The Third day of Navratri – Goddess Durga as Devi Chandraghanta

Goddess Durga is a powerful goddess and is the epitome of Shakti. We celebrate Her existence through the festival “Navratri”. In ancient texts, she was described as Srishti or nature. She is the divine power and is responsible for the well-being of lives on Earth. People worship her with great faith and devotion. The Navaratri, or the nine auspicious days, is a popular festival celebrating the brilliance, magnificence, power, and the real essence of the deity. The Goddess Durga has nine forms or avatars, which are revered on each of the nine days of the Navratri. One should be aware of the stories, signification, and powers of the Nine Devis to understand how deep and powerful our religion and its philosophies are. Here, we will tell you about the third incarnation or form of Goddess Durga- Devi Chandraghanta.

Also Read: Chaitra Navratri 2024: A Complete Guide

Devi Chandraghanta- description as per scriptures

Chandraghanta Devi is the third form of the goddess Durga, and people worship her on the third day of Navratri. The name "Chandraghanta" combines two words: "Chandra," meaning Moon, and "Ghanta," meaning bell. The goddess carries a bell-shaped Moon on her forehead, which is where she gets her name. Devi Chandraghanta carries a bell that paralyzes and stuns evil demons, which is why she is also known as Devi Chandraghanta.

In ancient texts, it is said that Devi Chandraghanta blesses her worshippers with courage, boldness, fearlessness, peace, and serenity. Her third eye is always open, symbolizing her constant readiness to fight against evil. She is also known as Vrikahvahini, Chandrakhanda, or Chandrika. With her worship, one becomes free from all sins, physical and mental suffering, and obstacles. She has a golden complexion that fills the hearts of her devotees with faith and devotion. The darshan of Chandraghanta Mata illuminates them. The goddess is worshipped equally by saints and other spiritual masters.

The third form of shakti, Devi Chandraghanta holds several weapons in her hands, and her vahana is a wolf that infuses terror in the minds of sinners. Devi Chandraghanta is worshipped after Godesses Shailpuri and Goddess Brahamcharini.

Devi Chandraghanta- A brief overview

Devi Chandraghanta represents the form of Parvati when she sought Lord Shiva's help to fight demons while he was in deep meditation. Lord Shiva reminded her of her immense powers, and she transformed into a fierce warrior to defeat the demon Jatukasura. She symbolizes courage, protection, fearlessness, peace, and serenity. Many scriptures describe her as the embodiment of peace, purity, courage, and fearlessness.

Kundalini and Goddess Chandraghanta

Devi Chandraghanta is a goddess associated with the Manipura Chakra, which is believed to be located near the navel and is considered the center of power and confidence. Chandraghanta represents inner strength, courage, and self-assurance, similar to the Manipura Chakra.

By worshiping Devi Chandraghanta, we can tap into the energy of the Manipura Chakra to feel more confident, empowered, and capable of facing life's challenges. Meditating or praying to Devi Chandraghanta can help us balance the Manipura Chakra, allowing us to access our inner strength and courage to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.

Iconography

Chandraghanta Devi is depicted with ten hands, each holding powerful symbols such as the trident, mace, bow and arrow, sword, lotus flower, bell, and water pot. Her forehead bears a half-moon, resembling a bell, and she has a third eye, symbolizing her divine sight. She rides a wolf, which is a symbol of bravery and courage.

Although she has a fierce appearance, Chandraghanta is also known for her caring and motherly qualities towards her devotees. She is ready to destroy evil forces to ensure peace and prosperity for her followers. When she battles demons, the sound of her bell is said to paralyze them.

Devotees who worship Chandraghanta get her divine blessings. While she is harsh in battle, she is gentle and benevolent to those who seek her shelter. Her readiness to fight shows her protection of her devotees. One of her hands is raised in a blessing posture, indicating blessings and eagerness to dispel fear.

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Story of Devi Chandraghanta

According to the Shiv Purana, Maa Durga's ultimate power or Shakti is Chandraghanta Devi. Parvati married Lord Shiva after years of penance. When Parvati entered the cave of Lord Shiva, she found it littered, and all the things were misplaced. The major problem was the cobwebs. Parvati immediately took a broom in her new wed form and cleaned the cave. As time passed, Lord Shiva and Parvati were settled. While this happened, a new demon, Tarkasura, took root in the universe. Tarkasura was envious of the happy married life of the divine couple as he had a boon that he could only be killed by the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. He devised an evil plan to create trouble in the life of Parvati and Shiva. He employed a demon named Jatukasura to perform the task.

Jatukasura was an evil bat demon who observed the couple and chose to attack when Lord Shiva was sitting in tapas. He and his army attacked Parvati. Jatukasur called for war and marched towards Kailasa Parvat. Jatukasur petrified Parvati by covering the sky with his wings, which consisted of his bat army. Shiv ganas came to fight, but they were beaten badly by the ferocious army of bats. The army started creating chaos in the Kailasa region, angered Parvati, but she remained fearful. Parvati wanted to take help from Nandi, but he was nowhere to be seen. Parvati's fear bloomed.

After facing constant defeat, Shivganas pleaded with Parvati for their safety. Parvati went to Shiva, but Shiva didn't leave his Tapas. He reminded Parvathi about her inner power and that she is herself "Shakti". He reminded her that she is the creation of nature (Prakriti or Srishti) herself, the universal mother. He reminded her of her capabilities to fight and control this situation. Thus Maa Parvati decided to fight Jatakasur.

Parvati went out, but she could hardly see anything due to darkness. To overcome the challenge, she requested the Moon to give her Moonlight. Chandra Dev joined and sat on her forehead, illuminating the battlefield. Parvati then needed an army to fight the war. A huge pack of wolves came to help Parvati. The wolves bombarded the bats, and Parvati battled with Jatukasura.

After a prolonged fight, Parvati noticed that the bats in the sky energised the devil. So Parvati brought a huge bell to the battleground and rang it loudly; all the bats flew away. One of the wolves bounced on Jatukasura; he roared when grounded. Then Parvati hit his head with her bell, or Ghanta cut off his wings with her sword and killed him by tearing his chest.

Brahmadev named this fierce form of Parvati as Chandraghanta. She is depicted with a sword and Ghanta, a crescent moon on her forehead, and sitting on a wolf. Shiva later explained to Parvati that the battle they witnessed would give anyone the courage to conquer any inner or outer battles and obstacles. Additionally, this battle was evidence of the strength of women who are not weak or helpless without the presence of a man.

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Lucky colour

Devi Chandraghanta has a golden complexion, and thus, it is considered auspicious to wear golden clothing while worshipping her. Also, one should offer golden-coloured articles to Devi Chnadraghanta on the third day of Chaitra Navratri.

Mantra

ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नम: ॥
Om devi Chnadraghantaye namah

Meaning:

"Om, I bow to Goddess Chandraghanta."
Dhyāna-Mantra:

"पिण्डजप्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसीदं तनुते महयं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥"

(pindaja-pravararudha chanda-kopa-astrakair-yuta,
praseedam tanute mahyam chandra-ghanteti vishruta)

Meaning:

"Seated on a lotus, with various weapons in her hands,
Oh Chandraghanta, bestow your grace upon us."

Temples

The famous Chandraghanta Mata temple are located in Varanasi, Banaras.

Summary

Devi Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Chaitra Navratri. She symbolizes fearlessness, courage, protection, and peace. Worshipping her removes all fears, both inside and outside, and conveys the message that no woman is weak without the support of a man. To understand the essence of the third form of Goddess Durga- devi Chandraghanta, read the interesting story.