Durga
| Durga | |
|---|---|
Mother Goddess; Goddess of Power, Strength, Protection, Maya (Illusions) and Prakriti (Natural Form)[1] | |
A painting of Durga at Jaganmohan Palace, Mysuru | |
| Other names | Mahishasura-mardini, Kaushiki, Katyayani, Chandika, Ambika, Mahamaya, Shakti, Bhavani, Jagadamba |
| Devanagari | दुर्गा |
| Affiliation | |
| Abode | Manidvipa, Vindhyachal |
| Mantra |
|
| Weapon | Chakra (discus), Trishula (trident), Gada (mace), Bow and Arrow, Khanda (sword) |
| Day | Friday |
| Mount | Lion; Tiger[2][3] |
| Texts | Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Devi Mahatmya, Kalika Purana, Shakta Upanishads, Tantras |
| Gender | Female |
| Festivals | Durga Puja, Durga Ashtami, Navaratri, Vijayadashami, Bathukamma |
| Equivalents | |
| Manipuri | Panthoibi[4] |
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
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Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा, IAST: Durgā) is one of the most important goddesses in Hinduism, regarded as a principal aspect of the supreme goddess. Associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars, her mythology centers around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, dharma and cosmic order, representing the power of good over evil.[5][6] Durga is seen as a motherly figure and often depicted as a warrior, riding a lion or tiger, with many arms each carrying a weapon and defeating demons.[7][5][8][3][9][10][11] She is widely worshipped by the followers of the goddess-centric sect, Shaktism, and has importance in other denominations like Shaivism and Vaishnavism.[6][12]
Durga is believed to have originated as an ancient goddess worshipped by indigenous mountain-dwellers of the Indian subcontinent, before being established in the main Hindu pantheon by the 4th century CE. The most important texts of Shaktism, Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavata Purana, which revere Devi (the Goddess) as the primordial creator of the universe and the Brahman (ultimate truth and reality),[13][14][15] identify Durga as the embodiment of maya (illusion), shakti (power or energy) and prakriti (nature).[16] She is best known as Mahishasura-mardini; for slaying Mahishasura—the buffalo demon who could only be killed by a woman. In accounts of her battles with other demons such as Shumbha and Nishumbha, Durga manifests other warrior goddesses, the Matrikas, and Kali, to aid in combat.[17]
In Vaishnava contexts, Durga is revered as Mahamaya or Yogamaya—the personification of the illusory powers of the god Vishnu—and sometimes considered to be his sister.[16][18][19] Durga is typically portrayed as an independent, unmarried warrior goddess. However, in traditions where she is identified with the goddess Parvati, she also acquires domestic attributes and is widely regarded as the consort of Shiva. This identification is especially prominent in the regional traditions of Bengal, where Durga is also considered as the mother of the deities Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati.[7][20]
Durga has a significant following all over Nepal, India, Bangladesh and many other countries. She is mostly worshipped after spring and autumn harvests, especially during the festivals of Durga Puja, Durga Ashtami, Vijayadashami, Deepavali, and Navaratri.[21][22] She is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism.[23][24]
- ^ David R Kinsley 1989, pp. 104.
- ^ Robert S Ellwood & Gregory D Alles 2007, p. 126.
- ^ a b Wendy Doniger 1999, p. 306.
- ^ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1998). Recent Researches in Oriental Indological Studies: Including Meiteilogy. Parimal Publications.
- ^ a b David R Kinsley 1989, pp. 3–4.
- ^ a b Paul Reid-Bowen 2012, pp. 212–213.
- ^ a b Encyclopedia Britannica 2015.
- ^ Charles Phillips, Michael Kerrigan & David Gould 2011, pp. 93–94.
- ^ David R Kinsley 1989, pp. 3–5.
- ^ Laura Amazzone 2011, pp. 71–73.
- ^ Donald J LaRocca 1996, pp. 5–6.
- ^ Lynn Foulston & Stuart Abbott 2009, pp. 9–17.
- ^ June McDaniel 2004, pp. 215–216.
- ^ David Kinsley 1998, pp. 101–102.
- ^ Laura Amazzone 2012, p. xi.
- ^ a b David R Kinsley 1989, pp. 96, 104.
- ^ David R Kinsley 1989, pp. 95–6.
- ^ "Yoga-Māyā's Prophecy and Kaṃsa's Order to Slaughter all Children [Chapter 4]". 2 September 2022.
- ^ "Yoganidra, Yoganidrā, Yoga-nidra: 14 definitions". 11 March 2017.
- ^ David R Kinsley 1989, pp. 95–96.
- ^ James G Lochtefeld 2002, p. 208.
- ^ Constance Jones & James D Ryan 2006, pp. 139–140, 308–309.
- ^ Flood 1996, pp. 17, 153.
- ^ "Panch Dev Puja Worship". ABP (in Hindi). 17 November 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.