8. Mahagauri

The eighth potency of mother Durga is Mahagauri. Her complexion is extremely fair. So it is compared to the conch, moon and Kunda flower. She is supposed to be eight year old always; all her garments and ornaments are also white. She has four arms. Her vehicle is a bullock. Her right upper hand is in the pose of allaying fear and right lower hand holds a trident in it. The left upper hand holds a Damaru and the lower one is in the pose of granting boon. Her appearance is very calm and serene.

In her Parvati form she practiced the severest possible penance with a desire to have Lord Shiva as her divine consort. She took a vow. Due to the severe penances her body became dark. Lord Siva was pleased in the end. He himself washed her body with the holy water of Ganga. Then her complexion changed to a shining one like a lightning flash. Since then she is known as Mahagauri.

The worship of Mahagauri is recommended for the eighth day of Navaratri Puja. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. All sins of devotees are washed away with the result of her worship. Even accumulated sins get destroyed and in future too no sins or sufferings come to him. He gets purified in all respects and becomes fit for inexhaustible virtues. The meditation or remembrance or worship of Mahagauri is benedictory for the devotees in every respect. We should always meditate upon her. Divine Siddhis are obtained from her grace. A devotee should always meditate on her lotus-feet single-mindedly. She definitely removes the pains of her devotee. As a result of her worship the afflicted devotees get even the impossible made possible. So, everybody should try by all means to get shelter at her feet. The Puranas are replete with the narrations glorifying her. She channels the thought waves of the devotees towards the path of virtue and destroys Asat.