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| Goddess Brahmacharini |
" या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी
रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै
नमस्तस्यै
नमस्तस्यै
नमो नम:।।"
Origin
After Kushmanda form, Goddess Parvati took
birth at the home of Daksha Prajapati. In this form the Goddess Parvati was a
great Sati and her unmarried form is worshipped as Goddess Brahmacharini.
Navratri Worship
Navratri Worship
Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the
second day of Navratri.
Governing Planet
Governing Planet
It is believed that Lord Mangal, the provider
of all fortunes, is governed by Goddess Brahmacharini.
Iconography
Iconography
Goddess Brahmacharini is depicted as walking
on the bare feet. She has two hands and she carries Jap Mala in the right hand
and Kamandal in the left hand.
Details
Maa Brahmacharini is the second
manifestation of Maa Durga who is worshiped on the second day of Navratri. Here
word “Brahm” refers to “Tapa”. So Brahmcharini means Tapa Charini – The one who
perform Tapa or penance. It is said that the “Vedas”, “Tatva” & “Tapa” are
synonyms of word “Brahm”. The form of Brahmacharini is tremendously effulgent
and extremely majestic.
She holds a rosary in her right hand
and Kamandalu in her left. SHE personifies love and loyalty. Mata Brahmacharini
is store-house of knowledge and wisdom. Rudraksha is HER most adorned ornament.
When she was incarnated as the daughter of Himalaya, then influenced by the
instructions of Devrishi Narada, she practiced very hard penances in order to
obtain Lord Shiva as her divine consort. Due to her unearthly penances she was
termed as Brahmacharini. She spent one thousand years, only on fruits and
beet-roots. One hundred years she spent only by eating leafy vegetables. For a
sufficient perfiod of time observing complete fast she suffered tormenting of
nature like torrential rains and scorching sun and biting cold, under the open
sky. After such a difficult routine she lived only on dry Bilva pattaras
(leaves) fallen on the ground for three thousand years. She kept her engrossed
for twenty-four hours in worshiping Lord Shiva. After that she gave up eating
even these dry leaves. For several thousand years she went on without any food
and water.
Because she gave up eating dry Bilva leaves so she was known to be Aparna as one of her epithets.
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| Mata Brahmacharini's Penances |
Because she gave up eating dry Bilva leaves so she was known to be Aparna as one of her epithets.
After the hardship of penance for
several thousand years her body became extremely lean and thin. She was reduced
to skeleton only. Her penance, sharpened as it was, caused great disturbance in
all the three worlds. The whole universe was shaken. The Gods, the Rishis, the
Siddhas, the Munis all eulogized her penance as an unprecedented virtuous
action. Ultimately Lord Brahma through an oracle addressed her and said to her
in a very pleasant manner-O Goddess, so far nobody has ever practiced such an
austere penance. Only you could have done it. This wonderful deed is being
praised in all the four quarters. Your desire would be fulfilled. You will
decidedly get Lord Shiva as your divine consort. Now stop your penance and go
home. Your father would be shortly coming to take you back. Brahmacharini Durga
is capable of providing unending benefits. By worshiping her person inculcates
penancing, renouncing, dispassion, ethical conduct and restraint in himself.
Even in the most critical periods of struggle the mind remains unshaken and he
does not deviate from the path of duty. By the grace of mother Brahmacharini he
gets success and victory always and everywhere. On the second day of Navratri
Durga Pooja it is the Brahmacharini aspect of mother Goddess Durga that is
worshipped. This way the mind of the striver moving upward is established in
Swadhisthana Chakra. The Yogi, who makes his mind stay in this Chakra, gets the
devotion and blessings of the Goddess.
'May Karthyayani Devi bless you and your family'