Brahmacharini

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Brahmacharini
Goddess who did severe penance, goddess of devotion and penance
Brahmacharini.jpg
Brahmacharini
Devanagariब्रह्मचारिणी
AffiliationNavadurga, Parvati
Mantraदधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू। देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥2
WeaponJapa mala, Kamandalu
SymbolsJaap mala, kamandalu,lotus and rudraksha mala
TextsDevi-Bhagavata Purana, Devi Gita
ConsortShiva

Brahmacharini (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मचारिणी) means a devoted female student who lives in an Ashrama with her Guru along with other students.[1] It is also the name of the second aspect of the goddess Durga (Parvati).[2] The goddess is worshipped on the second day of Navratri (the nine divine nights of Navadurga). The goddess Brahmacharini wears white clothes, holds a japa mala in her right hand and Kamandal, a water utensil in her left hand.

Etymology[]

The word brahmacharini stems from two Sanskrit roots:

  1. Brahma(ब्रह्म, shortened from Brahman), means "the one self-existent Spirit, the Absolute Reality, Universal Self, Personal God, the sacred knowledge".[3][4]
  2. charini is the feminine version of one who is a charya(चर्य), which means "occupation with, engaging, proceeding, behaviour, conduct, to follow, moving in, going after".[5]

The word brahmacharini in Vedic texts means a female who pursues the sacred religious knowledge.[6]

Legend[]

According to different versions of her story, maiden Parvati resolves to marry Shiva. Her parents learn of her desire, discourage her, but she pursues what she wants and did Tapasya for about 5000 years.[7] In mean time Gods approached god Kamadeva - the Hindu god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection and asks him to generate desire in Shiva for Parvati. They did this because of an asura named Tarkasur who gained the boon of being killed by only Lord Shiva's child. Kama reaches Shiva and shoots an arrow of desire.[8] Shiva opens his third eye in his forehead and burns the Kama to ashes. Parvati does not lose her hope or her resolve to win over Shiva. She begins to live in mountains like Shiva, engage in the same activities as Shiva, one of asceticism, yogin and tapas - it is this aspect of Parvati that is deemed to be that of goddess Brahmacharini. Her ascetic pursuit draws the attention of Shiva and awakens his interest. He meets her in disguised form, tries to discourage her, telling her Shiva's weaknesses and personality problems.[8] Parvati refuses to listen and insists in her resolve. During this time demon named Prakandasura attacked Parvati with his million asura. Parvati was at the last stage to complete her tapas. Hence, she can't let her tapas to breach, but the demon was onto her so seeing Parvati helpless Devi Lakshmi and Devi Saraswati felt sad and they came to help her. Devi Lakshmi and Devi Saraswati defended Devi Parvati but the number of demons were so much that they were unable to handle. After many days of fight the water in the Kamandalu kept besides falls and all the demons gets washed away with the flood caused with the water. Now the Prachandasura needs a defeat thus, Parvati opens her eyes slightly and fire came out through which burned the demon to ashes. Everyone in the universe were impressed by the tapas performed by Devi Parvati. Shiva finally accepts her and they get married. [7][8] Her abode is in the Svadhishthana Chakra. [9] Brahmacharini signifies bachelorhood and the colour white signifies purity. [10]

Prayers[]

Mantra of Brahmacharini :

ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नम:

Oṃ Devī Brahmacāriṇyai Namaḥ

Prarthana or Prayer:

दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू।

देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥

Dadhanakara Padmabhyam akshamala kamandalam,

Devi prasidathu mayi brahmacharinya nuththama.

Temples[]

  • Maa Brahmacharini Devi Durga Mandir is located at Panchganga Ghat, Ghasi Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001[citation needed]

Festival[]

Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ McDaniel, June (2004). Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls : Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal. Oxford University Press. pp. 106–107. ISBN 978-0-19-534713-5.
  2. ^ Manohar Laxman Varadpande (2005), History of Indian Theatre: Classical theatre, Abhinav, ISBN 978-8170174301, page 54
  3. ^ brahma Monier Williams Sanskrit Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, Germany
  4. ^ Not to be confused with Brahmā or Brahmin
  5. ^ carya Monier Williams Sanskrit Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, Germany
  6. ^ brahmacArin Monier Williams Sanskrit Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, Germany
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b David Kinsley, Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions (ISBN 81-208-0379-5), p. 41-46
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c James Lochtefeld (2005), "Parvati" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 2: N–Z, pp. 503-505, Rosen Publishing, ISBN 0-8239-2287-1
  9. ^ "BrahmaCharini Devi".
  10. ^ "Navratri Colours 2020: What are 9 Colours of Navratri, List of Nine Colours of Navratri and their significance". 16 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Navadurga: The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga". Retrieved 2015-10-14.
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