Navratri celebration thread: most auspicious 9 days of the year - Page 5

After Lord Shiva gave Parvati his word that he would not marry any woman, her sufferings overwhelmed him so much that he gave up, followed by a tearful reunion and then agrees to marry her. Soon, the joyous moment of Parvati's life comes. Shiva brings a procession of gods, mortals, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, sages, ascetics, Aghoris and Shivaganas to the gates of King Himavan's palace to take away his bride Parvati, on the occasion of his remarriage. Shiva arrives at King Himavan's palace in a terrorizing form and Parvati's mother Maina Devi faints in terror. Parvati appears to Shiva and sees his fearsome form, so to save her parents and other family members she transforms herself into Goddess Chandraghanta.

Chandraghanta persuaded Shiva to re-appear in a charming form. On listening to the Goddess, Shiva appears as a prince decorated with countless jewels. Parvati revived her mother, father and friends then Shiva and Parvati get married and made promises to one another.

She has eight hands holding 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. She rides on a tiger or lion as her vehicle, which represents bravery and courage, she wears a half moon 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.

She rides a tiger or lion as her vehicle, representing bravery. This is a terrible aspect and is roaring in anger. This form of Durga is not completely different from earlier forms. It shows that when provoked she can be malevolent. Her malevolent form is said to be Chandi or Chamunda Devi. She is otherwise the very embodiment of serenity.

The devotees who adore and worship her develop an aura of divine splendor. Their persons emit invisible power-waves which exercise a great impact on those who come in contact with them. They easily achieve success in life. 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 horrible sound produced by her bell sent thousands of wicked demons to the abode of the Death God. She is ever in a warring posture which shows her eagerness to destroy the foes of her devotees so that they may live in peace and prosperity. Divine vision is acquired by her grace. If a devotee happens to enjoy divine fragrance and hears diverse sounds, he is said to be blessed by the Mother.

Durga incarnated as Kaushiki, the daughter of Lord Shiva and Parvati, in order to vanquish demons Shumbh and Nishumbh and their hordes. The beauty of Kaushiki was to lure demons to their doom. Shumbh wanted to marry Kaushiki to his brother Nishumbh and thus sent demon Dhumralochan to bring her. When she resisted, Dhumralochan attacked her. Enraged, Parvati assumed a warrior form, seated on a tiger and defeated Dhumralochan and his entire army..

Sura Sampurna Kalasham Rudhira Plutmev Cha |
Dadhana Hastpad Mabhyam Kushmanda Shubh Dastu Me ||

Maa Kushmanda is the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga. On the fourth day of Navratri Pooja, worship of Devi Kushmanda is performed giving her whole reverence. She nurtures the entire universe with her divine and gentle smile that revered her with name 'Kushmanda'. The word kushmanda denotes word 'ku' 'ushma' and 'anda'. The first word 'ku' means little, 'ushma' means warmth and 'anda' is denoted for egg. She creates the whole universe as a little cosmic egg. Grace and dignity of Maa Kushmanda is truly incredible. Her beauty is boundless. She is represented with eight-arm holding Kamandalu, Gada (bludgeon), Dhanush (arc), Chakra, lotus-flower and other edges. Her eighth arm is blessed with a Japmala (rosary) that offers all types of Siddhi (perfection) and Nidhi (treasure) to her devotees. She resides on Saurmandal (solar system). Like Sun illuminates and removes darkness from Earth, her boundless blaze gives light in life of human being. She bestows brightness, clarity and profound peace to her adorers. Her gleam is eternal. Illumination that we see around ten directions is only because of her spark and divine luster.

In Hindu mythology, it is believed when there was no existence of universe,and when the densest darkness surrounded the whole planets of space, only a little soft smile of Devi Kushmanda illuminated the Universe. She is the form of 'Adi Shakti' Worshipping Devi Kushmanda, the worshippers enter in Anahat Chakra. It is advised that one should perform Pooja for this almighty only after absolute purification of heart and soul. Impure heart can make this Goddess infuriate. Grace of this Goddess finishes all types of physical and mental disorders and ailments. By spiritually worshipping Goddess Kushmanda, the worshipper can become free from afflictions. Her grace endows divine spark to adorers. Worshiping her in simple process, the worshipper can feel the existence of this great almighty. Goddess Kushmanda is true symbolism of divine spark. Worshippers of this Goddess certainly obtain cosmic energy that enhances their positive aura. Positive reflection makes the person glorified in society. With blessings of Devi Kushmanda, devotees can achieve name, fame and other comforts of life.

On the auspicious fourth day of Navratri pooja, this personification of Goddess Durga is religiously Worshiped with full of veneration. Devotees chant Mantra, Stotra, Durga Stuti and admire Goddess Kushmanda to delight her. By solely dedicated devotion to Devi Kushmanda, worshippers get profound prosperity, fine health and all material comforts. With the depth of heart and soul, offer abundant reverence to this almighty and get her enormous blessings. Jai Maa Kushmanda!