Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comMaa Shailputri
Maa Shailputri is the first of the nine forms of Durga (Navdurga), worshipped on day 1 of Navratri, the Shukla Pratipada tithi. The Devi Kavach names her first in its list of the nine forms.
Maa Shailputri Mahatmya
After giving up her body as Sati at Daksha's sacrifice, the Goddess was born again as the daughter of Himalaya, king of the mountains. 'Shail' means mountain in Sanskrit, so as the mountain's daughter she is called Shailputri. As in her previous birth, she married Lord Shiva.
She rides a bull and has two hands, holding a trishul in the right and a lotus in the left. Her prayer verse describes exactly this form, 'vṛṣārūḍhāṃ śūladharāṃ', seated on the bull and holding the trident.
Worship of Maa Shailputri is believed to bless the devotee with health, stability and longevity, and to ease troubles linked to the Moon (Chandra). Her customary bhog is pure cow's ghee.
Maa Shailputri: Mantra, Prayer and Stuti
Mantra
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
oṃ devī śailaputryai namaḥ||
Prarthana (Dhyana)
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥
vande vāñchitalābhāya candrārdhakṛtaśekharām|vṛṣārūḍhāṃ śūladharāṃ śailaputrīṃ yaśasvinīm||
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu mām̐ śailaputrī rūpeṇa saṃsthitā|namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ||
Navdurga in the Devi Kavach (verses 3-5) →
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी।तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम्॥पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च।सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम्॥नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः।
prathamaṃ śailaputrī ca dvitīyaṃ brahmacāriṇī|tṛtīyaṃ candraghaṇṭeti kūṣmāṇḍeti caturthakam||pañcamaṃ skandamāteti ṣaṣṭhaṃ kātyāyanīti ca|saptamaṃ kālarātrīti mahāgaurīti cāṣṭamam||navamaṃ siddhidātrī ca navadurgāḥ prakīrtitāḥ|
Readings Related to Maa Shailputri
Saptashati Reading (Day 1)
Festivals & Vrats
Chalisa, Aarti & Katha
About Maa Shailputri
On day 1 of Navratri, after the morning bath, meditate on Maa Shailputri before the kalash with the prayer above, chant her mantra and offer the bhog. In the Durga Saptashati's seven-day reading order, the first day of Navratri covers chapter 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
On which day is Maa Shailputri worshipped?
On day 1 of Navratri, the Shukla Pratipada tithi, in both Chaitra and Ashwin (Shardiya) Navratri.
What is the mantra of Maa Shailputri?
Her mantra is "Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah", recited along with the stuti 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Shailputri Rupena Samsthita'.
What is Maa Shailputri's mount and form?
Mount: Bull, hence also called Vrisharudha. Form: Two hands, a trishul in the right and a lotus in the left.
Which Durga Saptashati chapters are read on day 1 of Navratri?
In the Durga Saptashati's seven-day reading order, the first day of Navratri covers chapter 1.