Shailputri is the first form of the Hindu goddess Durga, who is worshipped during the nine-day festival of Navratri. The word “Shail” means mountain, and “Putri” means daughter, so Shailputri is the daughter of the mountain. Symbol of strength and devotion. Rides a bull and holds a trident and lotus.
Nav = nine and ratri = night. As the name implies, Navratri is a festival of nine consecutive nights.
Navratri honors Navdurga … Nav Durga … nine forms of Durga.
They are:
1. Shailputri
2. Brahmacharini
3. Chandraghanta
4. Kushmanda
5. Skandamata
6. Katyayani
7. Kalratri
8. Mahagauri
9. Sidhidatri
These nine forms celebrate, honor and worship nine different incarnations, nine different colors and nine different qualities.
Shailputri (Daughter of the Mountain) :
Shailputri is the first form of the Hindu goddess Durga, who is worshipped during the nine-day festival of Navratri. Shailputri means “Daughter of the Mountain” (Shail = Mountain, Putri = Daughter). She was born as Parvati, the daughter of King Himavan, the ruler of the Himalayas. In her previous birth, she was Sati, the wife of Lord Shiv. When Sati sacrificed herself in her father Daksha’s yagna due to his insult toward Shiv, she was reborn as Shailputri to continue her divine union with Lord Shiv
As Parvati, she performed intense penance (tapasya) for thousands of years to please Lord Shiv and reunite with him. Her devotion and meditation were so powerful that Shiv himself appeared before her and accepted her as his consort. After marrying Lord Shiv, Goddess Shailputri played a crucial role in protecting the world from demons. She is often depicted riding a bull (Nandi), holding a trident and a lotus, symbolizing her power and purity. She led the divine forces in battles against the demons, ensuring the balance of the universe.
Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri and is considered the embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. She represents the earth element and is associated with the Muladhara Chakra or the root chakra, which signifies stability, grounding, and security.
During the first day of Navratri, devotees worship Shailputri with great devotion and offer flowers, fruits, and other offerings. It is believed that worshipping Shailputri helps to remove obstacles and brings success and prosperity.
Shailputri is also associated with the harvest season, and her worship is considered auspicious for farmers and those involved in agriculture.
Overall, Shailputri holds great significance in Navratri as she represents the beginning of the nine-day festival and is considered the source of power, stability, and grounding.
