NAVRATRI SERIES: DAY 3-> MATA CHANDRAGHANTA AND DAY 4-> MATA KUSHMANDA

 MATA CHANDRAGHANTA

Chandraghanta 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 the third form of Mata Durga, worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She is also known as Chandika, Rannchandi and Chandrakhanda. She is known for rewarding people with her grace, courage and bravery. All the sins-distresses, physical sufferings, mental problems and ghostly hurdles of her followers are discarded by her grace. 

Mantra:- पिण्डजप्रवरारुढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥ 

Meaning:- This form of mata is supremely peaceful and benevolent. She has an hour-shaped                            crescent on her head, due to which she is known as mata chandraghanta.

Her weapons are Trishul, Lotus, Gada, Sword, Bow, Arrow, Kamandal, Japa-mala, Abhaymudra and Gyan mudra. She mounts on a Leopard. 

STORY

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. 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. 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. Her abode is in Manipura chakra.

Her colour is grey. The grey colour signifies the destruction of evil. Praying to her invokes a lot of blessings.

DAY 4 :- MATA KUSHMANDA

Mata Kushmanda created the world with her divine smile. She is the fourth form of Mata Durga and worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. Her name- Ku means “a little”, Ushma means “warmth or energy” and Anda means “cosmic egg or Brahmanda”.

Mantra:- सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च। दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥

Meaning :- May the bright Mata Kushmanda, who holds the Urn filled with Nectar and full of lotus flowers, prove to be auspicious in all our works.

Her weapons are:- Lotus, Chakra, Kamandalu, Dhanusha (Bow), Arrow, Gada (Mace), Akshamala (Rosary), Jar of holy Elixir i.e. Sura and blood.

She mounts on a lion. 

STORY

It is about the time when the universe was no more than a void full of darkness. There were no indications of the world anywhere. But then a ray of divine light, which is ever existing, spread everywhere, illuminating each and every nook of the void. This sea of light was formless. Suddenly, it started taking a definite size, and finally looked like a Divine Lady, who was none other than Goddess Kushmanda herself. The birth of the universe occurred because of the silent smile of Goddess Kushmanda. She was the one who produced the Cosmic egg. Her smile sent away the entirety of the darkness and thus formed a new creation of the universe. She gave light and life to the entire universe with her silent smile. The earth, planets, sun, stars and the galaxies were all brought into being. But to sustain life, the world needed the sun God. So, the Goddess centred herself in between the sun and she became the cause of the energy and light necessary for life. The sun gives life to the world and Goddess Kushmanda herself is the power of the sun and is the source of all energy when she resides within the core of the Sun God. It was to create a balance in the universe and provide life to all living beings from the sun rays, her power gives the sun its capability to give life to everyone, as she herself is Shakti.

She is the source of Lord Surya's power. Without her, Surya's light and energy will grow dim and fade away and will become powerless. Lord Surya gives life to creation, but she is also the one who is responsible for it too. It is her power that makes him capable of doing so, and when Mahashakti appears in the form of Kushmanda, it is what she does. From her smile, a body of energy came forth from her and from that potent energy, came forth light and creation. She always smiles when the Gods, inferior people and other celestial beings honored her.

When the universe was non-existent and darkness prevailed everywhere, Maa Kushmanda produced the Cosmic egg, bringing light to the universe. Kushmanda has the power and strength to live in the core of Sun. Her luminosity gives the Sun its brightness. She is said to give directions to the Sun God, Surya.

May the blessings of both these goddesses bestow upon you.