Durga
Slayer of Mahishasura, the Primordial Shakti
Maa Durga is the warrior form of the Divine Mother, who arose from the combined power of the gods to slay the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. She is the supreme goddess of the Shakta tradition, and her nine forms — the Navadurga — are worshipped during Navaratri.
The Story of Durga
"Durga" means the one who is hard to reach — invincible, impregnable like a fortress (durg). Her principal scripture is the Devi Mahatmya, part of the Markandeya Purana and known as the Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path — seven hundred verses in thirteen chapters. It tells how the buffalo-demon Mahishasura, made arrogant by a boon that no man or god could kill him, drove the gods out of heaven. From the blazing radiance of the wrath of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and all the gods, a divine woman took form. The gods armed her with their own weapons — Shiva's trident, Vishnu's discus, Indra's thunderbolt — and the Himalaya gave her a lion to ride. The Goddess destroyed Mahishasura's armies and finally slew him in his buffalo form, earning the name Mahishasuramardini. In the last part of the Devi Mahatmya she vanquishes the demon brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha; in that war Kali springs from her brow, slays Chanda and Munda to become Chamunda, and ends the demon Raktabija by drinking his blood before it can touch the ground. Later tradition identifies Durga with Parvati, Shiva's consort, and in Bengal's Durga Puja she is worshipped together with Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Sarasvati as her children. During the nine nights of Navaratri her nine forms — the Navadurga — are worshipped one each day, in the order Brahma names them in the Devi Kavacham: 1. Shailaputri, 2. Brahmacharini, 3. Chandraghanta, 4. Kushmanda, 5. Skandamata, 6. Katyayani, 7. Kalaratri, 8. Mahagauri and 9. Siddhidatri. The tenth day, Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of dharma over adharma. Devotees honour Maa Durga by reciting the Durga Saptashati, chanting mantras such as "Om Dum Durgayai Namah", and singing the Durga Chalisa and the aarti "Jai Ambe Gauri". She is worshipped as the compassionate Mother who shields her children in times of trouble.
Iconography & Symbols
Riding a lion (or tiger), with eight to eighteen arms bearing the trident, discus, conch, sword, bow and arrow, mace and lotus, robed in red — often shown with the vanquished Mahishasura at her feet.
Other Names
- Mahishasuramardini
- Ambe
- Bhavani
- Sherawali
- Jagadamba
- Chandi
- Adi Shakti
Durga: Aartis, Chalisas, Stotras & Festivals
Aarti
Chalisa
Festival
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the nine forms of Maa Durga (Navadurga)?
- Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri — worshipped in this order across the nine days of Navaratri.
- Why did Durga slay Mahishasura?
- Proud of his boon, Mahishasura had driven the gods out of heaven. Born of the gods' combined power, the Goddess slew him and restored the cosmic order.
- What is the Durga Saptashati?
- The Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya) is a section of the Markandeya Purana with 700 verses in 13 chapters. It is recited especially during Navaratri.
- What does the name Durga mean?
- Durga means "the one who is difficult to reach" — invincible and unassailable. The name is related to durg, a fortress.
- What is Maa Durga's mount?
- Maa Durga rides a lion, and some depictions show a tiger. That is why she is also lovingly called "Sherawali".