New Delhi: This year, the auspicious nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri began on September 26. After worshipping Maa Shailputri on Day 1, devotees of Maa Durga are preparing to honour Maa Brahmacharini on Day 2 (September 27) of Navratri. Maa Brahmacharini was a great Sati, and her form is symbolic of the severe penance carried out by Goddess Parvati.
She adorns a peaceful and pleasant look in white clothes. She holds a japa mala (string of beads) in one hand and a Kamandal, a traditional water pot in another hand.
Story:
Goddess Parvati’s unmarried form is worshipped as Maa Brahmacharini. She walks barefoot, wears white garb, and carries a Jap Mala (a Rudraksh rosary) in her right hand and Kamandal (a water utensil) in her left. While the Rudraksh symbolizes her penance to attain Lord Shiva as her husband during her forest life, the utensil symbolizes how she only had water and nothing else during the final years of her penance.
As legends go, Goddess Parvati took birth at the home of Daksha Prajapati as Goddess Brahmacharini. In this form, Goddess Parvati was a great Sati, and she decided to undergo penance to win Lord Shiva’s heart. Her tapasya went on for thousands of years, and severe weather conditions like scorching summers, harsh winters and stormy rains couldn’t shake her firm resolve. During this time, the Goddess survived 1,000 years on a diet of flowers and fruits, another 100 years on leafy vegetables, and 3,000 years on Bilva leaves while sleeping on the floor. Later, she stopped eating Bilva leaves and continued her penance without food and water. Seeing her intense resolve, Lord Brahma gave her a blessing, and she became Lord Shiva’s consort.
However, when her father disrespected Lord Shiva, Maa Brahmacharini immolated herself by wishing to get a father in her next birth who respects her husband.
Significance:
It is believed Maa Brahmacharini governs Lord Mangal, the provider of all fortunes. Additionally, the lotuses attached to her body symbolize knowledge, and the white saree represents purity. By worshipping her, virtues such as penance, renunciation, dispassion and restraint improve inherently. One can also enhance their ethical conduct. Additionally, one can achieve all of their goals by praying to the Goddess.
Colour:
The colour for the second day of Navratri is red. It symbolizes passion and love.
Devotees worship Maa Brahmacharini along with Lord Shiva and observe fast. Jasmine flowers, rice, and sandalwood are offered in a kalash to the Goddess. The deity is also given abhishek with milk, curd and honey. Aarti and mantra chanting are performed, and prasad is offered to her. A special bhog of sugar is also offered to the Goddess during Navratri.
Mantra
Om Dadhana Karapadmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama
Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah ॥
