Mahagauri

Mahagauri (Sanskrit: महागौर , IAST: Mahāgaurī) is the eighth

Mahagauri
manifestation of goddess Durga and amongst the Navadurgas.
Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Goddess of Beauty and Women
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Mahagauri has the
power to fulfill all the desires of her devotees. The one who
worships the goddess gets relief from all the sufferings in life.[1]
Mahagauri has four arms. Her right arm is in the pose of allaying
fear and right lower hand holds a trident in it. She holds a
tambourine in her left upper arm and the lower one is in the form
of a blessing.

Etymology
The name Mahagauri means extremely white, as she was white in
color and very beautiful (Mahā, महा = great; Gaurī, गौर =
white). Mahagauri is usually depicted with four hands, the hands
holding a trident, lotus, and drum, while the fourth is in a blessing
gesture. The lotus is sometimes replaced with a rosary. She rides
a white bull, usually shown wearing white clothes.
Goddess Mahagauri, eighth form of
The story of Mahagauri's origins is as follows: The demons Durga
Shumbha and Nishumbha could only be killed by a female child Affiliation Avatar of Parvati/ Adi
of Parvati. Hence, as advised by Brahma, Shiva used his magic to Parashakti
turn Parvati's skin black, giving Parvati the epithet "Kali", Abode Kailashagiri
meaning "black". However, the word "Kali" can also mean
Mantra ेते वृषे समा ढा
"death", so Parvati was teased. Parvati was agitated by this
े ा बरधरा शु ि चः।
त
teasing, so she performed severe penance to Brahma so as to get
महागौर शु भं
her fair complexion back. She succeeded in her penance and was
दघा महादे व मोददा॥
advised by Brahma to take a bath in the Mansarovar River in
Himalaya. As she took a bath, her dark skin separated from her Weapon Trident, Damaru
and took the form of a female. She was called Kaushiki, being (tambourine),
born from the skin of Parvati. As a result of the separation of her Abhayamudra, Varada
black skin, Parvati got her white fair complexion back, and so she mudra
gained the epithet "Mahagauri". Still, for the task of demons' Mount Bull
assassination, she gave her fair complexion to Kaushiki and she Personal information
(Parvati) again attained the form of Kali. Kali transformed into
Siblings Ganga and Vishnu
Chandi (Chandraghanta). Chandi killed demon Dhumralochan.
Consort Shiva
Chanda and Munda were killed by Goddess Chamunda who
appeared out from the third eye of Chandi. Chandi then Children Kartikeya, Ganesha,
transformed into Kaalratri again to kill Raktabija and Kaushiki Jyoti, Ashokasundari
had killed Shumbh and Nishumbh, after which she got merged
with Kali to transform her back into Gauri. Hence, Goddess Kaushiki too got merged with Parvati, hence
giving her the titles of Mahasaraswati or Ambika in Skanda Purana and Devi Mahatmya (part of the
Markandeya Purana) respectively.

Another story tells that Parvati a dark complexion, but in a different version runs as follows: Goddess
Parvati made up her mind to perform an austere penance as advised by Sage Narada so that she might
beget Lord Shiva as her husband. So, she renounced all the comforts of the palace and started performing
penance in the forest. Her severe penance continued for many years. She braved the heat and cold, rains
and drought and terrible storms. Her body was covered with dust, earth, soil, and leaves of trees. She had
developed a blackish skin over her body. At last, Lord Shiva appeared before her and gave his solemn
word that he would marry her. He bathed her vigorously by the holy waters of the Ganga emanating from
his matted hair. The holy and sacred waters of Ganga washed off all the dirt clinging to Parvati’s person
and she became white-complexioned and glorious. Thus by virtue of having acquired a white
complexion, Parvati came to be known as Mahagauri (Extremely Fair).

One day in the Kailash mountains, Mahadev used his magic to turn his wife Parvati's fair complexion
into a black complexion, as a joke. Because of this, he began to playfully tease her by calling her names
such as Kali (black) and Shyama (dark). However, Parvati did not find her husband's joke to be very
amusing or humorous in any way, and she was hurt and insulted by his remarks. She leaves him to go to
an isolated place in the forests and performed severe penances to appease Lord Brahma so that he can rid
her of her black complexion and be given back to her, her fair complexion once again. Her severe
penance continued for numerous years. She braved the heat and cold, rains and drought and terrible
storms. Finally, Lord Brahma was pleased with her severe penances and advised her to go to the
Manasarovar River and take a bath there as it is the only way that she can be free from her dark
complexion. Abiding by the instruction of Lord Brahma, Parvati entered in the Manasarovar River and
all of her dark skin was washed off her person entirely. She later came back out as a beautiful golden
woman, wearing white garments and apparels. She was none other than Goddess Mahagauri. Mounted
upon the back of a tiger, she rode back home to Kailash, where Mahadev was waiting for her. The two
became reunited once again and lived happily with their sons, Kartikeya and Ganesh.

Mother Gauri is Devi, Shakti or the Mother Goddess, who appears in many forms, such as Durga,
Parvati, Kali, and others. She is auspicious, brilliant and protects the good people while punishing those
who perform evil deeds. Mother Gauri enlightens the spiritual seeker and removes the fear of rebirth by
granting salvation.

References
1. Hindu Astrology (2011-09-28). "Mahagauri | Durga Pooja Ashtami Tithi" (http://www.astrobi
x.com/hinduism/post/mahagauri-durga-pooja-ashtmi-tithi.aspx). Astrobix.com. Retrieved
2013-02-04.

External links
Mahagauri (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJu9pKdFDwc)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mahagauri&oldid=939901024"

This page was last edited on 9 February 2020, at 11:40 (UTC).

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