Mantra lyrics in Sanskrit:
„Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche.”
History:
The Goddess is one of the most popular forms of Goddess Durga. The origin of the Goddess is mentioned in the Markandeya Purana and Devi Mahatmya. Moreover, She is also known as Chamundeshwari, Chamundi, and Charchika. The Goddess is a fearsome aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother and one of the 7 Matrikas.
She is the only Matrika (mother goddesses) who is a Shakti of the great Goddess Devi rather than a male god. The Goddess is also the only Matrika who enjoys independent worship of her own; all other Mother Goddesses are always worshiped and adored together.
The Sanskrit name of the Goddess is a combination of Chanda and Munda, two asuras whom Chamunda Goddess killed. In addition, She is closely connected with Goddess Kali, another fierce aspect of Universal Mother.
Chamunda and Kali are distinct Devis, not because of whom they slay, but because their functions and Dhyana Mantras are distinct. However, the two Goddesses are same since all emerged from Universal Mother, as suggested by Devi Mahatmyah.
She is included in the Saptamatrika (seven mothers) lists in the Hindu ancient texts like Devi Purana, Mahabharata, and Vishnudharmottara Purana.
The Goddess was assimilated in Hinduism and later entered the Jain pantheon too. Though in Jainism spirituality, the rites of her adoration include vegetarian offerings, and not the liquor and meat offerings. In addition, another legend, the Goddess appeared from the frown of the benign goddess Parvati to kill demons Munda and Chanda. Here, the Goddess is considered as a form of Parvati.
The Goddess Chamunda symbolizes disaster, distress, suffering, death and destruction of Mother Nature. The Goddess is compassionate and kind to her followers who adhere to Dharma and therefore the Goddess is worshiped in many regions.
Goddess Charchika is the protector deity of numerous royal families in India – the most honored is that of the Wodeyar Kings of Mysore.
This potent mantra is the bija mantra of all 3 Divine Mothers: Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali, and Maha Saraswati. So it embodies all 3 Divine Mothers.
Iconography
The Goddess is commonly illustrated as having 4, 8, 10 or 12 arms, holding a drum, a snake, trident, sword, thunderbolt, skull-mace, a severed head and a drinking vessel or a skull-cup, filled with blood. She is also standing on a corpse of a man (preta) or seated on a defeated asuras (demon) or corpse (pretasana).
The Goddess is also shown to be surrounded by ghosts or skeletons and beasts like jackals, who are represented eating the flesh of the corpse which the Goddess sits or stands on. The beasts are the Goddess fearsome companions. Moreover, the severed head and corpse signify the severing of the ego. Occasionally, the Goddess is portrayed seated on an owl, Her vehicle (vahana).
Chanting Om Aim Hrim Klim – Maa Chamunda mantra benefits:
This mantra invokes Mother Goddess. The benefit of chanting this mantra is to facilitate concentration of mind and for the speedy fulfillment of desires and aspirations, apart from attaining courage and energy.
Chandi mantra or Navarna mantra meaning on syllables:
- Om – is the sacred sound that sustains life;
- Arim – Creation, Energy of Desire, Rajo Guna, Mahasaraswati;
- Hrim – Sattva Guna, Preservation, Mahalakshmi Energy of Action,;
- Klim – Tamo Guna, Energy of Wisdom, Destruction, Mahakali;
- Chamunda – The Slayer of anger and passion, moves in the head;
- Yai – The Grantor of Boons;
- Vich – in the perception, In the body of knowledge;
- Che – of consciousness.
