Mata Brahmacharini – Second Avatar of #Durga

* Mata Brahmacharini – Second Avatar of #Durga *

Origin - After Kushmanda form, Goddess Parvati took birth at the home of Daksha Prajapati. In this form the Goddess Parvati was a great Sati and her unmarried form is worshipped as Goddess Brahmacharini.

Navratri Worship - Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri.

Governing Planet - It is believed that Lord Mangal, the provider of all fortunes, is governed by Goddess Brahmacharini.

Iconography - Goddess Brahmacharini is depicted as walking on the bare feet. She has two hands and She carries Jap Mala in the right hand and Kamandal in the left hand.

Devanagari Name - ब्रह्मचारिणी

Stuti -
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।

Details - 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.