Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah॥
॥Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam।Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim॥
Shaila Putri (lit. daughter of the mountains) is a manifestation of the Hindu goddess Durga and is one of the first Navadurga’s venerated during the first day of Navaratri. She is also known as Sati, Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati. Mother Shaila Putri is the absolute form of Mother Nature.
Goddess Shaila Putri is depicted with two hands and has a crescent moon on her forehead. She holds a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in the left. She rides on mount Nandi (bull).
Shaila Putri is an avatar of Goddess Durga, who was born in the house of King of Mountains “Parvat Raj Himalaya”. The name “Shaila Putri” literally means the daughter (Putri) of mountain (Shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Himavat – the king of the Himalayas.
The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands. In previous birth, she was daughter of Daksha, Sati. Once Daksha had organized a big Yagna and did not invite Shiva. But Sati being obstinate, reached there. Thereupon Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati could not tolerate the insult of husband and burnt herself in the fire of Yagna. In other birth, she became the daughter of Himalaya in the name of Parvati – Hemavati and got married with Shiva. As per Upanishad, she had torn and the egotism of Indra, etc. Devtas. Being ashamed they bowed and prayed that, “In fact, thou are Shakti, we all – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are capable by getting Shakti from you.”
In some scriptures like Shiva Purana and Devi-Bhagavata Purana the story of Mother Goddess is written as follows: Maa Bhagwati in her earlier birth was born as a daughter of Daksha Prajapati. Then her name was Sati and she was married to Lord Shiva. But in a sacrificial ceremony organized by her father Prajapati Daksha, she got her body burnt in the yogic fire, because she could not bear the insult of her husband Lord Shiva by her father Prajapati Daksha in the sacrificial ceremony.
In her next birth she incarnated her as Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Parvat Raj Himalaya and among Nava Durga’s she has been referred to as Shaila Putri, who was again known as Hemavati. In her Hemavati aspect, she defeated all prominent gods. Like her previous birth, in this life also Maa Shaila Putri (Parvati) got married to Lord Shiva.
She is Devi of the root chakra, who, upon awakening, begins Her journey upwards. Sitting on Nandi and making her first journey from the Muladhara chakra. As from her father to her husband – the awakening Shakti, beginning her search for Lord Shiva or making a move towards her Shiva. So that, in Navratri pooja the first day Yogis keep their minds concentrated on Muladhara. This is the starting point of their spiritual discipline. They started their Yogasadha from here. Shaila Putri is the Muladhara Shakti to be realized within Self and sought for higher depths, in the yogic meditation. It is the rock of spiritual standing and the whole world gets strength from the Shailaputri aspect of Purna Prakriti DURGA.
Before Mother Goddess was born as the daughter of King Himavan, in her previous birth, she was the daughter of King Daksha. In this form, her name was Sati, who was very much devoted to Shiva and in love with him. King Daksha was against Lord Shiva, and knew that his daughter fell in love with an ascetic and expressed his disapproval. Sati made every effort to make her father understand, but in vain.
Daksha’s wife, and mother of Sati, Prasuti got Lord Shiva and Sati married, without the consent of King Daksha. He severed all ties and relations with his daughter and son-in-law and cut them out of his life. After the marriage, Sati happily made her residence at Kailash with Lord Shiva and both loved each other unconditionally. Meanwhile, Daksha had one intention, and that was to insult Lord Shiva. Deciding this, he had arranged for a ritual, in which all Gods, Goddesses and sages were invited but not Shiva and Sati.
Even though discouraged by Shiva, who told her not to go to a ceremony performed by Daksha where she and her husband were not invited; the parental bond made Sati ignore social etiquette and her husband’s wishes. Sati went to the ceremony alone. She was snubbed by Daksha and insulted by him in front of the guests. Sati, unable to bear further insults, immolated herself in the sacrificial yajna fire.
Upon learning of the tragedy of his wife, consumed by fiery anger, rage and endless sorrow, Shiva invoked Veerbhadra and Bhadrakaali to put an end to Daksha’s arrogance and to all the invitees who failed to speak out against him to protect Sati as she was offended and insulted. Upon obedience to their orders, Bhadrakali brought about great devastation to the Yajna and to the invitees present, and Veerbhadra hacked off the head of Daksha and threw it in the sacrificial fire, putting an end to him.
Later, in a subsequent turn of events, Mother Goddess took another birth as King Himavan and Queen Menavati’s daughter in their house, this time, she was named Parvati. She was born to parents who always respected and worshipped Lord Shiva with heart.
From the Yogic point of view, the First Navratri is considered to be very auspicious day. This is the Yogic start for being in tune with the Divine Mother Durga. Those who want to have any kind of initiation in the Shakti Mantras, can have it on the First of Shukla Pratipada.
The aspiration of a devotee is to reach higher and further higher, for spiritual evolution, and for the attainment of Siddhi, which is perfection associated with Ananda (bliss). Verily, Shaila Putri is the Muladhara Shakti to be realized within Self and sought for higher depths, in the YOGA – meditation. This is an experience in the soul-searching of Immutable within human existence. Shaila Putri is the physical consciousness of the Divine Mother Durga. She is truly Parvati, daughter of the King Hemavanti, as described in the Shiva Purana. Shaila Putri is the manifestation of this earth planet, which includes what is apparent on this earth, and within the globe. Shaila Putri covers all the hills, vales, water resources, seas and oceans, including atmosphere.
Therefore, Shaila Putri is the essence of the earthly existence. Her abode is in the Muladhara Chakra. The divine Energy is latent in every human being. It is to be realized. Its color is crimson. The Tattva (element) is Earth, with the Guna (quality) of coherence, and with the Bheda (distinct) characteristics of Ghraana (the smell).
