Navratri - celebrating 9 forms of Shakti

||श्री||

Navratri is the festival when Hindus celebrate the 9 forms/manifestations of the divine Mother Goddess - Shakti.  Here is a short description of the 9 different forms of the devine Mother. 

1. माँ शैलपुत्री | Maa Shailputri
-1st Day of Navratri is dedicated to Godess Shailputri:

‘Shail’ means mountains and ‘Putri’ means daughter. She is also known as Parvati or Hemavati.

Shailaputri is the rebirth of Sati, the daughter of Daksha and the wife of Lord Shiva. In her second birth she is Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya and later she became the consort of Shiva. This is one of the very first forms of Shakti and is closely associated with Lord Shiva.

2. माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी | Maa Brahmacharini 

– Manifestation Worshipped on the second day of Navratri

Here Brahma means ‘one who constantly meditates on the Supreme Being’. Brahmacharini is highly pious and is a peaceful form or is in meditation. She is also known as Tapashcharini, Aparna and Uma.

This form of Durga is related to the severe penance undertaken by Sati and Parvati in their respective births to attain Lord Shiva as husband. Some of the most important Vratas observed in different parts of India by women is based on the strict austerities followed by Brahmacharini.

3. माता चंद्रघंटा | Maa Chandraghanta 

Art by Manohar Saini.
Watercolor on cotton,
 available atwww.exoticindia.com

- The form of Mother Goddess worshiped on 3rd day of Navratri

The goddess Chandraghanta represents supreme knowledge and bliss with radiant face which appears like an image of solar system. A bell shaped mark of moon is present on her forehead because of which she is named Chandraghanta. Her pacifying form clears all the sorrows and sadness of her devotees. She has 10 hands which hold weapons like trident, chakra, bow and arrow, paash(lasso), sword,mace etc. She has a Golden bright complexion and rides a lion with a pleasant smile on her face. The saints are pleased with her looks and worship her with the chant of mantras.

The sound of the bell on her forehead keeps away the demons and negative energy. It repels all the troubles from the devotee’s life.

As a potent force and facet of the female energy, Goddess Chandraghanta claims as her own the Manipur Chakra. Symbolized by a lotus with ten petals, this chakra is also known as "nabhi" or navel chakra. This Manipur chakra embodies the change or conversion from simplicity to complexity.

4. माता कूष्मांडा | Mother Goddess Kooshmanda
- The form of Mother Goddess worshiped on the 4th day of Navratri.

कू (ku) = little | उष्म (ushm) = Warmth |
अंड (und) = the cosmic egg
The Mother Goddess who created this Universe (the cosmic egg) with only a little of her warmth, is known as Kooshmanda (कूष्मांडा)

She has eight arms. In her seven hands she holds Kamandal, Bow, Arrow, Lotus, a jar of nectar, discus, mace, respectively. In her eighthth hand she holds a rosary capable of giving eight Siddhis and nine Nidhis. She rides Lion.

Kushmand in Snaskrit stands for Pumpkin, which is used to perform sacrifice for the Mother Goddess Kooshmandaa. This sacrifice rids the devotee of the violent thoughts and actions.

5. मां स्कंदमाता | Mother Goddess Skandmata

- The Fifth manifestation of Mother Goddess.

In Dev-asur Sangraam (देव-असुर संग्राम | the war of the Gods and Asuras), Skanda (also known as Kartikeya and Murugan),Son of Mahadev and Parvati, was chosen by Gods to lead their army.
on the 5th day of Navratri, we pray to the Mother of lord Skand - Skandmata. Her worship implicitly includes worship of Lord Skanda in his child form. She has 4 arms and 3 eyes and she rides a Lion.
She grants wishes of her devotees. He/She who worships her is always surrounded by a divine aura.


6. माँ कात्यायिनी | Mother Goddess Katyayini - The sixth Manifestation of Mother Goddess.

Sage Katyayan of Katya clan performed deep  tapasya ( तपस्या = Penance) of Mother Goddess desiring her to be born as his own daughter. The Goddess acceded to his request and Hence was called 'Katyayini'. When Gods were driven out of their abode in Heaven by the army of powerful demon 'Mahishasur' (महिषासुर), the trinity of Gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, got infuriated and they created Goddess Katyayini, who was a culmination of the powers of all deities. Goddess Katyayini killed MAhishasur and hence is also called Mahishasur-mardini (महिषासुरमर्दिनी = the one who killed Mahishasur)

She has three eyes and four arms. She is epitome of love but won’t hesitate to rise up in anger to defend righteousness and Dharma. It is believed that Maa Katyayani persistently battles against the evil and deceitful entities.

To get God Krishna as a husband gopis worship Maa Katyayani in Vraj. So she is established as the Queen of Vraj. There is a very famous temple in Delhi (Chhattarpur) of Maa. This shrine is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, whose “darshan” can be availed only on “Ashtami” falling in every month. Otherwise, the “darshan” of Goddess Katyayani can be made throughout the days of ‘Navratri’.

7. माँ कालरात्रि | Mother Goddess Kalratri :
- Seventh Manifestation of the Divine Mother Goddess.

Kalaratri means the One who is 'the Death of Kaal'. Here Kaal means time & death and ratri means night. Kalaratri is the one who destroys ignorance and removes darkness. The Mother Goddess appears in this Dangerous form to protect good from the evil. She is also known as Shubhamkari or 'good-doing'. In taking this form the Goddess Kalaratri killed the demon Raktabeej, who could multiply from every drop of his blood as it fell on the ground (instant cloning?) She is believed to endow her devotees with both calm and courage.

The complexion of Maa Kalaratri is like dark night with unlocked hair. She has four hands. The left two hands holds a 'Khadag' (rounded tip sword) and a torch, and the right two are in the mudras of 'giving' and 'protecting'. She wears a necklace that shines like the moon. Kalaratri has three eyes which emanate rays like lightning. Flames appear through her nostrils when she inhales or exhales. Her mount is the donkey. The appearance of Maa Kalaratri can be seen as being very dangerous for evil-doers. But she always bares good fruits for her devotees.

8. माँ महागौरी | Mother Goddess Mahagauri 

- Eighth manifestation of the divine Mother Goddess.

( महा | Maha = great, extreme; गौरी | Gauri = white )
The name Mahagauri means extremely white. Mother Goddess Mahagauri is extremely white in colour, wears white cloths and rides on a white bull.

once Goddes Parvati performed intense penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. During this period her body got covered with soil and turned black in colour. After a long time Lord Shiva got pleased with her penance. He gave her a boon that, she will become His wife soon. Then, Lord Shiva cleaned goddess Parvati with water from Ganga, and saw her skin shining like gold and thus he named her Mahagauri.

Mahagauri has four arms. Her right arm is in the pose of allaying fear and right lower hand holds a trident in it. She holds a tambourine in her left upper arm and the lower one is in the form of a blessing. She grants wishes of her devotees.

9. माँ सिद्धिदात्री | Mother Goddess Siddhidatri

- Ninth Manifestation of Mother Goddess.

सिद्धि (Siddhi) = Accomplishment, attainment |
दात्री (datri) = the one(female) who gives
according to scriptures, there are 8 siddhis, which are:
1.अणिमा (Anima) = reducing one's body even to the size of an atom
2.महिमा (mahima) = expanding one's body to an infinitely large size
3.गरिमा (garima) = becoming infinitely heavy
4.लघिमा (laghima) = becoming almost weightless
5.प्राप्ति (Prapti) = having unrestricted access to all places
6.प्राकाम्य (prakamy) = realizing whatever one desires
7.इशत्व (Ishatv) = possessing absolute lordship
8.वस्त्व (Vastv) = the power to subjugate all

In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Shiva received all these siddhis by worshipping Maa Siddhidatri and hence the name. In this form, she is seated on a lotus while her four hands are holding a lotus, mace, discus and a book.She symbolizes wealth and happiness.This form of Goddess Durga showers knowledge which purifies the soul.

The story of Goddess Annapoorna

In Hinduism, Goddess Annapoorna, or Annapurna Devi, is the Goddess of food and nourishment. She is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati; in essence one of the numerous forms of Shakti. In this incarnation she nourishes all living beings and therefore Hindus consider ‘Anna’ (food) as holy. There is an interesting incident involving Lord Shiva and Goddess Annapoorna, which explains the importance of material world along with the spirit.

The game of dice between Shiva and Parvati symbolises the beginning of manifestation.When Parvati takes the dice and begins to play, she separates herself from Shiva so that they become two different players thus initiating fragmentation and the creation of the phenomenal world. Shiva represents consciousness, and Parvati represents prakriti.

   At first Shiva beats Parvati, but then more is wagered and Shiva loses all his attributes to Her. After losing the game, and seemingly losing his powers, Shiva accepts the defeat with a shrug of his shoulders and withdraws into the forest to meditate. Symbolising that consciousness can detach itself from its experience and from its own contents, and withdraw into a peaceful state.

In the forest Shiva meets Vishnu who offers to help. Afterwards Shiva wins back all he previously lost and causes Parvarti to accuse him of cheating. Vishnu reveals to Parvarti the secret of Shiva’s victories. “My spirit entered the dice. The dice moved not according to your moves but according to my wish. So neither has Shiva really won nor have you really lost. The game was an illusion; your quarrel a product of delusion.”
Shiva tells Parvati that the world is an illusion, nature is an illusion, matter is a mirage, and even food is just maya. Parvati, mother of all material things including food, loses her temper, saying; "If I am just an illusion, let's see how you and the rest of the world get along without me," and disappears from the world. Her disappearance causes havoc in the cosmos. Time stands still and in the grip of a terrible drought, the earth becomes barren. Seeing such suffering, Parvati's heart melts and she appears at Kashi to give relief.

Hearing of her return, Shiva presents himself to Parvati with other hungry mendicants. The Goddess feeds him, and Shiva admits that food cannot be dismissed as mere illusion as it is required to nourish the body in which resides the Atma.

Since that time, Parvati is worshipped as Annapoorna Devi, the Goddess of food and sustainer of prosperity. Legend has it that Shiva made an agreement with Goddess Annapoorna that she look after life before death, ensuring that no one goes hungry in the sacred city of Kashi, while he will ensure they receive liberation.

Akshaya Tritiya (अक्षय तृतीया) - significance in Hinduism and Jainism.

Akshaya tritiya (अक्षय तृतीया) is a very auspicious and holy day as per Hinduism and Jainism.
akshaya: infinite, that which never recedes.
tritiya or teej : third tithi (lunar day)

Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year. This day is ruled by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity. It is believed that if you do charity on this day you will be blessed. The day is considered auspicious for starting new ventures. The legend is that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya continues to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, new ventures, like starting a business, construction etc. is initiated on Akshaya Tritiya.
other stories related to Akshaya Tritiya are as follows - 

Krishna and Sudama : 
lord Krishna's childhood friend Sudama, also known as Kusela, visited Krishna on this day after he became King. With nothing to offer, Sudama took Poha (puffed rise) with him for Krishna. Looking at the riches of the court, Sudama felt ashamed to offer poha. Krishna welcomes Sudama in his court, made him sit and washed his feet.
Out of love for his poor childhood friend, Krishna  forced Sudama to share it. As soon as Krishna tasted poha, Sudama's poverty disappeared.

Goddess Annapoorna :
Once Shiva told Parvati that the world is an illusion and food too is a part of it. This angered the Devine mother, who is worshipped as the manifestation of all that is material, including food. To demonstrate the importance of her material manifestation, she disappeared from the world. Her disappearance brought time to a standstill and the Earth became Barren. There was no food to be found anywhere and all beings suffered from the pangs of hunger. Seeing all the suffering, Mother Parvati was filled with compassion and reappeared in Kashi on the day of Akshaya Tritiya and set up a Kitchen. Hearing about her return, Shiva ran to her and presented his bowl in alms saying, "Now I realise that the material world, like the spirit, cannot be dismissed as an illusion." Parvati smiled and fed Shiva with her own hands. Since then Parvati is worshipped as Annapurna, the Goddess of Nourishment.
(this is just a short version of the story, full version in upcoming blog entries)


Mahabharat :

• It was the day of Akshaya Tritiya when Lord Ganesh, started writing the epic Mahabharat to Sage Ved Vyaas'dictation.
• when Pandavas were in Exile, Lord Krishna, on this day, presented them an 'Akshaya paatr', a bowl which would never go empty and produce an unlimited supply of food on demand.
• it is also on this day that Dusshasan, Duyodhan's brother attempted to humiliate Draupadi by trying to unveil her at the royal court where Krishna protected her by providing 'undimishing' Saree.

Kuber

Kubera received his wealth and position as the custodian of wealth along with Goddess Lakshmi on this day, by praying to Lord Shiva.

Parashuraam

Akshaya tritiya is also celebrated as the birthday of Sage Parashuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The holiest of all Rivers, Ganga descended o Earth on the day of Akshaya tritiya.





Jainism : 

Rishabh Dev

The Day of Akshay Tritiya is worshipped and said to be auspicious in Jainism because it is said to have established the very first "ahar charya" a methodology to prepare and serve food to Jain Monks. Lord Rishabhdev denounced the worldly pleasures after dividing his vast kingdom in his 100 sons, prominent of whom are Gommateshwara Bahubali (whose world's tallest monolithic staure stands at shravanbelgola and Chakravarti Bharata, by whose name it is known today as "Bharat". Lord rishabhdev meditated without any food and water for six months and Upon attaining enlightenment (Kevalya Gyan), set out to accept food (Ahar). He was the first monk of this Era. Jain monks do not own anything. They do not even cook food for themselves. When hungry or thirsty, (Maximum Once in day), they set out to accept ahar. they do not even ask for it and accept where it is offered. Tirthankara Rishabhadev also went to people to accept food. However, the people of that time did not know anything about the lives and disciplines of monks, as he was the first monk of this era. The people of Ayodhya offered him gold, jewellery, gemstones, elephants, horses, expensive garments and even their daughters to honour their beloved king. Rishabhadev was not in quest of all these. He sought only a morsel of food, but nobody offered it to him. Nobody understood that their king was looking for to receive food to ensure that the monks that would come after him get food and water in the purest form needed to lead a ascetic life. As there was no choice, he had to fast for a long time of one year until his grandson Shreyansha Kumar understood his need due to his "purva-bhava-smaran" Finally Shreyansha Kumara, offered him sugarcane juice and thus Rishabhadev ended his fast after a year. This was on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. This is considered by the Jains as one of the best offerings. It is believed that religious gifts bestowed on Akshaya Tritiya become inexhaustible. Jains even today, observe a fast to commemorate their first Tirthankara Rishabhadev on Akshaya Tritiya and end their fast with sugarcane juice.