|| Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah ||
|| Dadhana Karpadma Abhyamaksh Mala Kamandalu |
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinya Nuttama ||
Brahmacharini, also known as Tapasvini, Tapasyacharini, or Parvati, is the second form of Goddess Durga. Her name means one who practices penance or brahmacharya, with “Brahma” meaning penance and “Charini” meaning a female follower. The Goddess is worshipped on the second day of Navratri (the nine divine nights of Navadurga). Those who are devoted to her are rewarded with virtue, emancipation, peace, prosperity, happiness, and nobility. She holds a japa mala (rosary) in her right hand and a kamandalu (water utensil) in her left hand.
When Goddess Parvati realised that she was destined to marry Lord Shiva, she decided to please him in every possible way. Rishi Narad advised her to follow the path of extreme penance and dedication to please Lord Shiva.
Parvati immersed herself in difficult penance or tapasya. She endured all the torments of nature while performing the penance. She gave up food and water, living only on a diet of leaves. This is the reason she is also known as Aparna. After many years, Parvati was finally successful. Lord Shiva accepted Parvati as his wife and named this form of hers as “Brahmacharini.”
This second form of Maa Durga grants her devotees unlimited wishes. By worshipping her, qualities like penance, sacrifice, freedom from worldly desires, discipline, self-control, etc., increase in a devotee. Even in adverse circumstances, his mind does not waver from his duties. Due to her blessings, he attains victory and prosperity everywhere.
The Devi is described as paralyzing the enemies by sprinkling holy water from the kamandalu. Those who worship this Devi daily become adept in Brahma Vidya. In modern parlance, this can be taken as higher education. According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 70, in the vicinity of Brahmeshwar, devotees can find Brahma Devi (Brahmacharini).
Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri to acquire the power to abstain from food and water during the festival’s nine days. With Devi Brahmacharini’s blessings, devotees can keep the fast for nine days with no adverse effect on their health. The following mantra is chanted to invoke Goddess Brahmacharini:
|| Dadhana Karpadma Abhyamaksh Mala Kamandalu |
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinya Nuttama ||
The blessings of this form of Shakti provide knowledge and determination to overcome all of life’s difficulties.
