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| Chandi | |
|---|---|
The fiery destructive power ofShakti | |
| Member of The EightMatrika | |
 Newari portrayal of Chandi | |
| Devanagari | चण्डी |
| Sanskrit transliteration | Caṇḍī |
| Affiliation | |
| Mantra |
|
| Mount | Lion |
Chandi (Sanskrit:चण्डी,IAST:Caṇḍī) orChandika (IAST:Caṇḍika) is aHindu deity. Chandika is a form of goddessDurga.[1] She shares similarities with the GoddessChamunda, not only in name but also in attributes and iconography. Due to these similarities, some consider them to be the same deity, while others view them as different manifestations of Mahadevi. Both are often associated with other powerful goddesses likeDurga,Katyayani,Kali andKalaratri. The Goddess is particularly revered inGujarat.
In theDevī Māhātmya. Chandi represents the killer of Chanda. the Supreme Divine is often referred to as Caṇḍī or Caṇḍikā. This name is derived from the Sanskrit rootcaṇḍa, meaning “fierce” or “terrible.” Chandi is celebrated as the vanquisher of the demonic generals Chanda and Munda.[2] According toBhaskararaya, a prominent authority on Devi worship, Chandi embodies divine wrath and passion.[3]
The epithet of Chandi or Chandika appears in the Devi Mahatmya, a text deeply rooted in theShakta tradition ofBengal. This region has long been a significant center for Goddess worship andtantric practices. Since ancient times, it is the most common epithet used for the Goddess. Within theDevi Mahatmya, Chandi, Chandika, Ambika, and Durga are often used interchangeably to refer to the Supreme Goddess in the sect.[4][page needed]
Alongside theSri Vidhya mantras, it is one of the principal mantras in Shakti worship. It is customary to chant this mantra when chanting theDevi Mahatmya. It is one of the primary mantras in the worship of Shakti. Traditionally, this mantra is chanted during recitations of theDevi Mahatmya. According to belief, the goddess resides in Mahakal,Kailasa.[5] The city ofChandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is named after the Goddess.
She is known as the supreme goddessMahishasuramardini or Katyayini Durga (6th Navadurga) who slayed the demonMahishasura. She has been affiliated with and also considered asVindhyavasini orKaushiki orYogmaya orAmbika who killed Shumbha, Nishumbha and their fellow demons.[6] "The great Goddess was born from the energies of the male divinities when the devas became impotent in the long-drawn-out battle with theasuras. 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."[7][page needed]
"Devi projected overwhelming omnipotence. The three-eyed goddess was adorned with the crescent moon. Her several arms held auspicious weapons and emblems. She wear precious jewels and dresses 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."[8]
In other scriptures, Chandi is portrayed as "assisting"Kali in her battle with the demonRaktabīja. Chandi wounded him, but a new demon sprang up from every drop of his blood that fell on the ground. By drinking Raktabīja's blood before it could reach the ground, Kali enabled her first to destroy the demon army and finally kill Raktabīja himself.[9] InSkanda Purana, this story is retold and another story ofMahakali killing demonsChanda and Munda is added.[10] Authors Chitralekha Singh and Prem Nath says, "Narada Purana describes the powerful forms ofLakshmi as Durga, Kali, Bhadrakali, Chandi, Maheshwari, Lakshmi, Vaishnavi and Andreye". Also, she is the one who purified Halahal (during Samudra Manthan) into Amrit (Ambrosio).[11]
Chandi Homa is one of the most popular Homas inHindu religion. It is performed across India during various festivals, especially during theNavaratri. 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.[12][page needed]
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The dhyana sloka preceding the Middle episode of Devi Mahatmya the iconographic details are given. The Goddess is described as having vermilion complexion, eighteen arms holds rosary, battle axe, mace, bow, arrow,thunderbolt,lotus, water-pot, pestle, spear, sword, shield, noose, bell, wine-cup, trident, conch and the discus (sudarsana). She has a complexion of coral and is seated on a lotus.[13] In some temples the images of Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati are kept separately. The Goddess is also portrayed as four armed in many temples.
Chandi is one of the most popular goddess inBengal, and a number of poems and literary compositions in Bengali calledChandi Mangala Kavyas were written from 13th century to early 19th century.[14] These merged the local folk and tribal goddesses with mainstreamHinduism. TheMangal kavyas often associate Chandi with goddessKali or Kalika[15] and recognise her as a consort ofShiva and mother ofGanesha andKartikeya, which are characteristics of goddesses likeParvati andDurga.[16] The concept of Chandi as the supreme Goddess also underwent a change. The worship of the goddess became heterogeneous in nature.
Chandi is associated with good fortune. Her auspicious forms likeMangal Chandi,Sankat Mangal Chandi,Rana Chandi bestow joy, riches, children, good hunting and victory in battles while other forms likeOlai Chandi cure diseases like cholera, plague and cattle diseases.[17]
These are almost all village and tribal Goddesses with the name of the village or tribe being added onto the name Chandi. The most important of these Goddesses is Mongol Chandi who is worshipped in the entire state and also in Assam. Here the word "Mongol" means auspicious or benign.[18]
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