Maha Gauri Durga - Day 8
There are thousands of traditions in India and many have different representations. There is a saying in Baul called "Nana Muni Nana Mot" many different people, many different opinions. Maha Dauri is represented by Rahu 8th day- Mahagauri or Maha Gowri In this form Durga is four-armed and she rides on a bull or a white elephant. She carries a trishul and a damaru. Two hands are in blessing posture. She is pure and is believed to have been in the form of Mata Parvati when she did penance to get Shiva as her husband. Purity is depicted in this form of Durga. Mahagowri form of Durga is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. Goddess Parvati made up her mind to perform an austere penance as advised by Sage Narada so that she might beget Lord Shiva as her husband. So, she renounced all the comforts of the palace and started performing penance in the forest. Her severe penance continued for many years. She braved heat and cold, rains and drought and terrible storms. Her body was covered with dust, earth, soil and leaves of trees. She had developed a blackish skin over her body. At last, Lord Shiva appeared before her and gave his solemn word that he would marry her. He bathed her vigourously by the holy waters of the Ganga emanating from his matted hair. The holy and sacred waters of Ganga washed off all the dirt clinging to Parvati’s person and she became became white-complexioned and glorious. Thus by virtue of having acquired a white complexion, Parvati came to be known as Mahagauri (Extremely Fair). Mahagauri Devi is worshipped on the eighth day of the Navaratri. This manifestation of hers is very placid and serene. All the sins of the devotees are burnt to ashes by her adoration and worship. She possesses invincible powers and bestows merits on her devotees. She destroys all the distresses of her devotees and blesses them with all kinds of merits and virtues. Maa Mahagauri’s meditation, her adoration, her worship, and her devotion are conducive to the welfare of devotees. He who concentrates his mind on her will enjoy her blessings. He who enjoys her grace achieves perfection in every walk of life. Mother Mahagauri fulfils all the desires of her devotees. She enables them to enjoy prosperity and pleasures here in this world and salvation hereafter. Mantras for Mahagauri Devi Om Devi Mahagauryayi Namah (108 Recitation of Mahagauri Mantra) Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetaambardhara Shuchih | Mahagari Shubham Dadyanmahadev Praodadaa || Which means, Goddess Mahagauri who rides on white bull, wear pure white clothes, giver of happiness, be propitious to me. --------------------------------------------------------------------- GODDESS MAHA GAURI is the eight aspect of Goddess Durga and worshipped on the eighth day of the Navaratri festival. The name ‘Maha Gauri’ implies a bright ray of lightning that lightens the universe. She is said to be an intelligent, peaceful and calm Goddess. As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life. She has the power to fulfill all the desires. Maha Gauri bhaktas are relieved from their sufferings. She takes the name of Shambhavi as Lord Siva’s consort. Maha Gauri is inseparable from Mahadeva. This is the radiant and tranquil form of Goddess Parvathi. She is the manifestation of divine energy and perfect wife of Lord Siva. In that role she represents purity and austerity. She took many forms to earn the Lord’s attention. As Gauri she was a Kannya or virgin performing severe austerities. Her penance is best seen as the mythology herein and worship attributed to Maa. DEPICTION: Maha Gauri Swaroopa depicts her as white as a conch, moon and jasmine. Even her clothes are symbolically pure white. She has matching ornaments of cool nature. She is also depicted to have a divine golden complexion. Maha Guari is shown to have three eyes. Mother has four arms. Her right arm is in the mudra of allaying fear. She holds a trident in her lower right hand symbolical of birth, sustenance and destruction . She holds a tambourine in her left upper arm to symbolize divine pranava Om and for Mother’s blessings to reach her devotees in the form of various sounds in prakriti. The lower left hand is the form of a blessing. Mother always appears calm and peaceful. VAHANA: Her vahana is a white bull. It has a bell hanging from its neck to announce her arrival. Maha Guri is seated on a tiger skin placed on the bull. Bhaktas often hear this as little ringing sounds in their hearts. The bull is a symbol of fertility. According to another legend, the lion is also her vahans. Once, a hungry lion sat in front of Mother, waiting for her penance to be over so that it can satisfy its hunger. But days passed and the lion became weak. When Mother opened her eye she saw the lion sitting in front of her in an adverse condition. She felt moved because the lion had also indirectly observed penance along with the goddess. She then made the lion her vahana. Since then the lion and bull are considered as the ride of Mother Mahagauri. MYTHOLOGY: She observed severe penance as Goddess Parvati to get earn Lord Siva as her husband. Once, Lord Shiva was rude to her by pointing out her dark complexion. She started observing hard penance. This went on for over a thousand years. During this period her body got covered with soil. It became darker than ever. Then one day when Lord Shiva came looking for Mother. He was pleased with her penance. Thereafter he took Maa to the Ganges and bathed her lovingly. Mother regained her beauty with pure complexion and earned the name Maha Gauri. WORSHIP: The eighth day of Navarathri is also Durga Ashtami Puja. This celebration is regional and rituals differ from place to place. The morning is Maha Ashtami. The day commences with ritualistic bathing and fasting for Pushpanjali or flower offerings. Durga’s deity is invoked by the usual kalasa puja. Flowers are held cupped in the hands while prayers go on. Mantra is chanted and normally a priest is in attendance. Flowers are then showered at Mother’s feet to seek blessings. Kumari Puja, or the worship of very young virgin girls is one of the main attractions. The girls, viewed in their pure state are deemed to be Goddess Durga herself. This is the generalized notion of seeing divinity in humans. Mother Durga’s first eight aspects are also worshipped. Mother’s companions such as Jayanti. Mangala Kali, Bhadra Kali, Kapalini. Kshama Dhatri, Siva, Svaha and Svadha known as Yoginis are also worshipped. Lord Siva and Lord Brahma are also venerated. Arathi is performed in the evening. This is performed with fire or yagna. It symbolizes light which is the remover of ignorance and purifier of sins. Santhi Puja marks the end of Durga Ashtmi. It is the interlinking puja between Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. There is an interval of 48 minutes which is called Sandhi when Ashtami Tithi transits into Navami tithi. Sandhi in Tamil is also connection. Sandhi is highly sacred. The first 24 mins falls in Ashtami and second 24 mins fall in Navami. During these times, Mother Durga is venerated as Mother Chamunda, the Kali manifestion that slayed the demons Chanda and Munda. It is also to be noted that Sri Krishna was born in Ashtami Tithi and Rama, Navami Tithi. Unmarried girls worship Mother with the hope of getting decent life partners. The goddess protects the husband of those females who worship her with full devotion. Mother’s powers are unfailing and instantly fruitful. Mother’s bull is venerated as a symbol of fertility and prospertity. All sins of devotees are washed away with the result of her worship. Even accumulated sins get destroyed and in future no sins or sufferings come to him. Bhaktas gets purified in all respects and becomes fit for inexhaustible virtues MANTRA: The goddess appears faithful, affectionate, calm and soft in nature. All the gods and sages worship this form of the goddess by chanting, “Sarvamangal Mangaleya, Shiva Saevartha Sadhike. Sharaneya Ambeyagauri Narayani Namastute.” Om Maha Gauriye Namaha. Om Shivaya Namah Yogi Ananda Saraswati
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Trishula Das
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December 2018
C40 years experience study & practice of Eastern and Western Mind Body Soul, Meditation, Healing & Mysticism
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