Goddess Brahmacharini: Provider of all fortunes
| Date :30-Sep-2019 |
By Rajendra Diwe :
The second day of Navratri is the worship of Goddess Brahmacharini. According to mythology, Goddess Parvati took birth at the home of Daksha Prajjapati. This is the form of great Sati and her unmarried form is worshiped as Goddess Brahmacharini. Goddess Brahmacharini is depicted as walking on bare feet. She has two hands and She carries Jap Mala in the right hand and Kamandal in the left hand. Goddess Brahmacharini did severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. She performed hard austerity and due to which She was called Brahmacharini.
It is stated that during her penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband, She spent 1000 years on diet of flowers and fruits and another 100 years on the diet on leafy vegetables while sleeping on the floor. Further, She followed strict fasting regimen while staying at open place in scorching summers, harsh winters and stormy rains. According to Hindu mythologies, She was on a diet of Bilva leaves for 3000 years while She prayed to Lord Shankar.
Later, She even stopped eating Bilva leaves and continued her penance without any food and water. She was known as Aparna when She left eating Bilva leaves. As legends go, Goddess Brahmacharini immolated herself by wishing to get a father in her next birth who can respect her husband Lord Shiva. Governing Planet - It is believed that Lord Mangal, the provider of all fortunes, is governed by Goddess Brahmacharini.
Favourite Flower – Jasmine.
Mantra - Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah||
Prayer - Dadhana Kara Padmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu||
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama||
Stuti -Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Brahmacharini Rupena Samsthita||
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah||
Dhyana - Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam||
Japamala Kamandalu Dhara Brahmacharini Shubham||
Gauravarna Swadhishthanasthita Dwitiya Durga Trinetram||
Dhawala Paridhana Brahmarupa Pushpalankara Bhushitam||
Parama Vandana Pallavaradharam Kanta Kapola Pina||
Payodharam Kamaniya Lavanayam Smeramukhi Nimnanabhi Nitambanim||
Stotra - Tapashcharini Tvamhi Tapatraya Nivaranim||
Brahmarupadhara Brahmacharini Pranamamyaham||
Shankarapriya Tvamhi Bhukti-Mukti Dayini||
Shantida Jnanada Brahmacharini Pranamamyaham||
(Reference: Devi Bhagwat, Drik Panchang, Astrosage, Durga Saptashati)