Chandraghanta – The Third Durga
The third phase of the evolving Durga is called Chandraghanta who is worshipped on the third day of the Navaratra. Due to continuous fasting during her Brahmacharini phase, Parvati had lost considerable weight and had become weak.
As time progressed, Shiva himself realized the futility of remaining a hermit forever. He knew that he was the manifestation of supreme male power and that the union of Shiva and Shakti was necessary for the continuation of the process of creation in the Universe. Shiva ultimately agreed to accept Parvati as his consort after proper marriage rites.
Parvati had ultimately hit the target. The euphoria of her victory ran through her body and her beaming face reflected the vision of a crescent Moon akin to the lower part of a temple bell (Chandraghanta).
The message reflected by the new moon is the message of growth from the initial stage to the full moon stage. Shakti is energy and energy may work in several ways. While Shiva was reflecting the energy directed towards destruction, Shakti was a counterbalancing energy engaged in the continuation of the process of creation. The prospect of a combination of Shiva and Shakti was going to change the stage.
Parvati also gained power due to the prospect of her marriage. The image of Chandraghanta depicts her as a ten-handed (Dasbhuji) powerful deity with a golden glow residing on a lion and blessing her devotees. Chandraghanta is worshipped for achieving success.
Her third eye remains open and she remains always prepared for protecting the interests of her devotees through weapons in her ten hands in battle readiness.
Another narrative about Chandraghanta relates to her battle with Jatakasur for which she sought the help of Chandra dev and used a Ghanta (Bell) to frighten away the flying bats who were acting as armies of Jatakasur.
According to this narrative, the wolves also helped in winning the battle with Jatakasur. Therefore, Chandraghanta is also said to ride on the back of a wolf. However, most devotees speak about her as a lion-riding deity who should be worshipped as a manifestation of fearsome female power.
Her abode is in Manipura chakra.
Mantra:
ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नम: ॥
om̐ devī candra-ghaṇṭāyai namaḥ ॥
Prayer:
पिंडजप्रवरारूढा, चंडकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं, चंद्रघंटेति विश्रुता।।
piṇḍaja-pravarārūḍhā chanda-kopā-astrakair-yutā ।
prasadaṃ tanute mahyaṃ candra-ghaṇṭeti viśhrutā ॥
Meaning:
I bow to you, Goddess Chandraghanta, who is mounted on a Lion, who expresses her anger on the wicked, whose hands are adorned with divine weapons.
Please bestow me always your grace, O Goddess Chandraghanta Mata, the omnipresent.
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.