Kushmanda

Kushmanda is a Hindu goddess, credited with creating the world with her divine smile. Followers of the Kalikula tradition believe her to be the fourth aspect in Navadurga forms of Mahadevi. Her name signals her main role: Ku means "a little", Ushma means "warmth" or "energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg".

Kushmanda is worshiped on the fourth day of the festival of Navaratri (nine nights of Navadurga) and is believed to improve health and bestow wealth and strength. Goddess Kushmanda has eight hands and is thus also known as Ashtabhuja Devi. It is believed that all the power to bestow Siddhis and Niddhis are located in her Jap Mala.

It is stated that She created the whole universe, which is called Brahmanda (ब्रह्माण्ड) in Sanskrit, by just flashing little bit of her smile. She also likes Bali of white pumpkin known as Kushmanda (कुष्माण्ड). Due to her association with Brahmanda and Kushmanda, She is popularly known as Goddess Kushmanda. Her abode is in Anahata chakra.

Form
Kushmanda is depicted with eight to ten hands holding a trident, discus, sword, hook, mace, bow, arrow and two jars of Amrut (Elixir) and blood. Her one hand is always on abhayamudra from which she blesses all her devotees. She rides on a lion.

Origin
The sun gives life to the world and Goddess Kushmanda herself is the power of the sun and is the source of all energy when she resides within the core of the Sun God. It was to create a balance in the universe and provide life to all living beings from the sun rays, her power gives the sun its capability to give life to everyone, as she herself is Shakti.

Once after the defeat of Jatukasura, two asuras named Mali and Sumali son of great asura warrior Sukesh were performing a great tapas to impress and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. The tapas they were performing was so intense that their body started glowing with the positive ions emitting from their bodies. Suryadev started getting anxious and curious about the increasing glow on the earth. Suryadev once decided to go and look at the glowing bodies on earth. As per the nature's law, the celestial bodies cannot leave their place unless and until they change their nature. Surya dev was so curious that he left his place from the solar system and went to see the glowing bodies on earth. This damaged the entire universe. Neglecting everything suryadev, went more closer towards both the brothers. Mesmerized in their meditation, both the brothers were unaware that the Sun is getting closer to them. As the sun got near both the brothers burned into ashes. Shiva got to know this and got angry with Suryadev. He threw his Trishul towards Suryadev, incapacitating him. As a result the entire world and solar system went into darkness. The darkness was so frightening that anyone could see the universe with naked eye. Also, it caused the loss of Gravity and the celestial bodies faced imbalance. Rishi Kashyapa, father of Gods broke down after seeing Suryadev lying unconscious. Rishi Kashyap cursed Shiva that as he killed his son; one day he will also kill his own son. Shiva went to Parvati, requesting her for help to correct his mistake. He made her realize stating that she is the source of all energies, she is the mother of the universe. Parvati, went to the place in the universe where Suryadev was placed. She created a spherical body full of fire and light with her fierceness, which is now known as Sun. As Parvati moved out of that fire ball; she bloomed like eternal beauty of the universe.

Later, Sukesh and Rishi Kashyap reached the location. Sukesh was full of tears. Rishi Kashyap was angry though. Rishi Kashyap cursed Shiva, that as he killed his son, one day he will kill his own child. Shiva asked to both Sukesh and Rishi Kashyap to visit Devi Parvati, to get solution on this situation. Rishi Kashyap went with Devi Aditi to Devi Parvati to bring Suryadev to life. Devi Parvati went into the kitchen and brought two pots. Devi Parvati, asked them both to fill one pot with their blood. Rishi Kashyap with his power filled the pot with blood from both their bodies. The other Pot then automatically got filled with Amrit. Parvati asked Rishi Kashyap to pour the pious blood and Amrit into Suryadev's mouth. In return Rishi Kashyap that she will have a child who will be the greatest and finest God in the entire universe. Sukesh and his wife Devavati also visited Devi Parvati with ashes of Mali and Sumali. Devi Parvati gifted Devavati a Egg in her womb. The children later born from the egg were demonic. However Parvati were named as Kushmanda for her good deeds. Where Kushma means demonic and anda means or Ku means one and Ushma means heat and anda means egg like round structure. Later Suryadev requested Devi Kushamanda to take place in the Suryasan in Suryalok.Kushmanda has the power and strength to live in the core of Sun. Her luminosity gives the Sun its brightness. She is said to give directions to the Sun God, Surya.