Navratri is a journey of the soul. Each of its nine nights invites us to reflect on the many faces of the Divine Mother, each form of Durga awakening a different dimension of Shakti (feminine energy). Together, these forms chart a path of inner evolution, guiding us from innocence to strength, from seeking to creating, from fear to fearlessness.

The festival begins with the stage of the childlike devotee – tender, pure and full of surrender. As the days unfold, we step into the seeker’s path, marked by discipline, resilience and the fire of determination. This is followed by the awakening of the warrior spirit where courage rises yet remains tempered with compassion and balance.

By the fourth day of Navratri, this journey turns radiant, expanding into the realm of creation and vitality. This day belongs to Maa Kushmanda, the cosmic mother whose gentle smile is said to have sparked the birth of the universe. She is not only the origin of creation but also the eternal source of warmth, energy and light that nourishes all life. Her presence reminds us of abundance, creativity and the power of nurturing strength.

But here’s a question worth asking ourselves: if we can revere a goddess whose smile created worlds, why do we often hesitate to value the creative power, resilience and radiance of women in our society today? Do we truly appreciate them for carrying the weight of motherhood, careers, households and families together or do we simply tag all of it as “expected” of them?

Maa Kushmanda – The Cosmic Mother of Creation

Maa Kushmanda, the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga is venerated as the Adi Shakti – the mother of the universe who breathed life into existence with nothing more than her divine smile. When darkness and void engulfed the cosmos, it was her gentle radiance that illuminated creation. Her very name carries profound symbolism:

• “Ku” – little
• “Ushma” – warmth, energy or radiance
• “Anda” – the cosmic egg, symbol of the universe

Together, Kushmanda beautifully translates to “the one who created the universe with a little warm smile.” This smile is not merely an expression but the primal force that dissolved chaos and gave birth to order, light and creation itself.

In her divine form, Maa Kushmanda is depicted with eight hands earning her the title Ashtabhuja Devi. Each hand holds a sacred symbol or weapon:

• A lotus, representing purity and blossoming consciousness.
• A bow and arrow, signifying energy, determination and direction.
• A chakra (discus), the wheel of time and righteousness.
• A mace, a symbol of strength to destroy negativity.
• A kamandalu (sacred water pot), representing simplicity and spiritual discipline.
• A jar of nectar (amrit), embodying immortality, healing and divine grace.
• And one hand raised in abhaya mudra, blessing her devotees with protection and fearlessness.

Seated gracefully upon a fierce lion, she radiates both boundless maternal love and unshakable strength. Unlike her earlier form of Maa Chandraghanta, who embodies the warrior spirit, Maa Kushmanda represents the source – the nourishing energy that sustains creation, the light that dissolves fear and the motherly power that blesses life with warmth and abundance.

Her worship on this day is believed to awaken the Anahata Chakra (heart center), filling devotees with compassion, vitality and inner radiance. She is not just the creator of the cosmos but also the inner creator within each of us, reminding us that even in darkness, a spark of light is enough to build new beginnings.

The Symbolism of Maa Kushmanda

Worshipping Maa Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri carries profound spiritual significance both cosmic and deeply personal. She is revered not only as the mother who created the universe but also as the sustainer who fills it with warmth, energy and vitality. Honoring her on this day is believed to transform both the outer and inner dimensions of life.

• Creator of the Universe 🌌 Maa Kushmanda is regarded as the originator of existence itself. With her divine smile, she formed the anda (cosmic egg) out of which the entire creation unfolded. Worshipping her is a reminder that every new beginning, every possibility is born from divine energy. She teaches us that even a small spark of positivity can give birth to vast universes within us.
• Bringer of Light ✨ When the universe was cloaked in darkness, it was Maa Kushmanda’s radiance that illuminated it. Her smile symbolizes the power to dissolve negativity and usher in clarity, joy and illumination. Devotees believe that praying to her removes inner shadows of doubt, fear and despair making space for hope, optimism and spiritual awakening.
• Bestower of Health and Vitality ☀️ Maa Kushmanda is associated with the brilliance of the sun, the source of life-giving energy. She governs vitality, strength and clarity of thought. Worshipping her is said to strengthen physical health, sharpen the mind and fill the devotee’s spirit with enthusiasm and resilience, just as sunlight nourishes and energizes all living beings.
• Giver of Prosperity 🌿💰 As the goddess of abundance, Maa Kushmanda blesses her devotees with growth, fertility and wealth. She removes obstacles that block success, whether in work, relationships or spiritual progress. Her blessings are believed to bring harmony at home, prosperity in life and the ability to thrive with gratitude.

Beyond material benefits, meditating on Maa Kushmanda awakens the inner spark of creation itself. She inspires us to tap into our hidden strength, nurture our ideas and channel our energy into meaningful action. Her presence is a reminder that creativity, resilience and abundance are not external gifts alone but divine qualities already resting within us, waiting to be awakened.

Awakening the Creator Within: Spiritual Wisdom of Maa Kushmanda

The fourth day of Navratri carries a message that extends far beyond rituals, offerings or traditional worship. Maa Kushmanda’s form teaches us life lessons that are deeply relevant to our inner journey as well as the way we live in the world.

1. From Warrior to Creator ⚔️➡️🌌 On Day 3, Maa Chandraghanta awakens our warrior spirit teaching us to roar against injustice and confront our fears. But the journey doesn’t stop there. With Maa Kushmanda, we are reminded that true strength is not only the ability to fight darkness but also the power to create light. Victory is hollow if it only destroys; it must also give birth to something new, nurturing and expansive. Her presence teaches us to balance courage with creativity, aggression with growth and battles with beginnings.
2. Nourishing Vitality 🌿🔥 Maa Kushmanda sustains the cosmos with her energy, radiance and warmth. Her symbolism calls us to reflect on how we sustain ourselves and others. Just as she nourishes creation, we must take responsibility for nurturing our own health, vitality and creativity. When we ignore our inner strength, our body, mind and spirit : we diminish our ability to create and thrive. Worshipping her becomes an invitation to recharge, to tend to the spark of energy within and to consciously share that vitality with the world around us.
3. The Smile of Creation 😊✨ In mythology, it is said that the entire universe was born from her gentle smile. This profound image reminds us of the transformative power of positivity. A single smile can ease pain, a little kindness can dissolve despair and a warm gesture can spark hope in someone’s life. Maa Kushmanda shows us that creation doesn’t always require force or grand gestures, even small doses of warmth, optimism and compassion have the power to reshape reality.
4. Awakening Inner Radiance ☀️💫 Maa Kushmanda governs the energy of the sun and through her worship, we are inspired to awaken that radiance within ourselves. She reminds us to stop hiding in the shadows of fear, self-doubt or external judgment. Instead, she calls us to shine, to let our talents, creativity and inner strength illuminate not only our own path but also the lives of others. The true offering we can give to her is to become a source of light in our world, just as she became the source of the cosmos itself.

✨ In essence, the fourth day is not only about honoring the goddess of creation but also about learning how to create, sustain and shine in our own lives. Maa Kushmanda is the gentle yet powerful reminder that strength is most divine when it nurtures life, spreads light and inspires growth.

The Paradox We Often Overlook

Here lies a profound paradox that invites introspection:

• In temples – We glorify Maa Kushmanda as the cosmic mother, the origin of creation and the embodiment of abundance. We bow before her image, offer flowers & prayers and seek her blessings for prosperity, vitality and joy. We celebrate her divine smile as the force that brought the universe into being, lighting the path for all life.
• In society – When real women mirror even a fraction of that creative power, their contributions are often minimized, overlooked or taken for granted. Whether they are nurturing families, building careers, leading communities or birthing ideas and enterprises, society frequently labels their effort as “ordinary,” “expected,” or simply part of their duty. The brilliance, patience and resilience required to hold everything together is rarely recognized as extraordinary.

Everyday women, much like Maa Kushmanda herself carry entire worlds on their shoulders:

• A mother who juggles a career while nurturing her children ensuring their growth and happiness often sacrificing her own time and rest.
• A teacher who shapes young minds with patience, care and dedication inspiring confidence and curiosity in the next generation.
• An entrepreneur who dreams boldly, takes risks and creates opportunities for others, fueling both innovation and livelihoods.
• A caregiver who quietly sustains households and communities with her strength, discipline and compassion often without recognition or support.

Yet, instead of reverence or appreciation, these women frequently face judgment, neglect or indifference. While we venerate a goddess whose smile created the cosmos, do we truly honor the women whose daily smiles, resilience and energy sustain entire households, communities and even generations?

This reflection invites a critical question: if divinity in the form of creation and abundance is worthy of worship, why do we hesitate to acknowledge and celebrate the same power manifest in the women around us?

Move Beyond Ritual

If the worship of Maa Kushmanda is to move beyond rituals and offerings, it must translate into recognizing and celebrating the divine qualities she embodies in the women around us. Her blessings are not limited to material abundance; they remind us of the creative, nurturing and radiant power that exists in everyday life.

1. Celebrate Creation in All Forms 🌱 Creation is not only about giving birth to life; it is also about generating ideas, solutions and meaningful change. Women are creators in countless ways – in the home, workplace and society at large. Honoring Maa Kushmanda means acknowledging the innovation, initiative and vision women bring into the world often quietly, often without applause.
2. Honor Nurturing Power ❤️ True strength lies in the ability to sustain, nourish and uplift. Mothers, caregivers, mentors and leaders alike embody this nurturing energy daily providing stability, love and support to those around them. Recognizing this effort, valuing it and expressing gratitude is a living form of worship.
3. Value Inner Radiance ✨ Maa Kushmanda’s smile illuminates the universe and similarly, women radiate light through positivity, confidence and resilience. Encouraging and celebrating this inner radiance in ourselves and in others allows society to thrive. It reminds us that strength is not only external but also the quiet brilliance of spirit and character.
4. Break the Habit of Taking Women for Granted 🙏 Much of women’s work remains unseen or unappreciate, the emotional labor, the long hours, the sacrifices, the juggling of multiple roles. True reverence for Maa Kushmanda compels us to notice, acknowledge and appreciate these contributions moving beyond assumptions that such dedication is “expected” or “ordinary.”

✨ On the fourth day of Navratri, as we bow before Maa Kushmanda, let us not only seek her blessings for prosperity, vitality and light but also honor the living Kushmandas among us : the women who through their warmth, resilience and creativity keep the world turning with their quiet smiles.

And as the Navratri journey continues, tune in for Day 5 when we meet Maa Skandamata, the mother of the divine warrior whose form inspires courage, protection and unconditional love.