Chandi

Chandi (Sanskrit: Can ) or Chandika (Can ka) is a Hinu goess. Chani is the combine form
of Lakshmi, Saraswati an Durga, the ferocious form of Parvati. She is sai to be the most ferocious
incarnation of Ai Parashakti. Chanika form is sai to be extremely ferocious an inaccessible because of
her anger. She cannot tolerate evil acts. Chanika oes not like evil oers an becomes terribly angry on
seeing them. She slays evil oers without mercy. Her anger is expresse in Devi Mahatmya. A seven-year-ol
girl is also known as Chanika in Sanskrit scriptures. [1][2][3]

Etymology[edit]

Cand or Cand ika is the name by which the Supreme Goddess is referred to in Devi Mahatmya. Chandi represents
the shakti or power of Brahman. The word Chanda hints at extraordinary traits and thus refers to theBrahman, who is
extraordinary due to his complete independence with respect to time and space. The word Chandi also refers to the
fiery power of anger of the Brahman. [4] Bhaskararaya, a leading authority on matters concerning Devi worship,
defines Chandi as 'the angry, terrible or passionate one'.[5] While scholars debate whether an old Goddess was
Sanskritized or a suppressed Goddess was reclaimed, the fact remains that since the very early days, the Devi was
worshiped in the subcontinent regardless of whether she appears as a supreme deity in Brahminic texts. Scholars
who trace her tracks show that she was very much a part of an early theistic impulse as it was being crystallized in
the Indic mind.[6]C. Mackenzie Brown writes:
Hymns to goddesses in the late portions of the great Mahabharata epic and in the Harivamsa (AD 100-300) reveal
the increasing importance of female deities in Brahminical devotional life. The reemergence of the divine feminine
in the Devi-Mahatmya was thus both the culmination of centuries-long trends and the inspirational starting point for
new investigations into the nature of feminine transcendence. [7]
When she does appear in The Markandeya Purana, in the section known as Chandi or The Devi Mahatmya, she
proclaims her preeminence:

I resemble in form Brahman

From me emanates the world
Which has the Spirit of Prakriti and Purusha
I am empty and not empty
I am delight and non-delight
I am knowledge and ignorance
I am Brahman and not Brahman

This text recounts the tale of male demons and their destruction by the Great Goddess and traces its lineage through
the Devi Sukta or the Vac Sukta in The Rigveda and also connects with the Samkhya Prakriti to establish itself as a
canonical text for the Shaktas.[8][9]
Chandi, the fiercest form of the Goddess, who is the main deity of the famous Devi Mahatmya, a great poem of seven
hundred verses (also called Durga Saptasati or Chandi) which celebrates the destruction of demons. As Chandi or
the destroyer of opposition, she can be invoked for removing obstacles to allow us to attain any of the four goals of
life[10]
The designation of Chandi or Chandika is used twenty-nine times in the Devi Mahatmya, which is agreed by many
scholars to have had originated in Bengal, the primary seat of the Shakta or Goddess tradition and tantric sadhana
since ancient times. It is the most common epithet used for the Goddess. In Devi Mahatmya, Chandi, Chandika,
Ambika and Durga have been used synonymously.[11]
The basis for Chandi worship is found in Devi Bhagavata as well as in the Markandeya Purana, which contains the
well known Saptashati. This narrates the three tales of Chandika fighting and destroying the evil forces in the forms of
Madhu, Kaithabha, Mahishasura and Shumbha & Nishumbha. These stories are narrated in thirteen chapters in the
form of seven hundred stanzas or half stanzas. Each of these is considered as an independent mantra by repeating
which one attains profound benefits. In addition, the mantra prescribed for this is what is known as Navakshari, the
nine lettered mantra that has its basis in the Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, known as the Devi Upanishad.[12]
Goddess Chandi is associated with the 9 lettered Navakshari Mantra.It is also called Navarna Mantra or Navavarna
Mantra. It is one of the principal mantras in Shakti Worship apart from the Sri Vidhya Mantras. It customary to chant
this mantra when chanting theDevi Mahatmya.She is supposed to live in a place called Mahakal, which is close
to Kailasa.[13]

Legends
She is considered as Kaatyayini (Durga) herself, who had killed Mahishasura as well as Shumbha
Nishumbha [1] "The great Goddess was born from the energies of the male divinities when the gods became
impotent in the long-drawn-out battle with the asuras. All the energies of the Gods became united and became
supernova, throwing out flames in all directions. Then that unique light, pervading the Three Worlds with its lustre,
combined into one, and became a female form."[14]
"The Devi projected an overwhelming omnipotence. The three-eyed goddess was adorned with the crescent moon.
Her multiple arms held auspicious weapons and emblems, jewels and ornaments, garments and utensils, garlands
and rosaries of beads, all offered by the gods. With her golden body blazing with the splendour of a thousand suns,
seated on her lion vehicle, Chandi is one of the most spectacular of all personifications of Cosmic energy."[15]
In other scriptures, Chandi is portrayed as "assisting" Kali in her battle with demon Raktabija. While Kali drank
Raktabija's blood, which created new demons from his own blood on falling on the ground; Chandi would destroy the
armies of demons created from his blood and finally killed Raktabija himself.[16] In Skanda Purana, this story is retold
and another story of mahakali killing demons Chanda and Munda is added.[17]

Chandi Homa (Havan)

Chandi Homa is one of the most popular Homas in Hindu religion. It is performed across India during various
festivals, especially during the Navaratri. Chandi Homa is performed by reciting verses from the Durga Sapthasathi
and offering oblations into the sacrificial fire. It could also be accompanied by the Navakshari Mantra. Kumari Puja,
Suvasini Puja also form a part of the ritual.[18]