சந்திரகாந்தா மாதா - நவராத்திரி மூன்றாம் நாள்

Chandraghanta Mata is worshipped on the third day of Navratri. Her name means: ‘Chandra’ - the Moon, ‘Ghanta’ - hanging like bell. When Goddess Parvati adorned her forehead with the crescent Moon, she got this name. She is also known as Chandrakhanda. This form of Goddess gives courage and valor to the worshippers. She also takes away the problems related to the paranormal as well. Goddess Chandraghanta is the fierce form Parvati. But, her angry form can only be seen if she is provoked; otherwise, she is quite calm.

About Chandraghanta

Maa Chandraghanta rides on a tigress and has a golden skin tone. She has 10 arms. The 4 left arms carry Trishul (trident), Gada (mace), Sword, and Kamandal (stoup); the fifth arm remains in the Varada Mudra. Her 4 right arms carry lotus, arrow, bow (Dhanush), and Japa Mala (rosary); the fifth arm stays in Abhaya Mudra. In this form, she appears all set for a war.

Legend

When Lord Shiva told her finally that he will not marry anyone, she started suffering badly. He could not resist her pain and eventually they had quite an emotional reunion. After that, he visited King Himavana along with his Barat (the procession of family and friends along with the groom to be married). His Baaraat included all creatures including goblins, ghosts, gods, ascetics, Shivaganas, Aghoris, and many more.

The procession scared Pravati’s mother, Mena Devi and she got fainted in terror. In order to settle down all her family members, she took the form of Chandraghanta and arrived in front of Shiva. After that, in a very polite manner, she requested Shiva to look like a princely groom. Shiva agreed and came in a mesmerizing form, just like a prince. Also, he adorned himself with all those precious jewels that actually enchanted Parvati’s family.

Astrological Aspect

Chandraghanta Maa governs the planet Venus in astrology. Worshiping her can eliminate all the ill effects of Venus.

Mantras

ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥

Prarthana Mantra:

पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥

Stuti:

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ चन्द्रघण्टा रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Dhyana Mantra:

वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहारूढा चन्द्रघण्टा यशस्विनीम्॥
मणिपुर स्थिताम् तृतीय दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
खङ्ग, गदा, त्रिशूल, चापशर, पद्म कमण्डलु माला वराभीतकराम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम॥
प्रफुल्ल वन्दना बिबाधारा कान्त कपोलाम् तुगम् कुचाम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां क्षीणकटि नितम्बनीम्॥

Stotra:

आपदुध्दारिणी त्वंहि आद्या शक्तिः शुभपराम्।
अणिमादि सिद्धिदात्री चन्द्रघण्टे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
चन्द्रमुखी इष्ट दात्री इष्टम् मन्त्र स्वरूपिणीम्।
धनदात्री, आनन्ददात्री चन्द्रघण्टे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
नानारूपधारिणी इच्छामयी ऐश्वर्यदायिनीम्।
सौभाग्यारोग्यदायिनी चन्द्रघण्टे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥

Kavacha Mantra:

रहस्यम् शृणु वक्ष्यामि शैवेशी कमलानने।
श्री चन्द्रघण्टास्य कवचम् सर्वसिद्धिदायकम्॥
बिना न्यासम् बिना विनियोगम् बिना शापोध्दा बिना होमम्।
स्नानम् शौचादि नास्ति श्रद्धामात्रेण सिद्धिदाम॥
कुशिष्याम् कुटिलाय वञ्चकाय निन्दकाय च।
न दातव्यम् न दातव्यम् न दातव्यम् कदाचितम्॥

With this, we hope that you will make the best of Navratri’s third day. May Chandraghanta Durga blesses you with all the goodness of life.

Happy Navratri!