Durga Maa

Ambe · Jagdamba · Bhavani · Sherawali

Day: Tuesday and Friday (as per family…
8 Mantras
12 Tirth

जय माता दी

About

Maa Durga is the Mother of the world in her strong, protecting form. She appeared from the joined power of all the devas to end the asura Mahishasur, so every weapon in her hands is the gift of a god. 'Durga' means the one who cannot be defeated, like a fort no one can break. Devotees see her as the mother who stands by her children in hard times. She is worshipped all over India, above all in the two Navratris, when her nine forms (Nav Durga) are honoured, and in Bengal's Durga Puja. Vaishno Devi, Kamakhya and Kalighat are among her famous shrines.

The story

This story is told in chapters 2 and 3 of the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya). Long ago, after a war that lasted a hundred years, the asura Mahishasur, who could take the form of a buffalo, defeated the devas and took over heaven. The devas went with Brahma ji to Vishnu ji and Shiv ji and told them everything.

Hearing this, a great light blazed out of the faces of Vishnu ji, Shiv ji and Brahma ji, and then from the bodies of all the devas. All this light came together like a mountain of fire and took the form of a goddess whose glow filled the three worlds. The devas bowed to her and gave her their weapons. Shiv ji gave a trishul, Vishnu ji a chakra, Varun a conch, Agni a spear and Vayu a bow with quivers full of arrows. Indra gave his vajra and a bell, Yama his staff, and Himavan, king of the mountains, gave her a lion to ride.

The Devi let out a mighty roar. Mahishasur rushed at her with his armies, but the Devi and her lion defeated them all. Then Mahishasur came himself, changing form again and again: a buffalo, a lion, a man with a sword, a huge elephant, and a buffalo once more. At last the Devi pressed him down under her foot and ended him with her trishul and sword. The devas and the rishis sang her praises with joy. Because of this victory she is called Mahishasurmardini, and Navratri and Vijayadashami celebrate the victory of good over evil.

How they are shown

Maa Durga rides a lion, the gift of Himavan. She is shown with eight to eighteen arms, and each hand holds a weapon given by a god: trishul, chakra, conch, sword, bow and arrow, bell, lotus and more. Together they show that all divine powers live in her. One hand is often raised in abhaya mudra, as if saying 'Do not be afraid.' She wears a red saree and a golden crown, and even in the middle of battle her face stays calm and kind.

How to worship

Day

Tuesday and Friday (as per family custom); also the Shukla Ashtami of every month

Offerings

Coconut, kheer, halwa-puri and black chana (on Ashtami and Navami), fruit; along with a red chunari, bangles, shringar items and red flowers

How

Place Maa Durga's picture in a clean spot, light a ghee diya and offer red flowers, kumkum and a red chunari. Chant 'Om Dum Durgayai Namah' 108 times, read the Durga Chalisa (or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati if you know it) and sing the aarti 'Jai Ambe Gauri'. In Navratri, many families set up a kalash on the first day, keep an akhand jyot burning for nine days and fast. On Ashtami or Navami they honour little girls as forms of the Devi (kanya pujan): they wash their feet, feed them with love and give small gifts.