On the fourth day of Navratri, the Mother Divine is worshipped in the form of Kushmanda Devi.

On the fourth day of Navratri, the Mother Divine is worshipped in the form of Kushmanda Devi. The name Kushmanda is made of three words. ‘Ku’ (little), ushma (warmth, energy) and anda (egg). Kushmanda also refers to a ball of energy Devi Kushmanda is known as ashtabhuja, the one with eight hands. She holds a stoup (kamandul), bow, arrow, a jar of nectar, discus, mace, rosary and lotus. She radiates a golden light as this form of the Devi resides in the sun’s core, thus sustaining Surya Lok. Sitting on a tiger, Devi Kushmanda denotes dharma and justice. She is the life force energy (Prana Shakti) in every being in this universe. Our energy has this unique quality of being smaller than the smallest, and larger than the largest. From the small seed, it becomes a huge fruit, and from the huge fruit, it comes back into the seed. Kushmanda means the Mother Divine manifests as prana, as the energy within us.