Goddess Durga, also known as Parvati is the consort of Lord Shiva. It is said that the Goddess Shakti takes on different forms such as Kali, Chandi or Durga to fight the demons. She is the power behind all creation, preservation and destruction in the Universe. Goddess Durga has been worshipped as the supreme power of God (Shakti) for time immemorial with special mention in scriptures such as the Yajur Veda, Vajasaneyi Samhita and Taittareya Brahman.
‘Durga’ is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning the ‘invincible’. Literally translated, Durga means a fort that is difficult to overcome. A more elaborate meaning of Durga is ‘du’-‘r’-‘ga’ or the destroyer of all evils and diseases.
The worship of Maa Durga is done twice a year for 9 days known as ‘Navratra’, once during the summer (Chaitra Navratra) and once during the winter (Sharad Navratra), the latter being more popular and known as ‘Durga Puja’ is several States of India. During these festivals Durga is invoked in different forms Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Praying to the form of Durga destroys all evils and vices inside use, praying to the form Lakshmi is associated with the gain of spiritual wealth and divine qualities and calling upon the form of Saraswati gives the knowledge which liberates us from all evil and negativities.
The forms of Durga may be depicted as being ferocious and loving at the same time, the source of power (Shakti) is one. The birth of Durga is associated with the slaying of the demon Mahisasura, the Lord of the Asuras (demons).
According to Hindu mythology, Mahisasura, armed with his knowledge and power defeated the Gods and became the Lord of Heaven. The tale of his atrocities compelled the Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva to create ‘Shakti’ in the form of Maa Durga to destroy Mahisasura. The Lord of the Asuras who was destined to be undefeated by man or God was forced to bow down before Maa Durga. The power of the divine Goddess Durga was no match for the demon and after 10 days of fighting the Goddess ended all the evil in the world by cutting off Mahisasura’s head. This event is celebrated in the form of ‘VijayaDashami’, the victory of the soul.
See Also :
1. Goddess Durga and Kali
2. SHAKTISM - Sanatana Dharma
3. Navratri: 9 Nights Festival
4. Nav Durga - The Nine Manifestations of Durga
5. Devi Kushmanda is Worshipped on Navratri 4th Day
6. Popular Names of Goddess Durga
7. Brief description about - Avatars Expansions, and Epithets
8. Festival of Dasara
9. GODDESS - KALI MAA
10. GODDESS - DURGA MAA
11. Sri katyayani Vratam - The Gopīs worship Goddess Kātyānanī Devi
12. Nava-Durgā - नवदुर्गा - The nine forms of Goddess Durgā
13. Navadurgā - नवदुर्गा The nine forms of Goddess Durgā
14. Prayer to Yogamaya Devi (Durga-devi)
15. The Krishna's illusory Energy of Yoga Maya ( Goddess Durga Devi )
16. The Krishna's Yoga Maya Curtain
17. The Two kinds of Yoga Māyā
18. Yogamāyā and Mahāmāyā
19. Embracing maya
20. Is Maya the same as Durga?
21. Māyā - the deluding power of God
22. Yogamaya - director of loving spiritual pastimes
