Shailputri (The First Durga)
The first form of Shakti is known as Shailputri. She is the Parvati who was the daughter of the King of Mountains – Himalaya. She is shown riding on the Bull with a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left hand. She is taken as the first Durga of Navaratra.
Parvati in her previous incarnation was named Sati who was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha. He married his daughter Sati to Lord Shiva but remained always in a state of discomfiture with his son-in-law because of his hermit-like lifestyle.
He did not invite his son-in-law to a big sacrificial ceremony for which Sati felt deeply insulted. In a fit of rage and agony, she immolated herself in the sacrificial fire.
After immolating herself in the sacrificial fire she took birth as the daughter of Himalaya and was thus called Shailputri. She got Lord Shiva as her husband in the new incarnation also. Thus, she is worshipped as the manifestation of “Will Power” on the first day of Navaratra.
She is Parvati in her stage of childhood with the divine and principal form being Durga.
She is adorned with light ornamentation on her limbs and is clothed in red and pink robes.
She is Devi of the root chakra (the Muladhara chakra). In Navratri pooja the first day Yogis keep their minds concentrated on the Muladhara chakra. This is the starting point of their spiritual discipline and their yogic meditation, Shailaputri is the Muladhara Shakti to be realized within Self and sought for higher depth.
From the Yogic point of view, the first day of Navratri is considered to be a 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 day of Shukla Pratipada.
Mantra of Shailaputri:
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah॥
Prayer of Shailaputri:
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्ध कृतशेखराम् ।
वृषारूढाम् शूलधराम् शैलपुत्रीम् यशस्विनीम् ॥
Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim॥
“I pay my obeisance to Devi Shailaputri, 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 trident in her hand. She is Yashasvini.”
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.