3rd day of Navaratri: Is dedicated to the worship of Devi Mata in the swaroop of Chandragantha. ‘Chandra’ means moon and ‘Gantha’ means a bell. She is the one who is adorned with a crescent moon worn as a bell on her forehead. She has a hue which is resplendent and brilliant like that of a million rising sun, reddish-golden. She is visualized as seated on a Tiger, her favored vehicle and has ten arms, each arm carrying various weapons to fight and ward off evil energies.
It is thought that she attained this form after becoming ‘aware’ as a fruit of her prolonged ‘tapas’ or intense meditation the immenseness of her divine nature – that she is one with creation, the creator herself. She is also thought to have her third eye to be ever alert and to keep all the evil energies at bay for her devotees. Since she is in a fierce warrior form riding a lion, it is believed that all those who worship her will be brave and fearless. Devi is a study in contrasts in this form, along with fierceness she also personifies beauty, tenderness, grace and gentleness. Praying to Devi in this form will result in forgiveness of past sins, ensure obstacles are removed and the devotee is blessed with various forms of wealth and prosperity.
After undergoing the austerities and severe penance of several thousand years Devi in Bramhacharni swaroopa is successful in winning the heart of Mahayogi Shiva. Unlike in her previous birth as Devi Sati who had to face great objections and obstacles with her wishes to marry her beloved Shiva, Devi Parvati is lovingly blessed and joyously given in marriage to Shiva by her parents Mighty Himalaya and Mena in the presence of all other Gods. Thus this third swaroopa is that of Devi in married form. She rules Venus or ‘Shukra’ and thus praying to her will bestow immense wealth, prosperity and life’s luxuries. She resides in the Manipura Chakara, hence she should be mediated upon there. She is the Goddess of spirituality and inner journey.
Holy festival of Navaratri is a long festival marking nine nights and ten days celebrated in October – November or the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin during Autumn season or ‘Sharad Ritu’. The tenth day marks the culmination of nine days of fasting and prayers with Dusshehra celebration which marks the victory of good over evil brought about by unleashing feminine ‘Shakti’ or powers to win over evil represented by the demon Mahishasura and his inimical forces.
Some of her mantras gathered from various sources:
”
1) Om Devi Chandraghantayayi Namah
2) ‘Ya devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Roopen Sansthita
Namastasye namastasye namastasye Namo Namah’
3) Pindaj Pravaarudh chandkopastrkairyuta |
Prasadam Tanute Madhyam Chandraghanteti vishrutaa ||
4) Moola Mantra: ऊं एं ह्रीं क्लीं”
Continuing with my sharing of Devi Shloka / hymn from Devi Bhagwatam, the third para is as follows:
‘Megha Himavadham Prushte Go Karne Badrakarnika
Sathaneshwari bhawani do billage billava priya
Sri Shaila Madhavi Prokta Badra Badreshwari Tata
Paraha Shaile Du Jaya Kamal Kamalalaye…”
To be Contd..
Namo Devi Maha Devi Sidhayae Shantaye Namo Namah
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