ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Goddess Brahmacharini
Origin
After Kushmanda form, Goddess Parvati took birth at the home of Daksha Prajapati. In this form the Goddess Parvati was a great Sati and her unmarried form is worshipped as Goddess Brahmacharini.
Navratri Worship
Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri.
Governing Planet
It is believed that Lord Mangal, the provider of all fortunes, is governed by Goddess Brahmacharini.
Iconography
Goddess Brahmacharini is depicted as walking on the bare feet. She has two hands and She carries Jap Mala in the right hand and Kamandal in the left hand.
Details
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 the 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 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.
Devanagari Name
ब्रह्मचारिणी
Favourite Flower
Jasmine (चमेली)
Mantra
ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah॥
Prarthana
दधाना कर पद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
Dadhana Kara Padmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu।
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama॥
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Brahmacharini Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Dhyana
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
जपमाला कमण्डलु धरा ब्रह्मचारिणी शुभाम्॥
गौरवर्णा स्वाधिष्ठानस्थिता द्वितीय दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
धवल परिधाना ब्रह्मरूपा पुष्पालङ्कार भूषिताम्॥
परम वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोला पीन।
पयोधराम् कमनीया लावणयं स्मेरमुखी निम्ननाभि नितम्बनीम्॥
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
तपश्चारिणी त्वंहि तापत्रय निवारणीम्।
ब्रह्मरूपधरा ब्रह्मचारिणी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
शङ्करप्रिया त्वंहि भुक्ति-मुक्ति दायिनी।
शान्तिदा ज्ञानदा ब्रह्मचारिणी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Tapashcharini Tvamhi Tapatraya Nivaranim।
Brahmarupadhara Brahmacharini Pranamamyaham॥
Shankarapriya Tvamhi Bhukti-Mukti Dayini।
Shantida Jnanada Brahmacharini Pranamamyaham॥
Kavacha
त्रिपुरा में हृदयम् पातु ललाटे पातु शङ्करभामिनी।
अर्पण सदापातु नेत्रो, अर्धरी च कपोलो॥
पञ्चदशी कण्ठे पातु मध्यदेशे पातु महेश्वरी॥
षोडशी सदापातु नाभो गृहो च पादयो।
अङ्ग प्रत्यङ्ग सतत पातु ब्रह्मचारिणी।
Tripura Mein Hridayam Patu Lalate Patu Shankarabhamini।
Arpana Sadapatu Netro, Ardhari Cha Kapolo॥
Panchadashi Kanthe Patu Madhyadeshe Patu Maheshwari॥
Shodashi Sadapatu Nabho Griho Cha Padayo।
Anga Pratyanga Satata Patu Brahmacharini।
Aarti
जय अम्बे ब्रह्मचारिणी माता। जय चतुरानन प्रिय सुख दाता॥
ब्रह्मा जी के मन भाती हो। ज्ञान सभी को सिखलाती हो॥
ब्रह्म मन्त्र है जाप तुम्हारा। जिसको जपे सरल संसारा॥
जय गायत्री वेद की माता। जो जन जिस दिन तुम्हें ध्याता॥
कमी कोई रहने ना पाए। उसकी विरति रहे ठिकाने॥
जो तेरी महिमा को जाने। रद्रक्षा की माला ले कर॥
जपे जो मन्त्र श्रद्धा दे कर। आलस छोड़ करे गुणगाना॥
माँ तुम उसको सुख पहुँचाना। ब्रह्मचारिणी तेरो नाम॥
पूर्ण करो सब मेरे काम। भक्त तेरे चरणों का पुजारी॥
रखना लाज मेरी महतारी।
About Devi Brahmacharini
Devi Brahmacharini is the second form among the nine divine forms of Mother Durga worshipped on the second day of Navratri. As the name symbolizes, she is the one who observed deep penance to attain Lord Shiva. The Goddess signifies love, affection and fidelity. She is believed as the storehouse of divine wisdom and intellect.
Devi Brahmacharini
Unique Traits of Devi Brahmacharini
Devi Brahmacharini is depicted walking with bare foot, robed in a simple white saree with rosary on one hand and kamandala (sacred water pot) on the other hand. The serene Goddess is adorned with Rudraksha beads, her most adored ornaments.
Mythology behind Devi Brahmacharini
The divine form of Brahmacharini is extremely majestic and illuminant. From her previous birth as Sati, she incarnated as the daughter of the king of mountains. Upon advised by sage Narada, she went into deep penance for thousands of years to attain Lord Shiva as her consort. She abstained completely from water and food and consumed only Bilva leaves for survival. She devoted herself to Lord Shiva and due to her unearthly penances, the unmarried form of Goddess Parvati was called Brahmacharini. This pleased Lord Shiva who married her eventually.
Devi Brahmacharini – Bestower of Strength and Will Power
It is believed that worshipping Devi Brahmacharini on the second auspicious day of Navratri Pooja, you can acquire the power to abstain from food and water and observe fasting throughout Navratri. By worshipping her with pure love and devotion, she can bestow you with immense stamina and enhanced metabolism to hold on to the fasting procedure, while your health remains unaffected.
Devi Brahmacharini Mantra & Benefits
Adoring Devi Brahmacharini with this mantra during the Pooja on the second day of Navratri can bestow you with endless benefits. By worshipping her, you are blessed with victory, perseverance and will power.
Unique Offering to Devi Brahmacharini
Traditional unsalted butter and sugar are uniquely offered to Devi Brahmacharini on the second day of Navratri to receive the Devi’s eternal blessings.
Navratri Day 2 | Worshipping Goddess Brahmacharini
Navratri is a very important Hindu festival celebrated across India, which is devoted to Goddess Durga. It stretches over a period of nine days, with each day dedicated to nine different forms. Devi Brahmacharini one of the most powerful forms is worshiped on the second day of Navratri. Her name denotes one who practices penance, with Brahma.
Origin and History
According to Hindu mythology, Godess Brahamacharini was incarnated as the daughter of Himalaya. Under the guidance of Devrishi Narada, she practiced hard penances to be a soul mate of Lord Shiva. For more than thousand years, she only had fruits, beet roots and dry leaves. Due to her unearthly penances, Brahmacharini was later reduced to a skeleton. Her penance caused great disturbances in all the three worlds (heaven, earth and hell). Ultimately, Lord Brahma blessed her with powers that can fulfill her desire.
Customs and Rituals
Rituals
People worship Goddess Brahmacharini with flowers, rice, sandalwood and kalash (established on the first day of the Navratra). Devotees pour milk, curd and honey and offer Bhogas a part of the pooja vidhi.
After offering these, people also encompass her with Paan and Supari (Betel nut). Later, devotees also recite stories, chant mantras and perform aarti.
The Mantra
Ya Devi Sarvbhuteshu Srishti Roopen Samsthita|
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah||
Dadhana Karpadmabhyamakshamalakamandalu|
Devi Praseedatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama ||
Meaning: Salutations again and again to the Devi (Goddess), who is present the name of maya. Brahmchaarini wears white clothes; she holds rudraksh mala, lotus flower, kamandalu, in her hands. Goddess Brahmcharini is the “tapaswini” roop of goddesses, who gives freedom from kaama, krodha and bhog.
Bhog (Offerings)
As Goddess Brahamacharini’s life was full of penance and sacrifice, she likes simplicity. It is believed that offering her sweets and fruits are best way to seek her blessings. After the pooja, devotees distribute these bhogs to unmarried women, who are believed to be another form of Goddess Durga.
Attires
Goddess Bharmacharini is dressed in ‘Orange’ attire, symbolizing her sacrificial journey of life. However, the color of the day for devotees is royal blue. So, it is often seen that people wear clothes of blue color while offering their poojas.
What to wear on this day?
Saree
Saree is one of the most elegant outfits which accentuate the beauty of every woman. A royal blue saree embellished with golden border and intricate designs will certainly create a debonair look. One can easily carry off this color and beautifully blend with the festive aura. To stand out from the crowd, an exquisite and attractive Kundan necklace will be an ideal combination with this attire.
Suits
With a wide variety of Salwar Suits available in the market, it is not a hard task to find a suitable royal blue color designer Salwar Kameez. As blue is itself a very attractive and classy color, one does not have to pay much attention to the accessories. Additionally, a simple pair of half-moon shaped jhumkas will work wonders.
Accessories
Women are passionate about Jewellery and it has always made them feel beautiful and confident. A set of blue bangles or a polki necklace with golden studs will be an idyllic pick for this day. To ensure not to look blue and boring from head to toe, one can always add a designer clutch in a contrasting color.
Interesting Facts About Goddess Brahamacharini
She is depicted as a Goddess who is dressed up as a hermit and carries a rosary and Kamandalu in her hand.
It is believed that Lord Mangal, the provider of all fortunes, is governed by Goddess Brahmacharini.
Brahmacharini is considered the centre of penance, which unites the devotees and helps them to achieve control on his senses and attain moksha.
In some regions, Goddess Chamundaswarup of Durga is also worshiped on this day. In this form she is believed to have killed the demons Chanda and Munda.
Brahmacharini Mata – Navratri Second Day
Brahmacharini Maa is worshipped on the second day of Navratri. She is considered as the unmarried form of Goddess Parvati. Brahamacharini is the Sanskrit term which means: Brahma, the absolute reality, the supreme consciousness + Charini, the female version of ‘Charya’, which means the one who behaves or conducts.
About Brahmacharini
Brahmacharini Mata adorns herself in white attire; keeps a Japa Mala (rosary) in her right hand and Kamandala (stoup) in her left hand. She signifies loyalty and wisdom. Also, she is an epitome of love.
Legend
As per the mythology, Goddess Parvati had this desire to marry Lord Shiva. When her parents got to know about this, they tried to discourage her. However, it didn’t work and she approached Lord Kama, the God of erotic activities and attraction, to help her. In this pursuit, Kama shot an arrow of pleasure and desire into Shiva. Being in meditative state, Shiva got disturbed and really angry. So, he burnt him into ashes.
The story didn’t end here. She, then, started living the way Shiva does. The Goddess went to mountains and lived the life of an ascetic for many years. Hence, she got the name Brahmacharini. Due to this, she drew the attention of Lord Shiva. So, he went to her in disguise and told all the negative traits of Shiva. But, the Goddess paid no heed to such things rather she resisted to hear all that. Shiva finally accepted her and they got married.
Astrological Aspect
Goddess Brahmacharini governs the planet Mars in astrology. Worshiping her can eliminate all the bad effects of Mars.
Mantras
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।
दधाना कर पद्माभ्याम अक्षमाला कमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मई ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा।।
ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥
Dhyan Mantra:
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
जपमाला कमण्डलु धरा ब्रह्मचारिणी शुभाम्॥
गौरवर्णा स्वाधिष्ठानस्थिता द्वितीय दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
धवल परिधाना ब्रह्मरूपा पुष्पालङ्कार भूषिताम्॥
परम वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोला पीन।
पयोधराम् कमनीया लावणयं स्मेरमुखी निम्ननाभि नितम्बनीम्॥
Stotra:
तपश्चारिणी त्वंहि तापत्रय निवारणीम्।
ब्रह्मरूपधरा ब्रह्मचारिणी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
शङ्करप्रिया त्वंहि भुक्ति-मुक्ति दायिनी।
शान्तिदा ज्ञानदा ब्रह्मचारिणी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Kavacha (Shield/Protection Mantra):
त्रिपुरा में हृदयम् पातु ललाटे पातु शङ्करभामिनी।
अर्पण सदापातु नेत्रो, अर्धरी च कपोलो॥
पञ्चदशी कण्ठे पातु मध्यदेशे पातु महेश्वरी॥
षोडशी सदापातु नाभो गृहो च पादयो।
अङ्ग प्रत्यङ्ग सतत पातु ब्रह्मचारिणी॥
With this, we hope that you will make the best of Navratri’s second day. May Maa Brahmacharini blesses you with all the goodness of life.
BRAHMACHARINI DEVI OR BRAHMACHARINI MAA
The festival of Navaratri (nine nights) is a massive competition for Hindus, committed to the 9 forms of Goddess Parvati or Maa Durga and celebrated by devotees with enthusiasm and fervour. The 2nd day of Navratri(second day of navratri) is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini or Brahmacharini Maa, the second one shaped as Divine Maa Parvati. Brahma manner penance and ‘Charini’ method whose achar (conduct) is that. So Maa Durga’s manifestation as the one who does penance or ‘tapasya’ interprets as Brahmacharini Maa. Brahmacharini Mata is also referred to as Devi Yogini and Devi Tapsvini.
The beautiful Brahmacharini Devi or Maa Brahmacharini’s photograph portrays Her maintaining a Kamandal or water pot in Her left hand and Japa Mala (Rosary) in proper. Brahmacharini Devi wears a White Saree along with shiny-Orange border and Rudraksha as ornament with a serene, sleek and calm appearance. Mata Brahmacharini personifies love and loyalty. Brahmacharini Maa is an epitome of knowledge, expertise, unmarried minded willpower and stated to be the mightiest of the Nava Durgas.
Maa Brahmacharini is associated with Swadhisthana Chakra(Sacral Chakra).
Brahmacharini Maa rules the planet Mars or Mangal.
Mantra – Om Braam Breem Broom Brahmcharinyai Namah
STORY OF MAA BRAHMACHARINI
Legend says that Goddess Parvati’s preceding incarnation became Devi Shakti who had self immolated Herself because Her husband, Lord Shiva, became disrespected and left out by means of Her father Prajapati Dakshya. So, maiden Goddess Parvati knew that She desired to get Lord Shiva as Her husband. Lord Shiva become in extreme meditation for years at some point of that time. It is stated Naradji advised Goddess Parvati and She followed a route of extreme austerity, performed excessive “tapa” or penance. She spent one thousand years, surviving on end result and beet-roots and then the following one hundred years through ingesting leafy greens simplest.
Meanwhile, the Demi-Gods approached Kamadeva, who is the God of affection, choice, erotic love, affection, lust and enchantment. The Demi-Gods advised Kamdev to invoke a preference in Lord Shiva for accepting Parvati as a demon named Tarkasura, creating havoc in the celestial global and who can be killed most effectively by Lord Shiva’s son. And since Lord Shiva became in deep meditation, consequently it was urgent to make Lord Shiva prefer Parvati.
Convinced, Kamadeva shot an arrow of love at Lord Shiva. It is thought that once Lord Shiva is disturbed in His meditation then He takes His Rudra rupa, that’s His indignant, fierce shape. Mahadev opened His eyes and burned Kamdev to ash, When Kamdeva’s arrow hit Lord Shiva
On the opposite side, Parvati suffered the torment of nature and extreme situations like torrential rains, scorching solar and biting cold, even as She lived below the open sky. It is likewise believed that Maa Parvati endured Her penance, austerity and asceticism for lots of years and ate only Bilva leaves to continue to exist. Post this She gave up ingesting Bilva leaves too. Brahmacharini Mata was referred to as Aparna due to this. For several thousand years she went on without any meals and water. The simplest single minded focus of Brahmacharini Maa become Lord Shiva and Brahmacharini Devi kept Herself immersed in worshiping Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva became privy to Maa Brahmacharini’s Tapa. So once disguised as an ascetic, Mahadev met Brahmacharini Devi and dissuaded her from the dangerous route of Tapasya. But Goddess Brahmacharini became unshaken in Her resolution. Sticking Her vow, she persisted Her tapasya. Lord Shiva seeing Her determination sooner or later time-honored Brahmacharini Maa as His spouse, all over again Shiva and Shakti have been together. . In this way, the Divine Mother committed herself completely in worship of Lord Shiva. This first rate Tapa(penance) glorified Her with the name ‘Brahmacharini’. It is stated – Veda, Tattva and Tapa are synonyms for Brahma. The shape of Brahmacharini Maa is fairly effulgent, calm and extremely majestic.
Lord Shiva represents the soul or the self inside and Maa Durga/Parvati is the thoughts. This union indicates that after numerous penances and strength of will one trains oneself to acquire the self. Brahmacharini Devi helps us to recognize this aspect with the manner She carried out Herself for the duration of Her penance with endurance, focused goal and dedicated devotion to gain Her preference.
During Navratri competition, many human beings preserve fast in the course of the day, breaking the fast inside the evening publish worship of the Divine Mother and has only one vegetarian meal, rather ‘Satvik’ food. Devi Brahmacharini is worshiped on the second day of Navratri through devotees to be supplied the electricity to abstain from food and water and to expand mastery over the thoughts, frame and senses. The 9 (nava) Durga Kavach lyrics say that Pratham Shailputri Dwitiya Brahmacharini, meaning that the first Devi form is Shailputri and 2nd Navratri day is of Devi Brahmacharini.
WHY BRAHMACHARINI MAA PUJA IS DONE
By the grace of Maa Brahmacharini, you attempt to transport forward in life without getting disheartened with the aid of the numerous challenges coming your way. Maa Brahmcharini blesses you to increase an internal power, top notch emotional energy and is capable of maintaining your intellectual balance and self assurance even inside the darkest hour. Brahmacharini Devi inspires you to hold on to your ethics and march on the route of obligation with sincerity and truthfulness. By the grace of Maa Brahmacharini, you attempt to transport ahead in lifestyles without getting disheartened by means of the numerous demanding situations coming your way. Brahmacharini Maa personifies love and loyalty. Mata Bhramacharni is a store-residence of knowledge and information. Rudraksha is Brahmacharini Mata’s maximum favoured adorned decoration.
Many devotees organize ‘Mata Ki Chowki’ where close to and expensive ones are invited and devotees preserve unsleeping in the night time, making a song devotional songs and praises in honour Brahmacharini Maa.
BRAHMACHARINI PUJA VIDHI AT HOME:
After taking bath inside the morning the ritual of setting up the Kalash or Kalash Sthapana is accomplished at a suitable auspicious muhurat.
Navratri Kalashsthapana/ Ghatasthapana evolved with worship of Navratri day 2 Goddess Maa Brahmacharini which is done by the use of sacred puja ritual. The devotee makes use of a shallow pan like utensil made of clay. Three layers of dust and Sapta Dhanya/Navadhanya (grains) seeds, which include Barley seeds are sown into the clay in the pan. Next a touch water is sprinkled in order that seeds get enough moisture.
A Kalash (holy water pot or Urn) which is filled with Ganga jal, Supari(Betel Nut), some coins, Akshat (raw rice mixed with turmeric powder) and Durva grass is placed in it. A Swastika image is made with Red Kumkum on the outside of the pot. Then the 5 Mango tree leaves are put around the neck of the Kalash that is then covered by using a Coconut, that is wrapped in a Red material, tied with sacred Red thread. The pot is then stored in the center of the pan in which the seeds are shown and a Ghee lamp is lit referred to as Akhand Jyoti which constantly burns for the 9 days. This setup is saved for all nine days of Navarati and worshipped and it signifies prosperity, boom, abundance and auspiciousness.
With the setup of the Kalash the devotees vow and take Sankalp to perform the nine days of fasting at some point of the nine days of Navratri and pray for Mata Brahmacharini’s benefits as a way to behave the quick strictly and correctly.
Offerings of White vegetation, Lotus, Pista Barfi in chocolates, adornments of Red Chunri, Bangles, Kumkum, Ghee lamp, incense, camphor and so on. And Naivedyam are made by Devi Brahmacharini. Post the providing of Naivedyam, Paan/Betel leaf and Betel Nut is offered as consistent with rituals. Along with chanting of Maa Brahmacharini Mantras, Aarti, Durga Saptashati path(reciting), the ecosystem of the house turns into replete with Brahmacharini Maa’s loving energies.
MAA BRAHMACHARINI BEEJ MANTRA
|| Om Braam Breem Broom Brahmcharinyai Namah ||
BRAHMACHARINI MAA MANTRA/ BRAHMACHARINI MATA MANTRA:
Dadhana Karpadma Abhyamaksh Mala Kamandalu | Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinya Nuttama ||
BENEFITS OF MAA BRAHMACHARINI PUJA OR WORSHIP
Worshipping Goddess Brahmacharini or Maa Brahmacharini on the 2nd day of Navratri brings significant blessings of the loving Divine Mother. Invoking Brahmacharini Devi through Maa Brahmacharini Mantras and praying to Her with pure devotion is sure to bring rich benefits.
1. Brahmacharini Maa gives the energy, determination and braveness to transport beforehand in existence despite the worst of demanding situations and situations.
2. Maa Brahmacharini brings calmness of thoughts, solitude and self esteem.
3. Brahmacharini Devi ensures that devotees stay resolute and persevere of their obligations irrelevant of the obstacles.
4. Brahmacharini Mata imparts know-how and information to Her devotees.
5. Devi Brahmacharini puja guarantees victory to the devotee below all instances.
6. For bringing love, peace and harmony within the circle of relatives, Brahmacharini Mata puja could be very effective.
7. Goddess Brahmacharini worship enables the devotee to live balanced mentally in all situations and increases the virtue of persistence within the devotee.
8. Maa Brahmacharini puja guarantees that each one obstacles are eliminated and the devotee is successful in their endeavours.Brahmacharini Mata puja gets rid of all fears from lifestyles.
Goddess Brahmacharini Second Day of Navratri Puja
Worshipping Goddess Brahmacharini
Worship the goddess Brahmacharini along with all other gods and goddesses with flowers, rice, sandalwood in the kalash that you have established on the first day of the Navratra. Give her the bath of milk, curd and honey and offer her the Prasada that is being offered to the goddess.After offering the Prasada encompass her with Paan Supari. Brahmacharini is worshipped after the Kalash dev, the lord of the villages, town and planets.
Take one flower in your hands while worshipping the goddess and chant, “Dadhana Kar padmabhyamakshamalakamandalu, Devi Praseedatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama”.
Now give her the bath of Panchamrit and offer flowers, rice and Kumkum to her. Take a garland made of red flower and lotus and put it over the idol of the goddess. Perform the Aarti with Diya filled with ghee along with Paan, Supari and Prasada.
It is believed that goddess Durga reside on earth during nine days of Navratri. Therefore, it is believed to be an auspicious time for penance and austerity. The person who observes the fasts and worship the goddess with full faith and dedication is blessed with peaceful and happy life. The devotees of goddess Brahmacharini gets a happy life and no suffering bothers him.
Significance of Worshipping Goddess Brahmacharini
The appearance of goddess Brahmacharini is quiet and absorbed in meditation. Goddess Brahmacharini is the second power of the nine manifestations of goddess Durga. Brahma means “tapa” or penance and Charini means observer, thus it is name of the one who observes penance. The goddess is quiet and absorbed in meditation. She is a unique blend of radiance and rigorous austerity that can be seen on her face which highlights all the three worlds.
The goddess holds a rosary in her right hand and Kamandalu in her left and personifies love and loyalty. She is the other form of meditation and universe. The other names of the goddess is Tapashcharini, Aparna and Uma. On this day, the worshipper’s mind is established into Swadishthan cycle and receives the blessings from Goddess Brahmacharini.
Navratri Day 2 – Goddess Brahmacharini
Navratri Day 2
Color: Green
Goddess: Brahmacharini
The Second day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini, the Goddess of Swadhisthana Chakra. Brahma means penance and charini means whose achar (behavior) is that. So she is the one who does penance or tapasya. When Goddess Parvati knew that she wanted to marry Shiva, she followed a path of austerity and performed extreme “tap” or penance. She spent one thousand years, only on fruits and beet-roots. She spent one hundred years by eating leafy vegetables only. During this period of time she suffered the torment of nature like torrential rains, scorching sun and biting cold, under the open sky. After such a difficult routine she lived only on dry Bilva pattaras (leaves) fallen on the ground for three thousand years. She kept her engrossed for twenty-four hours in worshiping Lord Shiva. After that she gave up eating even these dry leaves. For several thousand years she went on without any food and water. After a hard penance of several years, she was finally successful in pleasing Lord Shiva. Shiva represents the soul or self within and Durga is the mind. This union indicates that after several penances and self-control one trains oneself to achieve the self.
She is worshipped on the second day of Navratri to acquire the power to abstain from food and water and to develop mastery over the mind, body and senses. By the grace of Maa Brahmacharini, you strive to move forward in life without getting disheartened by the numerous challenges coming your way. Goddess Brahmcharini blesses you with great emotional strength and you may be able to keep your mental balance and confidence even in the darkest hour. She inspires you to hold on to your ethics and march on the path of duty. By the grace of Maa Brahmacharini, you strive to move forward in life without getting disheartened by the numerous challenges coming your way. She holds a rosary in her right hand and Kamandalu in her left. SHE personifies love and loyalty. Mata Bhramacharni is store-house of knowledge and wisdom. Rudraksha is Her most adorned ornament.
Mantra to invoke Goddess Brahmacharini:
ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah॥
Brahmacarini Devi
[2] Devī Brahmacāriṇī
ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥
Om Devī Brahmacāriṇyai Namah॥
The second archetype of Durga Maa is Devī Brahmacāriṇī. We worship Her on the second day.
The word “Brahma” here represents Supreme Divinity. The root “charini” means the female who is moving in, moving with, or going after something.
So in this case, Brahmacāriṇī Devī is She who moves with God, moves towards God.
Recall that the first Navadurga is Śailaputrī Devī, the Goddess of Inspiration, who awakens the energy in the root chakra and focuses our attention toward Shiva (God).
Her inspiration is the foundation for our next step – the learning of sadhana and the study of sacred scriptures, as depicted by the example of Brahmacāriṇī Devī and the flowchart below.
Brahmacāriṇī Devī is unsurpassed in what she can accomplish. She is visualized as a celibate female practitioner who performs penances (tapasya). She is the revered Goddess of Learning and Sacred Studies.
Legend has it that Goddess Brahmacāriṇī performed severe austerities for thousands of years to obtain Lord Shiva as Her husband. Her penance included sacrificing personal comforts, maintaining a strict diet, sleeping on the floor and going barefoot.
Such was Her penance that Sages, Rishis, and Munis all had great respect for Her.
In this austere form of Durga, She wears a basic white saree with an orange or red border, holds a rosary (akṣamālā) and sacred water vessel (kamaṇḍalu) in her gentle hands (lotus like hands).
She is barefoot and has yellow aura of radiance around her head from her penance.
Here is the symbolic significance of each:
White Saree: purity, simplistic and unadorned
Japa Mala: performance of non-stop severe austerities; knowledge of sacred mantras and scriptures
Water Pot: represents a simple and self-contained life, no frills
Barefoot: willingness to undergo suffering and renounce comforts for the achievement of Her goals
Yellow/Orange Light: Her radiance from intense tapasya
In Vedic texts the word brahmacāriṇī means a female who pursues the sacred religious knowledge.
A brahmacārin is one who is focusing their mind on the Supreme, taking actions with the Supreme One in their mind.
Doing all acts while keeping the Supreme Source in mind leads One to reside in the Supreme Beingness. This form of the Mother, represents our spiritual aspirations and the effort and practice we need to put in to realize them.
Goddess Brahmacāriṇī has strength of mind, immense resolve, and rock solid determination no matter what the suffering is, she will endure it. Worshiping Her will bring these attributes while increasing knowledge, and support in renouncing the world.
Even while She is disciplined, She is also an epitome of love, wisdom, and loyalty. Worship her with a pure heart and you will get great emotional support and a boost of confidence.
The blessing of Brahmacāriṇī Devi will grace you with the ability to perform great austerities as you calmly detach from worldly affairs. If the Goddess is pleased, She will grant the ultimate in sacred wisdom – the wisdom of the Supreme (Brahma Gyaan; knowledge of Brahman).
Through sadhana practices, Brahmacāriṇī Devi will raise the energy from the Muladhara Root Chakra (1st chakra) to the Swadhisthana Sacral Chakra (2nd chakra), giving the devotee a feeling of wellness, abundance, and joy, while taking away fear, depression and emotional instability.
Navaratri Worship (Day 2): Perform simple pujas today and pray to Goddess Brahmacāriṇī for blessings of knowledge, determination in your spiritual practices, and dispassion in worldly affairs. If you fast today and chant mantras with full devotion while focusing on the Swadhisthaan Chakra (just under belly button), Devi will bless with success, wisdom and knowledge.
Note: This section is for die hard Devi fans
Putting the Goddess Archetypes in Perspective
In the very first post of Understanding the Goddess, we discussed the three forms of Śakti: Śrī śakti is the power of Being (will), Bhū śakti is the power to create, and Kālī śakti is the power of action. (see first post in this series for refresher)
Understanding these three powers can help us to grasp the nature of Durga Maa and Her forms.
Śrī śakti is the power of Being (will). The supreme source is “Being”, called Brahman. It just is – it is not doing anything. If the “not-doing” does something, then it is no longer only just “Being”.
The core eternal Being is the eternal ‘I’ (ahaṁ) at the center of everything there is. It goes by the name of Brahman, Self, the One Reality, the Divine Source, God, etc. The eternal ahaṁ is the “I am” with no “this or that” attached to it. It just is – it is pure Beingness and it is the foundation for everything that is. There is no place where Brahman is not.
But there is power in this eternal Beingness. This power comes from the I-ness (ahaṁta), which is also called self-consciousness or self awareness. It is the recognition of itself, the recognition of its existence.
Why should “Being” do anything? Why can’t it just remain alone as Beingness? Śrī śakti has the power to transform itself from Being to Creating (Bhu Shakti) or from Being to Acting (Kali Shakti). This happens whenever there is a seed of a desire.
What seed of desire is at the root of everything? The basic desire to manifest came from, and continues to come from, the desire to experience.
It is this core desire to experience that provides the momentum in which the entire creation came into existence, and Śrī śakti graciously holds the key, the potential power, to make it happen.
ૐshakti ૐshakti ૐshakti ૐ !!
In a nut shell then, When Śrī śakti wants, She so creates, and She does this by changing states.
She changes from the power of pure Beingness, to the power of Creation, which is Bhū śakti (or what we call Mahāsarasvatī), to the power of action, which is Kālī śakti, which manifests the physical realm, including our individual existence, various shapes and forms, and the world at large.
As individuals, we want and desire various things, and creation (including ourselves) is that expression in all of its infinite forms and situations. As such, Śrī śakti is in everything – everything we look at externally, including our ourselves.
So when we look out into the world and experience, we are not only looking at Her in the form of the world around us, but also we ourselves are in that world! You can’t escape Her, there is nowhere she is not. Thus we worship Her so we can get closer to Her, to merge with Her.
So now, we know that there are ten forms of Kālī (Daśa-mahāvidyā), and there are nine forms of Durga (Śrī śakti). Understanding their difference will enlighten our understanding of each of them.
For example, Kālī śakti is manifesting the material world – she is dense. She is known as the force of veiling the soul, covering us in darkness so we are lost in the material play of existence. This is sometimes called avidyā-ignorance.
Kālī śakti’s dark forms of the Mother are destructive (tamas). She breaks reality, cleanses us, and removes the ignorance. The tearing away of our attachments can be quite painful, but when we walk the wrong paths in life because of a lack of true knowledge, She steps in and saves us. The Kālī śakti forms of the Mother Goddess remove the veils to the Supreme Knowledge and rip away everything in the way.
Let’s contrast Kālī śakti with Śrī śakti. The forms of Durga (Śrī śakti) are not destructive, they are supportive. They nourish and support growth. They instill in us the healthy desire which thereby gives us the vision to take the correct path.
We see images of Durga destroying the demons of ignorance, but Her wrath comes from an intention to force an understanding. Her spear in the demon, to cut off his ego (ahaṅkāra), is actually focused on helping him attain the deeper truth of our existence.
When we look at the correlation between the archetypal forms, we can see the difference between these two aspects of śakti in our internal world.
For example, both Goddess Tārā (Mahāvidyā) and Goddess Brahmacāriṇī seek to progress the spiritual aspirant, but they accomplish this in very different ways:
The Hindu Goddess Tārā (Mahāvidyā) destroys our lack of commitment, our lack of faith, she burns untruth, and destroys the internal and external enemies to our advancement. She takes away in a fierce way.
Brahmacāriṇī supports the same end game, but does so in a more nurturing way. She cultivates daily practice, daily purification (śadhana), and the spiritual drive to achieve success. She brings good association into our life, increasing learning, knowledge, growth, and abundance within our family.
The primary form of Durga with Her many arms has all of these forms within her: Bhū śakti and Kālī śakti as well as the auspicious nine forms are all Her manifestations. They have manifested from Her, through Her, by Her will. The many arms and weapons she carries is representative of the fact that all these forms reside within Her.