Navratri Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta – The Goddess of Courage
Veda faced a difficult choice during her school quiz competition. Would she stay quiet out of fear, or discover the true meaning of courage?
In this story
“Only five minutes left!” the teacher announced.
It was the third day of Navratri. Veda was taking part in a school quiz competition.
Suddenly, she noticed that one student was secretly looking at another student's answers.
Veda knew it was cheating, but she felt nervous about speaking up.
After thinking for a moment, she quietly informed her teacher.
The teacher checked and stopped the cheating.
Later, the teacher said, “Veda, you did the right thing. It takes courage to speak the truth.”
Veda felt proud and happy.
The Brave Goddess Maa Chandraghanta
When Veda returned home, she told her mother about the competition.
Her mother smiled. “Today, you showed the courage of Maa Chandraghanta!”
“Who is Maa Chandraghanta?” Veda asked.
“On the third day of Navratri, we worship Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of Maa Durga,” her mother explained.
“She rides a tiger and has ten arms. She carries weapons to fight evil, but her face is calm and peaceful.”
Veda noticed a small moon on the Goddess's forehead.
“Why does she have a moon?” she asked.
“Chandra means moon, and Ghanta means bell. She has a crescent moon shaped like a bell on her forehead. That is why she is called Chandraghanta.”
“Her divine bell is believed to drive away evil and fear. She teaches us to be brave, strong, and peaceful.”
Why Do We Wear Red on Day 3?
Veda noticed a beautiful red dress on her bed.
“Mother, why are we wearing red today?”
“Red is the special colour for Day 3 in our Navratri colour sequence,” her mother replied. “It represents strength, courage, and energy.”
“Just like Maa Chandraghanta!” Veda said happily.
Her mother smiled. “Yes! Being brave does not mean fighting. Sometimes, it means speaking the truth, even when we feel afraid.”
That evening, Veda wore her red dress and prayed to Maa Chandraghanta.
“Please give me courage to always do what is right.”
Veda understood that true courage comes from a strong and peaceful heart.
Moral: True courage means doing what is right, even when you feel afraid.
Quick quiz
Test what you learned from this story.