Maa Maha Gauri
Ashtami/ Eighth day of Shardiya/ Ashwin Navratri dedicated to
Maa Maha Gauri
10.10.2024
-Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
स्तुति (Stuti)
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
अष्टमी (Ashtami), the eighth day of Shardiya/ Ashwin Navratri is dedicated to माँ महागौरी (Maa Maha Gauri).
In several states of north India, Kanjak (कंजक), Kanya or Kumari puja is an important part of Navaratri/ Navratra, and is celebrated on Ashtami (eighth day) or Navami (ninth day) of the Navaratri festival.
Kanjak is recognition of feminine power in the girl child. The rituals involve worshipping nine pre-puberty girls, symbolic of nine forms of Goddess Durga, washing their feet as a mark of respect for Goddess, feeding them, and gifting new clothes.
On Ashtami, devotees worship Maa Maha Gauri, an avatar [2] (incarnation) of Goddess Durga and Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. Maa Maha Gauri is calm and compassionate, symbolizes intelligence and peace. She is depicted wearing white clothes and mounted on a bull. [3] Devotees who worship Maha Gauri, get relief from all sufferings in life.
It is believed that when Maa Kalaratri took a bath in river Ganga, she became extremely fair, and rid her dark complexion.
Maa Maha Gauri has four hands, her upper right hand is in अभय मुद्रा (Abhaya Mudra, Blessing posture), while lower right hand holds a त्रिशूल (trishul, trident). In her upper left hand, she holds a डमरू (damaru, tambourine) and the lower left hand is in वरदमुद्रा (Varadamudra, yoga/prayer posture).
It is believed that the planet Rahu is governed by Goddess Mahagauri.
Both Maa Maha Gauri and Shailputri are depicted riding a bull and because of that Maa Maha Gauri is also known as Vrisharudha (वृषारूढ़ा).
Since Maa Maha Gauri adorns only white clothes, she is also known as Shwetambardhara (श्वेताम्बरधरा).
माँ महागौरी की आरती/Maa Mahagauri Ki Aarti
जय महागौरी जगत की माया।
जय उमा भवानी जय महामाया॥
हरिद्वार कनखल के पासा।
महागौरी तेरा वहा निवास॥
चन्द्रकली और ममता अम्बे।
जय शक्ति जय जय माँ जगदम्बे॥
भीमा देवी विमला माता।
कौशिक देवी जग विख्यता॥
हिमाचल के घर गौरी रूप तेरा।
महाकाली दुर्गा है स्वरूप तेरा॥
सती (सत) हवन कुंड में था जलाया।
उसी धुएं ने रूप काली बनाया॥
बना धर्म सिंह जो सवारी में आया।
तो शंकर ने त्रिशूल अपना दिखाया॥
तभी माँ ने महागौरी नाम पाया।
शरण आनेवाले का संकट मिटाया॥
शनिवार को तेरी पूजा जो करता।
माँ बिगड़ा हुआ काम उसका सुधरता॥
भक्त बोलो तो सोच तुम क्या रहे हो।
महागौरी माँ तेरी हरदम ही जय हो॥
प्रार्थना Prarthana
श्वेते वृषेसमारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥
[1] Author, Freelance, Indian Economic Service, Senior Economic Adviser (Retired), Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and former Adviser (P 4) UNDP, Yemen has in posts
on his website (https://rohitkparmar.wixsite.com/site),
YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@rohitkparmar),
X (formerly twitter) (https://twitter.com/rohitkparmar?s=09),
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rohit.parmar.5268750/),
been writing/ sharing varied topics and
can be reached at rohitkparmar@yahoo.com.
[2] Use of the word avatar, depicts the same Goddess, could be in the subsequent birth or a regional adaptation.
[3] In different legends, she is mounted on a lion or tiger.
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