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Durga Shailputri (Daughter
of Mountain) : "Shail" means mountains, "Putri" means
daughter. Parvati, the daughter of the King of the Mountains
Himavan, is called 'Shailputri". The first among nine Durgas
and 1st night of Navratras is devoted to the puja of
Shailputri . Her two hands display a trident and a lotus. Her
mount is a bull. |
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The second Durga Shakti is
Brahamcharini. Brahma that is who observes
penance(tapa) and good conduct. Here "Brahma" means "Tapa".
The idol of this Goddess is very gorgeous.One hand hold a
"Kumbha" or water pot, and the other holds a rosary. She
personifies love and loyalty. Bhramcharini is the store house
of knowledge and wisdom. Rudraksha beads are Her most adored
ornaments! |
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The name of third Shakti is
Chandraghanta. There is a half-circular moon
in her forehead. She is charmful and bright. She is Golden in
color, possesses ten hands and 3 eyes. Eight of her hands
display weapons while the remaining two are respectively in
the mudras of gestures of boon giving and stopping harm.
Chandra + Ghanta, meaning supreme bliss and knowledge,
showering peace and serenity, like cool breeze in a moonlit
night. This Durga Shakti rides a tiger. She is mainly
worshipped in Tamil Nadu. |
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With the fourth night begins the
worship of Kushmanda, possessed of eight
arms, holding a weapons and a mala ( rosary), her mount is the
tiger and She emanates a solar aura. "Kumbh Bhand" means to
see the cosmic dance in the form of Pindi; the knowledge of
cosmic intricacies in the human race. The abode of Kushmanda
is Bhimaparvat ! |
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Fifth name of Durga is "Skanda
Mata". Rising a lion as Her chosen vehicle, She holds
Her son skanda on her lap. She displays three eyes and four
hands; two hands holds lotuses while the other two hand
display defending and granting mudras, respectively. Its said,
by the merch of Skandmata, even the fool becomes an ocean of
knowledge. |
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Black (or blue ) skin with
bountiful hair and 4 hands, 2 clutching a cleaver and a torch,
while the remaining 2 are in the mudras of "giving" and
"protecting". Her vehicle is a faithful donkey. The destroyer
of darkness and ignorance, Kaalratri is the
seventh form of Nav-Durga meaning scourer of darkness; enemy
of darkness. |
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The Eighth Durga is "Maha
Gauri." She is as white as a conch, moon and Jasmine.
She is of eight years old. With four arms and the fairest
complexion of all the Durgas Shaktis, Mahagauri radiates peace
and compassion. She is often dressed in a white or green sari.
She holds a drum and a trident and is often depiected riding a
bull. |
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Ninth Durga is "Siddhidatri".
There are eight Siddhis , they are- Anima, Mahima, Garima,
Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva & Vashitva.It is said in "Devipuran"
that the Supreme God Shiv got all these Siddhies by
worshipping Maha Shakti. With her gratitude the half body of
Shiv has became of Goddess and there fore his name "Ardhanarishvar"
has became famous.Usually shown ensconced a lotus with four
arms, She is the grantor of 26 different wishes to Her Bhaktas. |
