According to Tantric lore, Mahishasura was first born as the son of Rambhasura in Rambhakalpa. In that birth, he was killed by Paramba in the form of Ashtadasabhuja Ugrachanda, who used a white sword (Shweta khadga) to kill the demon. This form of Paramba is invoked by the famous Navakshari mantra.
Again, in the Nillohit Kalpa, Mahishasura was born and this time, he was killed by the six-armed Bhadrakali, who used a white arrow (shweta baan) to destroy him.
Finally, he was born for the third time in Shvetavarah Kalpa, but by the grace of sage Jayagishavya, he remembered his past lives. Realizing the possibility of death again at the hands of Mahamaya, he resorted to solitary bhakti (kayika, vachik, mansika) and immersed himself in the worship of Parashakti. After twelve-thousand years of worship, Bhagwati appeared before him and he addressed the goddess as follows:
"O great goddess! You have killed me twice before by assuming a fierce and astonishing form. Please tell me what dreadful form you plan to assume this time to kill me and make the devas take away my fear?
The Supreme Goddess said, "O demon, how will knowing this be useful to you? It will only generate more fear in you. If you insist, then behold this form of mine". Saying this, Paramba assumed the terrifying form of Ugarchanda with eighteen arms. Flames were coming out of his mouth and he was holding various weapons and scriptures in his hands. She wore a garland and made terrible roaring sounds. Unable to bear the fury of his form, the demon closed his eyes and folded his hands in surrender.
Paramba now assumed the fierce form of Bhadrakali with sixteen hands. Again, the asura became very scared and sought refuge at the feet of the great goddess. When the goddess assumed her beautiful nature once again, Mahisha asked her for three boons. He requested the goddess to kill him in a gentle form (saumya swaroop), if he had to.
As a second boon, he requested the mother to place her feet on his head so that he could concentrate on the lotus face of Bhagwati until the last bit of life remained in him. Thirdly, he demanded the sacrifices for himself like the gods. Thus, Parashakti assumed the supremely beautiful form of Dashabhuja Katyayani to kill Mahishasura for the third and final time.
So, Ugrachanda, Bhadrakali and Katyayani are the three important forms of Durga worshiped in Sri Rama Tantra using nine, twenty one and eleven syllable mantras respectively. During Sharadanavaratrotsav, all the three goddesses or any one of them can be worshipped as pradhan devi.
🙏 Namashchandikaaye🙏
🙏 Namo Narasimha 🙏
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