On the second day of Navaratri, Maa Brahmacharini – a manifestation of Maa Durga – is worshipped. The form of Goddess Brahmacharini is extremely radiant and majestic. Maa signifies love and loyalty, wisdom and knowledge. She holds a rosary in her hight hand and a Kamandal in her left hand. She wears Rudraksha. The word “Brahm” refers to Tapa (penance) – Her name means “one who performs Tapa (penance)”.
Today being the second day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Brahmacharini on this auspicious day. Maa Brahmacharini is the second manifestation of Goddess Durga who took various re-births to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. She is also known as Tapashcharini, Aparna and Uma. This day is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga.This festival is celebrated by Gujarati, Bengali and Maharashtrian communities. The word ‘Nav’ means nine and ‘Ratri’ means night in Sanskrit, hence ‘Navratri’ means nine nights of celebration, during which nine forms of goddesses are worshiped.
Maa Brahmacharini symbolizes spirituality, knowledge, meditation and one can attain peace, prosperity if he/she observes fast. Goddess Brahmacharini is depicted in the form of sanyasini and carries rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. Most importantly she was adorned with a Rudraksha.
Goddess Brahmacharini did severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. She performed hard austerity and due to which She was called Brahmacharini.
It is stated that during her penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband She spent 1000 years on the diet of flowers and fruits and another 100 years on the diet on leafy vegetables while sleeping on the floor.
Further She followed strict fasting regimen while staying at open place in scorching summers, harsh winters and stormy rains. According to Hindu mythologies She was on diet of Bilva leaves for 3000 years while She prayed to Lord Shankar. Later She even stopped eating Bilva leaves and continued her penance without any food and water. She was known as Aparna when She left eating Bilva leaves.
As legends go Goddess Brahmacharini immolated herself by wishing to get a father in her next birth who can respect her husband Lord Shiva.
Devanagari Name – ब्रह्मचारिणी
Favourite Flower – Jasmine (चमेली)
Mantra –
Prarthana –
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama॥
Stuti –
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Dhyana –
जपमाला कमण्डलु धरा ब्रह्मचारिणी शुभाम्॥
गौरवर्णा स्वाधिष्ठानस्थिता द्वितीय दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
धवल परिधाना ब्रह्मरूपा पुष्पालङ्कार भूषिताम्॥
परम वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोला पीन।
पयोधराम् कमनीया लावणयं स्मेरमुखी निम्ननाभि नितम्बनीम्॥
Japamala Kamandalu Dhara Brahmacharini Shubham॥
Gauravarna Swadhishthanasthita Dwitiya Durga Trinetram।
Dhawala Paridhana Brahmarupa Pushpalankara Bhushitam॥
Parama Vandana Pallavaradharam Kanta Kapola Pina।
Payodharam Kamaniya Lavanayam Smeramukhi Nimnanabhi Nitambanim॥
Stotra –
ब्रह्मरूपधरा ब्रह्मचारिणी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
शङ्करप्रिया त्वंहि भुक्ति-मुक्ति दायिनी।
शान्तिदा ज्ञानदा ब्रह्मचारिणी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Brahmarupadhara Brahmacharini Pranamamyaham॥
Shankarapriya Tvamhi Bhukti-Mukti Dayini।
Shantida Jnanada Brahmacharini Pranamamyaham॥
Kavacha –
अर्पण सदापातु नेत्रो, अर्धरी च कपोलो॥
पञ्चदशी कण्ठे पातु मध्यदेशे पातु महेश्वरी॥
षोडशी सदापातु नाभो गृहो च पादयो।
अङ्ग प्रत्यङ्ग सतत पातु ब्रह्मचारिणी।
Arpana Sadapatu Netro, Ardhari Cha Kapolo॥
Panchadashi Kanthe Patu Madhyadeshe Patu Maheshwari॥
Shodashi Sadapatu Nabho Griho Cha Padayo।
Anga Pratyanga Satata Patu Brahmacharini।
Devotees of Goddess Brahmchaarini must offer sugar, fruits and try to please her. Several devotees visit and offer prasad at KAnya kumari shaktipeeth where she is worshiped as a Sanyasini. We hope on the second day of Navratri Goddess Brahmcharini blesses every one of you to move towards the path of spirituality.
Color of the day:
On the second Day of Navratri devotees worship Goddess Shailaputri Maa. The color of the day is Orange. Devotees worship Goddess Brahmchaarini, on the second day of Navratri. On this day, devotees offer sugar to the Goddess and there is a mythological story which says that this goddess enlightens elegant forms with power, divine and spiritual grace.
The color of the day for devotees to wear on this auspicious day is White. Brahma means ‘one who constantly meditates on the Supreme Being’. This form of Goddess is highly pious and is a peaceful form in meditation.
Muhurat:
The first day of Navratri festival is ‘Ghatasthapana’ which is the main ritual. This day marks the beginning of Navratri as it symbolizes the commencement of the occasion for nine days. Devotees place picture of Goddess in to the kalash (pot). The pot must be covered with cow dung and seeds must be sown in the dung. Further the seeds sprout and are then distributed as Prasad on the Vijayadashami day.
