Navratri is one of the most auspicious festivals in the subcontinent of India. The festival of Navratri is celebrated twice a year in India. The first one is Chaitra Navratri and the second is Ashwin Navratri. This year Chaitra Navratri starts on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. In this nine-day-long Navratri festival, there is a famous ritual to worship the nine forms of Maa Durga. Mata Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. Shailputri literally means daughter of the mountain king. Some other names of Mata Shailputri are Bhavani, Parvati and Hemavati.
Know the special facts about Mata Shailputri and the rituals to be followed for her worship on the first day of Navratri.
Who is Mata Shailputri?
Mata Shailputri is believed to be an incarnation of Maa Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva. Mata Shailputri sacrificed her own body in the Yagya conducted by Daksha Prajapati. After that, she took her second birth in the palace of the mountain king Himalaya. She was named Shailputri. Her form is extremely beautiful. She has a golden crescent moon on her head just like Lord Shiva. She rides a bull and holds a ‘Trishul’ in one hand and a lotus flower in the other.
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Benefits of Shailputri Puja
Mata Shailputri is considered the first goddess in Navadurga. Worshipping her helps to build strong willpower. Maa Shailputri is also known as the goddess of Muladhara Chakra. By her grace, the whole body of a devotee remains full of energy. It is necessary to have strong willpower to do any kind of work and this is possible only through the grace of Maa Shailputri. It is a common belief that to achieve any goal in life, it is necessary to have the divine blessings of Mata Shailputri. Know about the method of worship of the Shailputri form of Maa Durga on the first day of Navratri.
Method for Worshiping Maa Shailputri
Perform the auspicious Ghatasthapana on the right Muhurat on the first day of Navratri. Get up early in the morning, have a bath and wear fresh clothes. Clean the place of worship and decorate it for the puja. Establish the Kalash and meditate in front of the idol or picture of Maa Shailputri distinct on a bull. Perform the puja and offer white clothes, kheer, fruits and sweets to her as Bhog. Chant any mantra of Mata Shailputri 108 times to please her on the puja day. In the evening, light an oil lamp and an incense stick again, offer bhog and perform the Aarti.
Chant this mantra to please Mata Shailputri
|| Vande Vadthrichatlabhai Chandradhakritshekharam ||
|| Vrisharudhan Shouldham Shailputri Yashaswini ||
|| Vandi Vadrichatalbhay Chandradhardhakritankharama ||
|| Vrisharriham Shaladharru Shailputri Yashaswini ||
Maa Shailputri Vrat Katha
Along with worshipping Mata Shailputri on the first day of Navratri, there is also a law to read the Vrat Katha related to her. There is a very interesting story behind the birth of Mata Shailputri. It is believed that Maa Sati took birth for a second time as Maa Shailputri. In her previous birth, Shailputri (Sati) was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha. Maa Sati’s father, the king Daksha did not like Lord Shiva. Once Daksha performed a Yagya and did not invite Lord Shiva and his daughter Sati to that Yagya.
Angered by this hatred towards Lord Shiva, Mata Sati expressed her desire to go and attend Yagya. Lord Shiva tried to explain to her that it would be inappropriate to go there without an invitation but Maa Sati had made up her mind. When they reached the place where the Yagya was being conducted, Daksha insulted Sati and Shiva a lot. He uttered many derogatory words for Lord Shiva, which Sati could not bear. Angered by her father’s deeds, burnt herself into ashes in the Yagya fire. After this, Maa Sati took birth again as Mata Shailputri in the palace of King Himalaya to break the solitude of Shiva as per the wishes of the other gods in heaven.
Worshipping Mata Shailputri Gives Strength to the Sun planet
The Navadurgas are believed to rule over the Navagraha. Mata Shailputri is the first goddess among all the Navadurgas. The planet Sun gets strengthened by the worship of all the Navadurgas. A person facing any kind of pain related to the Sun, such as difficulties in their relationship with their father, lack of progress in the work sector, difficulty in attaining fame etc. should definitely worship Maa Shailputri. The strengthening of the sun helps the devotees in acquiring determination to work and excel financially.
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