”Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Vishnu Mayeti Sadbita
Namastasyai Namastasyai, Namastasyai Namo Namah”
Durga. Kali. Mahishasura Mardhini.
Different forms but one faith. This is the reason why we celebrate Durga Puja over a period of 9 days, worshipping the 9 avatars that she undertakes to kill the demon Mahishasura and bring peace to all the worlds. To know why Durga was incarnated, we must first understand who Mahishasura was. Mahishasura comes from the combination of Mahisha (Water Buffalo) and Asura (Demon). Rambha the king of demons fell in love with a water buffalo, married her and eventually became father to the monster at hand – Mahishasura. Being brought up on the morals of asuras, Mahishasura pledged to be the downfall of devas, their arch enemies. Hence, after a long grueling tapas, he asked Brahma for a boon to be ever immortal. But Brahma, the Creator, couldn’t give in to such an ask. Instead he blessed Mahishasura with a boon of dying at the hands of only a woman. Blinded by his arrogance, he accepted the offer thinking that no woman would ever match his might. So, when Mahishasura unleashed his evil onto the heavens and even the King of the gods, Indra couldn’t bring him under control. The holy trinity of Gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came together to create the divine ‘Shakti’. It was she who took it upon herself to bring about the end of the demon and it is she whom we worship till date.
This fight between Durga and Mahishasura has been told over and over through ages, a legendary fight that went on for 9 days. It is in these 9 days that the world saw the navavatars of Durga. Hence the celebration of Navratri. Here are the 9 avatars of Durga that make up this holy holiday:
Kali – The one who destroys all evils. Colour for the day is Grey.
Kali – The one who destroys all evils. Colour for the day is Grey.
Amba – The Mother of the universe. Colour of the day is Orange.
Annapoorna Devi – The one who bestows food. Colour of the day is White.
Bhairavi – The one who inspires terror in all devils. Colour of the day is Red.
Sarvamangala – The one who gives happiness. Colour of the day is Blue.
Lalitha – The playful one. Colour of the day is Yellow.
Chandika – The ferocious one. Colour of the day is Green.
Bhavani – The one who shows mercy. Colour of the day is Peacock Green
Mookambika – The destroyer of unspeakable evils. Colour of the day is Purple.
Aside from this legend, it is also said that Shiva, husband of Durga, gave her permission to visit her parents for 9 days every year and this is when she steps down to the Earth. Another way to perceive this Goddess of Destruction is that she is Shakiti – Divine Energy – which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation and destruction. In other words, it can be inferred that God is motionless, absolutely changeless, and the Divine Mother Durga, does everything. Truly speaking, our worship of Shakti re-confirms the scientific theory that energy is imperishable. It cannot be created or destroyed. It is always there.
The Kali also comes into the story of Ramayana – the other spectrum of this festival. The 10th Day is Vijaya Dasami and is celebrated for two reasons – Mahamaya killing Mahishasura and Rama killing Ravana. It is also said that Rama, apparently, worshipped Mahishasura Mardhini before he went to slay the monster who took away his wife Sita. Undoubtedly, Rama returned victorious, removing evil from the lands.
Dussera and Durga Puja are famous the world over and feverous here in in India. With people in all states celebrating the triumph of good over evil, it is another reason for us to rejoice with friends and family. But underneath all these legends lies a deeper meaning that is particularly necessary to be brought out at times like these. Mahishasura scoffed at the idea of a woman and brought about his own destruction. Rama, one of the greatest warriors in history of mankind, worshipped Durga herself to give him strength to conquer the enemy. The Vedas have thus spoken. Women are not as hapless as our present day society carves them out to be. They are not expendable. And they are certainly not a force to fool about with. The modern day man may be well advised to treat a woman with respect or face the wrath of her. She is pure not a play toy!
