Siddhidatri is the ninth and last of the nine forms of Durga, worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri, Mahanavami. Her name means "the giver of siddhis", the spiritual powers and perfections. She is the presiding goddess of all siddhis, and tradition says that even Lord Shiva received his powers by worshipping her.
Siddhidatri dhyana sloka and its meaning
सिद्धगंधर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि । सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी ॥
Siddhagaṃdharvayakṣādyairasurairamarairapi | Sevyamānā sadā bhūyāt siddhidā siddhidāyinī ||
Meaning: May Goddess Siddhida, who is always served by the siddhas, gandharvas, yakshas, asuras and devas alike, be the Mother who grants us siddhis.
Look at who is in that list. Devas and asuras fight each other in almost every story of the Navaratri days before this one. Here, both of them stand together in her service. Siddhidatri is above every side.
Watch the story
A narrated retelling from our YouTube channel, in the regional language of this site.
The eight siddhis (ashta siddhi)
According to the Markandeya Purana there are eight siddhis, known together as the ashta siddhi:
- Anima – the power to make the body extremely small.
- Mahima – the power to make the body extremely large.
- Garima – the power to become as heavy as a great boulder.
- Laghima – the power to become as light as the air.
- Prapti – the power to obtain any object you wish for, wherever it is.
- Prakamya – the power by which nothing can block what you have resolved to do.
- Ishitva – lordship over everything.
- Vashitva – the power to influence others through purity of mind.
These powers are meant only for spiritual growth, never for personal gain. Tradition is clear on this point: if they are misused, they bring only harm.
The story of Siddhidatri: how Shiva became Ardhanarishvara
According to the Devi Purana, even Parameshwara worshipped Goddess Siddhidatri. Through her grace he received these eight siddhis and became known as Siddheshwara, the lord of siddhis.
Out of her compassion for Shiva, Siddhidatri came to live in him as one half of his own body. In this way Parameshwara became Ardhanarishvara, the lord who is half woman. Images of Ardhanarishvara show this clearly: the right half is Shiva, with matted hair and a trident, and the left half is the Goddess.
So the journey of the nine nights comes full circle. On the first day, the Mother is born as Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountain. On the ninth, she is the one who gives Shiva his siddhis and becomes half of his very being.
The form of Siddhidatri
Siddhidatri has four hands. On the right side she holds a discus (chakra) and a mace (gada); on the left, a conch (shankha) and a lotus (padma). Her vehicle is the lion. She is also shown seated on a lotus in the lotus posture, giving darshan to her devotees.
The chakra, gada, shankha and padma are the same four emblems that Vishnu holds. On her last day, the Mother holds them all.
How Siddhidatri is worshipped on Mahanavami
On Mahanavami the Goddess is worshipped as Siddhidatri. In many homes this is also the day young girls are invited and honoured as forms of the Goddess, if it was not done on Ashtami.
Flowers: Red flowers are offered to her, especially hibiscus.
Naivedya: A popular custom is to offer payasam.
Mantra: Devotees chant this mantra 108 times:
ॐ ह्रीं दुं दुर्गायै नमः
Oṃ hrīṃ duṃ durgāyai namaḥ
Giving: Donating books and things needed for study is considered especially good on this day.
What devotees pray to Siddhidatri for
Devotees believe that those who receive Siddhidatri's grace lack nothing. All sorrows are removed, and they gain happiness, success in their efforts (siddhi), and in the end, moksha itself.
One Mother, nine forms
From Shailaputri to Siddhidatri, the nine nights tell nine stories, but there is only one Jaganmata, the Mother of the world, with nine forms. The day after Mahanavami is Vijayadashami, the day of victory. Many families end their Navaratri puja with this prayer for peace, health and plenty in every home:
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके । शरण्ये त्र्यंबके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Sarvamaṃgala māṃgalye śive sarvārtha sādhike | Śaraṇye tryaṃbake gauri nārāyaṇi namo'stu te ||
Meaning: O auspicious one, the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, O Shive (the gracious one), who fulfils every aim, O refuge of all, three-eyed Gauri, Narayani, salutations to you.