Durga is, perhaps, the most widely worshipped aspect of Sakti. An entire
Purana, the Devibhagavatam, has been dedicated to her. Another work, more
well known than the Devibhagavatam, but containing practically the same
material in a concise form; is the Devimahatmyam. It is also known as the
Durga saptasati, and forms a part of another well known Purana, the
Markandeyapurana. This work is so highly venerated that every verse of it is
considered to be a Mantra (sacred formula) of the
Devi and its repetition is
believed to confer whatever boons the votary prays for.
Literally 'Durga' means one who is difficult to approach, or difficult to
know. Being the personification of the totality of the power of the gods,
she is naturally difficult to approach or know. However, being the Mother of
the universe, she is the personification of tender love, when supplicated.
Here, gracefully seated in the lalitasana on her mount the lion, she is
eight-armed, each of which holds a different symbolic object. It is said
that Durga was created out of the combined energies (shakti) of the male
gods when they found themselves unable to combat the evil forces which
threatened to upturn the ordered way of life, something analogous to the
forces threatening the civilized structure of life today. In the end the
Devi (goddess) succeeded where all the male forces could not.
This altar statue, created out of the finest quality white marble was
sculpted in the city of Jaipur.
Reference:
Harshananda, Swami. Hindu Gods and Goddesses: Madras, 1987.
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