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Jai
Mata di - Jagaddhatri |
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The Goddess Jagaddhatri is the form
of the Mahadevi that supports the World. Jagaddhatri is formed from
the two Sanskrit roots - Jagad is the physical world, and dhatri
is support. In modern day Hinduism,
Jagaddhatri Devi is considered a name and form of the Goddess Durga.
The formal difference between Durga
and Jagaddhatri occurs in Mayatantra and Jagaddhatri is mentioned
with reference to Durga in Krishnananda's Tantrasaar. The special
puja of the goddess on the ninth lunar day of the light fortnight
in the month of Kartick has been referred in Krityatattarnab by
Srinath Acharyachudamoni of the 15th-16th century.
Pauranik lore
As per ancient Pauranik lore of the
Hindu scriptures, soon after the victory over Mahishasur the Devatas
became highly egoistic. They thought because of lending to Durga
their instruments the mighty asuras were vanquished. To make them
understand that the primordial power is alone behind every action,
the Brahman appeared before the Devatas in the form of effulgent
Yaksha.
Bewildered by its presence one by one
the Devatas approached Yaksha. First the god of wind Vayu. The Yaksha
asked him what he could do. The Vayu replied that he could throw
away huge trees, tumble high mountains. The Yaksha then placed a
small grass and asked him to move it. The Vayu utilised all his
powers but lo! he could not even displace it. So also the god of
fire Agni, could not even burn it. Likewise one by one the Devatas
failed.
And it dawned on them that their powers
are in reality not their own but derived from the supreme power
who as protecting mother holds the entire creation and therefore
called Jagaddhatri. Anybody who worships Jagaddhatri becomes absolutely
egoless and a true servant of the world which is nothing but a manifestation
of the Brahman. |