Durga
The concept of the
Mother as Warrior Goddess is an ancient one; and we see specific references to
Durga Devi in the Mahabharata, as
well as various Puranas. The Markandeya
Purana and the Devi Bhagavatha
Purana are two significant texts to delve into the stories of the Universal
Mother. The Devi Mahatmya (Glories of
the Goddess) is found within the Markandeya
Purana and extols the Goddess as both the Ultimate Brahman; and also the
source energy, which, by the destruction of evil, maintains the balance of the
universe.
Durga Devi is
personified most often as a goddess clad in red, astride either a lion or a
tiger. She may be depicted as having either ten or eighteen arms, each holding
a weapon. But despite this formidable array of artillery and her fearsome
mount, Durga’s face is the essence of serenity.
Red in Hinduism is an
auspicious color, symbolizing, vitality and dynamic force. The lion/tiger
represents the immense power that is Hers to command. Durga, is the form of
pure Shakthi – Divine Energy – that sustains not only this Universe, but That
which made manifest the Gods themselves. Hence in her many arms, she holds the
weapons associated with the different Gods viz. the trident of Lord Shiva, the
discus of Vishnu, the thunderbolt of Indra etc. In Her mission of ridding the world of the evil that
threatens to consume it, there is no trace of self-interest. Hence the serenity
on Her face – She is ultimately detached from destruction.
One of the storied
temple of Goddess Durga is the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada, Andhra
Pradesh.
Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
