Form 9 of 9 · Night 9 of Navratri
Siddhidatri
The ninth form of Durga, worshipped on the ninth night, Navami: Siddhidatri, the giver of every power and perfection, seated on a lotus.
- Her name means
- Giver of the siddhis
- Rides a lion, or sits on a lotus
- Her night
- Night 9
- of Navratri
The story
At the beginning of creation Shiva worshipped the Goddess for the siddhis, the eight great powers, and Siddhidatri gave them to him.
Through her grace half of his body became hers, and he became Ardhanarishvara, the lord who is half woman.
She is worshipped by gods, sages, demons and humans alike, and on the ninth day Navratri ends with her blessing.
What she gives
Perfection in what one does, wisdom, and the siddhis, the powers of a perfected life.
How she is shown
Four-armed, seated on a lotus or riding a lion, holding a discus, a conch, a mace and a lotus.
Her verse
सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि।
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी॥
Siddha gandharva yakshadyair asurair amarairapi,
Sevyamana sada bhuyat Siddhida siddhidayini.
Served always by perfected ones, gandharvas, yakshas, demons and gods: may she, the giver of perfection, be mine.
सिद्ध, गंधर्व, यक्ष, असुर और देवता जिनकी सदा सेवा करते हैं: सिद्धि देने वाली वे देवी मेरी हों।
Her mantra ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमःOm Devi Siddhidatryai Namah
Her night
The ninth night of Navratri
Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth night of Navratri, the tithi of Navami, in spring (Chaitra) and in autumn (Sharad).
Find this year’s NavratriWhere she is worshipped
In every Durga temple and festival pandal on her night of Navratri. In Varanasi each of the nine forms has a temple of her own, and pilgrims visit one each night.
Questions
What are the siddhis?
The eight great powers of a perfected life, from becoming as small as an atom (anima) to mastery over all (vashitva).
How is Siddhidatri connected to Ardhanarishvara?
By her grace Shiva gained the siddhis and half his body became hers: Ardhanarishvara, half Shiva and half Shakti.