The third day of Navarathri is given over to Goddess Chandraghanta. It is told that women have seven strengths to the three of man, and on this third day of Navarathri, we reflect on woman as the highest expression of loyalty in the home and the society. The colour of the day is white, so we give one black background to assist reading white on white!
Bhagavad Gita 10:34 … Of the qualities that, due to their grace and tenderness, are termed ‘female’, I am fame and fortune, sweet speech, memory, intelligence, steadfast perseverance, loyalty, and forgiveness.
To make up the nine nights, we will add repositories of truth and culture to the list given from the Bhagavad Gita.
Goddess of Day 3: Chandraghanta
Chandraghanta is the Goddess worshipped on the third day of Navratri. The name Chandraghanta comes from the crescent moon worn on the head. This is a terrible aspect of Goddess Shakti and is roaring in anger. This form of Durga is completely different from earlier forms and shows when provoked she can be the terrible or malevolent.
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.
By the grace of Ma Chandraghanta all the sins, distresses, physical sufferings, mental tribulations and ghostly hurdles of the devotees are eradicated. Riding on the lion, she exudes fearlessness in her devotees. She also embodies serenity. The devotees who adore and worship her with their deeds, mind and speech, develop an aura of divine splendor around themselves. It is said that they can easily achieve success in every walk of life. Ma Chandraghantaa is ever ready to destroy the wicked being but to a devotee she always appears as the kind and compassionate mother showering love, peace and prosperity.
Stuti:
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha
Loyalty of Women
Loyalty has elements of willingness and duty. Loyalty embraces constancy, devotion, fidelity, faithfulness, good faith and probity. The loyalty of women is shown in the roles they take up, in the home, raising children (as the first teacher of children), in the fidelity to the marriage-bond, in their devotion to the family, in their constancy of the mother’s role that makes a home filled with love and security for all who dwell therein.
No doubt, there may be a few who may not be having good qualities characteristic of a woman. But in any class of society, this is inescapable. Take, for example, the orange fruit. In order to enjoy the juice you have to peel out the bitter portions of the outer skin and seeds. Even so, the fruit of human life has much bitter portions as outer skin. You have to remove this and weed out the seeds of bad qualities, so that you can taste the sweet juice inside.
If man follows the example of the woman to imbibe sacred and sacrificial qualities, the world will definitely improve. They say that a man is known by his job, as though only males can do jobs. It is a misnomer. Women are also doing all types of jobs equal to men. In fact, women work more sincerely and with dedication.
I speak of she who is beyond comparison,
the greatest of mothers
who gave birth to all wonders
and to everything else.
The Mother of friends and the Mother of foes,
you do not distinguish between your children
but spread your love freely
without judgement or preference.
Here in the centre of the turmoil of the city
I turn my thoughts to her.
Beneath the buildings, deep beneath them,
lies the Earth that is our Mother
the very body of the Goddess.
She cannot be hidden;
wherever life is found, there she is,
Great Lady, keep me mindful of you
as I walk through the city.
108 Names of the Divine Mother (English)
Om… I bow to SHE who is the Mother of the Universe.
Each of the Divine Names (in English) ends with ~ swaha.
When you use the Sanskrit word swaha you are invoking the God / Goddess, you are arousing the God / Goddess to come and witness your action, to come and receive your prayer.
We append these 108 Names of the Divine Mother and pray that you will be understanding the significance of the prayers, along with the efficacy of same.
Download the 108 Names of the Divine Mother
It is said that each day has a colour, and that idols of the Gods worshipped on these days are clothed in sari and other clothing in the colours given. Several sources give several colours. We will be following the day colours as given by Drik Panchang, which may vary from other sources. It is not our intention to cause offence with colours given.
