Navratri celebration thread: most auspicious 9 days of the year - Page 11

The eighth day of Navratri or Durga Puja celebrations is known as Durgashtami, or Durga Ashtami.It is also known as Mahashtami and is one of the most auspicious day according to hinduism. It falls on the Ashtami tithi of Chaitra month according to the Hindu calendar.

It is believed in some regions, that Goddess Kali appeared on this day from the forehead of Mother Durga and annihilated Chanda, Munda and Rakthabija (the demons who were associate of Mahishasura). The 64 Yoginis and Ashta Nayikas (the eight consorts of Goddess Durga ) are worshipped during the Durga Puja rituals on Mahashtami. The Ashta Nayikas also known as Eight Shaktis, are interpreted differently in different regions of India. But ultimately all the eight goddesses are incarnations of Shakti. They are the same powerful Divine Feminine, representing different energies.

The Ashta Nayikas worshipped during Durga Puja are Brahmani, Maheswari, Kameswari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani and Chamunda.

A tradition associated to Durga Ashtami originated in North India, is to honor the kanjaks in the home. A group of young, unmarried girls (a group of five or seven) are invited into the home to honor them. The tradition is based on the belief that each of these young girls( kanjaks ),represents the shakti (energy) of Durga on earth.The group of girls are welcomed by washing their feet (a common ceremonial in India to welcome someone) and then welcoming them into the home and then the rituals are being done as Alati and Puja.After the rituals the girls are feed sweets and foods and then honored with small gifts.

Mahagauri

The name Mahagauri means extremely white, as she was white in colour and very beautiful(Maha, = great; Gauri, = white). Mahagauri is usually depicted with four hands, the hands holding a trident, lotus and drum, while the fourth is in a blessing gesture. The lotus is sometimes replaced with a rosary. She rides a white bull, usually shown wearing white clothes.

The task for the assassination of demons after she has gotten her white complexion back runs as follows: For the killing of demonsShumbha and Nishumbha, it was important for Parvati to have an unborn female child, who would kill them. Hence, as advised byBrahma, Mahadev made her skin complexion black by his magic and also teased her as Kali. Getting agitated by this, Parvati did severe penance of Brahma to obtain her fair complexion. She succeeded in her penance and was advised by Brahma to take bath inMansarovar River in Himalaya. As she took a bath, her dark skin separated from her and took the form of a female. She wasKaushiki, being born from the cell of Parvati/Gauri. As a result of which Parvati got her white fair complexion back. Still, for the task of demons' assassination, she then and there, gave her fair complexion to Kaushiki and she(Parvati) again attained the form of Kali. Goddesses Saraswati and Lakshmi provided their powers to Kali as a result of which Kali transformed intoChandika(Chandraghanta). Chandika killed demon Dhumralochan. Chanda and Munda were killed by Goddess Chamunda who appeared out from the third eye of Chandika. Chandika had transformed into Kaalratri again to kill Raktabija and Kaushiki had killed Shumbh and Nishumbh, after which she got merged with Kali to transform her back into Gauri. Hence, Goddess Kaushiki too got merged with Parvati(Parvati), hence giving her the title of Mahasaraswati Ambika. It is believed that Kali/Durga incarnated as Parvati who was beautiful yet had a black complexion and once, she was teased by Mahadev as Kali. Infuriated by this, she began a great penance to please Lord Brahma and get the fair complexion and in this way, her name Maha Gauri got justified. According to another tale, it is believed that Parvati had got dark by Shiva's magic.

Another story tells that Parvati a dark complexion, but in a different version runs as follows: Goddess Parvati made up her mind to perform an austere penance as advised by Sage Narad 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 vigorously 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 white-complexioned and glorious. Thus by virtue of having acquired a white complexion, Parvati came to be known as Mahagauri(Extremely Fair).

Shwete Vrishe Maha Rudha Shwetambardhara Shuchih |
Maha Gauri Subham Dadhyanmahadev Pramodada ||

Spellbind, mesmerizing whitish look of Durga is Maha Gauri. Goddess Maha Gauri is eighth form of Devi Durga and one of the graceful Goddesses among Nav Durga. She is majestically Worshiped on eighth day of Navratri Pooja. Her complexion is completely white, and thus she is revered with name 'Gauri'. Her beauty glows like gleam of white Pearl. She denotes peace and endurance. She is represented with four arms seated on a Vrishabha (bull). Her upper left hand holds Trishul (trident), lower right hand carries Damru (hand drum) and other two hands are in different Mudras (positions). It is believed that this manifestation is of Parvati when she did hard penance to obtain her Shiva due to which her body color turned dark. When Lord Shiva accepted her great devotion he washed her body with pure Ganga water that made her body completely Gour (white). And this way, she became prominent with name 'Gauri' and consort of Mahadev.

Worshipping Goddess Maha Gauri during eighth day of Navratra is immensely fruitful. With her grace, the entire dirt and dark scrum of soul get washed. She cleans dregs from heart of her worshippers and makes them pious. Offering invocation to this almighty makes worshipper sacred.

Ashtami poojan is considered as Maha Pooja during Navratri. This auspicious day is vivaciously celebrated with whole of heart and devotion inclined toward Devi Maha Gauri. During Ashwin Shukla Ashtami, the Maha Gauri Poojan is performed. Maha Gauri Poojan is accomplished with worship of both Goddesses Gauri and Shankar (Lord Shiva). Adherence toward Maha Gauri is truly advantageous. Her worshippers are never returned with empty hands from asylum of Goddess Gauri. Grand worship, donations, customs and rituals are performed during Ashtami of Navratri Pooja to delight this deity. Variety of blessed foods are also offered to this Goddess. On the sacred occasion of Ashtami Pooja, Kanya Poojan (feeding of little girls) are also done to please Goddesses of Navdurga. Nine little girls are invited at home of worshippers and are fed varieties of delicious sweet dishes. Devotees pay the best homage to nine little girls considering them nine forms of Navdurga. This ritual accomplishes their Pooja and gives blessings of Nav Durga.

By heartily worshipping this Goddess, previous sin and influence of wrong deeds of worshippers get vanished. With her blessing, worshipper gets the divine perfection of Universe. She influences mankind toward path of truth and purity. Illumination of her grace is infinite. She is the true Goddess of generosity and morality. Adhering toward her faith, devotees start believing on honesty, loyalty and life-long relationship. Observing fast and worshipping Goddess Mahagauri on the eight day of Navratri Pooja is immensely fruitful, especially for unmarried girls and married woman. Worshipping her, unmarried girls get desired husband and married women enjoy peaceful, harmonious and long married life. Show your dedication, true devotion, and adherence toward glorified Goddess Maha Gauri and achieve divine happiness in life. Jai Maha Gauri!