[Shrikruti Sharma]

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Mata Shailputri is one of the manifestations of the Hindu goddess Durga, and she is worshipped on the first day of the Navaratri festival, which is a nine-night Hindu festival celebrating the divine feminine. Her name is derived from two words: “Shail” means mountain, and “Putri” means daughter. Therefore, Mata Shailputri is often referred to as the “Daughter of the Mountain,” as she is believed to be the daughter of the Himalayas, the king of the mountains. The history and mythology of Mata Shailputri are primarily described in Hindu Puranas and scriptures like the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Durga Saptashati, and the Kalika Purana. Here is a brief overview of her story:

History of Mata Shailputri in Sanatan Dharma

Mata Shailputri, according to Hindu mythology, is a goddess who was born to defeat the demon Jalandhara, as mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Jalandhara, the son of Shiva and Parvati, could only be defeated by his wife, so Parvati incarnated as Shailputri to accomplish this task. Shailputri grew up as a powerful warrior princess, married Shiva, and defeated Jalandhara in a fierce battle, bringing peace to the heavens. She is also revered as the goddess of fertility and abundance, blessing her devotees with children, wealth, and prosperity, and she serves as a protector of women and children.

In a previous birth, Mata Shailputri was known as Sati, the daughter of King Daksha, who desired to marry Lord Shiva despite her father’s disapproval. Sati’s tragic self-immolation during a yagna led to her rebirth as Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas, who performed rigorous penance to win Shiva’s love and eventually became his consort, known as Mata Shailputri.

Significance of Mata Shailputri in Sanatan Dharma

Mata Shailputri is a revered goddess associated with the root chakra (Muladhara) in Sanatan Dharma. She embodies the primal energy of Mother Earth and represents qualities such as purity, devotion, and the ability to overcome challenges. Devotees honor her on the first day of Navaratri, seeking her blessings for strength and protection. Mata Shailputri is an important symbol of power, courage, and fertility, inspiring us to be strong, compassionate, and kind while serving as a role model for women and encouraging us to strive for our best selves.

The Iconic Depiction of Mata Shailputri:

Mata Shailputri is often depicted as a beautiful goddess riding a bull, with a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left. She is adorned with various ornaments and wears a crescent moon on her forehead. The bull, known as Nandi, is Lord Shiva’s mount.

Legends:

There are various legends associated with Mata Shailputri, including her role in taming Lord Shiva’s anger when he went into deep meditation after Sati’s death and her participation in the battle against the demon Mahishasura as part of the collective manifestation of goddess Durga.

Mata Shailputri is worshipped at the start of Navaratri, a nine-day festival celebrating different forms of the goddess. Devotees seek her blessings for strength, courage, and prosperity. She is a significant figure in Sanatan Dharma, representing divine feminine energy and symbolizing power and strength, as depicted riding a bull and holding a trident according to Puranas and Granthas.

 

Src: Skanda Purana
Devi Mahatmya
Durga Saptashati
Durgastuti
Lalita Sahasranama

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