ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Eighth Day Navratri Devi Puja – Goddess Mahagauri
STORY OF MAHAGAURI
Now having destroyed the illusion of time the devotee ascends to the final Chakra of liberation. The Eighth Day of Navratri in 2020 is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, the 8th Avtar of Maa Durga. When Parvati discovered a hard sacrament to achieve Lord Shiva within the forest of Himalayas, she advanced a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva well-known her terrific devotion, he washed the body of Parvati with water of Ganga and her body regained its beauty. She got here to be diagnosed as “Maha Gauri”, that means “extremely white” and have become distinguished because the consort of Mahadev (Lord Shiva). Devi Gauri is vivid, peaceful and calm and her beauty glows like sparkling White Crystal.
Another legend talks approximately Shumbha and Nishumbha. These demons ought to handiest be killed through a fierce shape of Parvati. Soon Lord Shiva became Parvati’s pores and skin black however she felt offended. Later, she prayed to Brahma for regaining her unique skin. Brahma pleased along with her austerity requested her to bath in Mansarovar in the Himalaya.
As she took a bathtub, she found that her darkish pores and skin got peeled off from her. The pores and skin assumed the form of a goddess referred to as Kaushiki took the form of a female. As a result, Parvati was given her form which changed into reality white and pure.
For the killing of demons along with Chanda Munda, Raktabeeja, Shumbha and Nishumbha, She gave that authentic white shape to Kaushika and assumed again the shape of Kali.
Getting powers from Lakshmi and Saraswati, Kali took the form of Chandi and killed a demon referred to as Dhumralochan. Then from her 0.33 eye, a goddess appeared who killed Chanda and Munda and changed into called Chamunda. Chandi then assumed the shape of Kaalratri to kill Raktabija.After all of the demons had been killed, Chandi, Chamunda, Kali and Kaushiki became one with Parvati. Therefore She got here to be called Mahagauri.
Mahagauri has extremely honest complexion and consequently Maa is compared with the conch, the moon and the white flower of Kunda. She is depicted sitting on a bull (Vrishabha) and has four fingers. Her proper hand is within the pose of alleviating fear and her proper decrease hand holds a trident. She holds a ‘damaru’ (a small drum) in her right hand at the same time as the decrease one grants boons to her devotees. Elucidation of her grace is limitless. Maha Gauri is the real Goddess of kindness and morality. She is the one who purifies the souls through destroying the sins. Her worship liberates one from the clutches of fabric international and removes sorrows. She leads you to a path of distinctive features and self-awareness.
GODDESS MAHAGAURI MANTRA & PUJA VIDHI:
As per historic Hindu literature the sixteen 12 months antique Goddess Shailputri was extremely lovely and truthful. Because of this intense truthful complexion she became called Mahagauri and is compared to the Moon, a conch and the white flower of Kunda. She additionally ornaments Herself in white garments and is known as Shwetambardhara.
The experience of Maa Mahagauri in addition to Shailaputri is a bull and therefore she is likewise known as Vrisharudha. She is shown having 4 arms. In Her upper hands She holds the Trishul and Damaru and Her different arms in the Abhaya and Varada Mudra.
Dhyana Mantra
Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Maa Gauri Rupena Samsthita|
Namastasye Namastasye Namastasye Namoh Namah ||
MAA MAHAGAURI MANTRA:
“Om Hreem Shreem Glaum Gam Gauri Geem Namah”
Mahagauri Puja Vidhi
The 8 nights of Navratri begins with worship of Kaalratri which is performed by using sacred puja items. The devotee uses a shallow pan like utensil made of clay as base. Three layers of mud and Sapta Dhanya/Navadhanya (grains) seeds are poured into the pan. The next is a little water is sprinkled so that seeds get enough moisture. A Kalasha (holy water pot) filled with Ganga jal, Supari, a few coins, Akshat (raw rice mixed with turmeric powder) and Durva grass is placed in the base. Then the five Mango tree leaves are put around the neck of the Kalash which is then covered by a coconut.
Who Is Goddess Mahagauri?
Know About Maa Mahagauri: Famous and widely popular goddess in Hinduism Mata Durga has nine divine forms, and goddess Mahagauri is the eighth of the nine forms of Mata Durga. Mata Mahagauri is worshipped on the auspicious occasion of Navratri, which is India’s one of the widely celebrated festivals. Since the deity is the 8th divine manifestation, her worship follows on the eighth day of Navratri, as per the traditions. Mata Mahagauri is said to be the giver of peace, good fortune, and wellbeing to the devotees who worship her with selfless dedication and staunch belief in her divine status. However, like every divine being, Goddess Mahagauri also gets pleased with the heightened devotion of devotees rather than futile ostentation. Therefore, any desire someone may nourish in their hearts gets manifested in reality with the worship of Mata Mahagauri. Devotees also get relief from earthly sufferings by the worship dedicated to the deity.
The Legend Of Goddess Mahagauri
The origin of Mahagauri traces back to the event involving the fact that demons Shumbha and Nishumbha had gotten the boon that their death will be at the hand of a virgin and unmarried form of Mata Parvati. Lord Brahma was aware of the boon and so requested Lord Shiva to convince Parvati to shed her skin color. So, upon repeated teasing of Lord Shiva on her skin color, she performed an austere penance to Brahma to get fair skin, but Brahma advised her not to follow the penance and instead kill both the demons, to which Parvati consented to and bathed herself in the Ganga river in which she washed off her dark complexion and turned into a gorgeous golden woman clad in white outfits and apparels. This is where she was named Mahagauri. Meanwhile, the gods were also performing penance to Parvati to please her to kill the demons, Shumbha and Nishumbha. Mata Parvati as Mahagauri answered their prayer in the form Kalika and then changed into Chandi who killed the demon Dhumralochan while Devi Chamunda (born out of the third eye of Chandi) killed the demons, Chanda and Munda. A demon called Raktabija was slain by Chandi, while his blood was drunk by Chamunda. Soon after the battle, Mata Parvati reverted to Kaushiki form and slain the demons, Shumbha and Nishumbha. Thereafter, she turned back to Mahagauri. Choose Lakshmi Puja that is a great solution to poverty and destitution, hence giving you good fortunes in life.
Benefits Of Worshipping Goddess Mahagauri
One attains peace and good fortunes in life.
Problems in any area of life are no longer present.
Divine blessings of Devi Mahagauri to the devotees.
The worship of Mata Mahagauri makes a devotee wealthy.
One never suffers the lack of wealth, good health, and wellness, who worships Mata Mahagauri.
Final words
Devi Mahagauri is the eighth divine form of Mata Durga. She is worshipped on the auspicious day of Navratri. Devotees who perform her worship and offer prayer to the deity get peace, happiness, good fortunes, and wellness in their lives. It is believed that one who keeps Mata Mahagauri in his heightened devotions never suffers from the lack of wealth and good health.
Worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri, Mahagauri (one among Navadurga) is goddess Durga’s eighth manifestation. She is believed to possess the power to fulfill all the desires of her devotees and take away all their sufferings.
Mahagauri has four arms: the lower right arms stay in Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness), the upper right arms hold a trident, the lower left arm holds a Damaru (a small hand drum), and the upper left arm stays in Varada Mudra (gesture symbolizing giving out of boons).
Origin
There are two stories regarding the origin of Mahagauri: In Devi Mahatyam, Shumbha, and Nishumbha were two Asuras who could be killed only by a female child of Goddess Parvati. To fulfill this deed, Lord Shiva turned the skin of Goddess Parvati black, as advised by Lord Brahma, giving her the epithet Kali, which means goddess of death or time.
Parvati was teased because of her complexion, so she performed severe penance in front of Lord Brahma. He advised her to take a bath in the Manasarovar river of the Himalayas. After taking a bath, the black skin separated from the goddess’ body and turned out to be Kaushiki (an affiliation of Shakti). As a result, Parvati turned out to be of fair complexion and was thus called Mahagauri (Maha =great, Gauri = white).
For Asura’s assassination, she gave her fair complexion to Kaushiki, and she (Parvati) again transformed into Kali. Goddess Kali then transformed herself into Chandraghantha (Chandi). Chandragantha means one who has a half-moon shape like a bell. Goddess Chandi then killed Dhumralochan.
Goddess Chamunda then appeared out of the third eye of Chandi. Chamunda is a fearsome form of Chandi and is one of the seven Matrikas. Goddess Chamunda killed asuras Chanda and Munda, who were in the service of Shumbha. Goddess Chandi then transformed into Kalratri, the seventh form of nine avatars of Parvati, to kill Raktabija, an asura who fought alongside Shumbha and Nishumbha. Kaushiki later killed Shumbha and Nishumbha. After that, she merged with Kali to transform back to Mahagauri.
Another story is presented in different forms in different texts. Goddess Parvati performed a hard penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. During this, she got covered with dirt and dust, which turned her skin into a darker complexion. Lord Shiva was pleased by her devotion and promised to marry her. To clean her body off the accumulated dirt, Lord Shiva let the Holy waters of Ganga emanating from his matted hair flow and clean Parvati’s body. The sacred and holy waters of Ganga cleaned all her dirt, and she turned out to be fair and glorious. She was then known as Mahagauri, which means extremely fair.
Astrological Aspect
Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri, which falls on the Maha Ashtami Tithi (the eighth day of the waxing phase of the moon in September- October). Mahagauri is the ruler of Rahu. Rahu is a mathematical node in space. It is the point of intersection of the ascending node of lunar orbit with the ecliptic plane of Earth’s orbit. It can also be known as the point where the Earth’s equator cuts the moon’s orbital plane. It represents the ascension of the moon in its processional orbit around the Earth. Worshipping Goddess Mahagauri helps in pacifying the ill effects of this phase.
Mantras and Worship
Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Mahagauri is always in her sixteenth year. The appropriate flower to use on the pooja of Goddess Mahagauri is the night blossoming, Jasmine. Women feed unmarried girls on this special day to show their devotion to Goddess Mahagauri.
The main mantra to worship Mahgauri can be chanted as:
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah||
Stuti:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Dhyana Mantra:
वन्दे वाञ्छित कामार्थे चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहारूढा चतुर्भुजा महागौरी यशस्विनीम्॥
पूर्णन्दु निभाम् गौरी सोमचक्रस्थिताम् अष्टमम् महागौरी त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीतिकरां त्रिशूल डमरूधरां महागौरी भजेम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम्॥
प्रफुल्ल वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोलाम् त्रैलोक्य मोहनम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां मृणालां चन्दन गन्धलिप्ताम्॥
Vande Vanchit Kamarth Chandraghrit Shekharam|
Singhrudh Chaturbhuja Mahagauri Yasashwineem||
Purnandu Nibham Gauri Somchakrastjitam Astham Mahagauri Trinetram|
Varabhitikram Trishul Damarudharam Mahagauri Bhajem||
Patambar Paridhanam Mridhuhasya Nanalankar Bhusitam|
Manjir, Har, Keyur, Kinkini, Raktrakundal Manditam||
Prafull Bandana Pallavadharam Kanta Kopalam Treelokya Mohanam|
Kamaniya Lavanya Mrinala Chandan Gandhaliptam||
Stotram
सर्वसङ्कट हन्त्री त्वंहि धन ऐश्वर्य प्रदायनीम्।
ज्ञानदा चतुर्वेदमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
सुख शान्तिदात्री धन धान्य प्रदायनीम्।
डमरूवाद्य प्रिया अद्या महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
त्रैलोक्यमङ्गल त्वंहि तापत्रय हारिणीम्।
वददम् चैतन्यमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Sarvasankat Hatri Twahim Dhan Aishwarya Pradayaneem|
Gyanada Chaturvedamayi Mahagauri Pranamabhyaham||
Sukh Shantidatri Dhan Dhanya Pradayaneem|
Damarubagh Priya Aghya Mahagauri Pranamabhyaham|
Trilokyamangal Twahim Taptriya Harinim|
Vadadam Chaitanyayami Mahagauri Pranamabhyaham||
Kavacha Mantra
ॐकारः पातु शीर्षो माँ, हीं बीजम् माँ, हृदयो।
क्लीं बीजम् सदापातु नभो गृहो च पादयो॥
ललाटम् कर्णो हुं बीजम् पातु महागौरी माँ नेत्रम् घ्राणो।
कपोत चिबुको फट् पातु स्वाहा माँ सर्ववदनो॥
Omkar Patu Shiesho ma, Him Bijam Ma, Hridayo|
Klim Bijam Sadapatu Nabhom Griho Cha Padyo||
Lalatam Karno Hum Beejam Patu Mahagauri Ma Netram Ghranom|
Kapato Chibuko Fatt Patu Swaha Ma Sarwawadano||
Goddess Mahagauri
Origin
According to Hindu mythologies, the Goddess Shailputri at the age of sixteen was extremely beautiful and was blessed with fair complexion. Due to her extreme fair complexion she was known as Goddess Mahagauri.
Navratri Worship
Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri.
Governing Planet
It is believed that the planet Rahu is governed by Goddess Mahagauri.
Iconography
The mount of Goddess Mahagauri as well as Goddess Shailputri is bull and because of that she is also known as Vrisharudha (वृषारूढ़ा). Goddess Mahagauri is depicted with four hands. She carries Trishul in one right hand and keeps the second right hand in Abhaya Mudra. She adorns Damaru in the one left hand and keeps the second left hand in Varada Mudra.
Details
As name suggests, Goddess Mahagauri is extremely fair. Due to her fair complexion Goddess Mahagauri is compared with the conch, the moon and the white flower of Kunda (कुंद). She adorns white clothes only and due to that She is also known as Shwetambardhara (श्वेताम्बरधरा).
Devanagari Name
महागौरी
Favourite Flower
Night blooming jasmine (रात की रानी)
Mantra
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥
Prarthana
श्वेते वृषेसमारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥
Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih।
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada॥
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Dhyana
वन्दे वाञ्छित कामार्थे चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहारूढा चतुर्भुजा महागौरी यशस्विनीम्॥
पूर्णन्दु निभाम् गौरी सोमचक्रस्थिताम् अष्टमम् महागौरी त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीतिकरां त्रिशूल डमरूधरां महागौरी भजेम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम्॥
प्रफुल्ल वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोलाम् त्रैलोक्य मोहनम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां मृणालां चन्दन गन्धलिप्ताम्॥
Vande Vanchhita Kamarthe Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Simharudha Chaturbhuja Mahagauri Yashasvinim॥
Purnandu Nibham Gauri Somachakrasthitam Ashtamam Mahagauri Trinetram।
Varabhitikaram Trishula Damarudharam Mahagauri Bhajem॥
Patambara Paridhanam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala Manditam॥
Praphulla Vandana Pallavadharam Kanta Kapolam Trailokya Mohanam।
Kamaniyam Lavanyam Mrinalam Chandana Gandhaliptam॥
Stotra
सर्वसङ्कट हन्त्री त्वंहि धन ऐश्वर्य प्रदायनीम्।
ज्ञानदा चतुर्वेदमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
सुख शान्तिदात्री धन धान्य प्रदायनीम्।
डमरूवाद्य प्रिया अद्या महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
त्रैलोक्यमङ्गल त्वंहि तापत्रय हारिणीम्।
वददम् चैतन्यमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Sarvasankata Hantri Tvamhi Dhana Aishwarya Pradayanim।
Jnanada Chaturvedamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥
Sukha Shantidatri Dhana Dhanya Pradayanim।
Damaruvadya Priya Adya Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥
Trailokyamangala Tvamhi Tapatraya Harinim।
Vadadam Chaitanyamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥
Kavacha
ॐकारः पातु शीर्षो माँ, हीं बीजम् माँ, हृदयो।
क्लीं बीजम् सदापातु नभो गृहो च पादयो॥
ललाटम् कर्णो हुं बीजम् पातु महागौरी माँ नेत्रम् घ्राणो।
कपोत चिबुको फट् पातु स्वाहा माँ सर्ववदनो॥
Omkarah Patu Shirsho Maa, Him Bijam Maa, Hridayo।
Klim Bijam Sadapatu Nabho Griho Cha Padayo॥
Lalatam Karno Hum Bijam Patu Mahagauri Maa Netram Ghrano।
Kapota Chibuko Phat Patu Swaha Maa Sarvavadano॥
Aarti
जय महागौरी जगत की माया। जय उमा भवानी जय महामाया॥
हरिद्वार कनखल के पासा। महागौरी तेरा वहा निवास॥
चन्द्रकली और ममता अम्बे। जय शक्ति जय जय माँ जगदम्बे॥
भीमा देवी विमला माता। कौशिक देवी जग विख्यता॥
हिमाचल के घर गौरी रूप तेरा। महाकाली दुर्गा है स्वरूप तेरा॥
सती (सत) हवन कुंड में था जलाया। उसी धुएं ने रूप काली बनाया॥
बना धर्म सिंह जो सवारी में आया। तो शंकर ने त्रिशूल अपना दिखाया॥
तभी माँ ने महागौरी नाम पाया। शरण आनेवाले का संकट मिटाया॥
शनिवार को तेरी पूजा जो करता। माँ बिगड़ा हुआ काम उसका सुधरता॥
भक्त बोलो तो सोच तुम क्या रहे हो। महागौरी माँ तेरी हरदम ही जय हो॥
Mahagauri
The eighth form of the Mother Divine is called Mahagauri, and she is worshipped on Ashtami (the eighth day of Navratri). She is known by other names as well, including Shwetambardhara (dressed in white clothes), Vrisharudha (rides the bull), Chaturbhuji (has four hands) and Shambhavi (bestows bliss and happiness).
Form of Mahagauri
Her fair complexion is compared to the whiteness of the conch, moon and jasmine flowers. (‘Maha’ meaning great and ‘Gauri’ means white). Seated on a white vrishabha (bull), Devi Mahagauri is depicted with three eyes and four arms. Two of her arms on either side are in the varada and abhay mudras, to bless her devotees and remove all fear from their lives. Her other arms hold the trishul (trident) and damru ( tambourine ). Her clothes and ornaments are white and pure.
What Mahagauri represents
Goddess Mahagauri is believed to be the 16-year-old unmarried form of Goddess Parvati.
She represents purity, calmness, wisdom and austerity.
‘Gauri’ also signifies that she is the daughter of Giri (mountain). Mahagauri defeats all evil forces from creation. She also helps a devotee overcome the evil forces within.
Legend behind why the Devi took the form of Mahagauri
Goddess Gauri is the kanya (unmarried girl) who performed severe tapas (penance) to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. According to mythology, the kanya was none other than Goddess Parvati. She performed severe penance for many years and due to this, dust settled on her skin, making her appear black. Lord Shiva was pleased with her penance and blessed her with the promise of marriage. The sacred water of the river Ganga was used to wash the soil and dust from Goddess Parvati, turning her skin white and she came to be known as Mahagauri.
There is another story too. The demons, Shumbha and Nishumbha, were creating havoc on earth. They could only be destroyed by Parvati’s daughter. Based on counsel given by Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva turned Goddess Parvati’s skin black. He teasingly called her, Kali, enraging her. The Goddess performed severe penance and prayed to Lord Brahma to restore her complexion. Lord Brahma was appeased and told her to bathe in the Mansarovar. In the cool waters of the famed lake, Goddess Parvati’s dark skin separated from her, and took a female form. That form was called Kaushiki who went on to slay the demons. And Goddess Parvati’s form with her white complexion was called Mahagauri.
Significance of Mahagauri
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explains:
Mahagauri means that form which is beautiful and resplendent. If you see, Nature has two extremes. One of the forms is Kaalratri which is most terrifying and devastating. On the other hand, you see Mahagauri, which is the most beautiful and serene form of the Mother Divine. Mahagauri represents the epitome of beauty. Mahagauri confers and fulfills all your wishes and desires. Devi Mahagauri gives you all blessings and boons that you seek for material gains, so that you become content from within and move forward in life.
Gauri also means that which gives you knowledge, makes you move in life, and liberates you. Mahagauri gives momentum and ultimate freedom in life, she brings liberation.
Significance of Goddess Mahagauri – Navratri Day 8
Mahagauri means that form which is beautiful and resplendent. If you see, Nature has two extremes. One of the forms is Kaalratri which is most terrifying and devastating, and on the other hand you see Mahagauri which is the most beautiful and serene form of the Mother Divine.
Mahagauri represents the epitome of beauty. Mahagauri confers and fulfills all your wishes and desires. Devi Mahagauri gives you all blessings and boons that you seek for material gains, so that you become content from within and move forward in life
Mantra for Mahagauri
The Mantra for Mahagauri is
Aum Hrim Mahagauri Durgaye Namaha
You can do a 108 Japa of this mantra using the japa108.com app.
Connection with Rahu
Rahu is the planet connected to Mahagauri. Rahu is all about desires and since he has a head without the body he does not get satisfied. Rahu gives you the power and passion to fulfilling all your ambitions only to leave you feeling empty and to realise that desires whether fulfilled or not fulfilled leads to misery. Similarly this form of the Goddess gives you the power to achieve all your materialistic desires for you to be either content and search for the deeper meaning of life or to feel meaningless about these desires and seek real peace and happiness from within.
Goddess Mahagauri is the eighth affiliation of Adi Parashakti, the mother goddess. Her complexion is pure white, and hence, she is known by the name of Mahagauri. Maha meaning great and Gauri means white complexion. The goddess is worshiped during Navratri or Durga Pooja.
It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. This pooja continues for nine days, and it is considered as a complex pooja in Hindu Ceremony. In all these nine days, different forms of Maa Durga are worshiped namely Brahmcharini, Shailputri, Chandraghanta, Skandamata, Kushmanda, Kalratri, Mahagauri, Katyayani, and Siddhidatri.
On Ashtami, which is the eighth day of the Navratri Pooja, Goddess Mahagauri is worshiped with complete pooja vidhi or rituals. It is said that Mahagauri was responsible for eradicating the evil forces from the universe. One who worships the Goddess with complete devotion is set free from all kinds of fear and worries.
The Goddess is very generous towards her devotees and blesses them with a peaceful life. The devotees are set free from all the distress, thus attaining inner peace, which, in turn, helps them to focus on the higher consciousness of life.
The Goddess Mahagauri is also popular by the name of Chaturbhuji. It is a Sanskrit word, which is used to describe the one, who has four hands. Vrisharudha and Shwetambardhara are the other names of the Goddess. Vrisharudha means the one, who rides the bull and Shwetambardhara is the one, who wears white clothes.
Depiction of the Goddess Mahagauri
The eight manifestation of Goddess Durga is a four-armed goddess with three eyes. The Goddess holds a Trishul or Trident in her lower right hand and a tambourine or damru in her lower left hand. The other two hands are in Abhaya and Varada Mudra. The complexion of the Goddess is white like that of a moon.
Her appearance is serene and calm. The goddess is depicted sitting on a Vrishaba or bull. The Goddess is also idolized as an eight-year-old girl. The attire and ornaments are also of white colour.
How to worship Goddess Maha Gauri / Mata Maha Gauri pooja vidhi
Mantra for Maha Gauri pooja
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥
Prarthana –
श्वेते वृषेसमारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥
Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih।
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada॥
The above mantra means that the moon-like White Goddess Mahagauri rides on Vrishaba. She is adorned with white coloured ornaments. Draped in a white saree, the Goddess is a symbol of purity and peace
Stuti –
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Dhyana –
वन्दे वाञ्छित कामार्थे चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहारूढा चतुर्भुजा महागौरी यशस्विनीम्॥
पूर्णन्दु निभाम् गौरी सोमचक्रस्थिताम् अष्टमम् महागौरी त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीतिकरां त्रिशूल डमरूधरां महागौरी भजेम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम्॥
प्रफुल्ल वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोलाम् त्रैलोक्य मोहनम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां मृणालां चन्दन गन्धलिप्ताम्॥
Vande Vanchhita Kamarthe Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Simharudha Chaturbhuja Mahagauri Yashasvinim॥
Purnandu Nibham Gauri Somachakrasthitam Ashtamam Mahagauri Trinetram।
Varabhitikaram Trishula Damarudharam Mahagauri Bhajem॥
Patambara Paridhanam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala Manditam॥
Praphulla Vandana Pallavadharam Kanta Kapolam Trailokya Mohanam।
Kamaniyam Lavanyam Mrinalam Chandana Gandhaliptam॥
Stotra –
सर्वसङ्कट हन्त्री त्वंहि धन ऐश्वर्य प्रदायनीम्।
ज्ञानदा चतुर्वेदमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
सुख शान्तिदात्री धन धान्य प्रदायनीम्।
डमरूवाद्य प्रिया अद्या महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
त्रैलोक्यमङ्गल त्वंहि तापत्रय हारिणीम्।
वददम् चैतन्यमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Sarvasankata Hantri Tvamhi Dhana Aishwarya Pradayanim।
Jnanada Chaturvedamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥
Sukha Shantidatri Dhana Dhanya Pradayanim।
Damaruvadya Priya Adya Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥
Trailokyamangala Tvamhi Tapatraya Harinim।
Vadadam Chaitanyamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥
Kavacha –
ॐकारः पातु शीर्षो माँ, हीं बीजम् माँ, हृदयो।
क्लीं बीजम् सदापातु नभो गृहो च पादयो॥
ललाटम् कर्णो हुं बीजम् पातु महागौरी माँ नेत्रम् घ्राणो।
कपोत चिबुको फट् पातु स्वाहा माँ सर्ववदनो॥
Omkarah Patu Shirsho Maa, Him Bijam Maa, Hridayo।
Klim Bijam Sadapatu Nabho Griho Cha Padayo॥
Lalatam Karno Hum Bijam Patu Mahagauri Maa Netram Ghrano।
Kapota Chibuko Phat Patu Swaha Maa Sarvavadano॥
Kanya poojan is one the most famous rituals conducted as the part of Ashtami Pooja. Since Goddess Maha gauri is also a manifestation of the girl child, kanjak or kanya poojan is observed to honour the Goddess. Nine girls between the age group two to ten are invited to the house, and they are paid homage by the worshipers.
They are made to sit in a row. Worshipers wash off their feet, and tilak is applied on their forehead. The nine kanyas or girls are worshiped with a separate mantra. While worshiping Goddess Maha gauri, worshipers offer fresh milk, mewa sweets, black chana and halwa as an offering to the Goddess.
After the Goddess Maha gauri is worshiped, the nine kanyas are served with poori, halwa and black chana. At the end of the kanya poojan, all the girls are given money or presents.
Benefits of Mahagauri Pooja
Worshiping the eighth avatar of the Mother Goddess during Ashtami is immensely rewarding. Ashtami Pooja is considered as the most revered pooja of the Navratri festival and is performed according to the Hindu Calendar on Shukla Ashtami.
The pooja of Mahagauri accomplishes the worship of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri. Worshiping the Goddess with full faith and devotion washes away the sins. Goddess Mahagauri influences the human conscience towards the path of purity and truth.
Adherence towards the grace of the goddess inculcates the good habits such as loyalty, honesty, etc. It is said that observance of fast on the eighth day of Navratri is immensely beneficial for both married and unmarried women. Married women get the bliss of harmonious and peaceful married life, and young unmarried girls get married to the person they desire.
Legends associated with Mahagauri
According to the legends, Mahagauri observed a tough penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. While observing the penance, Parvati’s body turned black and lost its lustre because of the constant augmentation of the soil and dust over her body. Pleased with the penance of Parvati, Lord Shiva accepted him as his wife.
He cleaned the goddess in the water of Ganga. The dust and soil accumulated over the body of Parvati washed away and her skin shined like gold. Mahadev or Lord Shiva named Parvati as Mahagauri.
Another legend says that, as per the advice of Brahma, Lord Shiva turned her skin complexion black in colour. Goddess Paravati was agitated by this act of Shiva. In order to get back her white complexion, she started to observe a severe penance of creator God, Brahma.
Brahma was so impressed by the Parvati’s penance that he advised her to take a bath in Himalaya’s Mansarovar River. As the great bath of Parvati progressed, Parvati’s black skin started separating from her. The separated black skin took the form of a female. She was named Kaushiki.
Kaushiki, basically, means the one, who is born from the cell. After separating the black skin from her own self, Parvati got her fair complexion back. But the task of killing the demons was still pending. So, she gave her fair complexion back to Kaushiki and in exchange turned into Kali.
Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati adorned Kali with their powers and Kali transformed into Chandika. Further, Chandika killed Dhumralochana. From Chandika’s third eye appeared Goddess Chamunda. She killed the two demons, Chanda and Munda. Goddess Chandika further transformed herself into Kalaratri. Kalaratri further killed Raktabeeja.
Mahagauri Devi
(8) Mahagauri Devi
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥
Mother Durga’s eighth form is Mahagauri, the Goddess of the Great Radiant Light.
On the Path to Perfect Attainment, recall that the seventh Goddess, Kalaratri Devi, slays our ego, opening up space for the Divine Light. Ushering in this Divine Light is the role of the most radiant Goddess, Mahagauri, who resides in the crown (sahasrara) chakra.
Therefore, Kalaratri Devi and Mahaguari Devi work as a team – they are “two sides of the same coin,” so to speak.
The root “Maha” means great, and the word “Gauri” means white or light. So, Mahagauri is the Goddess who is extremely white or the great radiant light.
The story is told that Mahadeva would call Parvati Devi “Kaalike” because She was dark in color. Once, after Parvati Devi did intense tapasya, Mahadeva was so pleased with Her that He showered Her with Ganga water. After that, She became a pure white color, totally illuminated.
Not only is Her complexion very fair, but also both Her clothing and her vehicle, the bull, are white.
Looking at the depiction of this great Goddess, Her purity and calm nature come to life.
white: brilliant, pure, and shinIng; it also absence of all colors, meaning no opinions but rather pure objectivity; white also refers to shuddha sattva, which is transcendent purity that is untainted by the qualities of material nature
right hand mudra: grants boons and blessings of fortune (śubhaṁ)
trident (trishul): represents the dissolution of past, present, and future karmas and sins
left hand mudra: bestows fearlessness
drum (damaru): infinity, the sounds from the damaru beats the rhythm of the cosmic vibrations and the energy is activated by the divine Mother or Shakti
In Her essence, Mahagauri is the pure, stainless shakti that vibrates the entire universe into manifestation. As a Mother, she takes care of Her children‘s karma and sins, fulfills their desires, and removes fear and sorrow, leading them to the path of virtue and self realization.
Shailaputri and Mahaguari
If you recall, Goddess Shailaputri, the first Goddess, was extremely beautiful and fair. Because of Her extreme fair complexion she became known as Mahagauri. She also adorns Herself in white clothes. The vehicle of Maa Mahagauri as well as Shailaputri is a bull. What is the connection?
In the human body, Shailaputri Devi resides in the first chakra, and offers inspiration while pointing her attention upwards (kundalini rising) toward Lord ShIva.
The Mahagauri Devi who resides in the Sahasrara crown chakra is the result of this Navadurga process (inspiration, learning, practice sadhana, clear out negativities, etc).
The crown is the target chakra of the most important energy channel in the human body – the Sushumna nadi. This is the nadi that the Kundalini energy, symbolized by a snake, ascends and causes the awakening of power and the realization of our full human potential.
So Shailaputri and Mahaguari (and all the Devis in between) are connected in the human body through the Sushumna Nadi. These Goddesses are just different expressions of the one Durga Maa.
Navaratri worship: the eighth day is a very important day to perform sadhana, for the energy has now lifted to the crown and results are quick.
Focus on Her attitude, which is calm and peaceful. Chant Her mantra. Sadhana today has the power to wash away all previous bad karmas. She takes care of the future too, and you will begin to feel fearless.
Additional Philosophy
How to Approach Mother
The Supreme Power can be approached in different forms. The term Brahman, which indicates this source in the Vedic path, is a neuter word. It does not have a male or female connotation, nor does it have a fixed embodiment. It is beyond any dualism or empirical understanding of the human mind.
Yet, as human beings with minds, we utilize a form to direct our mind to the Supreme Being.
If we approach this Supreme Source as a father, we take a certain state of mind, which is very different than if we approach it as a mother.
Our approach/ conception/ imagining (bhāvana) creates a state of mind (bhāva) within us. The form does not change the Supreme, it changes us.
Those who did not have a father, or the father figure was not a positive influence in their life, will benefit from worshiping the Source of Being as a Father. It is a way to heal oneself of the missing energy that was not present.
Those who have had negative experiences with their mother growing up, can approach the Divine Mother for healing those aspects of their self, particularly where bonding did not happen securely. She can remove the karma that is passed from generation to generation and create a healthy way of relating (to one’s own emotions as well as those of others).
To worship the Supreme Source as Mother is to humble ourself. We enter the state of the child. Our thoughts become gentle and pure. In this state the healing and nurturing energies of the universe become available to us.
The most simple mantra for worship of the Divine Mother is Auṁ Mataye Namaḥ which means Auṁ praises to the Mother. One can also chant Auṁ namaḥ Śivāye, which is the feminine for of Śiva (Śivā) representing the goddess.
In whatever way one approaches the Divine Mother, be aware of the pure state of the child who comes to the mother for care.
A young child is pure and surrendered to their conditions, for they know nothing differently. They are innocent, and this innocence is what tugs at Mother‘s heart to love and protect them.
Approach Mother in the state of childlike innocence. Talk to Her and let Her know what you need. Mahagauri is the compassionate, loving Mother who will respond.