Chandraghanta - Day 3 of Navaratri

BY Indu Arora3 min read • October 12, 2026

Among the conflicts and the many battles you are fighting in the moment, which ones can be won by maintaining inner peace and a gentle smile?

The day of Ma Chandraghanta: Goddess of Fearless Grace

Chandra means crescent of the moon (like a smile) and Ghanta means bell. This form of Durga wears the moon on her forehead and bears a smile like the crescent of a bell.

Symbology: This moon represents the peaceful state of the mind. The sound of the moon-bell on her forehead expels all types of negativity away from the seekers. Her pilgrimage to Self (consciousness) and her oneness with Shiva has brought complete inner peace to her. Her moonlike peaceful glance is mirror to the balance, harmony, and complete mastery of emotions she upholds.

Practices to Invoke Chandraghanta Devi

Sankalpa: Nothing can take away my innermost still. I am rock steady within, holding shanti as the cornerstone of my emotions

May we be bright as the Sun

Yet, calm as the Moon

May we be still as we move

May we remain in silence as we speak

Asana: Practice asana, maintaining focus on shanti/peace.

Meditation: Focus on Manipura Chakra visualizing a red upward triangle 

Mantra: Do the Japa of "Om Dum Chandraghanta Hreem Namaha" as many times and as long as you can joyfully meditate.

Mudra: The Mudra in the picture is called Agni-Chakra Mudra. It symbolizes the rising flame of awareness and insight. Check my Mudra book

Reflect: Among the conflicts and the many battles you are fighting in the moment, which ones can be won by maintaining inner peace and a gentle smile? There are battles where we must hold our ground with an unshakable sankalpa like Ma Shailaputri. Then there are other battles for which we must let go of the comforts we have and walk barefoot, holding the purity of intent in tapasya like Ma Brahmacharini. However, there are some conflicts that can be resolved by maintaining inner peace, emotional resilience, and simply a smile.

Meditation on this form of Shakti bestows one with the gift of Samatvam—inner balance and equilibrium along with the fulfillment of deepest dharma and kama desires.