Bhadra: Name, Meaning, Origin
ou might be wondering why, if the literal meaning of "Bhadra" is "one who
brings welfare," it is forbidden to perform auspicious activities during this time.
Is Bhadra never considered auspicious?
The form of Bhadra is described as extremely fierce. During Bhadra, activities
like Raksha Bandhan, business, agriculture, marriage, and housewarming
should not be performed. It is essential to check for Bhadra before
undertaking any auspicious activity. You might be wondering why, if the literal
meaning of "Bhadra" is "one who brings welfare," it is forbidden to perform
auspicious activities during this time. Is Bhadra never considered auspicious?
According to the Puranas, when the demons attacked the deities, Bhadra was
born from the power of the Sun deity and his wife Chhaya to destroy the
demons. Therefore, she is known as the daughter of the deity Sun and
Chhaya, and the sister of Shani. Just as Shani Dev's nature is harsh, so is
Bhadra's nature. Right from her birth, she began to destroy auspicious and
religious activities because her aim was to bring destruction to the entire
earth. Then, Lord Brahma pacified her by assigning her a place in the seventh
Vishti Karana and cursed that no auspicious work would succeed during
Bhadra's time.
What is Bhadra? Why do people fear it?
In the scriptures, Bhadra is depicted as having a black, terrifying form, with a
long and broad nose and chin, a mouth that seems capable of devouring
everything, and flames emerging from her mouth. She is portrayed as one
who destroys everything. Bhadra is considered an inauspicious time, entirely
unsuitable for auspicious activities. According to the Panchang, the Vishti
Karana is known as Bhadra. A Tithi is divided into two parts, and each part is
called a Karana. There are two types of Karanas—Chara (movable) and
Achara (immovable).
There are a total of 11 Karanas—4 Achara (immovable) and 7 Chara
(movable):
Chara Karanas: Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija, and Vishti (the
seventh Chara Karana, Vishti, is known as Bhadra).
Achara Karanas: Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga, and Kimstughna.
Proof of Bhadra: Bhadra occurs during the second half (Parardha) of the Tritiya and Dashami
Tithis in the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) and the first half
(Purvardha) of the Saptami and Chaturdashi Tithis. In the Shukla Paksha
(waxing phase of the moon), Bhadra occurs during the second half (Parardha)
of the Ekadashi and Chaturthi Tithis and the first half (Purvardha) of the
Ashtami and Purnima Tithis.
Bhadra resides in all three worlds, which is why it is classified into three types:
Bhadra of Swargalok (Heaven), Patal Lok (Netherworld), and Mrityulok
(Earth).
Bhadra of Swargalok: When the Moon transits through the signs of Aries,
Taurus, Gemini, or Scorpio, Bhadra resides in Swargalok.
Bhadra of Patal Lok: When the Moon transits through the signs of Virgo,
Capricorn, Sagittarius, or Libra, Bhadra resides in Patal Lok.
Bhadra of Mrityulok: When the Moon transits through the signs of Cancer,
Aquarius, Leo, or Pisces, Bhadra resides in Mrityulok.
Results of Bhadra's Residence:
Swarg Bhadra shubham kuryaat, Paatale cha dhanagamam.
Mrityu Lok gata Bhadra, sarva kaarya vinashyati.
When Bhadra resides in Swargalok (Heaven), it provides auspicious results.
When Bhadra resides in Patal Lok (Netherworld), it grants wealth.
When Bhadra resides in Mrityulok (Earth), it leads to the destruction of all
activities.
How many names does Bhadra have, and what are they?
Bhadra has twelve names as follows:
1. Dhanya 2. Dadhimukhi 3. Bhadra 4. Mahamari 5. Kharanna 6. Kalaratri 7.
Maharudra 8. Vishti 9. Kulputrika 10. Bhairavi 11. Mahakali 12.
Asurakshayakari
In reality, Bhadra is a powerful force, a part of Goddess Durga herself. Due to
her destructive nature, she is considered terrifying. She has twelve names,
and she is pleased by the twelve mantras derived from those names. The
twelve mantras are as follows:
1. Om Dhanya Swaha
2. Om Dadhimukhi Swaha
3. Om Bhadra Swaha
4. Om Mahamari Swaha
5. Om Kharanna Swaha
6. Om Kalaratri Swaha
7. Om Maharudra Swaha
8. Om Vishti Swaha
9. Om Kulputrika Swaha
10. Om Bhairavi Swaha
11. Om Mahakali Swaha
12. Om Asurakshayakari Swaha
Om Shanti Swaha Om Shanti Swaha Om Shanti Swaha
Reciting these twelve mantras twice daily, in the morning and evening, helps
to remove 100 types of misfortunes.
Writer :- krishna
source: https://www.sanatanjyoti.com/blog/bhadra/1018