Worship of Durga - One lotus stolen by the Goddess

Rama started reciting the Chandi. The vanaras also joined in. Rama recited the hymns whole day, and soon it was evening. It was the sixth day (Sasthi). In the evening, Rama started his Bodhana. He made an idol using clay and worshiped that with the Vilva leaves. Getting nine different twigs, Rama created the navapatrika and tied that near the idol.
What ever was needed for the worship was brought by Hanumana.

The next day, early morning, after having his bath, Rama started the worship for the seventh day. Rama worshiped the Goddess. Similarly on the eight and ninth days, Rama worshiped Durga.

With Lakshmana on his side, Rama continued the worship on the ninth day. There was no sign of the Goddess.

Rama turned to Vibhishana and asked him what should be done. Vibhishana said he had heard that Durga loved the blue lotus flower and her worship was to be done with one thousand and eight of those lotus flowers.

Rama asked Vibhishana where were these flowers available. Hanumana said he would get the flowrs if they were available anywhere in the world.

Vibhishana said these flowers were in the favorite lake of the Goddess and it would take someone ten years to get there. Hanumana said that was not an issue. He would go and bring them. He started his journey for the flowers.

Rama then started worshiping the Goddess taking her many names. The Goddess was pleased but she wanted to test Rama, thus remained invisible.

On the other side, Hanumana managed to get one thousand and eight of the lotus flowers and started his journey back.

Rama counted the flowers and then started offering them to the Goddess one by one, reciting the mantras.

Remaining invisible, the Goddess stole one of the flowers.

Rama offering the flowers and noticed he was one short. He said to Hanumana that there was one flower less.

Hanumana said He would go and get the flower from the lake where he had got the others, but unfortunately, there were none left. He said he was sure this was Kali testing Rama.

Brahma asks Rama to worship Durga

Vibhishana said to Rama - I am not sure if I have a solution for this.

In the heaven, Brahma said, the only solution was the worship of the Goddess. This was the season of autumn. If Rama worshiped Durga and pleased her, he will be able to kill Ravana.

The message was given to Rama by Brahma. Rama asked how was he to worship the Goddess. The spring was the time for the worship, this would not be the right time. The worship was done and the Goddess would was woken up on the ninth day of the dark phase of the moon (Navami, Krishna paksha). This was the process set by the king Suratha.

Brahma said Do not worry. Invoke the Goddess on the sixth day (Sasthi) and worship her the way King Suratha had done.

Rama got early in the morning and had his bath. Rama made offerings of wild flowers and fruits to the ocean and started his worship of Durga.

Ambika pleased with Ravana

Pleased with his prayer, Ambika appeared before Ravana. She sat on the chariot and Ravana sat on her lap.
She said I will now protect you. Even if Shiva comes to fight, he will have to face me.

The dusky Kali sat with Ravana.

Ravana was thrilled. He started showering arrows at Rama. Rama got ready and then saw Shiva's beloved in the chariot. He left his bow aside and said to Vibhishana - How do I fight this battle, when Durga herself is there with Ravana.

The Gods were also shocked. Why was the Goddess doing this? They went to Brahma and asked him to figure out a way out. 

Ravana calls out to Durga for help

Ravana shot arrows at Rama wounding him. Hanumana then jumped on Ravana's chariot and slapped him. Ravana fell, senseless on his chariot. Rama revived himself and Ravana also gained his senses and the fight resumed.

Ravana then called out to Durga. Where are you O Mother, Ambika. Kali, Please Help me. You alone can help me.