Durga

Attributes

Iconography

Depicted with 8 or 10 arms holding various weapons (given by the gods), riding a lion or tiger. Has a serene expression despite the weapons, indicating that her power is calm and focused. Often shown slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura, who emerges in human form from the severed buffalo head. Has a red complexion, wears a crown, and is adorned with jewelry.

The Story

According to the Devi Mahatmyam (Durga Saptashati), the demon Mahishasura performed severe penance and obtained a boon from Brahma: he could not be killed by any man or god. Believing himself invincible, he conquered the three worlds and tormented all beings. Helpless, the gods approached Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — who combined their radiant energies (tejas) into a single, overwhelmingly powerful female form: Durga. Each god gifted her a weapon: Shiva gave his trishula, Vishnu his chakra, Brahma his lotus, Indra his vajra (thunderbolt), Agni his spear, Vayu his bow, Varuna his conch, Yama his sword, and so on. The Himalayas gave her a lion as her vahana. Durga then fought Mahishasura for 9 days and 9 nights. Mahishasura changed forms repeatedly — buffalo, lion, elephant, man — but Durga defeated each one. Finally, on the 10th day, she pinned him down with her foot and pierced his chest with her trishula, killing him. Since Mahishasura could only be killed by a woman (not a man or god), the boon was fulfilled. The 9 days of battle are celebrated as Navaratri, and the 10th day as Vijayadashami (Dussehra).

Significance

Durga is the supreme warrior goddess of Hinduism — the embodiment of Shakti (divine feminine energy). She is the active power of the universe, without whom even Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma are inert. Her name "Durga" means "the invincible" or "the inaccessible" — she is the fortress that protects her devotees. Her slaying of Mahishasura symbolizes the victory of dharma over adharma, of light over darkness, and of the divine feminine over the demon of ego. Durga is worshipped in 9 forms (Navadurga) during Navaratri: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. She is also the slayer of other demons: Durgam (from whom she gets her name), Shumbha, Nishumbha, Chanda, Munda, and Raktabija. Her worship is especially important in Eastern India (Bengal, Assam, Odisha), where Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival. She is also the family deity (Kuladevi) of many royal families and Kshatriya clans. The Devi Mahatmyam (which tells her story) is one of the most important texts of Shaktism.

Famous Temples

Festivals

Stotras & Mantras