Durga

For other uses of "Durga", see Durga (disambiguation).
"Mahishasuramardini" redirects here. For the radio programme of All India Radio, see Mahisasuramardini (radio programme).
Durga
Goddess of Victory of Good over Evil
Devanagari दुर्गा
Sanskrit transliteration Durga
Affiliation

Devi, Mother Goddess, original manifested form of Mother Adi-Parashakti/Parvati, Goddess Shakti, manifestation of Mahashakti

Consort Lord Shiva
Abode Forest of Madamba Kadamba
Planet Rahu
Mantra Om Durgaye Namaha / Om Aim Hreem Kleem Durga Devi Namaha
Weapon Trident, discus, scimitar, lasso, conch shell, mace, bow and arrow, spear, sword (longsword), shield, bell, pink lotus flower, battle-axe, thunderbolt, elephant goad, snake, rod, spade, vajra, goblet, hammer weapon, iron weapon, weapon made out of thorns, javelin, dagger
Consort Shiva
Mount lion or tiger

Durga (Hindustani pronunciation: [ˈd̪ʊrɡaː], Sanskrit: दुर्गा Durgā "Invincible") is the principal form of the Mother Goddess in Hinduism. She is known by a variety of names - including Amba, Ambika, Jagadamba, Parvathi, Shakti, Adishakti, Parashakti and Devi. Durga is regarded by Hindus as the root cause of creation, sustenance and annihilation. She is pure energy (referred to as "Shakti" in Sanskrit and Hindu religious context). Being innately formless (known as Adi Parashakti), she manifests herself within the gods and demi-gods so that she may fulfill the tasks of the universe via them. At times of distress, such as when Mahishasura terrorised the universe, she manifests herself in divine form to protect the world. Hence, Durga is also known as Mahishasura Mardini (Bengali: মহিষাসুরমর্দ্দিনী, The Annihilator of Mahishasur).

Origins and development

The historian Ramaprasad Chanda wrote in 1916, the following treatise about the ideological development of Goddess Durga from primitive goddess to her current form: [1]

"...it is possible to distinguish two different strata – one primitive and the other advanced. The primitive form of Durga (Parvati) is the result of syncretism of a mountain-goddess worshiped by the dwellers of the Himalaya and the Vindhyas, a goddess worshiped by the nomadic Abhira shepherd, a vegetation spirit conceived as female, and a war-goddess. As her votaries advanced in civilization the primitive war-goddess was transformed into the personification of the all-destroying time (Kali), the vegetation spirit into the primordial energy (Adya Sakti) and the saviouress from “samsara” (cycle of rebirths), and gradually brought into line with the Brahmanic mythology and philosophy...."

The Devi Puranas state that Durga is the warrior manifestation of Goddess Adishakti. Durga means the "Invincible One". Therefore, Goddess Adishakti is the Divine Mother of the Universe who had taken birth on Earth as Parvati to win and woo Shiva. The Lalita Sahasranamam bestows Durga as a name of her indicating that Lalita is none other than a form of Ma Adishakti Parvati.

Durga is the supreme soul, otherwise called Shakti (primordial cosmic energy). As such, she is the original cause of all the present or past worldly occurrences. From Durga, all phenomenon of creation, existence and destruction is generated - through the emergence of two triads of Supreme Powers:

Different terms all referring to the same concept referenced above are - Adhyashakti, Paramatma Shakti or Ati Prakrutika Shakti. Durga is believe to create and control two types of power:

Durga, as the Mother of the Universe, provides man with the opportunity for salvation and enjoyment of life. Vyasa, the eminent sage and poet of the Devi Bhagavata Purana, has aptly stated "Rudrahinam Vishnuhinam na vadanti janastatha Shaktihinam Yathasarbe probodhanti Naradhamam". This verse translates loosely as "Powerless persons are despised as mean persons. So, by being devoted to the Supreme, we should be strong and powerful by her grace."

Stories

The Shiva Purana gives an account of the origin of Durga. At the beginning of time, Lord Shiva invoked Durga, the primordial energy from his left half to create. Together they created their eternal abode, Shivaloka, also known as Kashi. Thereafter, they created Vishnu and Brahma.

Durga on a lion

As per the Shiva Purana and Devi Mahatmyam, Mahishasura, the son of the demon Rambha, unleashed a reign of terror on earth. When the gods intervened, Mahishasura defeated them, banishing them from heaven.

The vanquished gods went to the Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. As they narrated their woeful tale, an immense mass of light manifested from Lord Vishnu's mouth. This was joined by similar rays that emerged from the enraged faces of gods. This mass of light transformed into a woman. The gods bestowed gifts of divine weapons to this woman who was Adishakti manifested as Durga, to slay Mahishasura.

Other sources say that Durga did not arise from the Devas as she was a form of Goddess Adishakti. The Mother took birth on Earth as Parvati to be united with her lord, Shiva. After marriage, Shiva helps Parvati realize and gain control of her powers as Adi-shakti, the pure energy of the universe. Later on, she slays Mahishasura as Durga and Raktabija as Kali.

Armed with celestial weapons gifted by the deities and decked with divine ornaments, Durga rode into the battle field and challenged the demons for battle. Mahishasura's entire army, led by demons like Chikshur, Chamar, Asiloma, Vidalaksha, Durdhara, Durmukha, Mahahanu and many more, attacked Durga simultaneously. But Durga slew all of them with unparalleled fearlessness. An enraged Mahishasura attacked Durga in the guise of a buffalo. But Durga bound him in this form with ropes. The buffalo then morphed into a lion and leapt on Durga, but she beheaded it with her sword. At this, Mahishasura began to fight with his sword. Durga pinned him down with a torrent of arrows. Mahishasura assumed the form of a giant elephant and tugged at Durga's mount, itself a lion. Durga lopped off the trunk of the elephant with her sword and freed her lion. The elephant turned into a buffalo and charged at Durga. Durga flung her trident and beheaded Mahishasura, finally killing him.

Worship

Main article: Durga Puja
Durga Worship Mantra
A 51 seconds sample of Durga Puja Mantra recited in Sanskrit.
Problems playing this file? See media help.
Durga idol in Hiranandani Gardens.
A traditional Durga idol at a pandal in Kolkata.

The four-day-long (Saptami to Dashami) Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival in Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand and Nepal, where it is known as Dashain. Dashain is the longest national holiday of Nepal. In Dashain, Durga is worshipped in ten forms (Kushmanda, chandraghanta, brahmacharini, shailaputri, skandamata, katyayani, kalaratri, mahagauri, Mahakali and Durga) with one form for each day in Nepal. It is celebrated likewise with much fervour in various parts of India, especially the Himalayan region, but is celebrated in various forms throughout India and the world.

An idol of Durga Pooja, comprising Goddess Durga, her daughters Laxmi, Saraswati and her sons Ganesha, Karitik

The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijayadashami (Bijoya in Bengali), Dashain (Nepali) or Dussehra (in Hindi) – these words literally mean "the Victory on the Tenth (day)".[2]

In Andhra Pradesh she is also worshipped as Kanaka Durgammathalli, where there is also famous temple for Goddess Kanaka Durga in Indrakeeladri, Vijayawada. She is also known by the name of Chandi Bhavani.

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 (Navaratri) 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).[3] Nine aspects of Durga known as Navadurga are meditated upon, one by one during the nine-day festival by devout Shakti worshippers. Durga Puja also includes the worship of Shiva, who is Durga's consort, in addition to Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, who are considered to be Durga's children.[4] Worship of Mother nature is done, through nine types of plant (called "Kala Bou"), including a plantain (banana) tree, which represent nine divine forms of Goddess Durga.[5] In South India, especially Andhra Pradesh, Dussera Navaratri is also celebrated and the goddess is dressed each day as a different devi – Shailputri, Bramhacharini, Chandraghanta, etc. – for the nine days.

In Telangana, people celebrate Bathukamma, a flower festival during Navarathri, to honor the 'life-giver' goddess Bathukamma (Durga) with the belief that if young girls pray with devotion, their wishes of getting a good spouse will be fulfilled. On the other hand, married women seek Durga's blessings for prosperity and good year. Women folk arrange flowers in concentric layers to form conical shape and place Durga, made out turmeric on top. Bathukamma is a cultural icon of Telangana.

In North India, the tenth day, is celebrated as Dussehra, the day Rama emerged victorious in his battle against the demon, Ravana. 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 Mysore in Karnataka, Durga is worshipped as Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess of the city during Dussehra (Dasara) as it is believed that she saved all the people here from Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, who terrorised them. Hence, the city, the then larger region comprising other Kannada regions, got the name "Mysoru" after Goddess Mahishasura Mardhini (ie. slayer of the demon Mahishasura).

In Gujarat it is celebrated as the last day of Navaratri, during which the Garba dance is performed to celebrate the victory of Durga over Mahishasura.

Durga is worshipped in her peaceful form as Maha Gauri, The Fair Lady. Shantadurga also known as Santeri, the patron Goddess of Goa. She is worshipped by all Goan Hindus.

In Maharashtra, Tulja Bhavani, Hedavde Mahalaxmi and Ambabai are worshipped as Mahishasura Mardini, (Bengali: মহিষাসুরমর্দ্দিনী, The Annihilator of Mahishasur) and considered the patron goddess of the land. Bhavani is known as Tulaja, Amba,[6] Renuka, Yamai Saptshrungi and Jogai in different places of Maharashtra. She is the inspirational goddess of Raja Shivaji. As per legends, Bhavani appeared after Shivaji prayed to her and blessed him to be able to make Hindustan or the then India (ruled by the Mughals) independent – the kingdom he established eventually became the Hindu Pad Padshahi (sometimes also called the Maratha Empire), which comprised all the land ruled by the Mughals and brought India back under Hindu sovereignty.

In Bangladesh also, the four-day long Sharadiya Durga Puja (Bengali: শারদীয়া দুর্গা পুজো, ‘autumnal Durga worship’) is the biggest religious festivals for the Hindus and celebrated across the country with Vijayadashami being a national holiday.

The prominence of Durga Puja increased gradually during the British Raj in Bengal.[7] After the Hindu reformists identified Durga with India, she became an icon for the Indian independence movement.

Durga and Ashtanayika

In Hinduism whenever a priest worships Goddess Durga, he has to utter a mantra which gives an account of Goddess Durga together with Ashtanayika (her eight eternal companions). The priest then deeply concentrates his mind upon Goddess Durga together with Ashtanayika.[8][9][10]

Western references

Some early Western accounts refer to a deity known as Deumus, Demus or Deumo. Western (Portuguese) sailors first came face to face with the murti of Deumus at Calicut on the Malabar Coast and they concluded it to be the deity of Calicut. Deumus is sometimes interpreted as an aspect of Durga in Hindu mythology and sometimes as deva.

It is described that the ruler of Calicut (Zamorin) had a murti of Deumus in his temple inside his royal palace.[11][12] The temple was two paces wide in each of the four sides and three paces high, with a wooden door covered with gods carved in relief. At the centre of the temple, there was a metal idol of Deumus placed in a seat, which was also made of metal.

Western accounts also describe the ruler of Calicut worshiping an ultimate god called Tamerani ("Tamburan"). The accounts also describes a misunderstood form of the "hook-swinging" ritual once commonly performed as part of some popular Hindu religious festivals.

Notable temples of Durga

In India

Image of Durga in a small temple next to Rewalsar Lake, Himachal Pradesh, India
Assam
Andhra Pradesh
Delhi:
Goa
Gujarat
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu
Karnataka
Kerala
Maharashtra
Odisha
Punjab
Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal

Outside India

See also

References

  1. ↑ McDaniel, June (2004). Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-516791-0. p. 214.
  2. ↑ Esposito, John L.; Darrell J. Fasching; Todd Vernon Lewis (2007). Religion & globalization: world religions in historical perspective. Oxford University Press. p. 341. ISBN 0-19-517695-2.
  3. ↑ Parmita Borah (2 October 2011). "Durga Puja – a Celebration of Female Supremacy". EF News International. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Kinsley, David (1988). Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-06339-2. p. 95.
  5. ↑ "Kolabou". Bangalinet.com. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  6. ↑ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 64.
  7. ↑ "Article on Durga Puja".
  8. ↑ Bangala Bhasar Abhidhaan ( Dictioanary of the Bengali Language) Shishu Sahitya Samsad Pvt Ltd. 32A, APC Road, Kolakata – 700009, Volume 1, p.151. (ed. 1994)
  9. ↑ Manorama Year Book (Bengali edition)Malyala Manorama Pvt. Ltd., 32A, APC Road, Kolkata- 700 009(ed.2012), p.153
  10. ↑ http://belurmath.org/kids_section/eight-companions-of-the-mother/
  11. ↑ Jörg Breu d. Ä. zugeschrieben, Idol von Calicut, in: Ludovico de Varthema, 'Die Ritterlich und lobwürdig Reisz', Strassburg 1516. (Bild: Völkerkundemuseum der Universität Zürich
  12. ↑ A briefe collection and compendious extract of straunge and memorable thinges, gathered out of the Cosmographye of Sebastian Munster, wherein is made a plaine description of diuers and straunge lawes, rites, maners and properties of sondrye nations, and a short report of straunge histories of diuers men, and of the nature and properties of certaine fovvles, fishes, beastes, monsters, and sondry countryes and places, published in London in 1574 by Tomas Marshe
  13. ↑ Ambaji

Further reading

External links

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