DURGAI AMMAN

DURGAI MAA

WHO IS DURGAI MAA

is a major deity in Hinduism. She is worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess
Devi and is one of the most popular and widely revered among Indian divinities. She is
associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction and wars. Her legend
centres around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and
Dharma the power of good over evil. Durga is believed to unleash her divine wrath against
the wicked for the liberation of the oppressed, and entails destruction to empower creation.

Historians of religion and art tend to trace the earliest depiction of Durga to the seals of
Indus Valley Civilization. However this claim lacks direct visual evidence from the site. There
are several hints to her in the early Vedic texts and by the time of the epics, she emerges as
an independent deity. According to Hindu legends, Durga is created by the gods to defeat
the demon Mahishasura, who could be only killed by a female. Durga is seen as a motherly
figure and often depicted as a beautiful woman, riding a lion or tiger, with many arms each
carrying a weapon and often defeating demons.She is widely worshipped by the followers
of the goddess centric sect, Shaktism, and has importance in other denominations like
Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Under these traditions, Durga is associated and identified with
other deities.

1. GODDESS Shailaputri

Shailaputri is the Adi parasakti, who was born in the house of King of Mountains “Parv
Raj Himalaya”. The name “Shailaputri” literally means the daughter (putri) of mountai
(shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Himava
the king of the Himalayas.

The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carri
a trident and a lotus in her two hands. In previous birth, she was daughter of Daksha,
Sati. Once Daksha had organized a big Yagna and did not invite Shiva. But Sati being
obstinate, reached there. Thereupon Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati could not tolerate the
insult of husband and burnt herself in the fire of Yagna. In other birth, she became the
daughter of Himalaya in the name of Parvati - Hemavati and married Shiva. As per
Upanishad, she had torn the egotism of Indra, etc. Devtas. Being ashamed they bowe
and prayed that, "In fact, thou are Shakti, we all - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are capab
by getting Shakti from you.

2.GODDESS BRAHMACHARIN

According to different versions of her story, maiden Parvati resolves to
marry Shiva. Her parents learn of her desire, discourage her, but she
pursues what she wants and did Tapasya for about 5000 years. In
mean time Gods approached god Kamadeva - the Hindu god of desire,
erotic love, attraction and affection and asks him to generate desire in
Shiva for Parvati. They did this because of an asura named Tarkasur
who gained the boon of being killed by only Lord Shiva's child. Kama
reaches Shiva and shoots an arrow of desire. Shiva opens his third eye
in his forehead and burns the Kama to ashes. Parvati does not lose her
hope or her resolve to win over Shiva. She begins to live in mountains
like Shiva, engage in the same activities as Shiva, one of asceticism,
yogin and tapas - it is this aspect of Parvati that is deemed to be that
of goddess Brahmacharini. Her ascetic pursuit draws the attention of
Shiva and awakens his interest. He meets her in disguised form, tries
to discourage her, telling her Shiva's weaknesses and personality
problems. Parvati refuses to listen and BHA

3. GODDESS CHANDRAGHANT

Chandraghanta rides a tiger or lion as her vehicle, however in accordance with
many of the scriptures there is the mention of "Simhaasana", "Simharudha"
which refer to the lion (Simha) as being ridden (Rudha) or them being seated
on as (Asana) by the goddesses. This form of Devi Chandraghanta is a more
warrior ready and apparently aggressive form that goddess Durga takes,
however despite being adorned with the various weapons, she is also equally
caring, benevolent and representes motherly qualities to her devotees. While
the primary cause of this form was the destruction demons, her rather fierce
depiction brings with it the encouragement that praying to her can grant one
fearlessness. She is otherwise the very embodiment of serenity.

The devotees who adore and worship Chandraghanta develop an aura of
divine splendor. Chandraghanta is ready to destroy the wicked, but to her
devotees she is a kind and compassionate mother showering peace and
prosperity. During the battle between her and the demons, the thunderous
sound produced by her bell is known to have paralyzed and stunned the
demons. She is ever ready to fight which shows her eagerness to destroy the
foes of her devotees so that they may live in peace and prosperity. Her abode
is in Manipura chakra.

4. GODDESS KUSHMANDA

t is about the time when the universe was no more than a void full of darkness.
There were no indications of the world anywhere. But then a ray of divine light,
which is ever existing, spread everywhere, illuminating each and every nook of the
void. This sea of light was formless. Suddenly, it started taking a definite size, and
finally looked like a Divine Lady, who was none other than Goddess Kushmanda
herself. The birth of the universe occurred because of the silent smile of Goddess
Kushmanda. She was the one who produced the Cosmic egg. Her smile sent away
the entirety of the darkness and thus formed a new creation of the universe. She
gave light and life to the entire universe with her silent smile. The earth, planets,
sun, stars and the galaxies were all brought into being. But to sustain life, the
world needed the sun God. So, the Goddess centred herself in between the sun
and she became the cause of the energy and light necessary for life. The sun gives
life to the world and Goddess Kushmanda herself is the power of the sun and is
the source of all energy when she resides within the core of the Sun God. It was to
create a balance in the universe and provide life to all living beings from the sun
rays, her power gives the sun its capability to give life to everyone, as she herself is
Shakti.[citation needed]

5. GODDESS SKANDAMATA

Skandamātā is four-armed, three-eyed, and rides on a lion. One of her
hands is in the fear-dispelling Abhayamudra position while the other is
used to hold the infant form of her son Skanda on her lap. Her remaining
two hands are typically shown holding lotus flowers. She is light
complexioned, and as she is often pictured seated on a lotus, she is
sometimes referred to as Padamasani.[citation needed]

It is believed that she awards devotees with salvation, power, prosperity,
and treasures. She can grant oceans of wisdom even to most illiterate
people if he happens to worship her. Skandamātā who possesses the
brilliance of the sun fulfils all the desires of her devotees. He who is
selflessly devoted to her attains all the achievements and treasures of life
The worship of Skandamātā purifies the heart of a devotee. While
worshiping her, the devotee should have absolute control over his senses
and mind. He should free himself from worldly bondage and worship her
with a single-pointed devotion. Her worship is twice blessed. When the
devotee worships her, Lord Skanda, her son in her lap, is automatically
worshipped. Thus, the devotee happens to enjoy the grace of Skandmata
along with the grace of Lord Skanda. If a devotee worships her devoid of
selfishness, the Mother blesses them with power and prosperity.

6.GODDESS KATYAYANI

According to the Vamana Purana she was created from the combined energies of the gods
when their anger at the demon Mahishasura manifested itself in the form of energy rays.
The rays crystallized in the hermitage of Kātyāyana Rishi, who gave it proper form therefore
she is also called Katyayani or "daughter of Katyayana". Elsewhere in texts like Kalika
Purana, it is mentioned that it was Rishi Kaytyayana who first worshipped her, hence she
came to be known as Katyayani. In either case, she is a demonstration or apparition of the
Durga and is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri festival.

Devi Mahatmya in Sanskrit, the central text of Shaktism, dated 11 CE
The Vamana Purana mentions the legend of her creation in great detail: "When the gods
had sought Vishnu in their distress, he and at his command Shiva, Brahma and the other
gods, emitted such flames from their eyes and countenances that a mountain of effulgence
was formed, from which became manifest Katyayini, refulgent as a thousand suns, having
three eyes, black hair and eighteen arms. Shiva gave her his trident, Vishnu a Sudarshan
Chakra or discus, Varuna a shankha, a conch-shell, Agni a dart, Vayu a bow, Surya a quiver
full of arrows, Indra a thunderbolt, Kuvera a mace,

7. GODDESS KALARATHI

Kalaratri (sometimes spelled Kaalratri) is the seventh of the nine
forms of the Goddess Durga, known as the Navadurga. She is first
referenced in the Durga Saptashati, Chapters 81-93 of the
Markandeya Purana, the earliest known literature on the Goddess
Durga. Kalaratri is widely regarded as one of the many destructive
forms of the Mother Goddess,which include Kali, Mahakali,
Bhadrakali, Bhairavi, Mrityu, Rudrani, Chamunda, Chandi and Durga.

It is not uncommon to find the names, Kali and Kalaratri being used
interchangeably, although these two deities are argued to be
separate entities by some.Kali is first mentioned in Hinduism as a
distinct goddess around 3000 BC. Chronologically then, Kaalratri
(described textually in the Mahabharata, dated 3137 BC - 3067 BC)
predates but most likely, informs, present representations of Kali.

8. GODDESS MAHAGAURI

The story of Mahagauri's origins is as follows: The demons Shumbha
and Nishumbha could only be killed by a virgin, unmarried form of
Parvati. Hence, as advised by Brahma, Shiva teased Parvati repeatedly
for her skin colour. Parvati was agitated by this teasing, so she
performed severe penance to Brahma so as to get a fair complexion.
Brahma explained his inability to grant her a boon and instead
requested her to stop her penance and slay the demons Shumbha and
Nishumbha. Parvati agreed and went to take a bath in the Ganga river
in Himalaya.Parvati entered in the Ganga river and as she took a bath,
her dark skin washed off from her person entirely and she came back
out as a beautiful golden woman, wearing white garments and apparels,
so she gained the epithet "Mahagauri". She then appeared in front of
the gods who were praying to her at the Himalayas for the destruction
of Shumbha and Nishumbha, and worriedly asked who was being
worshipped by them. She then reflected as the black Kaushiki and
answered herself saying that the gods were praying to her,after being
defeated by the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh. Parvati then turned
black out of pity for the gods and was called Kalika. She then
transformed into Chandi (Chandraghanta) .

9. GODDESS SIDDHIDATRI

Around the time when the universe was just a massive void completely full of
darkness, there were no indications of the world anywhere. But then a ray of
divine light, which is ever existing, spread everywhere, illuminating each and
every nook of the void. This sea of light was formless. Suddenly, it started taking
a definite size, and finally looked like a Divine Lady, who was none other than
Goddess Mahashakti herself. The Supreme Goddess came forth and gave birth to
the Trinity of Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadev. She advised the three Lords to
contemplate to understand their roles of performing their duties for the world.
Acting on the words of Goddess Mahashakti, Tridev sat by the bank of an ocean
and performed penances for many years. The pleased Goddess appeared before
them in the form of Siddhidhatri. She bestowed upon them, she created Her 2
clone and visnu, Bramha's wives in the forms of Saraswati, Lakshmi and goddess
adi parasakti born as sati and reborn as Parvatii. Goddess Siddhidhatri entrusted
Brahma to take up the role as the creator of worlds, Vishnu with the role of
preserving the creation and its creatures, and Mahadev with the role of
destroying the worlds when it is time. She tells them that their powers are in the
forms of their respective wives, who will help them perform their tasks.