Shailaputri
Shailaputri (lit. daughter of the mountains) is a manifestation of the Hindu goddess, Durga[1] and is one of the first Navadurga's venerated during the first day of Navratri.[2][3]
| Shailaputri | |
|---|---|
Daughter of mountain | |
 | |
| Affiliation | Shakti, Parvati |
| Abode | Kailash |
| Mantra | ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥[1]वंदे वाद्द्रिछतलाभाय चंद्रार्धकृतशेखराम | वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्री यशस्विनीम् || |
| Weapon | Trident and lotus |
| Mount | Cow (Gaumata) |
| Consort | Shiva |
She is also known as Sati,[4] Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati. Mother Shailaputri is the absolute form of Mother Nature.
Iconography
Goddess Shailaputri is depicted with two hands and has a crescent moon on her forehead. She holds a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in the left. She rides on mount Nandi (bull).[1]
History
Shailaputri is the Adi parasakti, who was born in the house of King of Mountains “Parvat Raj Himalaya”. The name “Shailaputri” literally means the daughter (putri) of mountain (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Himavat - the king of the Himalayas.[5]
The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands. In previous birth, she was daughter of Daksha, Sati.[4] Once Daksha had organized a big Yagna and did not invite Shiva. But Sati being obstinate, reached there. Thereupon Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati could not tolerate the insult of husband and burnt herself in the fire of Yagna. In other birth, she became the daughter of Himalaya in the name of Parvati - Hemavati and married Shiva. As per Upanishad, she had torn and the egotism of Indra, etc. Devtas. Being ashamed they bowed and prayed that, "In fact, thou are Shakti, we all - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are capable by getting Shakti from you."
In some scriptures like Shiva Purana and Devi-Bhagavata Purana the story of Mother Goddess is written as follows: Maa Bhagwati in her earlier birth was born as a daughter of Daksha Prajapati. Then her name was Sati and she was married to Lord Shiva. But in a sacrificial ceremony organized by her father Prajapati Daksha, her body was burned in the yogic fire, because she could not bear the insult of her husband Lord Shiva by her father Prajapati Daksha in the sacrificial ceremony.
In her next birth she became Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Parvat Raj Himalaya. Other avatar of navadurga is the incarnation of mother Parvati,she also incernated her as 32 vidyas , who was again known as Hemavati. In her Hemavati aspect, she defeated all prominent gods. Like her previous birth, in this life also Maa Shailaputri (Parvati) married Lord Shiva.[6]
Getting her name as Mata Shailputri is having a story behind it. This was the time when Devi Parvati was a teenager. Once She was playing with her in the grasslands near the Himalayan mountains, which was actually her home. Grassland was for grazing cattles and near to it was big river namely Varuna River with Lotus flower on its edge. Mata Parvati was playing a game like hide seek in the woods nearby. It was her turn to seek her friends in the wood. While she was seeking her friends she came across the shore of the river full of lotus flowers. It was so mesmerizing for her, hence she wanted a flower from the river. She was about to pick one from it, but Suddenly a cow came mooing to her from the grasslands as if she was in great pain and wanted a help from Devi Parvati. The cow took Devi Parvati to the nearby grasslands . What Devi Parvati saw was horrible at first sight.
She saw skeleton of many cows as the flesh was freshly eaten by someone. The picture in front of Devi Parvati was almost impossible to understand so she kept her hand on the cows head and closed her eyes. Then she got to know about lady demon Tarika (Sister of terrific demon Tarkasur). Tarika was sent to the earth by Tarkasur itself to kill the new form of Devi Adishakti, Devi Parvati. Devi Parvati was threat to Tarkasur as her and Lord Mahadev's son was threat for his life. After Tarika, being sent to Earth to kill Devi Paravti, she saw these cow grazing on the open grasslands and Shepard with them. She found this as delicious treat. So, she secretly she started attacking one cow at a time. After a while, when Shepard got a look on the cows the number was depreciating. So, he decided to find the cause and asked the person who was taking the cows. Suddenly Tarika occurs in the terrific form, with red blood all over her face. So he came to know that this non other than a demon who is killing all of his cows. So he decided to attack, He approached Tarika, but she being the demon she killed the Shepard and started eating rest of the cows and Shepard. One of the cow decided to protest and ran hay way for help and came across the shore of River Varuna and found Devi Parvati.
After getting to know about the all over situation Devi Parvati decided to fight against the demon Tarika. For the fight she took an unusual track. She took a form Shail ( a small mountain like stone of nearby 10-15 feet) as like her father Lord Himavan. The cow hided the structure and started mooing. The cow's mooing attracted the evil demon Tarika towards her. Tarika arrived there and saw the Shail and the cow behind it. Tarika tried to fetch the cow but it wasn't possible as the Shail used to move from one side to another. Tarika was trying hard to fetch the cow but was unable.
On the other hand it was almost evening and about to get dark, where Lord Himavan and Parvati's both friends arrived at the Grassland. They saw the conflict going on over there between the cow, Shail and demon Tarika but Parvati was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly some villagers also arrived at the location in search of the Shepard and they too saw this conflict. Himavan being the ruler of the nation was being drastically shocked by watching the demon in his territory and wanted to wipe the demon out of the territory. Tarika got fed up by conflicting with Shail and decided to break the Shaila. On the other hand Himavan raised sword to kill Tarika and Tarika raised the sword on the Shaila. Suddenly the Shaila burst and everyone stayed still. As the Shail started bursting, slowly golden rays emerged out of the Shail and Devi Paravati came in her form with a golden grown on the head and Trishul in the hand. Everyone who saw this picture were mesmerized eventually the cow was still her in her position behind Devi Paravati. Himavan took a step back but Tarika was too furious again she was about to attack Devi Parvati. Devi Parvati lifted the Trishul and threw on Tarika. Tarika was hence defeated and killed. Himavan, Parvati's bo th friends and the Villagers started praising Devi Parvati. Meanwhile the cow ran towards the shore of the river, picked one lotus, brought it and gave it to Devi Parvati.
After this incidence Himavan named Devi Parvati as Mata Shailputri (a small mountain, daughter of the King of all mountains) and this form of Devi Parvati with golden crown on her head, Trishul in one hand, Lotus in another and a cow standing behind her was came to be known as Mata Shailputri and as this form Devi Parvati took the first after coming into life, It is been worshipped on the first day of the Navratri. After all of this Devi Shailputri gave boon to the cow who stood behind her during conflict and intended to protect the Nature. Devi Shailputri boon was, alike Devi Adishkati from that day onwards Cow will also be universal mother of all the creatures, without Gaupujan non of the auspicious works will get its fulfillment and killing a cow will be next to Brahmahatya (the eternal and ultimate massacre}. The Village where all the is happened is now located in Jalalipura in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. There is a Mata Shailputri Temple also in the village.
She is Devi of the root chakra, who, upon awakening, begins her journey upwards. Sitting on a cow and making her first journey from the Muladhara chakra. As from her father to her husband – the awakening Shakti, beginning her search for Lord Shiva or making a move towards her Shiva. So that, in Navratri pooja the first day Yogis keep their minds concentrated on Muladhara. This is the starting point of their spiritual discipline. They started their Yogasadha from here. Shailaputri is the Muladhara Shakti to be realized within Self and sought for higher depths, in the yogic meditation. It is the rock of spiritual standing and the whole world gets strength from the Shailaputri aspect of Purna Prakriti Durga.
Before Mother Goddess was born as the daughter of King Himavan, in her previous birth, she was the daughter of King Daksha. In this form, her name was Sati, who was very much devoted to Shiva and in love with him. King Daksha was against Lord Shiva, and knew that his daughter fell in love with an ascetic and expressed his disapproval. Sati made every effort to make her father understand, but in vain.
Daksha's wife, and mother of Sati, Prasuti arranged Lord Shiva and Sati's marriage, without the consent of King Daksha. He severed all ties and relations with his daughter and son-in-law and cut them out of his life. After the marriage, Sati happily made her residence at Kailash with Lord Shiva and both loved each other unconditionally. Meanwhile, Daksha had one intention, and that was to insult Lord Shiva. Deciding this, he had arranged for a ritual, in which all Gods, Goddesses and sages were invited but not Shiva and Sati.
Even though discouraged by Shiva, who told her not to go to a ceremony performed by Daksha where she and her husband were not invited; the parental bond made Sati ignore social etiquette and her husband's wishes. Sati went to the ceremony alone. She was snubbed by Daksha and insulted by him in front of the guests. Sati, unable to bear further insults, immolated herself in the sacrificial yajna fire.
Upon learning of the tragedy of his wife, consumed by fiery anger, rage and endless sorrow, Shiva invoked Veerbhadra and Bhadrakaali to put an end to Daksha's arrogance and to all the invitees who failed to speak out against him to protect Sati as she was offended and insulted. Upon obedience to their orders, Bhadrakali brought about great devastation to the Yajna and to the invitees present, and Veerbhadra hacked off the head of Daksha and threw it in the sacrificial fire, putting an end to him.
Later, in a subsequent turn of events, Mother Goddess took another birth as King Himavan and Queen Menavati's daughter in their house, this time, she was named Parvati. She was born to parents who always respected and worshipped Lord Shiva with heart.
From the Yogic point of view, the First Navratri is considered to be very auspicious day. This is the Yogic start for being in tune with the Divine Mother Durga. Those who want to have any kind of initiation in the Shakti Mantras, can have it on the First of Shukla Pratipada.
The aspiration of a devotee is to reach higher and further higher, for spiritual evolution, and for the attainment of Siddhi, which is perfection associated with Ananda (bliss). Verily, Shailaputri is the Muladhara Shakti to be realized within Self and sought for higher depths, in the YOGA-maditation. This is an experience in the soul-searching of Immutable within human existence. Shailaputri is the physical consciousness of the Divine Mother Durga. She is truly Parvati, daughter of the King Hemavana, as described in the Shiva Purana. Shailaputri is the manifestation of this earth planet, which includes what is apparent on this earth, and within the globe. Shailaputri covers all the hills, vales, water resources, seas and oceans, including atmosphere.
Therefore, Shailaputri is the essence of the earthly existence. Her abode is in the Muladhara Chakra. The divine Energy is latent in every human being. It is to be realized. Its color is crimson. The Tattva (element) is Earth, with the Guna (quality) of coherence, and with the Bheda (distinct) characteristics of Ghraana(the smell).
Worship
The puja begins with Ghatasthapana, a ritual that symbolises women power.[7] The Ghatasthapana puja is done by using puja items that are considered holy and symbolic. A shallow pan like utensil made of clay is used as base. Three layers of mud and Sapta Dhanya/Navadhanya seeds are then scattered in the pan. After that little bit of water is needed to be sprinkled so that seeds get enough moisture. Then, a Kalasha is filled with Ganga jal. Supari, a few coins, Akshat (raw rice mixed with turmeric powder) and Durva grass are put in water. After this, five leaves of the mango tree are put around the neck of the Kalash, which is then covered by placing a coconut.[7][8]
Prayers
Its mantra is La+Ma, i.e.Lama, of the Sanskrit Varṇamālā(Sanskrit, n., वर्णमाला). Its focus is on the tip of the tongue, and lips.[1]
Mantra of Shailaputri:
- ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
- Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah॥
Prarthana or Prayer of Shailaputri
- वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्ध कृतशेखराम् ।
- वृषारूढाम् शूलधराम् शैलपुत्रीम् यशस्विनीम् ॥
- Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam।
- Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim॥
"I pay my VANDANA/obeisance to the DIVINE MOTHER SHAILA-PUTRI, who bestows upon the choicest boons to the devotees. The moon in the crescent form is adorned as the crown on Her forehead. She is mounted on the bullock. She holds a lance in her hand. She is Yashasvini - the CELEBRATED MOTHER DURGA."
Temples
References
- "Shailputri on drikpanchang". drikpanchang. Retrieved 21 Sep 2017.
- "Shailaputri on Zee News". Zee News. Retrieved 21 Sep 2017.
- "Article on Hindu Deities & Mantra -Shailaputri". Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- "Shailaputri on Astropeak". astrospeak. Retrieved 21 Sep 2017.
- "Article on Navadurga: The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga". Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- "Shailaputri on Dainik Bhaskar". Dainik Bhaskar. Retrieved 21 Sep 2017.
- "Shailaputri on Financial Express". Retrieved 21 Sep 2017.
- "ShailaputrionNBT". Retrieved 21 Sep 2017.
- "Navadurga Temples". Retrieved 21 Sep 2017.
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