Inspiring Lessons From Navratri :: Day 8 :: Maa Mahagauri By Anupama Vaidya

 

दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि भीतिमशेषजन्तो:। स्वस्थै स्मृता मतिमतीव शुभां ददासि।।

द्रारिद्र दु:ख भयहारिणि का त्वदन्या। सर्वोपकारकारणाय सदाह्यद्र्रचिता।।

Durge Smrita Harasi Bhitimshesh jantoh | Swasthaih Smritamati Mateev Shubhaam Dadasi ||
Daridray Duhkh Bhayaharini ka Twadanya | Sarvopakarkaranay Sadadrachitta || 

Goddess Katyayani and Goddess Kalratri, the Roudra-roop or the fierce manifestations of Goddess Durga, today settles down through her bath in Mansarover to emerge as the Great White Goddess Mahagauri, radiating beauty and showing her Maha-roop of beauty. Ashtami as it is called today, holds tremendous significance during Navratri. Kanya poojan or the Girl Child Pooja, a tradition so beautifully shows our respect to the budding divine energy within each one of us!

 From creation, destruction to bestowing that the transient journey through Navratri.

 Goddess Mahagauri is depicted with divine beauty, an aura of serenity, young and innocent with fair & radiant complexion. She symbolizes purity, not only in physical appearance but also in thought, action, and intention. Her presence reminds us of the importance of maintaining purity and innocence in our hearts and minds.  Goddess Mahagauri reinforces through her appearance that inner beauty radiates through external manifestation. Your internal beauty magnifies and multiplies the external beauty magnifies. Sheer external beauty will vanish one day. 

Mahagauri's serene and pure form represents the idea of renewal and rejuvenation. A day after Kalratri, she now appears through her divine transformation in form of Mahagauri. Just as she sheds her impurities to become extremely white, we can also let go of negativity and impurities in our lives to become spiritually renewed and rejuvenated.

Her four hands stand for lessons that remain with us through our life.

·       One of her right hands is in the Abhaya Mudra – fear dispelling mudra. Signifies protection and fearlessness. It’s a gesture to assure safety, blessings, dispelling fears and doubts

·       The other right hand is in the Varada mudra – representing blessing and bestowal of boons. It symbolises generosity and grace of Goddess as she grants wishes and desires of her devotees.

·       One of the left hands holds the Trident / Trishul, a powerful weapon associated with Goddess Durga. The Trident is a symbol of control over the three gunas (qualities) of nature—sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). It also represents her ability to overcome obstacles and protect her devotees

·       The other left hand holds a Damaru, a hand drum. The Damaru symbolizes the rhythm of creation and the heartbeat of the universe. It represents the cyclical nature of life and death, and the Goddess's role in maintaining cosmic order.

·       Goddess Mahagauri  calm and peaceful attitude,  often depicts the innocence and childlike inspiration and so the Kanya Pooja. This quality encourages us to cultivate a pure and devoted heart in our spiritual journey.

Goddess Mahagauri prepares us for the upcoming year with her innocence, radiance and purity to continue to walk the journey of life with devotion, faith, patience and belief.  Embracing purity,  benevolence, balance, renewal, and gratitude in our lives, today is a reminder for us of the power of simplicity, innocence, and unwavering devotion in the pursuit of spiritual growth and well-being. Happy and Blessed Maha-Ashtami !!!