शैलपुत्री माता मंत्र, आरती, कवच स्तोत्र - Shailaputri Devi Mantra, Aarti, Kavach, Stotra Sanskrit Lyrics

After Goddess Sati self-immolated in the sacrificial fire (yagna) arranged by her father King Daksha, her soul was reborn as Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Lord Himalaya (King Himavan) and Queen Menavati. “Shaila” in Sanskrit means “mountain,” and “Putri” means “daughter,” so she came to be known as Shailaputri — literally the daughter of the mountain, the daughter of Himavat. She is the first form of the Adi Shakti among the Navadurga, revered as a foundational divine force.

Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped on Day One of Navratri because she marks the beginning of the nine-day festival of Navadurga, which celebrates the nine divine forms of Mother Goddess Durga. She symbolizes new beginnings, purity, inner strength, spiritual discipline and the root energy that grounds devotees. By worshipping Shailaputri on the first day, devotees invoke her blessings for stability, courage, and a strong foundation in spiritual practice during the whole Navratri festival.

Goddess Shailaputri is depicted riding a bull (Nandi, the sacred bull), earning her another name Vrisharudha (one who rides a bull). She holds a Trishul (trident) in her right hand, symbolizing power, destruction of evil, and the balance of the cosmos; in her left hand she carries a lotus flower, representing purity, spiritual awakening, and inner beauty.

Worshipping Goddess Shailaputri offers many benefits, especially during Navratri. Her worship is believed to purify mind and body, cultivate inner strength, determination, stability, discipline and faith. Devotees feel increased mental clarity, emotional balance, courage to face life’s challenges, stability in spiritual practice, and renewed hope or new beginnings. It is also believed that worship of Shailaputri helps in removing obstacles, bringing peace and prosperity into one’s life.

In Vedic astrology, Goddess Shailaputri is associated with the Moon (Chandra). Worship of Goddess Shailaputri is believed to help reduce malefic effects of the Moon, bring calmness, emotional balance, mental peace and harmony. If the Moon in one’s astrological chart is in an unfavorable position, devotions to Shailaputri are thought to mitigate anxiety, mood swings, enhance intuition and stabilize one’s emotional landscape.