Chandraghanta

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Chandraghanta
Goddess Who Fights Demons
Goddess Chandraghanta
Devanagari	चंद्रघंटा
Affiliation	Avatar of Durga
Planet	Chandra
Mantra	पिण्डजप्रवरारुढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥
Weapon	Trishul, Lotus, Gada, Kamandal, Sword, Bow, Arrow, Japa maala, Abhayamudra, Gyan mudra
Mount	Leopard
Consort	Shiva

In Hinduism, Chandraghanta is the third form of Goddess Durga . Her name Chandra-Ghanta, means "one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell. Her third eye is always opened and she is always ready for war against demons". She is also known as Chandrakhanda, Chandika or Rannchandi. Her worship takes place on the third day of Navaratri (the nine divine nights of Navadurga). She is believed to reward people with her grace, bravery and courage. By her grace, all the sins, distresses, physical sufferings, mental tribulations and ghostly hurdles of the devotees are eradicated. It also represents her married form.

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Legend[]

According to Shiva Maha Purana, Chandraghanta is the “Shakti”, of Lord Shiva in the form of Chandrashekhara. Each aspect of Shiva is accompanied by Shakti, therefore they are Ardhanarishvara.

Form[]

Chandraghanta has ten hands where two hands hold a Trishula(trident), Gada(mace), bow-arrow, khadak(sword), Kamala(lotus flower), Ghanta(bell) and kamandal(waterpot), while one of her hands remains in blessing posture or abhayamudra(Fear dispelling). She rides on a tiger or lion as her vehicle, which represents bravery and courage, she wears a half moon depicting a Bell on her forehead and has a third eye in the middle of her forehead. Her complexion is golden. Shiva sees Chandraghanta's form as a great example of beauty, charm and grace.

Idol of Chandraghanta on tableaux during the Mangalore Dasara procession.

Chandraghanta rides a tiger or lion as her vehicle, however in accordance with many of the scriptures there is the mention of "Simhaasana", "Simharudha" which refer to the lion (Simha) as being ridden (Rudha) or them being seated on as (Asana) by the goddesses. This form of Devi Chandraghanta is a more warrior ready and apparently aggressive form that goddess Durga takes, however despite being adorned with the various weapons, she is also equally caring, benevolent and representes motherly qualities to her devotees. While the primary cause of this form was the destruction demons, her rather fierce depiction brings with it the encouragement that praying to her can grant one fearlessness. She is otherwise the very embodiment of serenity.

The devotees who adore and worship Chandraghanta develop an aura of divine splendor. Chandraghanta is ready to destroy the wicked, but to her devotees she is a kind and compassionate mother showering peace and prosperity. During the battle between her and the demons, the thunderous sound produced by her bell is known to have paralyzed and stunned the demons. She is ever ready to fight which shows her eagerness to destroy the foes of her devotees so that they may live in peace and prosperity.^[1] Her abode is in Manipura chakra.

Prayers[]

Mantra[]

ॐ देवी चंद्रघण्टायै नम:

Oṃ Devī Chandraghantaye Namaḥ

Dhyan Mantra[]

पिण्डज प्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसीदम् तनुते महयं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता।।

Pindaja Pravarārudhā Chandakopāstrakairyutā Praseedam Tanutae Mahyam Chandraghantaeti Vishrutā.

References[]