Mangala Chandika Devi
Devi Mangala Chandika is a form of Chandika or Durga Devi. She was the Ishta Devata of a king called Mangala. He belonged to the Manu Vamsha and ruled over the entire Earth. But he was not the first one. The first one ever to worship Mangala Chandika was Mahadeva himself. This was during the battle in Tripuras.
Lord Shiva is called Tripurari or Tripurantaka. Tripura is not a demon. Tripura means three cities. Since the Lord wiped out these three cities, he is called Tripurantaka. After Lord Karthikeya killed Tarakasura, his three sons – Kamalaksha, Tarakaksha, and Vidyunmali – observed tapas and propitiated Brahma. They asked for a boon from Brahma that nobody should be able to kill them. Brahma said that is not possible. Then they said, ‘We will live in three different cities or puras, and once in 1000 years, all these three puras will come together at one place and then again separate. When we are together, only we can be killed, and that too with a single arrow.’ Brahma said, ‘Ok.’
Maya built three cities for them: one of gold for Tarakaksha in Swarga, one with silver for Kamalaksha on Earth, and one of iron for Vidyunmali in Pathala. And they started harassing Devas. Devas took refuge in Shiva, who agreed to attack and destroy Tripuras when they were together on one such occasion. But it was not so easy. The Asuras were really powerful. They shot down the Lord’s vimana from the sky.
Brahma and Vishnu told Mahadeva to worship Mangala Chandika. When you say worship, it means calling out to that particular power and activating it. This is what we also do in daily pujas – activating divine power. Devi Mangala Chandika appeared before Lord Shiva and offered to help in the battle, and also Shri Hari would help. Shri Hari gave him an arrow, and with the power of Mangala Chandika, the Tripuras were destroyed.
So, Mangala Chandika is the Devi who aided Lord Shiva, became his Shakti, and helped him in destroying the Tripuras. This Devi is always 16 years of age. She is beautiful. Her colour is like that of a white champaka flower. She is as brilliant as crores of moons put together. She adorns clothes that have the colour of fire, wears beautiful ornaments, and garlands of jasmine in her hair. She removes all kinds of troubles and dangers. She is the provider of auspiciousness.
After Lord Shiva, Mangala Graha (Planet Mars) worshipped her. She is the Ishtadevata of Kuja or Mars. Those having trouble from Mangala Graha in their horoscope can particularly pray to her. They can listen to this mantra of hers every day and pray to her for her blessing:
ओं ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं सर्वपूज्ये देवि मङ्गलचण्डिके ऐं क्रूं फट् स्वाहा
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