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January 1, 2017 at 6:23 pm

The Great Goddess Durga who is Aadi Parashakti or Parvati astride her lion, brandishing eight to eighteen arms, each carrying a distinct weapon or tool is one of the most ubiquitous image in Hinduism. She is stunningly beautiful, her long dark hair cascades down her back and over her shoulders and her each arm is decorated with bangles.

Sparkling earrings dangle from her ears and on one side are connected to a delicate chain that leads to a ring in her nose ring. A garland and necklaces flows in her neck, the fold of her red sari enhance her sensual feminine features, and intricate symbols emulating the wondrous patterns of mother nature portrayed on her feet.

To her worshipers Durga is the divine mother goddess who presides over the seasons of life, death and birth. As her creative aspect she is Saraswati and as the source of abundance she becomes Lakshmi as these both are often referred to as her daughters. In her fierce and wrathful manifestations Durga becomes Kali, Chandika or more fierce Chamunda, the angry one.

Durga means the invincible, the unconquerable and unassailable one. As a loving Mother the devotee who considers her as his ultimate refuge and asks for help to face the fears and difficulties. A liberator of the oppressed and marginalized, she is not a warring goddess by nature. She comes because we need her help. When called upon she leads us through situations that feel insurmountable.

It is no wonder one of the meaning of her name as Durga is fortress. Durga indeed reminds us of the fortress we each carry within ourselves and can call on when we need to fortify our emotional , physical, mental and spiritual boundaries!!

  • This topic was modified 7 years, 10 months ago by  Krishna Kumar.