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.
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.
As per the Hindu mythology, Brahmacharini is believed to be the embodiment of Tapas or penance. She is the unmarried form of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is believed that she performed intense penance to obtain Lord Shiva as her husband.
Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri, and her worship is believed to bestow spiritual knowledge, self-control, and perseverance. 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.
Overall, Brahmacharini holds great significance in Navratri as she represents the power of penance, self-control, and spiritual knowledge. Her worship is believed to bestow blessings of wisdom, balance, and purity to the devotees.
