Navratri Day 2: Why Did Maa Brahmacharini Choose a Life of Extreme Penance?

Imagine living a life of sacrifices, hardships and staying determined towards a goal even when it seems impossible to reach. This is the inspiring story of goddess Maa Brahmacharini that is celebrated on the second day of Navratri.

It refers to living a life of worship and simplicity. Maa Brahmacharini is usually shown as dressed in simple white clothes and carrying a rosary in one hand and a kamandalu (a water pot) in the other hand.

The rosary denotes prayer and practice of spiritual powers while the kamandalu represents simplicity and ascetic life. Unlike some other forms of Goddess Durga, the Maa Brahmacharini is commonly depicted without weapons. Her strength is expressed through determination and self-control.

Although the story of this day is related to suffering and self mortification, it does teach us a lesson about devotion and staying determined towards our goals.

Maa Brahmacharini is one of the many names of goddess Parvati, daughter of Himalaya and the Queen Maina.

According to the stories told in Hindu mythology, Maa Parvati wanted to become the wife of Lord Shiva and was ready to make any sacrifice to achieve this goal.

It is said that she spent years upon years living in the forest meditating and doing Tapasya(austerity).

She survived on fruits and vegetables and then gave up even these to begin a more rigorous form of Tapasya which according to some stories, consisted of giving up food for a certain period of time.

Her devotion and determination made her an embodiment of patience and perseverance and eventually Lord Shiva granted her wish and married her.

So not only did her efforts earn her Lord Shiva, her Tapasya taught us the importance of patience and determination.

The name itself is closely related to the goddess's story. Imagine giving up comfort and enduring hardships for the sake of something as simple as a goal. This is the story of the goddess Maa Brahmacharini, popularly worshipped on the Navratri's second day.

Maa Brahmacharini is said to have performed rigorous penance to win Lord Shiva as her husband. The Hindu scriptures narrate that she was one of the most pious and deeply religious persons of her time.

The rosary represents prayer and spiritual practice, while the kamandalu symbolises simplicity and the ascetic life. Unlike some other forms of Goddess Durga, Maa Brahmacharini is commonly shown without weapons. Her strength is expressed through determination and self-control.

Maa Brahmacharini is said to have performed severe penance to obtain Lord Shiva as her consort. The texts of Hindu scriptures describe her to be one of the most pious and deeply religious persons of her time.

The rosary stands for prayers and spiritual practices, while the kamandalu represents simplicity and ascetic life. As compared to other forms of Goddess Durga, the Maa Brahmacharini is not depicted with any weapons. Her power lies in her determination and self-control.

The rituals change from person to person and family to family. However, some of the most common rituals are:

• Offering flowers and fruits to the goddess.
• Chanting/reading her mantra:
• Reciting her story.
• Fasting if possible.

Wearing white clothes as the second day of Navratri is sometimes associated with the colour white.

It refers to the manner in which she leads her life of chastity and simplicity and her adherence to austerity. Maa Brahmacharini is usually depicted as wearing simple dresses and carrying a rosary in one hand and a kamandalu(a water pot) in the other hand.

The rosary is a symbol of prayers and spiritual practices while the kamandalu symbolizes simplicity and austerity. Unlike other forms of Goddess Durga, Maa Brahmacharini does not carry any weapon. The power and might reside in her determination and self-imposed austerity.

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