Hindu Goddess Durga : Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा, IAST: Durgā), popularly known as Adi Parashakthi, paraSakti, Devi, is a principal and popular form of the Hindu Goddess, is the protective mother of the universe. She is a goddess of war, the warrior form of Parvati, whose mythology centres around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and Dharma the power of good over evil. Durga is also a fierce form of the protective mother goddess, who unleashes her divine wrath against the wicked for the liberation of the oppressed, and entails destruction to empower creation. Durga is a Goddess of Strength and Justice who brings compassion, peace, calm and order to the chaos, destruction and conflict in any situation.
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| Hindu Goddess Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा, IAST: Durgā) |
Durga Maa the goddess of power and strength, is perhaps the most important goddess of the Hindus as per Hinduism. She is a multi-dimensional Goddess, with many names in different regions, many personas, and many facets. As Mahishasuramardini or Shakthi, she is the destroyer of evil - with her ten mighty arms carrying lethal weapons she triumphantly slays the demon Mahishasura. As Sati, beloved daughter of King Daksha and Queen Menaka, she gives up a kingdom and earns her father's wrath. As Maha Kali, she turns black as the night and omnipotent, terrible in rage and fury, with just a string of skulls as her garland and her only garb. As Parvati, she is serene, the pretty consort of Lord Shiva by his side in the snowy peaks of the Kailash mountain. She is Maa Bhawani, symbol of life. She is Sati, the object of death. She is Basanti, the heralder of springtime. She is also Parvathi, Kalikambha, Kali, Amba, Bhavani, Katyayani, Jagadhatri, Tara, Parashakthi, Ambika and Annapurna.
Goddess Durga, through all her devine forms, encompasses the essence of salvation and sacrifice. She is the mother of bounty and wealth, as also of beauty and knowledge, Goddess Durga's two daughters are Lakshmi and Saraswati (Hindu goddesses of wealth and knowledge, respectively).
O Durga Maatha!
Thee, who is present everywhere,
thee who is the embodiment of power and Energy!
I Bow to Thee! I Bow to Thee! I Bow to Thee!
Goddess Durga has a unique portrayal
Maa Durga’s Many Arms :
The consort of Lord Shiva is depicted as having eight or ten hands. These represent eight quadrants or ten directions in Hinduism. This suggests that she protects the devotees from all directions.
Maa Durga’s Three Eyes :
Like Shiva, Goddess Durga is also referred to as “Triyambake” meaning the three eyed Goddess. The left eye represents desire (the moon), the right eye represents action (the sun), and the central eye knowledge (fire).
Maa Durga’s Vehicle – The Lion :
The lion represents power, will and determination. Durga riding the lion symbolises the Goddess’ mastery over all these qualities. Devi Durga is portrayed standing on a lion in a fearless pose of “Abhay Mudra” signifying assurance of freedom from fear. The universal Mother seems to be saying to all her devotees : “Surrender all actions and duties onto me and I shall release thee from all fears”.
Maa Durga’s Many Weapons :
The ‘conch shell’ in Durga’s hand symbolizes the ‘Pranava’ or the mystic word ‘Om’, which indicates her holding on to God in the form of sound.
The ‘bow and arrow’ represent energy. By holding both the bow and arrow in one hand, “Mother Durga” indicates her control over both aspects of energy – potential and kinetic.
The ‘thunderbolt’ signifies firmness. One must be firm like thunderbolt in one’s convictions. Similar to thunderbolt that can break anything against which it strikes without being affected itself, the devotee should to undertake a challenge without losing his confidence.
The ‘lotus’ in Durga’s hand is not in full bloom which symbolizes the certainty of success but not finality.
The “Sudarshan-Chakra” which spins around the index finger of the Goddess signifies that the entire world is subservient to the will of Durga and is at her command. She uses this unfailing weapon to destroy evil and produce an environment conducive to the growth of righteousness.
The ‘sword’ that Durga holds in one of her hands symbolizes knowledge, which has the sharpness of a sword.
Durga’s ‘trident’ or ‘trishul’ is a symbol of three qualities – Satwa (inactivity), Rajas (activity) and Tamas (non-activity) – and that she is the remover of all the three types of miseries – physical, mental and spiritual.
Goddess Durga presents herself as the Mother (Maa, Matha) of universe taking care of the welfare of all the beings and accounting for their prosperity. To awaken the Goddess, the personification of the active side of the divine “shakti” energy of Lord Shiva, several Mantras are chanted throughout the year and specially during the Navaratri festival.
