Navratri thread: Ma Durga Information - Page 2

Maa Chandraghanta is the third Shakti of Maa Durga. Maa Chandraghanta is worshiped on the third day of Navrti Pooja. Those who worship Devi Chandraghanta get eternal strength and be blessed by Devi Maa to be happy through out one's life.

Maa Chandraghanta is one Who establishes justice and wears crescent moon on Her head. Because of this bell shaped mark of moon which is present on the fore head of Maa Chandraghanta, Maa is known as Chandraghanta. The colour of her body is golden, she rides on lion who descrides "dharma", possesses ten hands and three eyes, eight of Her hands display weapons while the remaining two are respectively in the mudras of gestures of boon giving and stopping harm. Devi Maa is posed as to be ready for war. "Chandra Ghanta" meaning supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace and serenity, like cool breeze in a moonlit night. By her blessings all the hindrances coming in way of a person are removed. Her pleasant looks clears all sorrows and sadness of her devotees. Her roaring voice alerts and makes the Demons to tremble.

In Durga Pooja the third day of Navratri is very important in Navaratri. This day the mind of the sadhak enters Manipura Cakra. At this stage by the grace of Maa Chandraghanta he becomes capable of seeing unearthly and divine things. He smells the divine fragrance and many types of divine sound become audible to him. On this day and in this stage of discipline the sadhak is required to be most careful.

By the grace of Mother Chandraghanta all sins of the sadhak (striver) are burnt up and obstacles removed. Her worship is instantly fruitful. She is always in a gesture as if ready to proceed for the battlefield and thus she removes the difficulties of devotees very promptly. Her vehicle is lion and so her worshiper becomes valorous and fearless like a lion. The sound of her bell always protects her devotees from evil spirits. As soon as the sadhak invokes her, her bell immediately becomes active and starts ringing to protect the devotee under her shelter.

Maa Kushmanda is the fourth aspect of Navadurga Goddesses. Devi Maa is worshiped on fourth day during Durga Pooja in Navratri. Mother Goddess create the whole universe in shpae of an egg called "Anda" wth her little & light divine smile, so that Maa Durga is named Kushmanda.

The word Kushmanda is made of three other words that are "Ku + Ushma + Amnda= Kushmanda". Here "Ku" is "Little", "Ushma" is "Warmth or Energy" & "Anda" is "Egg" , means the one who create the universe as "Little Cosmic Egg" with the energy of Her divine smile is called "Kushmanda". Goddess Durga is very happy in this incarnation and it is believed that when there is no existence of any creation or universe & there was the eternal darkness, which ended when Maa Kushmanda smiled. So that Maa Kushmanda is known as the creator the whole universe. Maa Kushmanda is also named as "Adi Shakti". The core of Suraymandala (Sun) is the residence of Devi Maa. She is the only one who has the power & strength to live in the core of Suryaloka (Sun). Her body shines like the glowing Sun. All directions get light from Her Divine smile including the Sun God itself. Maa Kushmanda also known as "Ashtabhuja" as she is often depicted as having eight arms. In her seven hands she holds Kamandalu, Bow, Arrow, Lotus, a Jar of Nectar, Discus, and Mace. In her eighth hand she holds a rosary capable of giving eight Siddhis and nine Niddhis. She rides a lion who represents "Dharma". On worshiping Her ailments and sorrows are eliminated and life span, name, strength and health improved.