Ma Gundodari
INTRODUCTION
As per our ancient Puranas, Ma Gundodari is considered as the holy divine attendant of Ma Shakti Devi. She has been named like that, due to her fat body. We could have seen the images of Ma Gundodari in some temple Gopurams of Ma Shakti Devi, who would be eagerly blowing a form of Shanku(Holy Conch). Ma Gundodari is mentioned in Devi Bhagavatha Purana, and in that, she is described as a honest and a sincere servant of Ma Shakti Devi, and she could be always seen fondly serving to Ma Shakti Devi.
Once when Ma Shakti Devi had performed penance on Lord Shiva, in the Himalayas, Ma Gundodari was also present with her, and guards her wonderfully. Due to her staunch devotion and affection on her master, Ma Shakti Devi, she was also granted some excellent boons by the holy mother. As a result of the boons, she has got the powers enough to even lift the big mountains with her bare hands. Ma Gundodari has also got the capacity to fight with anyone, and during the Daksha Yagna, when Ma Sati Devi, a form of Ma Shakti Devi, fell down in the holy fire, she tried her level best to safeguard her, but she couldn’t do that.
Ma Gundodari was also praised by Sri Veda Vyasa, and he has dedicated a few hymns in praise of her in the Devi Mahatmyam. He also mentions Ma Gundodari as a form of Ma Shakti Devi, and she has contains the features of Ma Shakti Devi. She can never be separated with her master, Ma Shakti Devi, since she forms part and parcel of the holy mother. When Ma Shakti Devi took the form of Durga and killed Mahishasura, Ma Gundodari has transformed in the form of the Divine weapon Trident and helped Ma Durga to easily kill the dreaded demon Mahishasura.
We can worship Ma Gundodari in order to get good courage, wisdom, knowledge and bravery. We can also frequently chant the Mantra, “OM MA GUNDODARIYE NAMAHA”, in order to shine well in our life.
“JAI MA GUNDODARI”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR