SHAILAPUTRI: THE FIRST AVATAR OF GODDESS DURGA

Navaratri, a nine-day festival that is celebrated twice a year is a most revered and much-awaited festival all around the Indian subcontinent. Each day signifies the nine avatars of Durga and has a special meaning attached to it. Let us see what the first day of Navaratri signifies.

Shailaputri Mata. Image Credit: Mytho World

The first day of Navratri is dedicated to Shailaputri, the daughter of mountains. The mythology mentions Shailaputri taking birth in the house of mountains as the daughter of the Himalayas. Her name itself means the same- Shaila (mountains) and Putri (daughter). She is known as the source of Shakti for the Trimurti. But why is that the case? Let us find out.

The story starts when Shailaputri was first born as Sati and was the daughter of Daksha. Sati and Shiva were attracted to each other which was not accepted by Daksha. According to the legend, Daksha hosted a Yagna, purposefully not inviting Shiva which infuriated Shiva and Sati. Sati, unable to tolerate the insult of her husband decided to showcase her repulse to her father’s decision by burning herself in the fire of Yagna. This devotion was not left unseen by the devatas (gods) and she was reborn as the daughter of Himalaya.

While Shiva couldn’t handle the pain and loss of Sati, he penanced and went into deep meditation for years. It was only after the rebirth of Sati as Parvati that got Shiva out of his stance and he fell in love with her all over again. They remarried and the rest of the love story is known by all.

Shailaputri suffered a lot in both her lives. She had to fight her father while waiting for Shiva to get out of his penance in the second life. The Trimurti felt guilty for the kind of sufferings Shailaputri had to go through. The Upanishads mention how Shailputri was regarded as the one who reduced the ego of the Trimurti. It is believed that the three devatas bowed and prayed in front of Shailaputri, stating her as the source of their shakti (power).

According to the Upanishads, Shailaputri is considered the manifestation of the three- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The amount of courage and patience showcased by Shailiputri is known around the world. She is considered the embodiment of awakening and patience. Her journey starts with her father and goes on with the harmony between her and her husband. This journey is referred to as the Muladhara Chakra or the root chakra according to the yogic terms.

Revered as the Shakti, she is the perfect representation of the Muladhara Chakra that signifies the foundation of energy or shakti. The reason we celebrate Shailaputri as the first avatar during the nine days of Navaratri is the generation of energy for which she is known. It is dedicated to the yogic mindset and the reverberation of positive energy along with patience, concentrating on the Muladhara Chakra. The first day of Navaratri portrays the starting of the spiritual discipline and becomes the picture of a life one should live.

The Shailaputri Shakti or the Muladhara Chakra helps us realise our inner energy and the power we can hold if we learn to control our minds. This year, let us celebrate the first day of Navaratri to gain peace, patience and become our source of positive energy.

The Daughter of Himalayas. Image: Wikipedia