Chandraghanta- The one with Moon on her Head

Leha

Chandraghanta- The one with Moon on her Head

The architect of the universe who symbolises life and fertility protecting us all is the supreme, Adi Shakti. Time and again, she appears in various avatars to bless us abundantly. Let us discover the third manifestation of Goddess Parvati, this Navratri.

Devi Chandraghanta in her divine beauty; Image Source- Goddess Vidya, Weebly

The third day of Navratri is devoted to the worship of Chandraghanta Devi. Her name comes from the fact that she adorns a crescent moon resembling the shape of a bell on her forehead. This third incarnation of Goddess Parvati has roots in the two former avatars (Shailputri and Brahamacharani) and her previous life as Sati.

By now, most of you must be aware of the legend of Sati and Lord Shiva. Their union was the bone of contention for Sati's father, Daksha. In an attempt to make his disdain clear, Daksha conducts a yagna and does not bother inviting his daughter and son-in-law.

A disheartened and insulted Sati decides to immolate herself in the fire of the yagna. Lord Shiva could not handle the shock of the event and retreated into isolation.

In her second life, Devi Sati takes birth in the household of the King of Mountains, Himavan. Popularly known as Shailputri, Devi Parvati once again had to go through the process of wooing Lord Shiva.

Her never-ending patience and unwavering penance led her to the boon of having Lord Shiva as her husband. This ultimate form of austerity prompted the naming of Devi Parvati as Brahmacharini.

The assurance of the boon was not enough. A reluctant Lord Shiva agreed to marry Devi Parvati with a plot twist.

Devi Parvati's house was buzzing with the preparation for the marriage. The air of merriment and happiness was indeed infectious. Alas! It felt like the calm before the storm.

As soon as Lord Shiva arrived with his marriage procession or baraat, Devi Parvati's family broke out into a state of panic. The reality was so horrifying that Devi Parvati's mother fainted on the spot.

The couple then gets married to be tied forever in their divine bond. Devi Chandraghanta is known for her malevolent nature, who is otherwise the embodiment of serenity. Worshipping her eradicates all sins, physical sufferings and mental tribulations. Her fearlessness encourages us to shed our inhibitions and take a bold step in life.

In front of them stood Lord Shiva smeared in ash, hair unkempt, flowing in complete disarray with several snakes hissing and nestling around his neck. As if this was not enough. Lord Shiva's procession turned out to be equally terrifying with a bunch of ghosts, goblins, ghouls, aghoris, ascetics and sages in it. This sight was too much for Himavan (the King of mountains) and his family to witness.

Seeing her family in utter anguish and agony, Devi Parvati takes up the avatar of Chandraghanta. Her incarnation had ten arms, with nine of them possessing a trident, mace, bow, sword, arrow, goad, lotus, bell and kamandalu, while her tenth hand rested in an Abhaya mudra, blessing her devotees. Adorned in a golden complexion and a crescent moon on her forehead, Devi Chandraghanta is a sight to behold.

With her third eye open, Devi Chadraghanta enters riding a lion to persuade Lord Shiva. Seeing her in this avatar, Lord Shiva relents and appears in a humbler form, resembling a handsome prince bedecked in jewels with a human procession.