The Superwoman Who Created This Universe

Hinduism identifies Lord Shiva as the strongest of all gods and the ultimate symbol of masculinity on earth. He is also known as the destroyer of this world. Even though he had such powers, he could not establish the creation of this world since Maa Durga created him. Discover how they solved the problem of bringing life to earth.

Ninth Day- The Goddess with supernatural powers; Image Source: Kind PNG

The story begins when the entire universe was almost void of light and life. It was a time when there was no air to breathe, no water to drink, no food to produce, and no fire to create other elements. A time when the existence of the universe was in question since it was merely a massive void filled with darkness.

Then came a divine light, so intense that one could be blinded by it, ascending onto the earth like a ray of hope. While the light illuminated all corners of the earth, it took the form that looked like the divine Goddess Mahashakti. With her beautiful smile, she made the darkness disappear and created a universe. Inevitably, she became a symbol of hope for those on earth and a symbol of justice for all the wrongs ever committed. This supreme goddess was endowed with powers that gave birth to the Trinity of Gods, each representing a requirement for sustaining life on earth.

It was the divine light of this maha shakti that created Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the three gods who created, preserved, and destroyed the world respectively.

Firstly it was Lord Shiva, who was meant to withstand all darkness. As the destroyer, he was capable of ending illusions or imperfections in this world. Thus was created Lord Vishnu, a world affirmer whose inner being is a saint to look after the crimes of everyone while Lord Brahman was the ultimate reality who embodied all the knowledge, all the wisdom, and all creation in the universe as a whole. By creating a triumvirate with Mahashakti, the energy of separation was used to infuse her energy.

As the Goddess expressed to the three Lords, they needed to contemplate and grasp their responsibilities on earth.

Goddess Mahashakti's words entrusted to them the responsibility of removing voidances from the earth for eternity, thus, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the gods who create, sustain, and destroy, acted accordingly. For years three of them sat by an ocean and contemplated the knowledge, responsibilities, and benedictions bestowed upon them.

Due to the difficulty of comprehending the creation of the universe, since it is only a woman who can give birth to life and Lord Shiva being the destroyer prayed to Mahashakti for all the siddhis(perfections) necessary to make him a perfect god and allows him to fulfil his role in creating this world. His subsequent worship and meditation worked for thousands of years in hopes that one day Mahashakti would hear his prayers.

The goddess, inspired by Lord Shiva's profound devotion, manifested in the form of Siddhidatri which was the full manifestation of Mahashakti and the holder of all supernatural powers. Having a fair complexion, three medium-sized eyes, light ornamentation on her, and dressed in red and blue attire, she had a pleasant disposition. As discus, conch shell, lotus, and mace were affixed to each of her four hands, she sat upon a full-bloomed lotus and appeared before Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva, gazing in awe at the amorphous light of divine light, asked Goddess Siddhadatri with due respect, "O Supreme Goddess, give me all the siddhis that will make me a perfect god."

In response to this, Lord Shiva attained half the body of Mahashakti. It is said that Goddess Siddhidatri is often described as "Ardhanarishvara: the Half Female Lord," which represents the unification of these masculine and feminine energies in the universe. It thus also symbolises the links between Shakti, the female principle of God, and Shiva, the male principle and claims that the union of these principles creates the universe. 

As Lord Shiva worshipped Maha Shakti to gain all the Siddhis as a blessing in Hindu mythology, she assured that they would receive divine powers as well, which will enable them to perform their duties. In gratitude for their devotion, goddess Siddhidatri granted the trinity of gods with Ashtha siddhis.

Ashtha Siddhis- Anima: shrinking oneself to atom-size, Mahima: Expansion of body to an infinite size, Garima: Becoming ever heavier, Laghima: Becoming ever lighter, Prapti: Being ever-present, Prakambya: Making one's dreams come true, Ishatva: possessing absolute authority, Vashitva: Absorbing all other powers

After meeting this ninth avatar of Mahashakti, the three gods took up their roles as creators, preservers, and destroyers of the world. The powers they possessed were in the form of their respective wives, Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati, who would assist them in their respective tasks.

Additionally to these eight supreme siddhis, she also granted Nava niddhis and ten others. The two parts, man and woman, good, evil, divine creatures, demons, plants, reptiles, aquatic animals, hunters and victims, Aruna and Garuda, and countless other species of the world. Innumerable stars, galaxies, and constellations filled the entire world and nine planets made up the solar system. There were vast oceans and other streams of water surrounding the firm landmass on Earth, while plants and animals also evolved in their own environments.

This day is thus, observed as Mahanavami since it is dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri in her form and ends the nine-day of Navratri on the note of bringing the auspicious and joyful times filled with blessing, knowledge, and happiness. This form of Goddess Durga showers wisdom and purifies the soul, so dedicated devotees of goddess Siddhidaatri gain punya and are freed of all paap as they realise the ultimate Brahman, the creator of the universe. People from all over the country celebrate this day in various ways and chant the mantra below to gain blessings from maa Durga and her nine incarnations.

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Siddhidatri Rupena Samsthita।

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥