|
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Astrology
Chat
Cityscape
Classifieds
Entertainment
Health
Matrimonial |
|
  |
Goddess Durga represents the power of the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness in the creation. The Sanskrit word Durga means a fort or a place that is protected and thus difficult to reach. Durga, also called Divine Mother, protects mankind from evil and misery by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger and ego. She is also called by many other names apart from Parvati, Ambika and Manasi. Other names being Tribhuvaneshwari, Pankajadharini, Surashreshtta, Varada, Pashupriya, Santati, Ratri, Kshma, Sharanya, Saukhayada, Arogyada, Ayurda, Rackshasamardini, Mahishasuramadini, Adya and Gorja. Goddess Durga is shown in a female form, wearing red clothes. She has many arms, carrying many objects in Her hands. The red colour symbolizes action and the red clothes signify that She is always busy destroying evil and protecting mankind from pain and suffering caused by the evil forces. A tiger symbolizes unlimited power. Durga riding a tiger indicates that She possesses unlimited power and uses it to protect virtue and destroy evil. The eighteen arms of Durga signify that She possesses combined power of the nine incarnations of Lord Vishnu that have appeared on earth at different times in the past. The tenth incarnation, the Kalki (a man on a white horse), is still to come. Thus, Goddess Durga represents a united front of all the Divine forces against the negative forces of evil and wickedness. The sound that emanates from a conch is the sound of the sacred syllable AUM, which is said to be the sound of creation. A conch in one of the Goddess's hands signifies the ultimate victory of virtue over evil and righteousness over unrighteousness. Other weapons in the hands of Durga such as a mace, sword, disc, arrow, and trident convey the idea that one weapon cannot destroy different kinds of enemies. Different weapons must be used to fight enemies depending upon the circumstances. For example, selfishness must be destroyed by detachment, jealousy by desirelessness, prejudice by self-knowledge, and ego by discrimination.
"yaa devie sarvabhuuteshhu maatru roopineh sansthitaah.
Sree Durga Dhyanam sarva sroop-eh sarveseh Sree Durga Astottara Shatanamavali Om Drugayai namah
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Copyright
2009, Chennai Interactive
Business Services (P) Ltd. |
|
Goddess Durga is a fierce form of Devi, the Mother, and the all-powerful almighty goddess. According to a legend Mahishasura, the king of Demons, being granted a certain boon from Lord Shiva, started his tyranny over the Heaven and Devas. Scared and hopeless, the Gods earnestly requested Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva to kill Mahishasura. Then from these three gods, a divine vigour came out as blinding light and Goddess Parvathi evolved from the light with many arms as the magnificent Goddess Durga. She was as beautiful as she was deadly. Durga was born fully-grown and is depicted as extremely beautiful and full of rage. The Gods called Goddess Durga, the invincible one, and armed her with all their weapons. Thus armed, Durga rode to the top of a mountain on a lion. In a bloody battle, she defeated Mahish and his army of demons and thus saved the universe from this demon’s menace. 
Goddess Durga is worshipped on Tuesdays at the precise Ragu Kaalam. Ragu kaala poojas are performed at all Shiva temples on Tuesdays. Devotees light lamps made with lime. (Two limes are to be cut, and the juice is to be squeezed in the peedam. Then the lime is turned in such a way that the peel will hold oil/ghee. A fresh cotton thiri is immersed and the lamps are lit). It is believed that Goddess Durga will redeem her devotees, who appease her with poojas on Tuesdays, from their sufferings. Goddess Durga is a Mother and she loves her children. The following sloka is a paryer to Goddess Durga. 
O mother, who is present everywhere, who is embodiment of Universal Mother, 
Om Nirgu-nayai namah 
Om Kaminyai namah 
