Maa Durga is known as the universal protector and wards off evil spirits and demons from one’s life. Navratri is celebrated 5 times a year as per Hindu traditions.one of most popular Indian festivals, Navratri is celebrated every year in the autumn with much fanfare in different parts of the country, and even around the world by the Hindu community. People hail and carry our Durga puja and wish for great life, compassion, wisdom and prosperity. The nine incarnations of Maa Durga are as follows:
1. Maa Shailputri
2. Maa Brahmacharini
3. Maa Chandraghata
4. Maa Kushmanda
5. Maa Skand Mata
6. Maa Katyayani
7. Maa Kaalratri
8. Maa Mahagauri
9. Maa Siddhidatri
On the second day of Navratri, Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped with elaborate puja rituals. Brahmacharini appears in the form of a maiden girl filled with wisdom.The term Brahmacharini means the unmarried and youthful one.The goddess Brahmacharini wears white clothes, holds a japa mala (rosary) in her right hand and Kamandal, a water utensil in her left hand.
Goddess Brahmacharini governs the planet Mars in astrology. Worshiping her can eliminate all the bad effects of Mars.
Mantras:
"या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।
दधाना कर पद्माभ्याम अक्षमाला कमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मई ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा।।
ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥"
Story of Devi Brahmacharini:
Mythology says that Goddess Parvati's previous incamation was Devi Shakti who had self emulated herself because her husband, Lord Shiva, was disrespected by her father Prajapati Dakshya.So, maiden Goddess Parvati knew that she wanted to get Lord Shiva as her husband.Lord Shiva was in intense meditation for years during that time. Then Naradji advised Goddess Parvati to followed a path and performed extremed penance(tapa).She spent thousand years, surviving on fruits on and beet-roots and then the next one hundred years by eating leafy vegetables only.
The Demi-Gods urged Kamdeva to invoke a desire in Lord shiva for accepeting Parvati as a demon named Tarakasura was creating havoc in the celestial world and who could be killed only by Lord Shiva's son. And since Lord Shiva was in deep meditation,therefore it was urgent to make Lord Shiva desire Parvati.
Convinced, Kamadeva shot an arrow of love at Lord Shiva. It is believed that when Lord Shiva is disturbed in his meditation then he takes his Rudra Rupa, which is his angry,fierce form.When Kamadev's arrow hit Lord Shiva,he opened his eyes and burned Kamdeva to ash.
On the other side,Parvati suffered the torment of nature and severe conditions like rains,scorching sun and cold,while she lived under the open sky. It is also believed that Maa Parvati continued her penance and ate only Bilva leaves to survive. Brahmacharini Mata was called Aparna because of this.For several years she went on without any food and water.The only single minded focus of Brahamacharini Maa was Lord Shiva and Brahmacharini Devi kept herself immersed in worshiping Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva was aware of Maa Brahmacharini's Tapa.So that he met Brahmacharini Devi and dissuaded her from leading this dangereous path of Tapasya. But Goddess Brahmacharini was unshaken in her resolution. Sticking her vow, she continued her tapasya. Lord Shiva seeing her determination finally accepted Brahmacharini Maa as his wife, once again Shiva and Sakti were together.
With this, we hope that you will make the best of Navratri’s second day. May Maa Brahmacharini blesses you with all the goodness of life.
jay maa ambe
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