On the 9th and final day of Navratri, we invoke and worship Siddhidatri Ma, who is not only worshipped by humans, but by the Gods and Goddesses, Demons, Gandharvas (celestial musicians), Yakshas (Earth spirits), and Siddhas.
Before the existence of Time, The Feminine Divine, Shakti, existed only in potential, unmanifested, and undifferentiated from consciousness, Itself, which we personify as Lord Shiva. She was the left side of his unmanifest body, and He was known as Ardhanarishwara Mahadev, or the Lord, Being Half Female. Eternity, which cannot be measured, was suddenly jarred by the Cosmic Desire of Consciousness to know Itself. This “jarring” loosened Para-Shakti from Shiva’s left side, as a Cosmic Mirror appeared, so that Consciousness may look at Itself and know Itself. And, indeed, Shiva did look into the mirror to see Himself, but saw Adi Para Shakti as his reflection, as the Subject of Consciousness had the first darshan of the Object of consciousness. His joy at seeing Her became the articulation “AA” which we call Aanand Shakti, and upon worshipping Her as such, all potentials may be realized, and all siddhis, perfections, were given as a boon to Lord Shiva, Who holds them for the use of suitable human beings. Her name is Siddhidatri Ma.
She is also the remover of disease, mental afflictions, and adverse planetary positions. To Her worshipper, nothing is impossible. She also provides the 26 wishes to her devotees.
She may be worshipped with the following mantras:
YA DEVI SARVBHUTESHU MAM SIDDHIDATRI RUPENA SAMSTHITA
NAMASTASYAI NAMASTASYAI NAMASTASYAI NAMO NAMAH
SIDDHA GANDHARVA YAKSHADHYAIRASURAIRAMARAIRAPI
SEVYAMANA SADABHUYAT SIDDHIDA SIDDHIDAYINI
OM HREEM SHRI SIDDHIDATRI DURGAYE NAMAH
Siddhidatri Maa
