🌷 Prardhana Slokam

Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim॥

🌷 Alankaaram: Bala Tripura Sundari – Blue color

🌷 Prasadam: Hot Pongal

🌷 Glory

The right hand holds a trishul, and the left hand holds a padma. The Goddess who rides a vrishabha and incarnated as Shailaputri is remembered as the divine Shailaputri.

The first form of Maa Durga is popularly known by the name ‘Shailaputri’. She became the daughter of the mountain king Himavanta in his household and hence received the name ‘Shailaputri’.

Rishabhavahana: This powerful Mother holds a trishul in her right hand and a lotus in her left hand. This incarnation is the first of the Navadurgas.

The glories and energies of ‘Shailaputri’, the first incarnation of the Navadurgas, are infinite. On the first day, yogis establish their minds in the Mooladhara Chakra through upasana. This is when their yogic practices begin.

🌷 History

She is the daughter of Daksha Prajapati, Dakshayani. Her name was Sati Devi in that birth. She was the consort of Parameswara. Once, Daksha organized a Mahayajna and invited the gods to receive their sacrificial offerings. However, Lord Shiva was not invited to the yajna.

Sati knew that her father had arranged a great yajna, and she was excited to see it. She then conveyed her desire to the Supreme Lord. After much thought, Parameswara said, “Whatever the reason, Daksha has been hostile toward us. He invited all the gods to his yajna and offered them their sacrificial portions. But we have deliberately not been invited. At least, no information has been conveyed to us. In such a situation, it is by no means good for you to go there.”

This advice of Shankara did not reach her ears. With a strong desire to visit the yajna and see her mother and siblings, she insisted on receiving permission. Seeing her determination, Shankara finally allowed her to go.

When Sati reached her father's house, no one spoke to her or comforted her. Everyone turned their faces away. Only her mother embraced her with love. Her siblings' words were full of sarcasm. Sati's mind was disturbed by their behavior. She observed that everyone showed indifference toward Shankara, and her father, Daksha, spoke to her in a derogatory manner.

After experiencing all this, Sati's heart burned with anguish, shame, and rage. She thought, “Parameswara, I have made a great mistake by not following your words. I have come here and committed a serious mistake.”

She could not bear the insult to her husband, Parameshwara. Immediately, she gave up her life in the fire of yoga. When Lord Shiva heard of this terrible tragedy, which could not be tolerated, he became very angry. He sent his Pramatha Ganas, who completely destroyed Daksha's yajna.

Sati gave up her life in the fire of yoga and, in her next birth, became the daughter of Himavanta, the mountain king. She then became popularly known as ‘Shailaputri’. Parvati and Haimavati are also her names. According to a story in the Upanishads, she suppresses the pride of the gods in the form of Haimavati.

In her ‘Shailaputri’ avatar, she becomes the consort of Parameswara. As in her previous life, she becomes the Ardhangi of Shankara in this incarnation.

On the first day of the Navaratri festival, pujas and fasts are observed in honor of the Goddess.

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