Maa Brahmacharini, the second form of Navadurga, represents penance, devotion, and perseverance. Her name is derived from “Brahma”, meaning divine knowledge or penance, and “Charini”, meaning one who follows a path.
Nav = nine and ratri = night. As the name implies, Navratri is a festival of nine consecutive nights. Navratri is a time of fasting, prayer, and devotion, and it is marked by the performance of puja (worship) ceremonies in temples and homes.
Navratri honors Navdurga … Nav Durga … nine forms of Durga.
They are:
These nine forms celebrate, honor and worship nine different incarnations, nine different colors and nine different qualities.
Brahmacharini
Brahmacharini is the second form of the Hindu goddess Durga, who is worshipped during the nine-day festival of Navratri. The word “Brahmacharini” means one who practices celibacy and austerity. She is depicted as a woman dressed in white, holding a rudraksha mala in one hand and a water pot in the other hand.
Maa Brahmacharini was born as the daughter of Himalaya, the King of Mountains. From a young age, she deeply desired to marry Lord Shiv. However, Shiv was immersed in deep meditation after the loss of his first wife, Sati, who had immolated herself due to her father’s insult towards Shiv.
Determined to win Lord Shiv as her husband, Parvati renounced all comforts and went into the forest to perform intense tapasya (penance). She lived on fruits and flowers for thousands of years and later survived only on leaves. Eventually, she gave up food and water completely, enduring severe hardships. Due to her extreme penance, she became emaciated, but her devotion remained unshaken.
Seeing her unwavering dedication, the gods and sages were moved and praised her. Even Lord Brahma appeared and blessed her, saying that her devotion and tapasya had pleased Lord Shiv, and she would soon marry him.
As a result of her penance, Lord Shiva accepted her as his consort, and she later became known as Goddess Parvati, the divine mother of the universe.
Symbolism and Worship
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Maa Brahmacharini is depicted wearing a white saree, symbolizing purity and serenity.
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She holds a japa mala (rosary) in one hand and a kamandalu (water pot) in the other, signifying her ascetic lifestyle.
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Worshipping her is believed to bring patience, wisdom, and determination in life.
Her story teaches perseverance, self-discipline, and devotion, inspiring devotees to stay steadfast in their faith and overcome obstacles through dedication. She is associated with the Swadhisthana Chakra, which is located at the sacrum and represents the water element. Her worship is believed to balance the water element in the body and purify the mind and soul.
During the second day of Navratri, devotees offer prayers and perform aarti to Brahmacharini. They also observe fast and practice celibacy as a form of penance. It is believed that by observing penance and austerity, one can attain the blessings of Brahmacharini and overcome all obstacles in life.
By worshipping Maa Brahmacharini on the second day of Navratri, devotees draw inspiration from her unwavering determination and devotion, strengthening their own faith and discipline.
