Maa Shailputri: Beginning of Navdurga Puja

During the nine holy days of Navratri, nine powerful forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. Are you aware that the first goddess is Shailputri? Let us try to know in depth about his nature, his mythology and his power.

Who is Maa Shailputri?

Mother Shailputri is the daughter of mountain king Himalaya. Shail means mountain, that is why she is known as Shailputri. This form of Goddess Durga is also seen as the reincarnation of Mother Parvati, who was known as Sati as the daughter of Daksh Prajapati and wife of Lord Shiva.

Birth and form of Mother Shailputri

Mother Shailputri was born to Devraj Himalaya and Queen Maina. ‘Shail’ means mountain, that is why she was named Shailputri. Mother Shailputri’s form is very charming and peaceful. She wears white clothes and rides a bull. He has a trident in his right hand and a lotus flower in his left hand.

Name of mother Shailputri

Mother Shailputri is known by various names, including:

• Parvati
• Hemavati
• Amba
• Durga
• Bhavani
• Power

Story of Mother Shailputri

According to a legend, King Daksha organized a huge yagya, to which all the gods were invited, but not Lord Shiva. Sati, who was the daughter of King Daksha and wife of Lord Shiva, wanted to go to her father’s yagya. Despite Lord Shiva’s refusal, she was determined to attend the Yagya.

In the yagya, King Daksha repeatedly insulted Lord Shiva. Mother Sati could not bear this insult and dedicated herself to the fire of Yagya. Due to the anger of Lord Shiva, a fiercely powerful warrior named Veerbhadra appeared and destroyed the yagya.

After abandoning the body of Mother Sati, her soul incarnated in the form of Himalaya and the daughter of Queen Maina. In this birth, she was known as Parvati. She performed severe penance to obtain Lord Shiva as her husband. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife.

Importance of Maa Shailputri form:

1. Symbol of strength and courage:

Maa Shailputri is the first form of Goddess Durga and she is a symbol of strength and courage. She provides inner strength to the devotees and helps them face the challenges of life.

2. Purity and Good Luck:

Mother Shailputri is a symbol of purity and good fortune. His worship brings purity and good fortune in the lives of the devotees.

3. Destruction of suffering:

Mother Shailputri removes all the sins and sufferings of the devotees. By worshiping him, devotees get peace and prosperity in life.

4. Fulfillment of wishes:

Mother Shailputri is the goddess who fulfills the wishes of the devotees. By worshiping him, devotees get fulfillment of their wishes.

5. Beginning of Navratri:

Maa Shailputri is the goddess worshiped on the first day of Navratri. Navratri begins with his worship.

Method of worship of Maa Shailputri

On the first day of Navratri, Goddess Shailputri is worshiped with rituals.

Worship material:

• urn
• Statue of Mother Shailputri
• lamp
• Sunlight
• Sandalwood
• Roli
• intact
• Flower
• Fruit
• Sweet
• naivedya

Method of worship:

1. First of all, establish the Kalash.
2. Bathe the idol of Maa Shailputri and make her wear clothes.
3. Offer them lamp, incense, sandalwood, roli, akshat, flowers, fruits, sweets and naivedya.
4. Recite Maa Shailputri Mantra and Aarti.
5. Devotees can pray to Maa Shailputri to fulfill their wishes.

Maa Shailputri Mantra

Om Devi Shailputryai Namah.

Mother Shailputri and Muladhar Chakra

Let us have a look at some additional and important aspects related to Maa Shailputri:

Muladhara Chakra and Shailputri

• Mother Shailputri is believed to be related to the Muladhar Chakra. This chakra is associated with our basic instincts, security and survival.
• Worship of Maa Shailputri strengthens and balances this chakra, through which we can achieve a sense of stability and security in life.

symbolism

• Vrishabha (Bull):  Ride of Mother Shailputri, Vrishabha symbolizes strength, determination and stability.
• Trident:  It represents the power to overcome the three qualities of nature – Satva (purity), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (ignorance).
• Lotus:  It symbolizes purity, spiritual growth and rising above the negativity of life.
• Moon:  The Moon sitting on the forehead of Mother Shailputri represents female energy, emotions and attitude.

Aarti of Maa Shailputri:– Video

Aarti of Maa Shailputri:

शैलपुत्री मां बैल पर सवार। करें देवता जय जयकार। 

शिव शंकर की प्रिय भवानी। तेरी महिमा किसी ने ना जानी। 

पार्वती तू उमा कहलावे। जो तुझे सिमरे सो सुख पावे। 

ऋद्धि-सिद्धि परवान करे तू। दया करे धनवान करे तू। 

सोमवार को शिव संग प्यारी। आरती तेरी जिसने उतारी। 

उसकी सगरी आस पुजा दो। सगरे दुख तकलीफ मिला दो। 

घी का सुंदर दीप जला के। गोला गरी का भोग लगा के। 

श्रद्धा भाव से मंत्र गाएं। प्रेम सहित फिर शीश झुकाएं। 

जय गिरिराज किशोरी अंबे। शिव मुख चंद्र चकोरी अंबे। 

मनोकामना पूर्ण कर दो। भक्त सदा सुख संपत्ति भर दो।

Devotees’ Experiences: Success Stories

“I am a student and I wanted to succeed in my examinations. On the first day of Navratri, I worshiped Maa Shailputri with proper rituals. I prayed to Mother Shailputri for my success. By the grace of Maa Shailputri, I scored good marks in my examinations and achieved success. I will always be grateful for the blessings of Mother Shailputri.”

Other festivals dedicated to Mother Shailputri

• ‘Mahishasurmardini’ festival of Kumaon:
  • This festival is celebrated during Navratri.
  • In this, there is a dramatic display of the killing of Mahishasura (Demon) by Mother Shailputri (Durga).
• ‘Shailputri Fair’ of Himachal Pradesh:
  • This fair is organized during Navratri in the temple of Maa Shailputri (Mandi district).
  • In this fair, devotees come from far and wide to have darshan of Maa Shailputri.
• Shailputri Puja of Maharashtra:
  • This puja is done in homes on the first day of Navratri.
  • In this puja, the idol of Maa Shailputri is installed and worshiped with rituals.
• In other states:
  • Special pujas and festivals are also organized during Navratri in temples dedicated to Maa Shailputri.

Worship Shailputri on the first day of Navratri

Dear devotees, every day of Navratri comes with a new goddess and new power. Mother Shailputri gives us the strength to face the challenges of life. Let us all worship Maa Shailputri with a pure heart and bless our lives with her blessings.