14 - Sage Kaatyaayan

Once Kaatyaayan had cherished a keen desire to have Shakti born as his daughter. The goddess acceded to his request. Meanwhile, army of the powerful demon Mahishaasur, who could only be killed by a warrior Goddess, had reached Swarg to overthrow the gods from their abode. The trinity of gods – Brahmaa, Vishnu and Shiv, got infuriated and they created the goddess Durgaa, who was a culmination of the powers of all deities. Sage Kaatyaayan had the first privilege to worship her, so she was also named Kaatyaayanee.

Another myth goes by that she was born to Kaatyaayan as his daughter on the 14th dark of the month Aashwin. Kaatyaayan worshipped her for three days, 7th, 8th and 9th of the bright fortnight in the same month and killed Mahishasur on Vijayaa Dashaamee. Her worship done with devotion and faith leads to four objects – Dharm, Arth, Kaam and Moksh.

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