The second day of Durga puja is about offering prayers to the Brahmacharini aspect of mother Goddess Durga. Here Brahma means penance. So, Brahmacharini is one who practices penance. It is said – Veda, Tattva and Tapa are synonyms for Brahma. The form of Brahmacharini is tremendously effulgent and extremely majestic. She holds a rosary in her right hand and Kamandalu in her left.
In her previous birth when she was incarnated as the daughter of Himalaya, then influenced by the instructions of Narada, she practiced terrible penances in order to obtain Lord Shiva as her divine consort. Due to her unearthly penances she was termed as Brahmacharini. She spent one thousand years, only on fruits and beetroots. One hundred years she spent only by eating leafy vegetables.
For a sufficient period of time observing complete fast she suffered tormenting of nature like torrential rains and scorching sun and biting cold, under the open sky. After such a difficult routine she lived only on dry Bilva leaves fallen on the ground for three thousand years. She kept her engrossed for twenty-four hours in worshipping Lord Shiva. After that she gave up eating even these dry leaves. For several thousand years she went on without any food and water. Because she gave up eating dry Bilva leaves so she was known to be Aparna as one of her epithets.
After the rigorous penance for several thousand years her body became extremely lean and thin. She was reduced to skeleton only. Watching her pitiable condition mother Mena was very much pained. In order to divert her attention from the rigorous penance she exclaimed – ‘U’ ‘Ma’ meaning ‘O! No, no, not’. Since then Goddess Brahmacharini was named Uma. This happened in her previous incarnation itself.
Her penance, sharpened as it was, caused great disturbance in all the three worlds. The whole universe was shaken. The gods, the Rishis, the Siddhas, the Munis all eulogized her penance as an unprecedented virtuous action. Ultimately Pitamaha Brahma through an oracle addressed her and said to her in a very pleasant manner – O Goddess, so far nobody has ever practiced such an austere penance. Only you could have done it. This wonderful deed is being praised in all four quarters. Your desire would be fulfilled. You will decidedly get Lord Shiva as your divine consort. Now stop doing penance and go home. Your father would be shortly coming to take you back.
This second aspect of BrahmachaRini Durga is capable of providing unending benefit. By worshipping her the person inculcates doing penance, renouncing, dispassion, ethical conduct and restraint in himself. Even in the most critical periods of struggle the mind remains unshaken and he does not deviate from the path of duty. By the grace of mother Brahmacharini he gets success and victory always and everywhere.
On the second day of Durga puja it is the Brahmacharini aspect of mother Goddess Durga that is worshipped. This way the mind of the striver moving upward is established in Swadhisthana Chakra. The Yogi, who makes his mind stay in this Chakra, gets the devotion and blessings of the Goddess.
JAI MAA DURGA #JAI MAA BRAHMACHARINI #JAI SINCHEL KO SINGHA DEVI MAA
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