Chaitra Navratri 2019 Day 2: Worship Goddess Brahmacharini, The Second Form of Goddess Durga

Chaitra Navratri 2019: On day 2, worship Goddess Brahmacharini, who is the second form of Goddess Durga. She signifies love, loyalty, wisdom, and knowledge.

Chaitra Navaratri 2019 began on April 6 and the second day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini. She is the second form of Maa Durga. Brahmacharini stands for a devoted female student who only desired to marry Lord Shiva. She is the unmarried avatar of Goddess Parvati. This form is considered as the unmarried mediating form of Goddess Parvati.  Devi Brahmacharini is symbolic of love and immense strength. She holds a rosary in one hand and a Kamandal in other. It is believed that she governs the planet of Mangal.

Goddess Brahmacharini signifies love, loyalty, wisdom, and knowledge. Brahmacharini is a combination of two Sanskrit roots – Brahma (shortened from Brahman), means “the one self-existent Spirit, the Absolute Reality, Universal Self, Personal God, the sacred knowledge” and charini is the feminine version of one who is a charya, which means “occupation with, engaging, proceeding, behaviour, conduct, to follow, going after”.

According to Drikpanchang.com, Goddess Brahmacharini followed strict fasting regimen while staying at open place in scorching summers, harsh winters and stormy rains. According to Hindu mythologies, she was on diet of Bilva leaves for 3000 years while she prayed to Lord Shankar. Later she even stopped eating Bilva leaves and continued her penance without any food and water. She was known as aparna when she left eating Bilva leaves.

Maa Brahmacharini is believed to be fond of hibiscus and lotus flowers.

Maa Brahmacharini Mantra: Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah; ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः

Maa Brahmacharini Prarthana: Dadhana Kara Padmabhyamakshamala Kamandalu| Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama; दधाना कर पद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलू। देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥

Goddess Brahmacharini Mantra: