The Eighth day of Navarathri is given over to Goddess Mahagauri. Mahagauri means one clean and bright like a ray of lightning. The colour of the day is Peacock Green.
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 8: Mahagauri
Day 8 of Navarathri is dedicated to goddess Mahagauri. Goddess Parvati in order to beget Lord Shiva as her husband underwent severe penance in the forest braving storms, drought, severe heat and cold. The ravages of nature made her complexion dark with time. Lord Shiva pleased with her austerity agreed to marry her. He unleashed the holy Ganges from his matted hair to wash all the accumulated dirt on her body. This caused her to become white-complexioned and luminous. Thus she came to be called Mahagauri (extremely fair).
Goddess Mahagauri is compared to the conch, moon and white flower of Kunda due to her fair complexion. She is also called Swetambardhara as she is always clad in white clothes. Goddess Mahagauri blesses her devotees with the qualities of peace and endurance. Kanya Puja is performed on this day with great reverence, as 9 young girls are invited home for they are considered as 9 forms of Goddess Durga. Their feet are washed and adorned with a tilak on their foreheads. They are served puri, halwa, black chana, etc and are gifted benevolently.
Stuti:
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha
Women and Divinity: Oneness of All Forms:
We distinguish and differentiate between ladies and gents on the basis of upadhi (vesture) or physical form. However, the principle of Brahman present in ladies and gents is one and the same. Sarvam khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is Brahman).
Everyone aspires to attain divinity. Many sages, seers and yogis did intense penance to have the vision of God. Where is God? Daivam manusha rupena (God incarnates in the form of a human being). God assumes human form to protect humanity. This has been the mission of all avatars. God transcends names, forms and attributes. He is infinite and not limited to a particular form. Once Sage Narada and a few other sages prayed to Lord Narayana to incarnate in human form and redeem mankind. Lord Narayana said, “Narada, Brahma shakthi (Divine power) is positive. It is not possible for Brahma shakti to incarnate on earth unless it is coupled with negative power. It is only when the positive and negative combine that Divinity manifests in human form.”
In response to the prayers of sages and seers, God comes down in human form. He strives for the welfare of humanity and bestows joy on one and all. The Avatar is a manifestation of Brahmaswarupa and true humanness. The same principle of Brahman is latent in all. One has to develop inward vision in order to experience Him. Easwara sarva bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings). In this cosmic drama, God alone is the director and also the actor. He is donning all the roles such as mother, father, husband, wife, daughter, son, etc.
Goddess of growing things,
of warm and moist earth,
of soil piercing shoots;
praised in all lands,
praised through all ages,
praised by all peoples,
praised with rites of life.
Mother of All Tribes,
of men and women both,
of beasts and plants and people;
praised in all lands,
praised through all ages,
praised by all peoples,
praised with rites of life.
Queen of all countries,
of crafts and industry,
of poets and priests,
praised in all lands,
praised through all ages,
praised by all peoples,
praised with rites of life.
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.