Yoga Mythology: Durga

Questions Answered Here

1. What are the two primary roles associated with the Goddess Durga?
2. What qualities are associated with Durga?
3. What leads her to be so fierce?
4. Describe her appearance and its symbolism.
5. What yoga practices might you utilize to support a focus on the Goddess Durga?

The Mother Goddess & Slayer of Evils

• Goddess Durga is seen both as the Mother or Supreme Goddess as well as a warrior goddess, the slayer of evils.
• As a warrior goddess, she is a protector and represents the triumph of consciousness over ignorance and good over evil.
• Durga’s fierceness in battle comes from a deep compassion, leading her to protect us from external harm “with the ferocity of a lioness guarding her cubs.”
• She is also said to be the power behind spiritual awakening.
• Another interpretation: “Durga represents the empowerment that enables us to stand in our truth.” (Coral Brown, Yoga Journal)
• As with most of the deities, Durga has multiple names and manifestations.
• In Hindusim, Vaishnavas worship Vishnu as the “supreme personal God,” the Shaivites worship Lord Shiva and the Shaktas worship Goddess Durga.

Going Deeper

A WARRIOR GODDESS

She strikes a powerful pose in her typical manifestation mounted upon a lion, her numerous arms wielding a fearsome array of weapons. Appearing as a beautiful woman, she attracts the demons toward her only to annihilate them… She is generally viewed as a warrior goddess and is often invoked on the occasion of battle so that her worshiper may gain victory… Durga is also known as Mahamaya, or the great power of illusion. On a cosmic scale, she represents what is known as the external or material energy of the Supreme Spirit. It is this energy that keeps all embodied beings in illusion, thinking that they belong to this world, when in fact they are eternal spiritual beings. According to Vedic scripture, as one progresses in spiritual or God consciousness, Durga is transformed into Yogamaya, the internal energy that lifts the illusion and reveals the truth. 

– Krishna Dharma

MOTHER GODDESS & SLAYER OF EVILS

Maa Durga is the Mother Goddess, as well as the slayer of evils at the same time. Durga Maa is a form of Adi Shakti, the supremely radiant Goddess. In Sanskrit Durga means “One who is incomprehensible or difficult to reach.” Goddess Durga represents the supreme power and is worshiped in various forms including Parvati, Bhairavi, Vaishnavi, Kali, Jagatmata, Mahishasurmardhini, Gauri, Chandi and Uma. Devi Durga is known by 108 different names. Here are the 108 names of Goddess Durga with English meaning. These names of Maa Durga are recited to bring an end to all difficulties in one’s life. – maavaishnavi.com 

POWER BEHIND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

While Durga was the deity invoked by kings for victory in battle, she is not just a battle goddess. She is also the power behind spiritual awakening, the inner force that unleashes spiritual power within the human body in the form of kundalini. And she is a guardian: beautiful, queenly, and fierce… As a world protector, Durga’s fierceness arises out of her uniquely potent compassion. She is the deity to call on when you’re in deep trouble. In the Devi Mahatmya (Greatness of the Goddess), a medieval song-cycle abut Durga that is still recited all over India, we are reminded again and again that the goddess will always appear when we need her to protect our world. She invites us to turn to her in crisis, and she promises to move mountains to rescue us from every form of evil—including the evil we ourselves create! – Sally Kempton

PROTECTS WITH FEROCITY

Durga can channel a potent mix of all-animating Para Shakti, Kriya Shakti (the power of mind over matter), and Iccha Shakti (the power of will). She will protect us from external harm with the ferocity of a lioness guarding her cubs. – Thomas Ashley-Farrand

INVINCIBLE

When the buffalo demon Mahish—rumored to be an invincible giant—and his army of demons threatened to push the gods out of heaven, the gods called a meeting to discuss how to get rid of him. Shiva suggested each god contribute a portion of his or her power to create a whole new being, the result of which was a new goddess whose face reflected the light of Shiva and who had six arms form Lord Vishnu and two feet from Lord Brahma. And so Durga was born… “invincible” in Sanskrit. In India, people celebrate Durga’s victory over Mahish in one of their most important festivals, Durga Puja, which lasts ten days. But Durga isn’t all fighting and no fun. Through her battles against suffering and injustice, she brings kindness and harmony. She is known to feed both people and animals, and is partial to riding around on big tigers and lions. And Durga is never afraid, not even in the dark. – Sanjay Patel