Day 2 of Navratri: Worship of Maa Brahmacharini who is embodiment of the power of Tapasya and Devotion, Puja rituals and mantra, जाने माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी के कठोर तपस्या की अनोखी कहानी

Day 2 of Navratri, 2025 is on the 23rd of September, 2025 which is a tuesday. The second day of Navratri or Durga Puja is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini who is the personification of atonement, honour, virtue and persistence. Praying to Maa Brahmacharini on this day is believed to bestow those worshipping her with mental and physical strength, knowledge and wisdom, patience and perseverance to overcome any kind of difficulties.

Know more about Maa Brahmacharini

Maa Brahmacharini was born as Maa Parvati who was the daughter of the Himalayas, the mountain king. She was unmarried at that time and did a lot of tap and tapasya or austerity in order win Lord Shiva’s love. She dived into a life of extreme penance and intense austerity foregoing even food and water at one point in time. For around a couple thousands of years, Maa Brahmacharini survived she lived on fruits, herbs and bel patra to achieve the love of Lord Shiva. She ultimately even gave up food and water altogether. Her tapasya and austerity were so strong and intense that even cosmos changed positions

She was even conferred the name Aparna, which means the one who gave up everything and did not have anything not even leaves (in this case Bel Patra) for survival. Brahmacharini originates by combining two Sanskrit words which are Brahma, and Charini. Brahma means supreme or highest wisdom and Charini means anyone who inculcates in their life and the one who practices or follows it.

Maa Brahmacharini is the personification of the unmarried avatar of Maa Parvati. Maa Parvati had undergone ghor tapasya (intense austerity) in order to win Lord Shiva as her husband. Maa Parvati was the daughter of a king (King of mountains) , but Lord Shiva had given up all worldly belongings, emotions and luxuries so Maa Parvati was never expected to marry him. But Maa Parvati was sure she will only marry Lord Shiva and no one else except him. Her unshakeable loyalty and devotion finally made her win the love of Lord Shiva and ultimately their marital union.

This unmarried roop of Maa Parvati or Maa Brahmacharini teaches her devotees that there is a lot of power and strength in patience, sacrifice, penance, tenacious faith in wavering dedication. Maa Brahmacharini is an inspiration which teaches one and all that loyalty towards spirituality may be difficulty to pursue but will finally yield results and provide spiritual wisdom and freedom.

Significance of idolising Maa Brahmacharini

Maa Brahmacharini is the personification of purity and radiance. She is dressed in a white sari / saree. The colour of her white attire is a symbolic representation of the aura around her which is purity. She adornes a japamala (rosary) in one hand and a kamandal (sacred water pot) in her other hand. Both the japamala and the kamandal signify that she has risen above worldly belongings and dedicated herself to meditation and a simple disciplined life. Even her photos and portraits exude inner and mental peace and a simplicity around her.

Praying and worshipping Maa Brahmacharini will bring spiritual insight and a strong will power. This power will give such mental strength that any kind of atrocities will seem belittled. Maa Brahmacharini blesses her devotees with glory, peace, happiness and wisdom.

Puja Vidhi to be followed on Day 2 of Navratri

Like all days of Navratri, those following should wake up early, bathe and wear clean clothes to perform the puja rituals. Jasmine flowers (chameli), haldi (turmeric), chandan (sandalwood paste) are dedicated to this roop of Maa Durga. Rice and sugar amongst other sacred items are rendered to Maa Brahmacharini..

“Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah” is recited to worship the Goddess.

Fasting is common on this day, and for many who are following the nind day long fast (vrat), this is the second day of fasting. Either a fruit and liquid diet is followed or a diet of no fraings and no table salt is followed. Instead devotees consume roti/puri made with kuttu ka atta, sabudana and peanuta etc made in rock salt(sendha namak). Many who are non vegetarians abstain from eating any kind of non vegetarian foods and follow a strict vegetarian diet.

Ghee diyas (lamps) are lit and fruits are sweets are offered to Maa Durga. LIt is believed that if a married woman offers prayer to Maa Brahmacharini she will bless her a with a long blissful married life and if an unmarried woman prays to her, she will be blessed with a good and suitable husband.

Color of the Day: Red

As each and every day of the nine day long Navratri or Durga Puja is associated with a colour, in the same way Dau 2 also has the colour red associated with it. The colour red is a symbolic representation of unconditional love. and determination. The colour red signifies the unwavering faith to attain the love of God.

Conclusion

The story of determination, faith and unwavering will power of Maa Brahmacharini is a rendition of the value of restraint and self control and belief. The way in which she left no stone unturned to achieve what she wanted and is the quality which everyone should instill in their lives. It teaches us that no matter how many obstacles are placed there in between us and our ultimate goal, if one unwaveringly progresses and works for it anything can be attained.

Today where there are so many distractions, people tend to get distracted and give up easily, but the story of Maa Brahmacharini teaches us to never give up and keep striving till we reach the ultimate objective. Following the life of this Goddess also takes us closer to spiritual enlightenment and freedom of mind which is the ultimate truth.