Navratri is a significant festival in India that honors the nine forms of Goddess Durga. While there are four Navratris throughout the year, Sharadiya Navratri is the most celebrated. It begins on the day after Amavasya Tithi in the Ashwin month.
Mata Shailputri: The First Form of Goddess Durga
The festival starts with the worship of Maa Shailputri, the first form of Goddess Durga. Shail means "mountain," and Parvati, another name for Goddess Durga, is known as Shailputri due to her birth in the Himalayas. As the wife of Lord Shiva, she is also called Vrishbharudha, which means "rider of the bull."
Maa Shailputri is depicted as a calm and serene figure. She is considered the protector of all wild animals and is worshipped by those who seek spiritual enlightenment through yoga, meditation, and rituals in the Himalayas. Devotees believe that Mata Shailputri fulfills their wishes and helps awaken their Muladhara Chakra (root chakra).
Story of Mata Shailputri
It is necessary to mention a story related to Mata Shailputri here. In ancient times when Sati's father The Story of Shailputri Devi
Shailputri Devi is the first form of Goddess Durga worshipped during Navratri. Her story begins with Sati, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha. Despite not being invited to Daksha's yagna, Sati insisted on attending. When she arrived, she was treated disrespectfully by her father and his guests.
Unable to bear the humiliation, Sati immolated herself. Upon hearing the news, Lord Shiva became enraged and destroyed Daksha's yagna. In her next birth, Sati was reborn as the daughter of Shailraj Himalaya and became known as Shailputri. She later married Lord Shiva, fulfilling their divine union.
Worshiping Shailputri Devi
To worship Shailputri Devi on the first day of Chaitra Navratri:
- Wake up early: Rise before sunrise, take a bath, and wear clean clothes.
- Establish the idol: Place the idol or picture of Shailputri Devi on a clean stool and perform Kalash Sthapana.
- Chant the mantra: Recite the meditation mantra of Shailputri Devi.
- Take a vow: Vow to fast for the day.
- Perform puja: Worship Shailputri Devi with the Shodashopachara method, invoking all rivers, pilgrimages, and directions.
- Offerings: Apply kumkum to the idol, offer white, yellow, or red flowers, five diyas of desi ghee.
- Recite prayers: Chant Durga Chalisa, Durga Stuti, or Durga Saptashati.
- Perform aarti: Perform the aarti of Shailputri Devi in the evening and chant mantras and meditate.
Powerful Mantras of Shailputri Devi
1- ऊँ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
2- वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
वृषारुढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥
3- या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Offerings and Blessings
Shailputri Devi, the first form of Goddess Durga, is associated with white-colored items. Offering white flowers, clothes, and sweets is considered auspicious during her worship.
Shailputri Devi's connection to nature aligns with the principles of organic living. At Nirvana Organic, we align our practices with the spiritual values of Shailputri Devi. We promote sustainable and environmentally friendly farming methods to preserve the mountains and their communities. Our commitment to natural processes and avoidance of harmful chemicals reflects our respect for the delicate balance of nature.
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