Origin of Maa Durga
Goddess Durga is considered the Mother of the Universe. She worshipped as the giver of all compassion and the destroyer of demons. Goddess Durga has many incarnations, namely Parvati, Ambika, Kali and others reflect different aspects of her compassionate of ferocious nature.
In Hindu mythology the birth of Goddess Durga stems from the need to vanquish the demon Mahisasura. As legend has it, troubled by the atrocities commented by the demon Mahisasura, the Gods approached the three Supreme powers of the Universe, Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Mahesh (the destroyer). They realized the need to create a feminine energy that could defeat Mahisasura, the one who could not be defeated by man of God.
In this attempt, the energies from all three Gods combined to result in ‘Shakti’ or Durga. Her face was derived and shone like the face of Shiva, her arms (ten in number) were derived from the light of Lord Vishnu and her legs form Lord Brahma. The other Gods also contributed to her combined power by offering her their weapons. Thus, Goddess Durga got her missile from the God of fire, Agni, Arrows from the God of wind, Varuna, thunderbolt from the King of Gods, Indra, Rod from the God of death and weapons from Lord Vishnu (discus), Mahesh (trident) as well.
Goddess Durga is considered the Mother of the Universe. She worshipped as the giver of all compassion and the destroyer of demons. Goddess Durga has many incarnations, namely Parvati, Ambika, Kali and others reflect different aspects of her compassionate of ferocious nature.
In Hindu mythology the birth of Goddess Durga stems from the need to vanquish the demon Mahisasura. As legend has it, troubled by the atrocities commented by the demon Mahisasura, the Gods approached the three Supreme powers of the Universe, Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Mahesh (the destroyer). They realized the need to create a feminine energy that could defeat Mahisasura, the one who could not be defeated by man of God.
In this attempt, the energies from all three Gods combined to result in ‘Shakti’ or Durga. Her face was derived and shone like the face of Shiva, her arms (ten in number) were derived from the light of Lord Vishnu and her legs form Lord Brahma. The other Gods also contributed to her combined power by offering her their weapons. Thus, Goddess Durga got her missile from the God of fire, Agni, Arrows from the God of wind, Varuna, thunderbolt from the King of Gods, Indra, Rod from the God of death and weapons from Lord Vishnu (discus), Mahesh (trident) as well.
Goddess Durga’s image is both ferocious and compassionate in nature. She also carries in her hands a lotus, flower, a conch and is shown dressed in regal attire ad ornaments. Every aspect of Goddess Durga’s attire is reflective of your unyielding power and ‘Shakti’. Her regal attire and the fact that she rides a tiger or a lion symbolized power. The form of the demon Mahisasura symbolizes ego and ignorance. In fighting and slaying Mahisasura, Maa Durga depicts the win of Good over Evil.
The worship of Goddess Durga is held in twice a year, once in Chaitra and the second time in Aswin, the latter being more popular. The style of worship differs with respect to the different States in which it is observed and known as ‘Navratri’ or none days of celebration.
Goddess Durga offers hope to all her devotees and promises that if they submit to her and pray, she will help fight their vices like anger, greed, lust and ego and liberate them. She also reveal that in order to emerge ‘victorious’ one has to go through suffering and kill all negativities that are prevalent in the human form. The ultimate aim being to emerge as evolved spiritual beings, one with God.
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