Navadurga, Nava-durga, Navadurgā, Navan-durga: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Navadurga means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Hare-Krsna: Nava-DurgāNavadurgā (नवदुर्गा), which literally means the nine forms of Goddess Durgā, constitute, according to Vedic scriptures, the manifestation of Durgā in Her nine different aspects.
These nine forms of manifestation are
- Śailaputrī,
- Brahmacāriṇī,
- Candrakaṇṭā [Candraghaṇṭā],
- Kuṣmāṇḍā,
- Skandamātā,
- Kātyāyanī,
- Kālarātrī,
- Mahāgaurī,
- Siddhidātrī.
Together worshipped during the Navrātri Vrata (Nine Divine Nights). Each goddess has a different form and a special significance. Nava Durgā, if worshipped with religious fervour during Navaratri, it is believed, to bestow spiritual fulfilment.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)Navadurgā (नवदुर्गा) refers to the worship of the “Nine Durgās”, and formed a part of the Navarātra Tantric ritual (an autumnal festival of the warrior goddess Caṇḍikā).—On Mahāṣṭamī is the worship of the Nine Durgās, the eight mothers, the sixty-four Yoginīs, purification of the gross elements, installation of mantras on the body; [...] Goddess is believed to morph into a more uncontrollable presence requiring constant placation.—Various 8th century sources refer to rituals such as the worship of the Nine Durgās, for example: Devīpurāṇa, Kālikāpurāṇa, Kṛtyakalpataru, Durgābhaktitaraṅgiṇī, Durgāpūjātattva, Durgāpūjāviveka, Bhadrakālīmantravidhiprakaraṇa in Sanderson (2007); account of the Durgā Pūjā in Kelomal, West Bengal (Nicholas 2013).
The Nine Durgās are:
- Rudracaṇḍā,
- Pracaṇḍā,
- Caṇḍogrā,
- Caṇḍanāyikā,
- Caṇḍā,
- Caṇḍavatī,
- Caṇḍarūpā,
- Aticaṇḍikā,
- Ugracaṇḍā.

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationNavadurgā (नवदुर्गा) refers to the “nine Durgās”, participating in Vīrabhadra campaign against Dakṣa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.33. Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] Receiving his command, with his head bowed down in reverence, Vīrabhadra set off immediately to the place of sacrifice. [...] Mahākālī went ahead for the destruction of Dakṣa accompanied by nine Durgās Viz:—Kālī, Kātyāyanī, Īśānī, Cāmuṇḍā, Muṇḍamardinī, Bhadrakālī, Bhadrā, Tvaritā and Vaiṣṇavī and the goblins [i.e., Bhūtas]”.
Eager in executing the command of Śiva, they accompanied the marching heroes—Ḍākinī, Śākinī, Bhūtas, Pramathas, Guhyakas, Kūṣmāṇḍas, Parpaṭas, Caṭakas, Brahma-Rākṣasas, Bhairavas and Kṣetrapālas and set out quickly for the destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice.

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Google Books: Papers on Art and EpigraphyNavadurgā (नवदुर्गा) or Navadurgārahasya is discussed in the eighth chapter of the Saudhikāgama: an unpublished Sanskrit text of encyclopaedic nature on Orissan temple architecture, town planning and iconography comprising about 4457 verses divided into nine chapters.—Chapter eight concerns the Śaktirahasya (i.e., the Navadurgā-rahasya, Daśamahāvidyārahasya and Saptamātṛkārahasya) and their pañjaras.

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismNavadurga (नवदुर्गा): Literally means nine Durgas, constitute, according to Hindu mythology, the manifestation of Durga in nine different forms.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryNavadurgā (नवदुर्गा).—Durgā in her nine forms. i. e. (kumārikā, trimūrti, kalyāṇī, rohiṇī, kālī, caṇḍikā, śāṃbhavī, durgā, bhadrā).
Navadurgā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms navan and durgā (दुर्गा).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryNavadurgā (नवदुर्गा).—f.
(-rgā) The nine forms of Durga. E. nava, and durgā the goddess.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryNavadurgā (नवदुर्गा):—[=nava-durgā] [from nava] f. Durgā in her 9 forms (viz. Kumārikā, Tri-mūrti, Kalyāṇī Rohiṇī, Kālī, Caṇḍikā, Śāmbhavī, Durgā, Bhadrā), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryNavadurgā (नवदुर्गा):—[nava-durgā] (rgā) 1. f. The nine forms in which Durgā appeared.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Navadurgapujana, Navadurgarahasya.
Full-text (+12): Kushmanda, Katyayani, Navadurgarahasya, Raghunathavijayacampu, Candogra, Aticandika, Candavati, Candanayika, Candarupa, Rudracanda, Ugracanda, Pracanda, Canda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Siddhidatri, Candraghanta, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, Brahmacarini.
Relevant text
Search found 16 books and stories containing Navadurga, Nava-durga, Nava-durgā, Navadurgā, Navan-durga, Navan-durgā; (plurals include: Navadurgas, durgas, durgās, Navadurgās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Devi Tantra, Mantra, Yantra (study) (by Srider Basudevan Iyer)
Later Vedic goddesses (1): The Earth or Prithivi < [Chapter 2 - The Maior Goddesses]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Diaspora of Bhuta (Daiva) worshipping cult—India and Indonesia (by Shilpa V. Sonawane)
Part 6.5 - Tantric Deities (Shaktism) < [Chapter 4 - Inter-Disciplinary Analysis]
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