Original text
नाम मंत्र: ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥ प्रार्थना (ध्यान श्लोक): दधाना कर पद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलू। देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥ स्तुति: या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Transliteration
Naam mantra: Om devi brahmacharinyai namah || Prarthana (dhyana shloka): Dadhana kara padmabhyamakshamala kamandalu Devi prasidatu mayi brahmacharinyanuttama || Stuti: Ya devi sarvabhuteshu man brahmacharini rupena sansthita Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah ||
Who is Maa Brahmacharini?
Maa Brahmacharini is the second of the Navdurga, the nine forms of Maa Durga worshipped on the nine days of Navratri. Her name means "she who walks the path of brahma" — the one devoted to austerity and spiritual discipline. In Shardiya Navratri 2026 she is worshipped on Day 2 (Dwitiya), Monday 12 October.
This is Parvati as the young ascetic. Determined to have Shiva as her husband, she undertook a penance so severe that it became legendary: for years she lived on fruit and roots, then on leaves alone, and finally gave up even the leaves — which is why she is also called Aparna, "without even a leaf". The gods and sages praised a tapas no one had seen before, and in the end Shiva accepted her.
Brahmacharini stands for perseverance: holding to a goal through hardship, without losing devotion. People pray to her for patience, self-control and steadiness in study and sadhana.
Her form
She walks barefoot, dressed in white, holding a rosary (japa mala) in her right hand and a water-pot (kamandalu) in her left — the two tools of the ascetic.
Mantras of Maa Brahmacharini
Naam mantra: ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥ — chant 108 times on a mala.
Prarthana (dhyana shloka):
दधाना कर पद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
Stuti:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
The stuti is modelled on the Devi Mahatmya's "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu" hymn, with her name in place: "To the Devi who dwells in all beings in the form of Maa Brahmacharini — salutations to her, again and again."
Puja vidhi on Day 2
- Wake early, bathe and wear clean clothes; light the lamp before the kalash and the Devi's image.
- Take a sankalpa for the day's worship (and the Navratri vrat, if you are keeping it).
- Invoke Maa Brahmacharini with the prarthana shloka above, picturing her form.
- Offer water, roli, akshat, red flowers or a red chunri, dhoop and a ghee lamp.
- Offer the day's bhog: sugar or mishri — traditionally offered for long life for the family.
- Chant the naam mantra 108 times, then the stuti; read the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati if you can.
- Close with the aarti, Jai Ambe Gauri, and distribute the prasad.
The nine days
← Day 1: Maa Shailputri · Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta →
See all nine forms on the Maa Durga page, and dates and muhurat in Shardiya Navratri 2026.
Frequently asked questions
On which day of Navratri is Maa Brahmacharini worshipped?
On the second day (Dwitiya); in Shardiya Navratri 2026 that is Monday 12 October.
What is the mantra of Maa Brahmacharini?
The naam mantra is ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥, chanted 108 times, along with her prarthana shloka and the "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu" stuti.
What bhog is offered to Maa Brahmacharini?
Traditionally sugar or mishri — traditionally offered for long life for the family. Customs vary between families and regions.
Why is Brahmacharini called Aparna?
Because during her penance for Shiva she gave up even eating leaves — a-parna, "without a leaf".
What does Maa Brahmacharini hold?
A japa mala in her right hand and a kamandalu in her left.
Spotted a mistake?
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