DURGADEVI

DURGA DEVI

Sri Durgadevi is considered as Adi Parasakthi representing primordial Cosmic energy capable of  the three acts of creation, protection and destruction! She also stands for ‘ Maya' or illusion that envelops mankind. She is also called as ‘prakriti’ the consort of 'Purusha’. She is the power that moves the entire universe. While Purusha is static she is dynamic! He is potential energy while she is kinetic energy! She is the goddess of strength and power. She is the fierce form of Devi. According to Siva Purana Lord Siva invoked Durga from hi left half! Then  they created Siva Loka which is said to be Kasi or modern Varanasi. Later it is said that they created Vishnu and Brahma! According to another source Lalitha Maha Tripura Sundari emerged from the yagna conducted by Indra and other gods.

After Manmatha was reduced to ashes by the third eye of Siva, the Devas collected the ashes, shaped it like a man and took it to the Lord for his grace. When Siva looked at it, it came alive but instead of Manmatha a terrible demon Bhandasura was born! He immediately drained all the vitality of the Devas. Under the advice of Sage Narada, Indra performed penance and conducted a yagna when to the delight and surprise of Devas Lalitha Maha Tripura Sundari emerged in all her beauty and glory! She accepted Sri Kameswara as her spouse and was crowned. The Devas built Srinagara or Sripura on Mount Meru for her. They requested her to kill Bhandasura and save them! Later Devi leads her train and fights Bhandasura killing him finally.

Durgadevi is called by different names. She is Mahishasura Mardini, Kali, Renuka, Bhagavati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalitha, Gowri, Jaya, Rajeswari and many others. Nine forms of Durgadevi (Nava Durgas) are 1 Skandamata 2 Kushmanda 3 Sailaputrl, 4 Kalaratri, 5 Brahmacharini, 6 Mahagowri, 7 Katyayani 8 Chandraghanta and 9 Siddhidatri. Durgadevi is the warrior manifestation of Adi Parasakthi! She is invincible. Lalitha is none other than the manifestation of Adi Parasakthi. According to Devi Mahatmya and Siva Purana Mahishasura, son of Rambha, a demon, tormented and vanquished the Devas. They appealed to Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva and to their astonishment saw immense light emerge from  Vishnu’s mouth! Similar rays joined this and to their amazement the beam of light transformed itself into a woman! She was Adi Parasakthi. The Devas bestowed all their divine weapons to her so that she could kill Mahishasura and restore peace.

Armed with the powerful divine weapons Durgadevi challenges the demons Bhandasura and Mahishasura and their armies. Sri Lalitha Sahasra Nama Stotra describes graphically how Devi fought with Bhandasura aided by Mantrini, Dandini and Varahi her second in command. Asiloma, Durdhura, attack Devi and she slays them all. Mahishasura pounces on  Devi as a buffalo. Devi binds him with ropes. He suddenly changes into a lion when Durgadevi cuts off his head with her sword and pins him down with arrows. The Asura soon transforms himself into an elephant and attacks her mount (vahana). Devi chops off  the trunk of the elephant! Once again the demon turns into a buffalo when Durgadevi flings her trident (trisula) and finally silences him for ever! Thus Durgadevi gets her name Mahishasura Mardini by killing the dreaded demon and establishing peace!

The weapons with which she armed herself not only decimate the terrible and cruel demons but signify peace and tranquility for the entire universe! Sudarsana Chakra offered by Vishnu stands for Dharma or righteousness. Conch by Varuna signifies Omkara or the Pranava. Bow and arrow presented by Surya destroys all difficulties and sorrows! The sword represents keen intellect and knowledge. The spear negates and destroys negative and evil thoughts. The club destroys the power of the enemies! Trident ( trisula) offered by Siva annihilates the three gunas,Satwa,Rajas, and Thamas! The thunderbolt presented by Indra stands for firmness of spirit. Lotus signifies awakening of spiritual consciousness! While being a terror to demons and all evil doers, Durgadevi is also the protector of the universe and humanity. The first three days of  Navarathri are dedicated to Durgadevi and the next three are for Lakshmi and the next three for Saraswathi. The eighth day of Navarathri is called Durgashtami, the day on which Mahishasura was killed! As this period falls during ‘ Saradrutu’ it is called ‘Saran Navaratri’. May Durgadevi bless us all!!