed to bring strength, protection, and divine blessings. Another significant offering is the colour purple, which Maa Siddhidatri is believed to favour. Purple, a blend of red and blue, symbolizes the union of passion and tranquillity, reflective of the balance between the material and spiritual realms that Maa Siddhidatri represents.
The Power of the Siddhidatri Mantra
Reciting the mantra dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri is an essential aspect of her worship. The mantra:
ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥
**Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah॥
Chanting this mantra with devotion brings divine fulfilment, material success, and spiritual wisdom. The mantra invokes her blessings, removing obstacles from the path of the devotee and guiding them towards self-realization and higher consciousness. It is believed that reciting this mantra purifies the mind and soul, helping devotees to achieve a union with the divine.
Benefits of Worshipping Maa Siddhidatri
Worshipping Maa Siddhidatri on the ninth day of Navratri has profound benefits that transcend both the material and spiritual realms. Some of these benefits include:
Divine Fulfilment: Maa Siddhidatri is known for bestowing both material and spiritual blessings. Devotees seek her grace to achieve success in their worldly pursuits while also striving for spiritual wisdom and self-realization. Her worship leads to contentment and a sense of fulfilment in life.
Removal of Obstacles: As the goddess who grants supernatural powers, Maa Siddhidatri removes negativity and hurdles from the lives of her devotees. Her grace empowers devotees to overcome challenges with strength and clarity.
Spiritual Enlightenment: The ultimate goal of worshipping Maa Siddhidatri is to attain spiritual wisdom and union with the divine. Her blessings help devotees reach higher levels of consciousness, allowing them to realize their divine potential.
The Mystical Ardh Narishwar Form and Balance of Energies
The worship of Maa Siddhidatri on the ninth day of Navratri represents the ultimate culmination of the festival’s spiritual journey. Her blessings bring fulfilment in both material and spiritual pursuits, removing obstacles and guiding devotees toward self-realization. As the embodiment of divine knowledge, perfection, and grace, Maa Siddhidatri symbolizes the ultimate goal of human life: attaining union with the divine and achieving balance in all aspects of existence.
