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A Description of Chandraghanta Devi
Chandraghanta Devi qualifies as the 3rd among the nine forms of Durga. People venerate her on the 3rd day of Navratri. A bell shaped (Ghanta), moon adorns her forehead.
Thus, from this characteristic she derives Her name. The scriptures claim that Devi blesses her devotees with valour, fearlessness as well as peace and serenity.
Her golden complexion shines and enlivens the hearts of devotees residing on earth. She even enlivens Devatas and Rishis of the higher planes. She represents the warrior form of Devi, adorned with multiple weapons. Devi mounts on Her celestial vehicle, the tiger.
Devi Chandraghanta represents the third form of Shakti during Navaratri after Devi Shailaputri and Devi Brahmacharini.
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Mahishasura Defeats the Devatas
Once, a battle ensued between the Devatas and Danavas. Indra led his army while his opponent Mahishasura became the general commander in chief of the Asura Army.
Mahishasura defeated them and emerged victorious, ruling over Swarga. Hence, the outcome of the fierce battle depressed the Devatas.
The Devatas approached Tridev- Sri Brahma, Sri Vishnu and Sri Shiva, for a solution. Devatas described the entire event and expressed their displeasure.
Additionally, they had no abode of their own. Indra, Chandra, Surya, Agni, Vayu, Varuna, etc, wandered on Earth.
Devi – The Anger Manifestation of the Trinity
This enranged the three celestial Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Their fury took the shape of a beautiful Devi.
The energies of the Devatas too merged into the Devi. Thus, Devi Chandraghanta incarnated. Lord Shiva gave Devi His Trishul while Lord Vishnu granted Her, His chakra.
Similarly, Indra presented the Devi with his weapon, the Vajra and a ringing bell (Ghanta).
On the other hand, Surya offered His Brilliance, a Sword and a Lion to mount on. Likewise, other Devi, Devatas gifted Devi Chandraghanta with other special gifts.
Chandraghanta Devi Combats Mahishasura
Thus, today whenever devotees depict her form, she adorns numerous weapons and ornaments. Now, Devi became ready to combat Mahishasura. Looking at her gigantic size, Mahishasura realized that the Devi personified his death.
A current of fear ran through his chilled spine. He sought help from other Danavas and Asuras. However, the opponent army fell lifeless as soon as they tried to attack Devi Chandraghanta.
Finally, Mahishasura fell prey to the goddess’s wrath and Devi slew him with the least difficulty. Moreover, she killed numerous other Danavas, Asuras, and Daityas also.
In this way she rescued the rights of the Devatas and restored their position as the rightful inhabitants of Swarga.
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Symbolism of Chandraghanta Devi
Devi Chandraghanta personified Anger. She represented the combined energy of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Devotees recognize Brahma as the creator. The ever-enchanting form of the Devi reflects Brahma’s skill as the Creator. Yet, Devi transcends all Creation. Her golden complexion and ornamentation depict the contribution of Lord Brahma.
Devi’s heart, motherly affection and concern for the devatas reflect the mood of Lord Vishnu. In this mood, she protects and maintains the Devatas, playing the role of Lord Vishnu.
On the other hand, her wrath destroyed the Danavas. This illustrates the destructive force, an attribute of Lord Shiva as the Ultimate Destroyer.
In a nutshell, Devi grants new life to the Devatas as well as protects their rights.
An Abode of All Auspicious Qualities
Devi represents the Universal feminine force in both Physical appearance as well as Her inner composition.
Thus, Devi Chandraghanta represents the most superior qualities of a woman.
In the material world a fierce woman who does not have a valid objective in life, will eventually get perished. Devi Chandraghanta represents all aspects of womanhood. An ideal woman should have the heart of a mother (the Lotus depicts this mood) and the approach of a warrior (The Weapons depict this).
So, she also represents the voice against injustice.
Her elaborate ornamentation and beauty highlight the external qualities of a woman. However, without the inner qualities, the external appearance has no relevance.
Significance of Devi and Mahishasura
Her name ends with Ghanta which means bell and begins with the name Chandra. This has deeper significance.
Chandra represents Intelligence while Ghanta represents victory. It means, intelligence should lead to victory. Mahishasura represents ignorance. Though he won over the Devatas and ruled over Swarga, his victory remained short lived.
Driven by sense pleasure and ignorance Mahishasura remained externally driven and hence unintelligent. On the other hand, when Devi enters the arena, She emerges victorious.
Thus, this represents the victory of truth over untruth, Dharma over Adharma.
Connection of Milk with Devi
Devotees offer Milk as the cherished Prasadam, to Devi Chandraghanta. This too has a deeper meaning.
Milk has an affinity with fertility and motherhood. Devi Chandraghanta symbolizes the form of a Universal mother.
Certain studies and long-term experiments conducted in Brazil proved that breastfeeding and intelligence have an interrelation.
In a study, scientists chose 3500 candidates for an experiment.
The scientists observed that the long-term breastfed infants performed better than the one’s deprived of it. The ones deprived could neither excel in academics nor in creative pursuits.
The breastfed children, on the other hand, developed as better human beings and had a well-rounded character.
Devi Chandraghanta primarily feasts on milk and its various delicacies like kheer, rasmalai, rabari, etc.
Symbolism of Red Colour and Devi Chandraghanta
In the field of Psychology, experiments prove that the colour red signifies danger. It signals competition. Enemies conceive red as a beware sign.
In the Puranic anecdote, when Devi Chandraghanta appered she wore red clothes. Here, the scientific research coincides with the spiritual symbolism of the red colour. Devi wrapped in red, passes a threat vibe to the demons, making them feel endangered.
So, in honour of the Devi, on the 3rd day of Navratri, devotees wear red robes while worshipping her.
This color also signifies warding off all negativity and evil spirits, from the devotee’s life.
The Half-Moon and Devi Chandraghanta
Devi Chandraghanta bears a half-moon on her forehead which inidicates her familial identity. She represents the Shakti of Lord Shiva.
Some references say that she also possesses a third eye, situated in the centre of the forehead. These features have affinity to Lord Shiva.
Out of the Popular Forms of Lord Shiva, these attribues highlight Her status as the eternal consort of Chandrasekhar (the one who bears the Moon).
Golden Complexion of Devi Chandraghanta
Chandrghanta Devi has a molten Gold complexion which also represents Her abode. She resides in the Ever-Splendid Manipura Chakra. This Chakra contains within itself undiscovered gems and wonders of human potential.
Scriptural references suggest that she partook her complexion from the brilliance of Surya Dev. The solar plexus (Manipura Chakra) which Yogis know as the Surya Chakra stands for self-esteem, power and warrior-like spirit.
Thus, Chandraghanta Devi personifies all these celestial qualities.
Mantra of Devi Chandraghanta
Mantra
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं त नुते महयं चन्दघण्टेति विश्रुता।।
Meaning
‘O Goddess Chandraghanta, who rides on a Tiger, and whose wrath destroys enemies, who holds many weapons in Her 10 hands, be benevolent to me.’ The temple of Chandraghanta Devi lies in Jaitpur, Varanasi.
Devotees visit this temple on the 3rd day of Navratri to seek blessings from her. The common folks keep glorifying the deity as the protector of their village and region.
They offer coconuts, red cloth pieces, ornaments, milk sweets and Dakshina for the fulfilment of their desires. People witness prosperity in business after visiting this temple as Devi eradicates the scope of cut-throat competition.
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