Navratri, the nine-day Hindu festival honoring Ma Durga, is one of the most important Hindu festivals. On the first day of Navratri, Sanatanis worship Devi Shailputri, the first manifestation of Ma Shakti. She represents the radiance and strength of the divine feminine.
Ma Shailputri is often depicted riding a bull while carrying a lotus in one hand and a Trishul in the other. Her ruling Graha Surya teaches modern Indians about resilience, determination, and unwavering devotion.
The First Manifestation: Devi Shailputri
Devi Shailputri is named as the ‘Daughter of the Mountain.’ Ma Shailputri was born as the daughter of King Himavat, the king of the mountains. Most legends link Ma Shailputri to Lord Shiva’s first wife, Ma Sati. Some believe her to be the incarnation of Devi Sati’s heart. She signifies the purity, stability, and strength that mountains symbolize.
Her Vandana is as follows:
प्रथम दुर्गा त्वंहि भवसागरः तारणीम्।
धन ऐश्वर्य दायिनी शैलपुत्री प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
त्रिलोजननी त्वंहि परमानन्द प्रदीयमान्।
सौभाग्यरोग्य दायिनी शैलपुत्री प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
चराचरेश्वरी त्वंहि महामोह विनाशिनीं।
मुक्ति भुक्ति दायिनीं शैलपुत्री प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Meaning:
The Kind and Gracious First of Durgas, the one who floats us across the cosmic ocean!
Grant the boon of prosperity and happiness, O’ Daughter of the Mountains!
Bless us with health and fortune, O’ Blessed Daughter of the Mountains!
The destroyer of evil, we bow to your benevolence O’ Daughter of the Mountains!
Ruling Graha ‘Surya’ and Devi Shailputri
In most scriptures, Ma Shailputri is associated with the Graha ‘Surya’ or Sun. The Sun represents energy, power, and life itself. It illuminates the world, bringing warmth and vitality. Similarly, Ma Shailputri’s puja helps devotees feel positivity and strength.
Just as the Sun is a source of stability and permanence, Goddess Shailputri is a symbol of strength and protection. Her devotees are forever safe under her kind grace.
Similar to the Sun that rises above the mountains, Ma Shailputri helps devotees shine with an inner brightness. She dispels darkness and bestows courage upon her devotees. She teaches us to harness our inner energy.
Lessons for Modern Indian
Devi Shailputri’s vandana helps modern Indians cultivate an unwavering determination. Just as the Sun rises every day without fail, this avatar of Ma Shakti helps modern Indians to approach their goals with unwavering determination, overcoming obstacles with grace.
Like the Mountains represent stability and a strong foundation; Goddess Shailputri teaches Indians the importance of maintaining balance in our busy modern lives. The ruling Graha Sun inspires modern Indians to strive to let their inner light shine, as well as radiate positivity and strength for their families and communities.
Devi Shailputri and her Graha Sun reminds Sanatanis of their innate power and resilience. By imbibing her qualities of determination, balance, and inner radiance; devotees can face the challenges of modern life with grace and strength. Let the rising Sun bring light to the world; and let the Radiant Goddess Shailputri’s aradhana help Sanatanis harness their inner light to rise above adversity.