Durga, Warrior Goddess
Hindu goddess Durga was created from the other Hindu gods to defeat Mahishasura, the buffalo demon. Once his penance for Brahma was completed, the buffalo demon asked for immortality. Brahma said no, all must die someday. Mahishasura thought and asked again, with the stipulation that only a woman could kill him. Brahma agreed and disappeared.
Soon, the demon was torturing innocent people. Worried, the devas went to the Trimurti (Hindu holy trinity) and asked for help. The trinity deities combined their powers with Adi Parashakti, the mother goddess of creation, to create an eight-armed warrior goddess to defeat the shape-shifter demon. Himavat, the god of the Himalayan mountains, gifted the avatar a lion mount. Other versions of the story say tiger. Depending on which version, the tiger represents ultimate power. The lion depicts uncontrolled behaviors, anger, greed, and jealousy. Durga riding the tiger shows that she possesses ultimate power. If she is riding the lion, she is demonstrating control over her emotions, so they don't control her. To defeat the buffalo demon, Durga was gifted with weapons and ornaments to destroy and create. The Trident was successful in destroying Mahishasura, the deceitful demon.
Adi Parashakti, the Ultimate Reality (Shaktism)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/MET_DT4003.jpg
She is considered the source of all matter and energy, and exists in all things in nature. Mahadevi is the eternal consciousness.
Durga has nine avatars. Avatars are earthly embodiments of gods and goddesses. Embracing the qualities of Durga and her avatars can help enlighten one's path. There are nine goddesses for each day of battle until she slays the demon. There are two festivals for Durga during the fall equinox time frame, called Navaratri. During the nine-day festival, each goddess has their day of honor. Durga Puja is the other festival going on during the same time frame. Both festivals honor Durga, the warrior goddess who used her power to defeat evil. The festival brings the community together, honoring the divine feminine source of lovingkindness.
Durga means fortress, and she is an immovable force created to defeat the darkness. The nine avatar goddesses represent the different stages of Durga's life. I can only imagine the lengths the Mother Goddess will go through for her children. I know I would go to the ends of the earth to make sure my children know they are loved and protected. Today was a day I could have used eight arms like Shakti. I was putting my great-nephew to sleep for his nap this afternoon, I remembered the episode of Charmed. " A Call to Arms". Piper and Leo were at a Hindu wedding ceremony, and the spirit of Shiva and Shakti overtook them, and they had to repair their love, or the universe faces destruction. That is how I felt about being late turning this project in.
I could have really used these extra arms for motherhood, just like Piper. My partner isn't off destroying demons, but he is an extension of my arms. He calls and checks in with me when he can and every day after work without delay. Even if I'm short on an arm to answer, he calls back. Probably because I have misplaced my phone.
As you can see today, Durga is known worldwide now. She has a temple in the US, as well as temples dating back to the 7th century or older. Durga Temple of VA opened in 1999 and is currently celebrating the Navaratri festival. I really enjoyed exploring the practices of Hinduism and their connection to the Creator. The "One" and many. I believe as humans, we need an avatar as a mirror to our inner selves. It is a journey of self-discovery as we liberate our minds from the suffering and find the joy in living in connection with divinity.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk07ch28.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment