Grihagnan

Chandra Ghanta -The third Navadurga

How Goddess Chandra Ghanta incarnated?

Brahmacharani, after a taking a word from Lord Rudra, came to the kingdom with a rich procession by his father Himavantha. Upon a condition by Brahmacharani to Lord Rudra to request her parents to get married. Lord Rudra came as Nataraja and convinced her parents took a word from them.

Even after that, he tested their parents by approaching them as Vaishnava in disguise. He abused Rudra in different ways. Listening to his words, they lost their faith in him and refused to give their daughter.

As they stood on this decision, Lord Rudra sent Saptarishis to address it. They tried to persuade them, especially Menadevi, in different ways by explaining the glory of Lord Rudra. She was partially convinced for marrying her daughter to Lord Rudra. All deities across universe received invitations to grace the occasion.

On the day of marriage, all of them, including Yama, Kubera, Vasu, Ishana, Lord Brahma, and Lord Vishnu arrived at the destination. Unaware of the physical appeal of Lord Rudra, Mena Devi asked Narada whether he was Lord Rudra by showing them one by one. Narada replied no.

Finally, a terrifying personality with five facets, ashes smeared on his body, snakes surrounding his neck, and the tiger skin covering his body arrived there along with a strange escort comprising ghosts, sages, aghoris etc. Seeing him, Narada said to Mena Devi that he was Lord Rudra. Sooner she saw him and his retinue, she fainted and raised a heated argument with Saptarishis, Lord Brahma and other deities, who glorified Lord Rudra before.

Then Lord Vishnu approached her and explained the glory of Lord Rudra. He said “Lord Rudra is the lord of lords who appears himself in 50crores forms. One day of Lord Rudra is equal to the lifetime of 1 crore of Lord Brahma. Even my lifetime ends with a day ending for Lord Rudra. He lives a luxurious life and eternal life.”

Meanwhile, Brahmacharini arrived there and saw her mother abusing Lord Rudra. She firmly said to her mother, Menadevi, that she will marry only Lord Rudra. Outraged by her stubborn hood, Menadevi raised her hand to beat Parvati. Seeing this, Parvati shown her original identity to Mena Devi, which resulted in the incarnation of her other appearance “Chandra Ghanta Devi”. This appearance astonished everyone present there.

Even after showing her original identity, Mena Devi was not convinced. She asked her to prove the charming side of Lord Rudra. As she convinced him to take the form of his charming prince. Menadevi was wondered at his charm and fully convinced. During marriage, when they are going round the Agni Kund, Lord Brahma fell in love with AMMA’s divine feet, which created sexual desire in him. Being omniscient, Lord Rudra went to kill him. Lord Vishnu and all other deities chanted stotras to please lord shiva. Finally, they too got married.

How she looks like?

Chandraghanta means she wears a half-moon and ghanta means she rings bell showing her courage and readiness for the war. When she rings the bell, the sound produced itself killed demons. She rides a lion as her vehicle, which represents courage. She has ten arms and holds varied weapons in her hands.

How to worship Chandra Ghanta Devi?

The associated colour of Chandraghanta Devi is yellow. Offer Pulihora to Goddess Durga on the third day of Navaratri. Yellow Dhoti and yellow saree during puja are preferable. Perform Shodasha puja with the following mantra-

Chandraghanta Devi’s Mantra:

• Chandraghanta mahakopaa, Sarvapida Nivarni!
  Dashabhuji Mahashouri, Ugrakshi Karkashaa Hara!!
  
• Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Nidra Rupena Samsthita
  Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
  
• Om Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Virat Swarupinyai Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Maharudra Mahapriyayi Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Paripoorna Siddha Swarupinyai Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om arva Bhaya Vinashinyai – Abhaya Pradayiinyai Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Dukha Nashinyai – Paramananda Pradayinyai Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Dushta Nashinyai Rakshasa Samharinyai Om Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Maha Saurya Swarupinyai Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Maha Shakthi Shalinyai Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Anantha Swarupinyai Sahasra Shobhitayai Sri Chandraghanta Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Ram Tejastatvatmane Namah
  

Benefits of Chandraghanta Devi’s worship

One who worships her will get the fruit of mental peace, life protection, evil torments elimination and being courage.

How to Meditate Chandraghanta Devi?

1. Chandraghanta Devi is associated with Manipuraka Chakra, on the right of Navel. It is her abode. There are ten petals associated with this chakra.
   
2. The mudra associated with it is Samana mudra, meeting all our fingers with thumb.
   
3. “Ram” is the beejakshara mantra for Manipuraka chakra. Chant this mantra with your mind till it concentrates on this chakra. Ram mantra is related to shiva.
   
4. Once you can concentrate well, be in a position by locking your fingers (Put your right fingers on the left fingers one on one as shown in the image.
   
   
   

Brahmacharini -The second incarnation of Navadurgas

How she incarnated?

She is the second incarnation of Deity Parvati and one of the Navadurgas being worshipped on the second day of Dasara Navaratri. The initial incarnation of Sati Devi also regarded as Goddess Parvati self immolated and incarnated as Shailaputri Devi, the first Navadurga.

In her incarnation, Lord Rudra leaves his Tapovan Gangavatarana, where she used to do Pada Puja to him. Deeply depressed with him, she became dispassionate of her life.

One day Maharshi Narada visited the kingdom of Himavantha, father of Shailaputri. Seeing her situation, the king requested him for solution. Maharshi advised her to perform tapa and communicated “OM Namah Shivaya”, a powerful mantra which pleases Lord Rudra to the fullest. She was extremely delighted with the advice. She also said that she had a dream of a Yatiswara advising her to do tapa for getting married to Lord Rudra.

She put a proposal at her parents to leave home for doing tapa. Her mother refused her proposal, but later convinced partially with shailaputri’s determination and explanation about doing tapa to please Lord Rudra. She left Pravritti- the material life and took up Nivritti -the dispassionate life. This resulted in the incarnation of Brahmacharani, so Shailaputri to perform tapa took the incarnation of Brahmacharini.

How did Brahmacharini perform tapas?

She went to Gangavatarana, the Lord Rudra’s tapovan, constructed a Parnashala named “Gouri Shikara” and deeply engrossed in tapa chanting “OM Namah Shivaya” mantra. She lived a dispassionate life by having food for few days, followed by fruits, leaves (by which she is regarded as “Aparna”), water and air. But this rigorous tapas did not please Lord Rudra.

After a few days, her parents visited Gouri Shikharam. Seeing her situation, they asked her to come with them. She refused and promised them to come along with Lord Rudra and engrossed in tapa again. This time the fire was blowing from her body, which spread like a wildfire across the universe. All deities were turned black. Worried about this situation, they went to Lord Brahma, who went to Lord Vishnu along with them and explained the situation. They went to Kailasa and asked Nandi for darshan of Lord Rudra. Nandi advised them to praise Lord Rudra, and they did the same.

How did Brahmacharini Devi win Lord Rudra?

Lord Rudra was pleased and gave them his darshan and asked about their arrival. They explained the penance of Brahmacharini Devi. Lord Rudra listened to their talks and sent Saptarishis to test her devotion towards HIM.

Obeying His orders, Saptarishis went to her ashram and started criticising Lord Rudra infront of her. Furious with their words, she argued with them and sacked them out. Saptarishis told her the reason for their arrival, apologized, fell on her feet, and confirmed her marriage is a preordained and certain to happen.

Even after this incident, Lord Rudra was not contented and now approached her as Yatiswara in disguise. He abused Lord Rudra but received a strong contention from other side. Pleased by her devotion, he appeared in his original identity, and extended his hand, confirming his marriage with her. This is regarded as “Panigrahanam” and is followed till date.

She stopped her tapa and put on a condition of approaching her parents and convincing them to marry her. Rudra accepted her conditional proposal. This is the story of Brahmacharini incarnation.

How Goddess Brahmacharini Devi looks like?

She wears white clothes, walks with bare feet. She holds Kamandalu (a ritual water pot) on her left hand and akshamala in her right hand.

How to worship Goddess Brahmacharini Devi ?

She is worshipped on the second day of Devi Navaratri. As Siddhagurus worship is the only authentication for any deity worship, Siddhaguru Ramanananda Maharshi performed havan and shodasha puja for this deity.

Twelve Mantras to chant Goddess Brahmacharini Devi

• Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Buddhi Rupena Samsthita
  Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
  
• Aparna Brahmacharini Japamala Sushobhita
  Siddidha Balada Shreshta Tapaswini Yasaswini
  
• Om Brahmacharini Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Mahatapasvinyai Sri Brahmacharini devyai Namah
  
• Om Sthira Sankalpa swaroopinyai Sri Brahmacharini Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Druda Nishchaya swaroopinyai Sri Brahmacharini Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Mahadivya Swarupinyai Sri Brahmacharini Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Sarva Devata stuta Parashakti Sri Brahmacharini Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Sri Maharudra santushti dayinyai Sri Brahmacharini Mahadevyai Namah
  
•  Om Om Sarva Rishi stuta Jagadambayai Sri Brahmacharini Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Dhyana Dhurandhrayai Sri Brahmacharini Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om Nitya Vijaya Rupinyai Nitya Vijaya Pradayinyai Sri Brahmacharini Mahadevyai Namah
  
• Om “Yam” Jala Tatvatmane Namah
  

How to meditate Goddess Brahmacharini?

• Goddess Brahmacharini is associated with Swadisthana Chakra of Kundalini. There are six petals in this chakra.
  
• The beejakshara mantra of Swadisthana Chakra is “Vam” and mudra is Jalamudra ( meeting little finger with thumb).
  
• Concentrate your mind on the lower belly and inner pelvis, the location of Swadisthana Chakra with Jalamudra.
  
• Chant beejakshara mantra nine times with mind and take breath for nine times.
  
• Observe meditation in locking (all your right fingers on the left fingers).
  

What is in it for me for worshipping Goddess Brahmacharini?

She is an inspiration for seekers aiming for higher realms of spirituality. Those who aim to achieve divinity should get inspired by her story and continue their practice. One who worships her will be relived of evil thoughts and six senses (Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha Mada and Mathsarya).

The secret of creation – Ardhanarishvara Incarnation

1. It is a known fact that Shiva is the source of this creation. He created Brahma and instructed him to develop this creation.
   
2. Obeying his order, Brahma created Sapta Rishis (Vasishta, Pulastya, Pulah, Kratu, Angirasa, Atri and Marichi) and Sanaka Sananda from his mind.
   
3. Brahma was worried as creation being ceased to develop. He prayed to Lord shiva and his consort Parashakti to his fullest. Pleased by it, Lord Shiva manifested as Ardhanarishvara, a depiction of half- male (Lord shiva) and half-female (his consort-Parashakthi) who later divided into male and female deities -Sada shiva and Parashakthi.
   
4. Delighted by it, Brahma prayed Parashakti to give him the power of developing this creation being created by Lord shiva and asked her to be born as Sathidevi. Accepting his desire, she illuminated the power of developing the creation for Brahma.
   
5. Then Brahma himself manifested as Ardhanarisvara and created Swayambhuva- a male and Satarupa a female.
   
6. Swayambhuva and Satarupa had three daughters,-Aakuti, Prasuti, Devahuti and two sons, Uttanapada and Priyavrata.
   
7. Prasuti married Daksha, the son of Lord Brahma and, as wished by Brahmadeva Goddess Parashakthi, herself born as Sathidevi to this couple.
   
8. Worshiping Lord Ardhanarisvara shall fulfill both material and spiritual needs.