The Warrior Goddess

NAME: Durga, Parvati, Bhagawati (see link Name's of Durga)

SYMBOLS: Severed Head, Lotus, Bell, Sword, Noose, Bow, Arrows, Spear, Trident, Shield.

USUAL IMAGE: A beautiful woman with golden skin and ten arms (sometime eight) dressed in red. Often she is shown holding the severed head of a demon in one hand while making a blessing the with other showing that she means harm only to evil. She is fearsome but can be very calm. Kali was projected from her forehead in a rage and is always wrathful.

HOLY BOOKS: Rig Vada, the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita.

HOLY DAYS: The Durga Pujas held during September / October.

RELATIVES: As Parvati she is the consort of Shiva.

SYNODEITIES: Athena (Greek), Frigg (Norse), the Morrigan (Celtic), Alukah (Canaan), Coatlicue (Meso-America), Rhiannon (British)

DETAILS: In Vedic culture all Goddesses are one Goddess known as Diva. One of the first manifestations of that Goddess was as Durga the Warrior Goddess.

This came about in the ancient times when a demon by the name of Mahishasura earned the favor of Lord Shiva due to the demon's strong devotion. He blessed Mahishasura with the gift that no man or god could harm him. Letting his gift go to his head the Buffalo Demon started a reign of terror.

Thousands of people killed and after a time even the gods were driven off by him. Shiva, who normally is unaware of the day to day happenings of the material world, knew nothing about this until he was told about the demon's actions by the other gods.

Shiva became very angry after hearing this. His anger was expressed by a stream of energy that came out of his third eye (though some say a stream of fire from his mouth) This energy took the form of a woman.

The other gods also present also contributed energy to this Goddess and thus was born ten armed Durga. She was gifted with a weapon for each hand and rode into battle riding a tiger (or a lion according to some accounts.)

Mahishasura was sure of victory both because of his invulnerability and the fact that like the people of the day he was confident of the place of women in the world. No doubt the saver hurt that Durga laid down on him came as a surprise.

During the Fierce battle, Durga transformed into Devi Chandika, an even more ferocious form of the Goddess and beheaded Mahishasua.

"I salute Thee, leader of Yogis, one with the Brahman, Dweller in the Mandara forest.
Virgin, Kali, spouse of Kapala, of tawny hue. Salutation to Thee, Bhadrakali. Reverence to Thee, Mahakali, Chandi, Fearless one. Salutation to Thee, Saviour imbued with all good fortune."

(Arthur Avalon's translation in Hymns to the Goddess.)

- - - Terry McCombs

magentashadow@webtv.net

Glory to you, O Mother Gauri, glory to you, O Gauri Parvati, who are so rich in maiden grace, the object of daily, meditation by Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva.

O Ambe ! On your forehead is a resplendent mark of vermilion along with a mark of musk. Your twin eyes are bright and your face beautiful as the moon.

Your body with a tinge of gold is splendidly dressed in a red attire ; on your throat lies a wreath of red blossoms like a beautiful necklace .

Your vehicle, the lion, is, O Mother, in keeping with your splendid form ; you you bear a sword and a skull in your hands, and on you attend  the gods, men, hermits and your votaries whose grief you drive away.

You are adorned with rings on your ears and with pearl on the tip of your nose; your radiance looks as splendid as that of myriads of suns and moons. 

O slayer of the demon Mahisa, you tore apart the bodies of Sumbha, Nisumbha and Dhumravilochana. Your eyes reflected a frenzy of fury everyday and night.

You are the beloved consort of Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu. The Vedas and the Sastras describe you as the queen consort of Lord Shiva .

Sixty – four Yoginis chorus your praise and glorify you, while Bhairava dances in tune to the accompaniment of the sound of tabour and drum .

You are mother of the universe, its sustainer, reliever of your devotees affliction and bestower of happiness and prosperity .

The four arms you have adorn your person, while the hand raised in benediction reveals your benign aspect. Those among men and women who wait on you and  worship you have all their cherished wishes ever fulfilled.

In a golden platter are beautifully laid aloe and camphor, both of which have been lighted; in the radiance of your forehead is reflected the splendour of myriad gems.

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