The eighth form of the Mother Divine is called Mahagauri, and she is worshipped on Ashtami (the eighth day of Navratri). She is known by other names as well, including Shwetambardhara (dressed in white clothes), Vrisharudha (rides the bull), Chaturbhuji (has four hands) and Shambhavi (bestows bliss and happiness).

Goddess of peace, endurance and liberation, Mahagauri is believed to be the 16-year-old unmarried form of Goddess Parvati.

She represents purity, calmness, wisdom and austerity.

‘Gauri,’ also signifies that She is the daughter of Giri (mountain). Mahagauri defeats all evil forces from creation and helps Her devotees overcome the evil forces within.

Devi Mahagauri is mostly worshipped by women for auspiciousness and prosperity in a festival called as Gauri Habba. The festival is celebrated all over India for both abundance of crops and seeks protection for her female devotees.

On the Path to Perfect Attainment, recall that the seventh Goddess, Kalaratri Devi, slays our ego, opening up space for the Divine Light. Ushering in this Divine Light is the role of the most radiant Goddess, Mahagauri, who resides in the crown (sahasrara) chakra.

Therefore, Kalaratri Devi and Mahaguari Devi work as a team – they are “two sides of the same coin,” so to speak.

On this day of Ashtami, many major rituals like Kanya Puja, Sandhi Puja, and Shodashopachar Puja are performed. Ashtami celebrations begin with Mahasnan, (bath rituals of the gods), the grand holy bath which is done to get rid of all the impurities. Devotees then install nine earthen pots and invoke the nine avatars of Goddess Durga and worship them. Sweetmeats, puri, and black chickpeas are offered to Mahagauri as a bhog (sacred offering). Devotees also offer yellow flowers, sindoor, red shawl, and haldi-kumkum to Goddess Gauri.

Kanya Pujan, (prayer for young girls below 12 years of age), also known as Kanjak or Kumari Puja is the most important part of Maha Ashtami, where devotees invite nine young girls and one boy at their home where they offer them food, gifts and worship them. With all love and devotion, the kids are fed halwa, puri, and Chana (black chickpeas), the same bhog which was made for the Goddess.

SAHASRARA CHAKRA & MAHAGAURI

The Mahagauri Devi who resides in the Sahasrara crown chakra is the result of this Navadurga process (inspiration, learning, practice sadhana, clear out negativities, etc).

The crown is the target chakra of the most important energy channel in the human body – the Sushumna nadi. This is the nadi that the Kundalini energy, symbolized by a snake, ascends and causes the awakening of power and the realization of our full human potential.

The meaning of Sahasrara, or the Crown Chakra, is essentially the spiritual self. Working on the Crown Chakra is all about focusing on the higher self. Sahasrara is associated with the pursuit of spiritual peace, and connecting to higher consciousness or state of being. It is commonly pictured as concentric rings of flower petals, which represent the divine lotus. Sahasrara means ‘thousand petal lotus.’

Mahagauri in the Sahasrara or the Crown chakra reflect peace, stability, liberation and endurance.

And just as we are in search of our liberation in the expansion of the crown chakra, Goddess Mahagauri leads us into ourselves first before we awaken our consciousness.

Offering obeisance to Goddess Mahagauri will remove obstacles in your path and bring you the outcome that you desire.

Offer 9 ghee lamps with jasmine flowers, red roses and chant the mantras below.

Ganesha Dhyanam

Vakratunda Mahakayaa,

Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kurumedeva,

Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada.

Prarthana (Prayer)

Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih।

Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada॥

Stuti (Salutations)

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita।

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥

Dhyanam (Meditation)

Vande Vanchhita Kamarthe Chandrardhakritashekharam।

Simharudha Chaturbhuja Mahagauri Yashasvinim॥

Purnandu Nibham Gauri Somachakrasthitam Ashtamam Mahagauri Trinetram।

Varabhitikaram Trishula Damarudharam Mahagauri Bhajem॥

Patambara Paridhanam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam।

Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala Manditam॥

Praphulla Vandana Pallavadharam Kanta Kapolam Trailokya Mohanam।

Kamaniyam Lavanyam Mrinalam Chandana Gandhaliptam॥

Stotra (Hymns)

Sarvasankata Hantri Tvamhi Dhana Aishwarya Pradayanim।

Jnanada Chaturvedamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥

Sukha Shantidatri Dhana Dhanya Pradayanim।

Damaruvadya Priya Adya Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥

Trailokyamangala Tvamhi Tapatraya Harinim।

Vadadam Chaitanyamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥

Kavacha (Armour)

Omkarah Patu Shirsho Maa, Him Bijam Maa, Hridayo।

Klim Bijam Sadapatu Nabho Griho Cha Padayo॥

Lalatam Karno Hum Bijam Patu Mahagauri Maa Netram Ghrano।

Kapota Chibuko Phat Patu Swaha Maa Sarvavadano॥

Japa Mantra

Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥ 108x

Kshamapana Strotam

(Seeking Forgiveness Mantra)

Aparadha Sahasrani Kriyanthae Harni Sam Maya

Dasoaya Mithi Maam Mathwa Kshamaswa Parameshwari.

Aavajanam Na Janami Na Janami Visar Janam

Poojam Chaiva Na Janami Kshamya Tham Parameshwari.

Manthra Heenam Kriya Heenam Bhakthi Heenam Sureshwari

Yath Poojitham Maya Devi Paripoornam Thadas Thuthe.

Aaparadha Satham Kruthwa Jagadam Bethi Choucharath

Yaam Gathim Samvap Nothe Nathaam Brahma Daya Suraa.

Saparadhosmi Saranam Prathas Thvam Jagadambike

Idhanee Manu Kamap Yoham Yadechchasi Thada Kuru.

Agnana Smruther Branthya an Yoonam Adhi Kam Krutham.

Thath Sarva Ksham Yadham Devi Praseedha Parameshwari.

Kameshwari Jaganmathah: Sachidananda Vigrahe

Griha Narchamee Mam Preethya Praseeda Parameshwari.

Guhyadhi Guhya Gopthri Thwam Grihaana Asmad Krutham Japam

Sidhir Bhavathu Mey Devi Thwat Prasadath Sureshwari

May you awaken in the path of your sacred freedom.

Jai Maa!

SUJATA NANDY WORLD GURUKUL

www.sujatanandy.com

Image credit: Pinterest