On the eighth day of Navratri, devotees celebrate the revered Goddess Mahagauri, the embodiment of purity, grace, and divine beauty. As the eighth form of the Navadurgas, Mahagauri is worshipped on Ashtami and is recognized for her serene nature, radiant appearance, and the power to guide her devotees toward spiritual liberation.
Maha Gauri’s name itself holds deep significance. ‘Maha’ means great, and ‘Gauri’ symbolizes purity and light, but in a broader sense, it signifies knowledge, wisdom, and liberation. This aspect of the Goddess not only blesses her devotees with external beauty and grace but also provides them with spiritual growth and wisdom. Clad in white, riding a white bull, and adorned with four hands—holding a trident (Trishul) and a drum (Damru)—Mahagauri’s divine form emanates peace and serenity. Her other two hands, raised in the varada (boon-giving) and abhay (fearlessness) mudras, offer blessings and protection.
The Story of Maa Mahagauri
In Hindu mythology, the story of Maa Mahagauri is a tale of devotion, penance, and divine grace. One of the revered forms of Goddess Durga, Maa Mahagauri symbolizes purity, serenity, and the transformative power of penance.
The legend of Mahagauri begins with Goddess Parvati, the daughter of King Himalaya, who desired to marry Lord Shiva. Parvati performed rigorous penance to win his love, renouncing all comforts and meditating for years. Her intense austerities darkened her complexion as dust and grime covered her body. However, her devotion moved Lord Shiva, who blessed her with the promise of marriage. He cleansed Parvati in the holy waters of the Ganges, revealing her fair and radiant form, and she became known as Mahagauri, meaning “extremely white” or “radiant.”
Another tale speaks of a fierce battle between Goddess Durga and the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. As advised by Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva darkened Parvati’s skin and teased her as “Kali.” Offended, Parvati performed penance, asking Lord Brahma to restore her fair complexion. After bathing in the cool waters of Mansarovar, her dark skin separated from her, forming the fierce goddess Kaushiki, who slayed the demons. Parvati’s radiant, fair-skinned form became known as Mahagauri.
Maa Mahagauri is typically depicted as a serene goddess with four arms. She holds a trident (trishul) in one hand and a tambourine (damru) in another, while her other hands bestow blessings and protection. She rides a white bull, symbolizing righteousness and dharma.
Benefits of Worshipping Maa Mahagauri
Worshipping her brings many benefits, touching every aspect of life – from spiritual growth to personal fulfilment. Here are some of the profound blessings that come from connecting with her divine energy:
1. Purification of Mind and Soul
Goddess Mahagauri is revered for her ability to cleanse the soul and clear the mind of negativity. By seeking her blessings, devotees experience a release from negative thoughts and emotional burdens, creating space for inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. This purification allows for deeper meditation and growth on the spiritual path.
2. Wealth and Prosperity
Devotees turn to Mahagauri for her generous blessings of wealth and abundance. Her divine grace brings financial stability, helping those who seek prosperity in their lives. Whether it’s the success of a business or the security of a family’s well-being, Mahagauri’s blessings ensure that her devotees are blessed with material comforts and financial security.
3. Harmony in Relationships
Goddess Mahagauri is also a protector of marital harmony and loving relationships. Married women often pray to her for a peaceful and joyful partnership, while others seek her blessings to improve relationships with loved ones. Her divine intervention fosters understanding, affection, and balance in all relationships, ensuring household harmony.
4. Fulfillment of Desires
Known for her compassionate and nurturing nature, Mahagauri helps fulfil the heartfelt desires of her devotees. Whether it’s a long-held wish or a new aspiration, her blessings are believed to manifest these dreams, guiding devotees towards achieving their goals. Her divine energy provides both the clarity and opportunities needed to realize one’s desires.
5. Strength and Courage
Worshipping Goddess Mahagauri instills inner strength and resilience. Her blessings empower devotees to face life’s challenges with courage and determination. Whether overcoming personal struggles or tackling external obstacles, her divine support fills devotees with the confidence and willpower needed to succeed.
Maa Mahagauri Mantra
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥
Maa Mahagauri Prarthana
श्वेते वृषेसमारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥
Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih।
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada॥
Maa Mahagauri Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Maa Mahagauri Dhyana
वन्दे वाञ्छित कामार्थे चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहारूढा चतुर्भुजा महागौरी यशस्विनीम्॥
पूर्णन्दु निभाम् गौरी सोमचक्रस्थिताम् अष्टमम् महागौरी त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीतिकरां त्रिशूल डमरूधरां महागौरी भजेम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम्॥
प्रफुल्ल वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोलाम् त्रैलोक्य मोहनम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां मृणालां चन्दन गन्धलिप्ताम्॥
Vande Vanchhita Kamarthe Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Simharudha Chaturbhuja Mahagauri Yashasvinim॥
Purnandu Nibham Gauri Somachakrasthitam Ashtamam Mahagauri Trinetram।
Varabhitikaram Trishula Damarudharam Mahagauri Bhajem॥
Patambara Paridhanam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala Manditam॥
Praphulla Vandana Pallavadharam Kanta Kapolam Trailokya Mohanam।
Kamaniyam Lavanyam Mrinalam Chandana Gandhaliptam॥
Maa Mahagauri Stotra
सर्वसङ्कट हन्त्री त्वंहि धन ऐश्वर्य प्रदायनीम्।
ज्ञानदा चतुर्वेदमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
सुख शान्तिदात्री धन धान्य प्रदायनीम्।
डमरूवाद्य प्रिया अद्या महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
त्रैलोक्यमङ्गल त्वंहि तापत्रय हारिणीम्।
वददम् चैतन्यमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Sarvasankata Hantri Tvamhi Dhana Aishwarya Pradayanim।
Jnanada Chaturvedamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥
Sukha Shantidatri Dhana Dhanya Pradayanim।
Damaruvadya Priya Adya Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥
Trailokyamangala Tvamhi Tapatraya Harinim।
Vadadam Chaitanyamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham॥
Maa Mahagauri Kavacha
ॐकारः पातु शीर्षो माँ, हीं बीजम् माँ, हृदयो।
क्लीं बीजम् सदापातु नभो गृहो च पादयो॥
ललाटम् कर्णो हुं बीजम् पातु महागौरी माँ नेत्रम् घ्राणो।
कपोत चिबुको फट् पातु स्वाहा माँ सर्ववदनो॥
Omkarah Patu Shirsho Maa, Him Bijam Maa, Hridayo।
Klim Bijam Sadapatu Nabho Griho Cha Padayo॥
Lalatam Karno Hum Bijam Patu Mahagauri Maa Netram Ghrano।
Kapota Chibuko Phat Patu Swaha Maa Sarvavadano॥
Maa Mahagauri Aarti
जय महागौरी जगत की माया। जय उमा भवानी जय महामाया॥
हरिद्वार कनखल के पासा। महागौरी तेरा वहा निवासा॥
चन्द्रकली और ममता अम्बे। जय शक्ति जय जय माँ जगदम्बे॥
भीमा देवी विमला माता। कौशिक देवी जग विख्यता॥
हिमाचल के घर गौरी रूप तेरा। महाकाली दुर्गा है स्वरूप तेरा॥
सती (सत) हवन कुण्ड में था जलाया। उसी धुयें ने रूप काली बनाया॥
बना धर्म सिंह जो सवारी में आया। तो शंकर ने त्रिशूल अपना दिखाया॥
तभी माँ ने महागौरी नाम पाया। शरण आने वाले का संकट मिटाया॥
शनिवार को तेरी पूजा जो करता। माँ बिगड़ा हुआ काम उसका सुधरता॥
भक्त बोलो तो सोच तुम क्या रहे हो। महागौरी माँ तेरी हरदम ही जय हो॥