Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Navarathri Shakti Series

It's that time of the year again when the all-encompassing energy of the universe is venerated & joyful celebrations are held over 9 nights, culminating in a grand finale on Vijayadashami, the 10th day. Navaratri is a tribute to Adi Parashakti, the Supreme Mother Goddess, who nurtures & protects the good & destroys the evil. Presenting a humble offering at Devi's lotus feet, the Shakti series - a 10 part journey highlighting different aspects of Her glory. The 1st 3 segments shall be devoted to Devi's manifestation as Durga, the next 3 to Lakshmi & the last 3 to Saraswati. The last segment of course shall be a tribute to the Universal form of Devi (let me keep this a secret for now!).

May Devi Bhagavati bless one and all infinitely. Jai Mata Di

Shakti series part 1: Durga, the Invincible.

Durga is the principal form of the Supreme Mother Goddess.

According to the Shiva Purana & Devi Mahatmyam, Mahishasura, the son of the demon Rambhasura, terrorized all living beings on earth. When the Gods tried to stop them, he defeated them & banished them from heaven. The Gods approached Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva. A great mass of light emerged from Lord Vishnu's mouth, which merged with similar rays of light emerging from the faces of the other Gods, eventually taking the form of a radiant woman. All the Gods gave Her divine weapons. Adishakti thus manifested as Durga to destroy Mahishasura. Thus armed, She challenged the demons to battle.

Mahishasura's army, led by fierce demons attacked Durga at once. But Durga killed all of them. Mahisha then attacked Her in the form of a buffalo whom she bound with ropes. He then changed into a lion whom she beheaded with Her sword. Again he attacked Her as a swordsman whom She restrained using Her arrows. He then took the form of a giant elephant & attacked Durga's lion. She cut off his trunk & freed Her lion. Finally, he turned back into a buffalo whom She beheaded with Her trident (Trishula), finally killing him.

This battle lasted nine days & nights (Navaratri - 9 nights), with Durga attaining victory on the 10th day - Vijayadashami. During Navaratri Durga is worshipped in Her 9 manifestations as : Shailaputri (the daughter of the mountain Himalaya)

Brahmacharini (the one who has renounced all forms of materialism)

Chandraghanta (wearing the semi-circular moon which appears like a ghanta or bell on her forehead)

Kushmanda (the ultimate source of energy & creation)

Skandamata(Kartikeya's mother)

Katyayani (the ever watchful one who bestows welfare)

Kalaratri (the terrifying yet benevolent Kali who destroys ignorance)

Mahagauri (wearing white clothes, forever pure & bestowing auspiciousness)

Siddhidatri (ever victorious, bestowing success in every venture).

May Mother Adi Parashakti bless one and all. Jai Mata Di