Devi Brahmacharini: Second Goddess Of Navratri

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Navratri is the celebration of the nine forms of Goddess Durga or Shakti. Vasant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri has commenced. This Navratri is celebrated during the Spring season. On all the nine days, nine different forms of Shakti is worshipped. The second of the festival is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini.

Goddess Brahmacharini is a beautiful form of Goddess Durga. The Goddess took this form when She performed Her great penance to get Lord Shiva as Her husband. She is depicted as a Goddess who is dressed up as a hermit. She carries a Kamandal (water pot) in Her left hand and a Japamala (rosary) in Her right hand. She wears a white saree with an orange border and Rudraksha as Her ornaments.

Let us take a look at the legend of Goddess Brahmacharini and the significance of worshipping this form of Shakti.

STORY OF CHANDRAGHANTA: THIRD GODDESS OF NAVRATRI

Legend Behind Brahmacharini
When Goddess Parvati realised that She was destined to marry Lord Shiva, She decided to please Him in every possible way. Rishi Narad advised Her to follow the path of extreme penance and dedication to please Lord Shiva. So, Goddess Parvati immersed Herself in a very difficult penance or tapasya. She suffered all the torments of nature while performing the penance. She also gave up food and water during the penance. She lived only on the diet of leaves. This is the reason She is also known by the name of Aparna.

After a hard penance of many years, Goddess Parvati was finally successful in pleasing Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva accepted Parvati as His wife and named this form of Her as Brahmacharini. Brahmacharini is the one who spends Her life as a hermit.

Significance Of Worshipping Brahmacharini
Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri to acquire the power of abstaining from food and water for nine days of the festival. Goddess Brahmacharini is the symbol of dedication, sacrifice and determination. By the blessings of Devi Brahmacharini, the devotees can keep the fast for nine days without any effect on their health.
The following mantra is chanted to invoke Goddess Brahmacharini:

Dadhana Karpadma abhyamaksh Mala kamandalu|
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinya Nuttama ||

By the blessings of this form of Shakti, one acquires knowledge and the determination to overcome all the difficulties in life. Hence, Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri.

PIC COURTESY: TWITTER