Navaratri Day 2 - Goddess Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini is the second form of Navdurga. In this form, Durga is two-armed, clad in white and carries a rudraksha mala and sacred Kamandalu. She is in a highly pious and peaceful form or is in meditation. This form of Durga is related to the severe penance undertaken by Sati and Parvati in their respective births to attain Lord Shiva as husband. Some of the most important Vratas observed in different parts of India by women is based on the strict austerities followed by Brahmacharini. She is also known as Tapasyacharini and is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri.

History of Brahmacharini

Having immolated herself in the sacrificial fire, Sati was born to Maina as a daughter to the Mountain-King Himalaya.  Keeping in view her auspicious traits, she was given the name of ‘Parvati’.  When she had grown up into a beautiful maiden, the celestial sage Narada while roaming about happened to reach the court of king Himalaya.

Narada was warmly welcomed by the Lord of mountains.  Thereafter Himalaya and Maina prayed to Sage Narada to predict the future of Parvati by reading her palms.  Sage Narada agreed to their request. Seeing Goddess Parvati, Sage Narada stood up and bowed to her with great reverence.  The mountain-king Himalaya and queen Maina were amazed at such an unusual behavior of Sage Narada.

They were curious to know the cause of this unique behavior. Thereupon he spoke with a smile, “O Lord of Mountains!  This daughter of yours in her previous birth was Sati, the daughter of Daksha and the consort of Lord Shiva.  She sacrificed her body in the fire of Yanja as Daksha hurled disgrace on Lord Shiva.  Now she is born again as your daughter Parvati.  That is why I bowed to her.  By virtue of her merits, she shall again beget Lord Shiva as her husband.”

Having listened to the prediction of Sage Narada, Goddess Parvati inquired of him how to beget Lord Shiva as her consort. Thereupon Sage Narada advised her to perform an austere penance.

Acting upon the advice of Sage Narada, Goddess Parvati renounced all the pleasures of palace and started performing penance to beget Lord Shiva as her husband. She spent the first thousand years of her penance by living on fruit and roots.  Thereafter she lived on leaves for another three thousand years of her penance.  Then she lived on water and then air alone braving heat and cold, rain and storms and all kinds of sufferings.

Goddess Parvati meditated on Lord Shiva for thousands of years.  The austere penance performed by her reduced to a mere skeleton.  A great hue and cry prevailed in the three worlds because of her severe penance.  All the Gods including Indra, Saints and Sage were terrified by her penance. They approached Brahma in a body and prayed him to bestow the desired boon on Parvati.

At last Brahma appeared before Parvati and said to her, “O Goddess!  All the Gods bow to you in deep reverence.  Such an austere penance can be performed only by you. Your cherished desire shall soon be fulfilled. You shall beget Lord Shiva as your consort. By virtue of this austere penance you shall be known as “Brahmacharini” – a woman of celibacy.  Thereafter Brahma restored her physical charm and grace.

Thus Goddess Parvati begot Lord Shiva as her husband by virtue of her penance.  She earned the reputation of being a Brahmacharini.

The worship of Maa Brahmacharini is conducive to penance, renunciation, virtue and nobility. Her devotees are endowed with peace and prosperity.

Mantras for Devi Brahmacharini

Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah (108 recitation of this mantra)

Dadhaanaa Kar Padaabhyaamakshmala Kamandalu | Devi Prasidati Mayi Brahmcharinyanuttamaa.

Which means,O Goddess Brahmacharini, who holds rosary and Kamandalu in her hands, please on me.
A devotee who is eager to know God, who want knowledge, he should worship Devi Brahmacharini on the second day of Navaratri.