Narayani Namostute - Mata's Divine Leela

Mahishasur Mardini - Katyayani 1

Om Devi Kathyayanai Namah

Om Hreem Shreem Katyayanai Namah

Chandrahasojjwalkara Shardoolvaravahana 

 Kathyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini 

Rishi Katyayan prayed to the mother goddess to have her as his daughter, Mata paid heed to his calls.

Not because of her Devotee, but for the welfare of the world, she was born as Rishi Katyayan's daughter.

In this form, she is named after her father Katyayan and is hence called Katyayani.

Mahishasur was a demon who had a boon that no male of any species could kill him, thinking he was invincible he conquered Swarg Lok (Heaven).

The Devas were hiding in Kailash for the time being trying to figure how to kill him, after many failed attempts, they had an idea.

But they had no idea if it would work out, They needed to call Adi Shakti.

No one except the Trimurthi and Parvati's sons knew where she was.

Shiva told them "Parvati has taken the form of Katyayan's daughter, we should go to Rish Katyayan's ashram, we will find her there."

Then they headed to the ashram and found Devi Katyayani taking some flowers for the Shiva Puja.

They all went inside and prayed to her, to slay Mahishasur, but she did not pay heed as she was waiting for someone, that someone was Shiva.

When the Trimurthi came and asked her she dropped the basket and appeared in the sky.

The Gods gave all their weapons and she accepted the weapons.

She then turned into the mighty warrior form of Durga and headed to Vindyachal Parvat.

Before his death, Devi Durga gave him one last warning in the form of a dream.

He was at Vindyachal Parvat and Mata Durga came and chased him and killed him in the dream.

Shukracharya advised that he go to Devi Durga and apologize.

But he did not pay any heed.

Mahishasur sent some Asur's to send a message to Katyayani that he wants to marry her.

Devi Durga was chanting the Panchakshari Mantra of Shiva and waiting for the Asurs.

One of the Asur shouted from below the mountain "Beautiful Lady!"

Mata ignored him.

"You deserve to be married to royalty, why are you wasting it by meditating here!" he said

"Marry our king he will give you anything you want!"

Mata still ignored him

He said, "Our king has decided to marry you!"

Mata stopped chanting the mantra and opened her eyes.

She got very angry and calmed down and said "If your King wants to marry me he must defeat me in battle."

The Asurs belittled her and one of them said "We will defeat you and take you to our King"

As he got near Mata she got a sword and chopped his head off