Chandraghanta

It is the third day of Navratri and just like life, it’s passing quickly. This is no place to bore our avid readers with school quotes like ‘Life is a jigsaw puzzle.’ But you know what? there is a striking similarity between life and the puzzle, not just the fact that we need right pieces at right places but the underlying message resonating our commitment to be complete. Well, who knew spirituality could be this romantic? Except for us who are going to find all about Mata Chandraghanta, who in all her excellence taught us the real meaning of complementing our partners. On the third day of Navratri, here is all that you need to know about Mata Chandraghanta –

• Mata Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She adorns a hanging crescent moon on her forehead, thus gets her name Chandraghanta.

• Mata Chandraghanta mounts on a tigress and has a golden skin tone. She has ten arms. She carries a trident, sword, mace, bow, arrow, goad, bell, kamandal, lotus in nine of her hands and the tenth hand is in Vardan Mudra. This is a unique saga where Mata appears all set for war and equally ready for peace.

• After Mata Parvati persuaded Shiva to marry her after bearing tons of hardships as Mata Brahmacharini, there came the sweet part – the marriage. But Shiva is Shiva for all, equally mighty for a blade of grass to the wide expanse of the universe. Since Shiva was worshipped by all, his marriage procession was joined by ascetics, sages, ghosts, goblins, ghouls, aghoris and men. When this terrifying parade lead by Shiva (ash smeared, snake around his neck  and locks matted) reached the doorsteps of King Himavan, he and his family were taken aback. Queen Maina and several other hosts passed out after seeing this strange scene. Upon seeing fear in all her family members, Mata Parvati took the form of Mata Chandraghanta, an equally intimidating form to complement her life partner Shiva.

• Although complete, but with bride and groom going out of the human ways, marriage ceremony seemed impossible in a peaceful air. So Mata Chandraghanta appealed Shiva to take a form of noble prince. Shiva agreed and took form of a beautiful prince adorned with jewels. Then, the marriage took place. The day is celebrated as Maha Shivratri every year since then.

• Mata Chandraghanta is a perfect figure for all closure seekers. It is believed that the sound of the moon-bell on her forehead expel all type of spirits away from her devotees.

• In the yogic mediation, a sense of completeness is necessary to drive away all the despairs. By worshipping Mata Chandraghanta, one equips himself with the power to expel all the foes, both from outside or within and to embrace all that is good, in or out. One gets the courage to carry his journey toward true wisdom by worshiping Mata Chandraghanta.

• This is why Mata Chandraghanta sits in somewhat the medial part of Navratri to guide all the devotees through the rest of the days of Navratri.