Goddess Durga Devi Is the Mother of the Hindu Universe
In Hinduism, Durga is a form of Devi, the supreme goddess, also identified with Parvati. As a mother goddess, she is frequently called Maa Durga and is sometimes referred to as the mother of Kartik, Ganesh, Lakshmi, and Saraswati (in some traditions she is also an incarnation of Saraswati or Lakshmi).
Durga in the Hindu tradition :
According to the narrative from the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana, the form of Durga was created as a warrior goddess to fight the demon Mahishasura. His father Rambha, king of the demons, once fell in love with a water buffalo, and Mahishasur was born out of this union. He is therefore able to change between human and buffalo form at will (mahisha means "buffalo"). Through intense prayers to Brahma, Mahishasura had the boon that he could not be defeated by any man or god. By virtue of this power, he invaded the gods, who went for help to the supreme trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra), but Mahishashura defeated all of the gods including the trinity themselves. He unleashed a reign of terror on earth, heaven and the nether worlds.
The word Shakti, meaning strength, reflects the warrior aspect of the goddess, embodying a traditional male role. But she is also strikingly beautiful, and initially Mahishasura tries to marry her.
The Worship of Durga
The 4 day Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival in Bengal and other parts of Eastern India. But it is celebrated in various forms throughout the Hindu universe.
The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami (East and South India), Dashain (Nepal) or Dussehra (North India) - these words literally mean "the tenth" (day), vijayA means "of-victory". In Kashmir she is worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari Parbat in Srinagar).
The actual period of the worship however may be on the preceding nine days followed by the last day called Vijayadashami in North India or five days in Bengal, (from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing-moon fortnight). Nine aspects of Durga known as Navadurga are meditated upon, one by one during the nine-day festival by devout shakti worshippers.
In North India, this tenth day, signifying Rama's victory in his battle against the demon Ravana, is celebrated as Dussehra - gigantic straw effigies of Ravana are burnt in designated open spaces (e.g. Delhi's Ram Lila grounds), watched by thousands of families and little children.
In Gujarat it is celebrated as the last day of Navaratri, during which the Garba dance is performed to celebrate the vigorous victory of Mahishasura-mardini Durga.
Goddess Durga is worshipped in many temples of Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
Durga Puja:
Durga Puja is the biggest festival of Bengali Hindus. It is also called Akalbodhan, Vijaya Dashami, Dashain, and Dussehra. The actual period of the worship however may be over the preceding nine days Navaratri or five days ("Sasthi", "Saptami", "Asthami", "Nabami" & "Vijaya Dashami")
what are the devine weapons of Goddess durga?
1. Conch: The conch is the symbol of the primordial sound called 'AUM' from which the entire creation emerged. Devi Durga is verily the creator of the universe.
2. Discuss: The discuss revolving around Durga's hands show that Durga is the center of creation and all the universe revolves around her.
3. Lotus: The lotus strikes a beautiful message that as it emanates from the slushy water to full blossom, Lord Durga's compassion will help men rise up from their worldly bondage and evil to attain Moksha or liberation.
4. Sword: Sword marks the sharpness of intellect enjoining humans to use the sense of discrimination to overcome their negativity.
5. Bow and arrow: The bow and arrow are the symbols of energy while the bow represents potential energy, the arrow represents the kinetic energy.
6. Trishul: The trishul or the trident has three sharp edges meaning that humans are composed of three gunas or qualities namely Tamas (inactivity and lethargic tendency), Rajas (hyperactivity and desires) and Sattva (positivity and purity). As the trident pierces anything to death, the compassion of Mother Durga shall confer the wisdom necessary to conquer the three qualities and emerge victorious.
7. Mace: Enjoins humans to exhibit loyalty, love and devotion to Mother Durga.
8. Thunderbolt: represents firmness and solidarity of purpose with which humans should pursue the ultimate goal of their lives.
9. Snake: Indicates the upward movement from the lower state of consciousness to the higher state of existence experiencing pure bliss.
10. Flame: signifies wisdom and knowledge that is required to get the worldly benefits as well as the spiritual attainments.
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