Maa Brahmacharini Vrat Katha || माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी व्रत कथा ||

Maa Brahmacharini Vrat Katha

Dadhānā karapadmābhyāmakṣamālākamaṇḍalū।

Devi prasīdatu mayi brahmachāriṇyanuttamā।।

 The second form of Durga Ji's nine powers is that of Brahmacharini. Mother Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri. In the name Brahmacharini, the word ‘Brahma' means penance. Thus, Brahmacharini means the charini of penance, i.e. one who practices penance. It is also said – Vedastattvam Tapo Brahma- Veda, element and penance are the meanings of the word ‘Bra'. The form of Goddess Brahmacharini is very grand and full of light. Goddess Brahmacharini has a kamandal in her left hand and a rosary for penance in her right hand. In her previous birth, when she was born as the daughter of Himalaya King, then on the advice given by Narad ji, she did very tough penance to get Lord Shankar as her husband. Due to this tough penance, she came to be known as Brahmacharini.

Maa did penance for a thousand years by eating only fruits and roots. Then for a hundred years she lived by eating only vegetables. She fasted for many days and endured terrible hardships in the rain and sun under the open sky. After doing such a tough penance, Maa kept worshipping Lord Shiva for three thousand years by eating only the Bel leaves that fell from the trees. Then after some time, she stopped eating even the dry Bel leaves that fell from the tree. Thus, for thousands of years, she kept doing tough penance without eating or drinking anything. Due to giving up eating even leaves (parna), one of her names also became ‘Aparna'.

Thus, due to performing rigorous penance for thousands of years, the body of Goddess Brahmacharini in her previous life became thin and emaciated. Seeing her weak state, her mother Maina was very sad. To bring her out of this rigorous penance, Mother Maina called out to her, ‘Uma, Oh! No, Oh! No!' Since then, Goddess Brahmacharini came to be known as ‘Uma'.

Seeing the Goddess performing such a rigorous penance, there was an uproar in all the three worlds. Gods, sages, saints and pious souls all started praising the penance of Goddess Brahmacharini that performing such a penance is a very pious deed and no one has performed such a rigorous penance before today. And finally Brahma Ji appeared in the sky and being very pleased with Goddess Brahmacharini said, ‘O Goddess! No one has performed such a rigorous penance till date. Performing such a rigorous penance is possible only by you. Goddess, this extremely sacred and supernatural act of yours is being discussed in all directions. Your wish will definitely be fulfilled. You will marry Lord Shankar and you will get him as your husband. Now finish your penance and return to your home. Very soon your father is coming to take you back home.

This second form of Maa Durga Ji, Brahmacharini, gives infinite fruits to all the devotees and Siddha people. Just by listening to the Vrat Katha of Maa Brahmacharini, a person develops austerity, self-control, good conduct, detachment and sacrifice. Even in the toughest struggles of life, his mind does not get disturbed and he remains steadfast on the path of his duty. By worshipping Maa Brahmacharini Devi, one gets the blessings of success and victory everywhere. On the second day of Nav Durga Puja, this form of Maa Brahmacharini Devi is worshipped. On this day, Sadhus and Sadhus focus their attention on the ‘Swadhishthan' Chakra. The Yogi who meditates on this Chakra receives the blessings and devotion of Maa Brahmacharini Devi.