GODDESS DURGA
THE
FEMALE
FORM
AS
THE
SUPREME
BEING
GODDESS DURGA
THE
FEMALE
FORM
AS
THE
SUPREME
BEING
CONTENTS THE STORY OF DURGA NAVRATRI FESTIVAL
THE STORY OF DURGA originates from Hindu Mythology, her tale starts with
the demon called Mahishasura. A hardworking demon that devoted himself after a long and challenging punishment. Because of his efforts and devotion, he was blessed by Lord Shiva with a wish. Mahishasura requested his wish to be that “no man or deity would be able to kill him�. Feeling powerful and invincible, he began to terror- ise and kill the people as he attempted to control the universe. On his mission to attain power, he attacked the gods and their home which began a battle centuries long between the gods and demons. Mahi- shasura was so powerful that he defeated all the gods and became their leader. The gods, feeling defeated and betrayed, went to Vishnu for help. They gathered together and as they held each other a beautiful bright light of energy radiated from the gods; Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The trinity formed a crest of vibrant energy and in the very centre began the formation of the Goddess Durga. Different attributes from the gods were combined into the divine goddess, in her face and three eyes was the light of Shiva, her ten arms came from Lord Vishnu to fight against evil for all directions, her feet were from Lord Brahma and all her other traits came from all of the heavenly gods. One by one, the gods gifted their weapons to assist her battle with demon, Mahishasura.
She was gifted a...
CHAKRA DISCUS
spins on the goddess’ index finger without touch- ing her skin symbolises the sphere of life that keeps revolving, telling us that time destroys everything with enlightenment and spiritual awaken- ing transcends time. Teaching devotees to maintain to their truth, stay on their spiritual quest without being tempted by pleasures.
CONCH SHELL
symbolising the sacred sound of ‘OM’ – the sound of the universe.
BOW & ARROW
representing energy and kinetic energy, the bow and arrow held by the goddess with only one hand demonstrates her power and control.
TRIDENT
representing three qualities; Satwa, Rajas and Tamas (inactivity, activity and non-activity). The trident symbolises the removal of the miseries and sufferings of life within the mind, body and spirit. Essentially symbolises the strength humans have to overcome life’s hardships.
THUNDERBOLT
Just like the thunderbolt can destroy anything it strikes, the goddess is encouraged to engage in a challenge without doubt and unyielding confidence.
SWORD
The sword is aimed at destroying ignorance as it cuts through darkness and shines.
AXE
the destroyer of evil and ignorance.
LOTUS
A lot of lust and greed still lingers in the world. The Goddess is devoted to an everlasting spiritual journey.
LION
symbolises the animalistic tendency that souls can possess such as anger, jealousy, arrogance and desire to harm. The goddess riding the lion is a reminder for devotees that they are in control of these feelings and
BEDAZZLED IN JEWELS, golden armour and prepared with the pow- erful weapons of the gods, Durga was ready to battle with Mahishasura. She struck down the demon’s armies effortlessly, making him angry, Mahishasura took on the form of a demonic buffalo and charged at Durga’s soldiers. The battle lasted a long and treach- erous 10 days. On the final day Durga defeated Mahishasura by beheading him with her sword. Showered with praises and love, the gods bowed to the goddess “Mother, you have created this universe. You are the strength of all”.
NAVRATRI FESTIVAL
Meaning ‘nine nights’ celebrates the nine nights dedicated to the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga. In many Hindu texts she is mentioned in various forms. The ten distinct forms of the divine goddess are; Durga – the beautiful face that showed herself to attract the demons, Daschabhooja – the fierce ten-armed form that destroyed part of the demon army, Signha-Vahini – on top of a lion, she fought against the creators of the thousands of demons, Mahishma-Mardini, Jagadhatri, Kali, muktakeshi, Tara, Chinnamastika and Jugadguree. In all her forms, Durga represents feminine energy, power, sacrifice, beauty & knowledge. She is also the embodiment of purity and self-realization. She is known to possess supreme consciousness, known as “Ataman”. The supreme consciousness is immortal, her soul is deathless and transcends beyond time and space. The Hindu festival of Navratri symbolizes the triumphs of good over evil and takes place at the start of October. The festival is celebrated for nine days and on the tenth day is Dussera – which com- memorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Navratri is celebrated full of colour, joy and dance. Villages and communities come together, gather in open spaces and celebrate the divine feminine energy of Shakti. On each night of the festival, a dance is performed to represent one of the nine forms of the goddess.
FESTIVAL DAYS On each day of the festival, a different colour is worn to represent distinct qualities of each form of Durga. On the first day the colour Red is worn, portraying vigour and action. The red colour also represents warmth and feminine energy. On the second day a royal blue is word – the colour rep- resents peace and tranquillity yet strong and powerful. On the third day, the colour yellow is worshipped as it represents happiness. On the fourth day the colour green is worn to represent the lush and green beauty of the earth. On the fifth day grey is worn, representing the strength a mother can have to protect her family from harm. On the sixth day orange is worn to depict great courage. On the seventh day, white is worn to portray prayer, peace and to ensure devotees that Goddess Durga is always there to protect them from harm to the mind, body and spirit. On the eighth day pink is worn, depicting hope and new beginnings which is the day Durga is believed to have destroyed all sins. On the ninth day, light blue is worn to portray the admiration of nature’s beauty like the blue sky.