The third day of Navratri celebrates the divinity of Devi Chandraghanta. She is the third roop of Ma Durga, the lady of knowledge and balance. She is the very embodiment of serenity and inner radiance. Her name ‘Chandraghanta’ symbolizes the crescent moon adorning her forehead. This feminine divine signifies the delicate balance of grace and power. Let’s explore the blessings of Ma Chandraghanta and her ruling Graha of Moon for modern Indians.
Devi Chandraghanta: The Third Manifestation
This roop of Ma Shakti represents a union of strength with inner radiance. The beautiful mix of beauty and bravery manifests itself in the form of Ma Chandraghanta. Her roop is a tapestry of red, gold, and white! She is depicted riding a tiger and has ten arms that hold various weapons and symbols. A trident, a bow, arrows, a sword, a mace, a lotus, a bell, and a kamandal adorn her hands.
Maa Chandraghanta is believed to bestow her devotees with fearlessness and courage. Her worship is also associated with serenity and inner peace. In a way, this roop of Ma Shakti is a symbol of self-improvement. She helps her Sanatani devotees overcome their obstacles and fears.
Her Vandana is as follows:
रहस्यम् शृणु वक्ष्यामि शैवेशी कमलानने। श्री चन्द्रघण्टास्य कवचम् सर्वसिद्धिदायकम्॥
बिना न्यासम् बिना विनियोगम् बिना शापोध्दा बिना होमम्। स्नानम् शौचादि नास्ति श्रद्धामात्रेण सिद्धिदाम॥
कुशिष्याम् कुटिलाय वञ्चकाय निन्दकाय च। न दातव्यम् न दातव्यम् न दातव्यम् कदाचितम्॥
Meaning:
Through the veils of the petals of a Kamal like a secret,
Lord Shiva’s Goddess Chandraghanta, reveals her divine armor to bless us all!
Without the rituals, invocations, or yagya agni,
Without any rites of purity rites, She blesses everyone one faith alone!
The wicked, the deceitful, the scoffers and their lies,
Shall never receive her love or blessings, O’ Divine mother we bow to thee!
Ruling Graha ‘Chandra’ and Devi Chandraghanta
Devi Chandraghanta’s ruling Graha is the Moon or ‘Chandra’. This heavenly body is symbolic of spiritual enlightenment. The crescent moon on her forehead represents the graceful and illuminating influence of the Moon. Thus, Sanatanis hope to gain a radiant serenity in their outlooks by the worship of this roop of Ma Durga.
The Graha Moon is often associated with emotions and the ebb and flow of feelings. Therefore, similar to the influence of the Moon in the tides of the sea; the aradhana of Ma Chandraghanta leads to a balance of emotions in her devotees.
Ma Chandraghanta inspires Sanatanis to seek knowledge, wisdom, and inner illumination. She encourages a constant pursuit of higher consciousness in all her devotees.
Lesson for Modern Indians
One significant lesson that modern Indians can derive from Devi Chandraghanta is the importance of embracing their inner radiance. Her serene countenance reminds Indians to nurture inner peace in their daily lives. By maintaining composure and radiating positivity, Sanatanis can influence their surroundings positively.
Just as the Moon waxes and wanes, the modern Indians face fluctuating emotions. This roop of Ma Durga encourages Modern Sanatanis to embrace emotional balance. It encourages all to feel and express emotions while staying centered and composed.
The crescent moon of Ma Chandraghanta symbolizes the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. Modern Indians can prostrate in front of Ma Chandraghanta to seek self-improvement, expand intellect, and foster a love for learning.
Devi Chandraghanta and her ruling Graha of Chandra remind Sanatanis to embrace their inner radiance. On this day, all Sanatanis can pray to cultivate inner peace, balance emotions, and pursue knowledge by the aradhana of this manifestation of the feminine divine. May this celestial avatar inspire all modern Indians to walk the path of self-discovery, spiritual enlightenment, and Dharma.