Day 3 of Navratri: Mata Chandraghanta

Who is Mata Chandraghanta?

Mata Chandraghanta is the third form of Navdurga. She is bright golden colour in complexion. Her forehead is adorned with the bell-shaped moon (so called, Chandraghanta). She rides a lion. She has ten hands and carries several war weapons, thus also known as Ranchandi. With two hands, she holds a trishul (trident), gada (mace), khadak (sword), a kamandalu (water pot) on her left side; while on the right side she has bow-arrow, lotus, and a japamala (rosary). One of her hands remains in abhayamudra (to assure her devotees that they need not to fear anymore).

Story Behind Devi Chandraghanta

Paravati after doing severe penance for thousands of years, obtained Shiva as her husband. Devi Chandraghanta is the married form of Parvati. This particular story comes from Shiva Puran. It was the wedding day of Shiv and Parvati. Everybody looked scared seeing the unusual barat of Shiv. His barat not only included the gods, goddesses, and devas but he was also surrounded by the bhutas, pretas, and his ganas. Lord Shiva had worn elephant skin. He had matted hair and had his body was covered with ashes. He was intoxicated and was in the state of bliss. He had taken a terrible form to delude his mother-in-law. Seeing this scary form of Shiva, Parvati's mother Maina fainted. She was so scared that she was reluctant to allow her daughter to marry Shiva.

Considering the seriousness of the situation, Parvati showed her fierce and powerful form as Devi Chandraghanta. She took this form to assure her mother and others that she is able to balance and harmonize the intense energy of her beloved. She then requested Shiva to embrace his beautiful form and let others know how precious he is from heart. When Shiva changed himself into a presentable groom, he was the most beautiful looking man ever. He then married to Parvati and took her along to Kailash.

There's another version from Markandeya Puran. After marrying to Lord Shiva, Maa Parvati started to embrace her warrior form. She began holding various weapons and adorned her head with ardh-chandra (half-moon), thus named Chandraghanta. Her roar would sound like the strong ring of thousands of bells that would even frighten the demons. She looks fiercy but still calm in nature, she is powerful but gentle at heart.

Benefits of Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta

Devi Chandraghanta rules the Shukra (Venus) planet and the Solar Plexus (Manipura) chakra, present between the navel and the base of the sternum. Worshipping her helps one to attain warrior like attitude: courage and fearlessness, bravery and gentleness. She is known to remove the obstacles. She blesses her devotees with good fortune.