Eighth night of Navratri: Durgashtami

Worship Mahagauri
Mahagauri is the NavaDurga worshiped on the eighth night of Navratri
Mahagauri is the NavaDurga worshiped on the eighth night of Navratri

The festival of Navratri 2023 began on October 15th. It is based on the phases on the Moon.  October 22nd is the 8th night of Navratri.  Since Navaratri is based on the phases of the Moon, both the 8th phase of the Moon (ashtami) and the 9th phase (navami) of the Moon occur in North America on the 22nd.

Navratri is the nine night Indian festival honoring the many forms which the goddess Durga has taken.  Thus, the goddesses are known as NavaDurga (nine Durgas).  Each goddess represents particular virtues and attributes which we can embrace.  The women in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra wear saris (traditional Indian clothing) to match the auspicious color for the goddess that day. Additionally, one of the nava graha (nine planets) in Jyotish is associated with each NavDurga. 

This is traditionally the second of three nights dedicated to honoring Saraswati.

DURGASHTAMI

Durga slaying Maheshasura
Durga slaying Maheshasura

The eighth night of Navratri is called Durgashtami.  Ashtami is the 8th phase (tithi) of the Moon in Vedic astrology.

It is also known as Mahashtami. Durgashtami celebrates the victory of Durga over the buffalo demon Maheshasura.  Maheshasura did great austerities and as a result, Lord Brahma agreed to grant him a boon. He first asked for but was denied that. Then he asked that he could only be killed by a woman, as he thought that no woman would be strong enough to overpower him. This now made him immune to being killed by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. So he set out to destroy the earth. Then he wanted to destroy Devaloka – the abode of the gods.  The gods were worried and they approached goddess Durga. Durga emerged as Bhadra Kali and slew him.

Maheshasura is an embodiment of tamo guna – the qualities of heaviness, lethargy, and ignorance. Durga is the embodiment of dharma or right action. She acts for noble purposes. The Devi Bhagavatam tells the story of how Maheshasura incarnated on the earth.  The chant Aigiri Nandini – Maheshasura Mardini also relates this tale and is chanted on Durgashtami.

WORSHIP MAHAGAURI ON DURGASHTAMI 

Mahagauri (“very fair”) is the NavaDurga whom we worship on Durgashtami.  The auspicious sari color is purple, according to Drik panchang.  The website states: “Purple color is associated with luxury, grandeur and nobility. Worshipping Navdurga wearing Purple bestows devotees with opulence and richness. So, do not shy away and don a beautiful purple outfit to receive the blessings of Goddess.” The governing planet is Mercury (Budh graha).

You should offer coconut as prasad (blessed food) to Mahagauri. It is widely believed that donating coconuts to the Brahmans on Ashtami, blesses a childless couple with a child.  Arabian jasmine flowers are also offered to Mahagauri Mata. 

It’s traditional to offer kheer as prasad to the goddess on Durgashtami. This is steamed milk with nuts (usually almonds, raw cashews, almonds), cinnamon, cardamom, with white basmati rice. 

Since Durgashtami and MahaNavami both fall on October 22nd in North America, residents there should worship both Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.

ATTRIBUTES OF MAHAGAURI

Vedamurti 
Shri Vivek Godbole says this about Mahagauri:  “She is beautiful, very fair, and adorned with many ornaments. Her sari is also very precious. Women dance in front of her by performing dandia raas or garba (traditional Indian dances during Navratri, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra).  While dancing, they think that goddess Durga is dancing with me. When you pray to Mahagauri, she will make you beautiful in her beauty parlor. She is a beautician.”

Drik panchangf8a21de2c4ca58d4c88cd3eded6eef49 tells this story: According to Hindu mythologies, the Goddess Shailaputri at the age of sixteen was extremely beautiful and was blessed with a fair complexion. Due to her extremely fair complexion, she was known as Goddess Mahagauri (महागौरी).

The mount of Goddess Mahagauri as well as Goddess Shailaputri is a bull.  Because of that she is also known as Vrisharudha (वृषारूढ़ा). Goddess Mahagauri is depicted with four hands. She carries a trishul (trident)  in one right hand and keeps the second right hand in abhaya mudra (fearlessness poses).  She carries a damaru (a two-headed drum) in one left hand and keeps the second left hand in varada mudra (offering blessings).

Due to her fair complexion Goddess Mahagauri is compared with the conch, the Moon, and the white flower of kunda (कुंद).  She adorns white clothes only and due to that she is also known as Shwetambardha.

Ganeshaspeaksfbdf96639cf6a67c153f75d7a9f06887 says of Mahagauri: The legend has it that Maa Mahagauri liberated the world from evil forces. She has three eyes and four hands. Radiant and compassionate, Maa Maugauri is usually depicted in a white or green sari and riding a bull.  Maa Mahagauri purifies the souls of her devotees and removes all their sins. She has a calming effect on the lives of her devotees and she also helps them improve their knowledge. Worship Maa Mahagauri to be free from the clutches of the material world and to remove sorrows from your life, for she will lead you to the path of virtue and inner power.

MANTRA FOR MAHAGAURI

Chant this mantra to worship Maa Mahagauri:

श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः |
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्त्र महादेव प्रमोददा ||

Śvētē vr̥ṣē samārūḍhā śvētāmbaradharā śuciḥ |
mahāgaurī śubhaṁ dadyāntra mahādēva pramōdadā ||

Here is  a stuti to Mahagauri:

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।

Ya Devi sarva bhooteshu Ma Mahagauri rupena sansthita. Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah

May Mahagauri bless you on the eighth night of Navratri 2023. Shubh Durgashtami!

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