The Teej Mantra is a set of sacred chants dedicated to Goddess Parvati, also known as Teej Mata, observed during the Hartalika Teej festival. This festival commemorates the divine union of Shiva and Parvati, symbolizing marital bliss and devotion. According to the Shiva Purana, Parvati performed severe penance to win Shiva as her husband, and Hartalika Teej marks the day she was abducted by her friends to avoid a marriage to Vishnu, ultimately leading to her union with Shiva.
The Skanda Purana also extols the virtues of observing this vrata, stating that it grants marital happiness and the fulfillment of desires. The primary mantras include 'Om Hartalikayai Namah' and 'Om Parvatyai Namah', which are beej mantras invoking the goddess's energy. The phoneme 'Hrīm' is often implicit, representing the heart chakra and divine feminine power.
Traditionally, these mantras are chanted by married women for marital harmony and by unmarried women seeking a good husband. The recommended chanting count is 108 times, preferably during the morning or evening on the day of Hartalika Teej, which falls on the third day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada. Ritual setting includes fasting, wearing green bangles and mehendi, and offering swings to the goddess.
Cautions: Chanting should be done with a pure heart and focus; no specific restrictions exist, but it is advised to observe the vrata with sincerity as per local traditions. The mantras are also associated with the Teej Stotram, which elaborates on Parvati's glories.
Salutations to Hartalika (Goddess Parvati).
The mantra implicitly contains the seed syllable 'Hrīṃ' (ह्रीं) representing the heart chakra and divine feminine power, though not explicitly written.