Goddess Durga - The Almighty

There is a narration in the Atharv-Ved that when all the Deities approached Mother Goddess and asked Who are you, O mighty Goddess?

She answered I am the embodiment of the all-pervading 'Brahm'.

From Me nature, mankind and the world, both void and non-void, has originated. I am bliss and non-bliss. I am knowledge and non-knowledge. I am the Brahm and non-Brahm, Whom one must know. I am the five primordial principles and the non-principles. I am the complete universe. I am the Vedas and non-Vedas. I am the knowledge and the absence of knowledge. I am both born and unborn. I am below and above and also across. I move about in the forms of Rudras and Vasus and in the form of Adityas and Vishwadevas. I sustain both Mitr and Varun, both Indra and Agni and both the Ashwani Kumars. I place Som Tvashta, Pusha and Bhag. I carry forth Brahma, Vishnu and Prajapati over vast spaces. This statement clearly defines that Mother Goddess Durga is the Almighty Who has created the entire nature, the Tri-Devas, Deities, demons and all the beings. Mother Goddess has clearly said that She is the controller of both types of nature – Para and Apara. Lord Brahma Ji has also sung the glory of Mother Goddess in this manner. O Devi (Mother Goddess), through You this universe is borne, through You this world is created. Through You it is protected, O Devi, and You consume it at the end always. You are the form of the whole world. At the time of creation, You remain in the form of the creative force, at the time of sustentation, You remain in the form of the protective power, and at the time of the dissolution of the world, You remain in the form of the destructive power. It purports that the creator of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh is Mother Goddess Durga. Mother Goddess has specifically said that She is the science (supernatural knowledge) and non-science (ignorance, material knowledge). Science means spiritualism. This science is available in the Vedas and the Vedas are the utterances of the Almighty, which fall in the category of Para. On the other hand, which is considered as science by the modern scientists/human beings, it is knowledge only. Mother Goddess has called it non-science (ignorance or material knowledge). It falls in the category of Apara as Lord Sri Krishn has said in the Gita that there are two types of My Prakritis – Para and Apara. The Para is soul and Mother Goddess is Para and the Apara elements are earth, air, water, fire, mind, intellect and ego and these are inert and inferior. The Navratri festival very deeply relates to the Mother Goddess, Who is Para. During the Navratris in the month of Chaitra, there is a procedure to worship the nine forms of Mother Goddess Durga. In Sanskrit, the word 'Nav' means 'new' and 'nine' also. 'Nav Durga' refers to nine successive manifestations of Mother Goddess Durga, during different incarnations. These nine days of the Navratri are dedicated to the nine forms of Ma Pramba (Mother Goddess). Mainly, there are three i.e. Mother Goddess Maha-Lakshmi, Mother Goddess Maha-Kali and Mother Goddess Maha- Saraswati. But, as their extensions, the nine forms of Mother Goddess Durga are worshiped.

The Navratri festival is celebrated with extreme devotion not only in the whole of India, but in the entire world also wherever the Hindus live. These nine forms of Mother Goddess Durga are extremely benedictory and fulfill all desires and showers boons as well.

How is Mother Goddess the form of science (spiritual knowledge)?

It is a well-known fact that during the change of season, people start suffering from various diseases. Due to the climatic changes and solar influence, the energy level of the body goes up and down and the minds of people also undergo a considerable change. Every year, the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter, are two very important junctures of climatic change and solar influence. Hence, these two junctions have been chosen by our sages and seers as the sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Power as the two Navratris which take place during this time. The purpose behind Navratri is to keep our body and mind healthy and also to attain accomplishments whoever desires. We should imbibe pure and righteous qualities. During these nine nights, body and mind is kept healthy through fasting and appropriate eating. These Navratris have also been defined as the nine Duars (Nine doors) which are there in the body.

Symbolically, these nine forms of Mother Goddess Durga are considered as the rulers of these nine doors.

Navratri means bringing the nine senses in control by making them pure through various devotional activities.

Mother Goddess protects each organ of the person as has been stated in Sri Durga Saptashati. The sages and seers of India have preferred the night for the purpose of worship because of various factors. Understanding it scientifically, night happens to be peaceful and quiet. It is easy to concentrate at night. Chanting Mantra(s) in a peaceful environment yields auspicious results soon. This time can be used for gaining both mental and yogic powers. Performing rituals, chanting Mantras etc. during the day increase the chances of creating problems in concentration, just as the radio signals face problems during the day time but improve in the night. The Yogis chose time between 4 and 5 in the morning for penance because the atmosphere happens to be quiet and peaceful during this time. The sound of the bells and conch kills germs up to faraway places. The research made by the modern researchers also supports this view. This period is also chosen for attaining Siddhis. This fact has been scientifically proven that through the Mantras, one can relay the message to one's desired goal. The time of Navratris happens to be extremely important. But, the penance or attaining accomplishments should be carried out under the guidance of some Tatva-vetta Sadguru only.

It is a well-known fact that during the change of season, people start suffering from various diseases. Due to the climatic changes and solar influence, the energy level of the body goes up and down and the minds of people also undergo a considerable change. Every year, the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter, are two very important junctures of climatic change and solar influence. Hence, these two junctions have been chosen by our sages and seers as the sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Power as the two Navratris which take place during this time.

The purpose behind Navratri is to keep our body and mind healthy and also to attain accomplishments whoever desires.

We should imbibe pure and righteous qualities. During these nine nights, body and mind is kept healthy through fasting and appropriate eating. These Navratris have also been defined as the nine Duars (Nine doors) which are there in the body. Symbolically, these nine forms of Mother Goddess Durga are considered as the rulers of these nine doors. Navratri means bringing the nine senses in control by making them pure through various devotional activities. Mother Goddess protects each organ of the person as has been stated in Sri Durga Saptashati. The sages and seers of India have preferred the night for the purpose of worship because of various factors. Understanding it scientifically, night happens to be peaceful and quiet. It is easy to concentrate at night. Chanting Mantra(s) in a peaceful environment yields auspicious results soon. This time can be used for gaining both mental and yogic powers. Performing rituals, chanting Mantras etc. during the day increase the chances of creating problems in concentration, just as the radio signals face problems during the day time but improve in the night. The Yogis chose time between 4 and 5 in the morning for penance because the atmosphere happens to be quiet and peaceful during this time. The sound of the bells and conch kills germs up to faraway places. The research made by the modern researchers also supports this view. This period is also chosen for attaining Siddhis. This fact has been scientifically proven that through the Mantras, one can relay the message to one's desired goal. The time of Navratris happens to be extremely important. But, the penance or attaining accomplishments should be carried out under the guidance of some Tatva-vetta Sadguru only.

How Mother Goddess is the form of Almighty?

There is a narration in the Markandey Puraan that Mother Goddess remains in existence perennially in this boundless cosmos and on the prayer by the Deities Mother Goddess appeared in Her physical form to destroy the demons and to provide happiness and bliss to the Deities and to the righteous people. The story of the appearance of Mother Goddess Durga goes like this. In the earlier time, demon Mahishasur did severe penance and attained many boons from the Deities. He became extremely powerful. No one was able to match his might. He had many divine weapons and a vast army of demons. According to the Puranic stories, he had become invincible. He had extended his kingdom up to heaven. The Deities and the demons fought for one hundred years. But, the Deities faced defeat. The demon Mahishasur, after defeating the Deities, overpowered the Indra Lok and declared himself as the Indra. Devraj Indra and all other Deities went to Lord Brahma and narrated their tale of woes.

Lord Brahm took them to a place where Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiv were present. They narrated their plight and told them that Mahishasur has snatched the rights of Sun, Indra, Fire, Air, Moon, Yam, Varun and other Deities and has declared himself as the whole and sole in-charge. He has forced us to leave heaven and we have been compelled to wander on the earth. Now, we have come to Your refuge. After saying so, all the Deities paid obeisance to both – Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh. After listening to the Deities, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiv became extremely angry and as a result, pure energy blazed forth from Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiv - the trinity forming the pure energy of Godhood.

As the Deities witnessed this fiery crest of energy pervading all the directions and blazing forth like a mountain peak aflame with the Sun, this matchless energy that sprang from the bodies of all the Deities, its light illuminating the three worlds, became concentrated at one spot and took form of the Mother Goddess. Thus, from the energy of the Trinity, as well as from many other Deities, Mother Goddess Durga appeared in physical form.

The Deities then gifted Mother Goddess with their weapons and other divine objects for ensuing battle with the demon Mahishasura. Thus, honored through the divine weapons etc. by the Deities, Mother Goddess roared vivaciously thereby quivering all the three worlds. All the Deities exclaimed – O Mother Goddess! Glory to You! In anger, Mother Goddess Durga fiercely attacked the army of demon Mahishasur and destroyed his vast army. This battle lasted for nine days and finally Mother Goddess killed Mahishasur also thereby showering happiness and bliss on the Deities. Because of killing the demon Mahishasur, Mother Goddess Durga came to be known as Mahishasur Mardini also.

Worship of Mother Goddess has been taking place in every age. Before nature came into existence and at the time of annihilation, Mother Goddess remained in existence. In the Satyug, when it was Vedic age, She was in existence in the form of Mother Goddess Gayatri. Mother Goddess 'Amba' means Who represents the original energy force. She is the original energy force of the Almighty. She gives protection and energy to one's inner nature, making it very powerful. Hence, who would not like to receive blessings from Her? Whether sages, seers, demons, Deities or human beings, all wish to have strength/energy and, hence, worship Mother Goddess. Meghnath, son of Rawan was also the devotee of Mother Goddess. Lord Sri Ram had also worshiped Mother Goddess for victory. Lord Sri Ram had even become prepared to offer his own eye in lieu of Kamal (Lotus) during the Havan he performed, since he was also called by the name of Kamal Nayan (Kamal means Lotus and Nayan means Eye) . Mother Goddess got pleased and showered boon for victory.

What are Para and Apara forms of Mother Goddess?

The Navratri festival very deeply relates to the Mother Goddess, Who is Para. Lord Sri Krishn says in the Gita that there are two types of My Prakritis – Para and Apara. The Para is Soul and Mother Goddess is Para and the Apara elements are earth, air, water, fire, mind, intellect and ego and these are inert and inferior.

The first manifestation of the Mother Goddess is called 'Shailputri'. Mother Goddess Parvati is called 'Shailputri' also because She was the daughter of Himavant or Himvan, the King of the mountains. According to a legend, in a prior lifetime, She was Shailputri Who signifies the qualities of determination. She left and headed to the woods where She did penance in solitude. Ever since, She was also known as Uma, and in the next life, She was born as 'Brahamcharini'.

The second manifestation of Mother Goddess is called 'Brahmcharini' Who had done severe penance to have Lord Shiv as Her husband. The name Brahmcharini means the one who practices austerity with dedication. It is said that the Vedas, Tatva (essence) and Tapa (penance) are the synonyms of the word 'Brahm'. Brahmcharini personifies knowledge and wisdom.

The third manifestation of the Mother Goddess is 'Chandraghanta'. Her forehead is bedecked with the crescent moon resembling the shape of a Ghanta (bell) and, hence, She is called by the name of Mother Goddess 'Chandraghanta' by the devotees. She is the very embodiment of serenity. The sound of Her bell frightens all the demons and malicious beings.

The fourth manifestation of Mother Goddess is 'Kushmanda', Who is credited with creating the world with her divine smile. Her name signifies - Ku means little, Ushma means warmth (energy) and Anda means cosmic egg. Mother Goddess Kushmanda is also called Adi Shakti. She has the power and strength to live in the core of Surya Lok. All directions get light from her divine smile. Goddess Kushmanda is the Mother of Sun God.

The fifth manifestation of Mother Goddess is called 'Skandmata' i.e. Mother of Lord Skand, who is also known by the name of Lord Kartikeya. When the devotee worships Goddess Skandmata, Lord Skand, Her son in Her lap, automatically gets worshiped. Thus, the devotee receives the blessings of both - Goddess Skandmata and Lord Skand i.e. Lord Kartikeya.

The sixth manifestation of Mother Goddess is called 'Katyayani', Who was the daughter of Sage Katyayana. However, in the Kalika Puraan, it is mentioned that since Sage Kaytyayana was the first one who worshiped Her, hence, She came to be known as 'Katayayani'. Her worship is conducive to the Four Purusharthas – Dharm (righteousness), Arth (money), Kaam (fulfillment of worldly desires) and Moksh (liberation).

The seventh manifestation of Mother Goddess is called ''Kaalratri', Who is considered the fiercest form of Mother Goddess. Her appearance itself invokes fear. This form of Mother Goddess is believed to be the destroyer of all demon entities, ghosts, spirits and negative energies. Kaalratri is the destroyer of darkness, which is within the person in the form of ignorance. Although the outward form of Mother Kaalratri is extremely frightening yet she always bestows boons on Her devotees. She is also called Shubhankari.

The eighth manifestation of Mother Goddess is called 'Mahagauri' which means extremely white. As per the legend, due to severe penance by Goddess Parvati, Her body got covered with dust and soil etc. and Her skin turned very blackish. Finally, Lord Shiv appeared before Her and bathed Her vigorously through the holy waters of the Ganga Ji emanating from His matted hair. The holy and sacred waters of Ganga Ji washed off all the dirt and She became extremely white-complexioned and glorious. Goddess Mahagauri signifies purity. Due to her fair complexion, Goddess Mahagauri is compared with the conch, the moon and the Kund flower. She adorns white clothes only and is also known by the name of Shwetambardhra.

The ninth manifestation of Mother Goddess is called 'Siddhidatri'. Siddhi means supernatural accomplishment and Datri means the giver. She fulfills all the divine aspirations. She removes ignorance and provides the knowledge to realize the Brahm. Mother Goddess Siddhidatri is the bestowal of Siddhis (accomplishments) and Nidhis (wealth, treasurers).