Durgaji is known as ‘Shailputri’ in the first form. She is the first Durga among the Navadurgas. Being in the form of sons of Parvatraj Himalaya, they got the name ‘Shailputri‘. Goddess Shailputri is worshiped on the first day of the Navratri festival.
Her vehicle is Taurus, hence this goddess is also known as Vrisha Rudha. This goddess is holding a trishul in her right hand and a mark in her left hand. This is also known as Sati.
Mantra/मन्त्र:
Vande Vanchitlabhai Chandrardhakrit Shekharam.
Vrisharudha Shuldharam Shailputri Yashswinim ॥
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम् ॥
Other names of Goddess Sailputri
Sati, Parvati, Vrisharudha, Hemvati and Bhavani are also other names of Goddess Shailputri.
Story of Goddess Shailputri
Once, when goddess Sati’s father Prajapati Daksha performed a yajna, he invited all the deities, but did not invite his son-in-law Lord Shankar. Goddess Sati got upset and do not want to go to her father’s yagya. Lord Shankar told Goddess Sati that all the gods have been invited, not him. So it is not advisable to go there. But Sati was not satisfied.
Seeing the strong urge of Goddess Sati, Lord Shankar allowed her to go and attend the Yagya. When Goddess Sati reached home, only her mother gave her affection. There was a sense of sarcasm and derision in the words of the sisters. There was a sense of contempt towards Lord Shankar as well. Daksh also said derogatory words towards him. Due to this Goddess Sati got distressed. She could not tolerate this insult of her husband and burnt herself to ashes by Yogagni.
Distressed by this great sorrow of Goddess Sati’s Death, Lord Shankar destroyed the Yagya by performing Tandav. Goddess Sati was born as the daughter of Shailraj Himalaya in her next birth and was called Shailputri. Later Goddess Shailputri married to Lord Shankar. Shailputri became the consort of Shiva. Her importance and power are infinite.