When Mother Durga appeared to slay Mahisha, the gods ask who she was? “I am Durga, the inaccessible one” replied Ma. “I am Prakriti, the substance that gives form and identity to all things. I am Shakti, the power that enables all creatures to exist, to feel, think, act and react. I am Maya, the delusion that makes life alluring yet elusive.” Mother Durga is the most splendid manifestation of Devi. She has the combined power of all the Goddesses and the invincible power of Nature.
According to Vamana Purana , Lord Shiva then gave her his trident, Vishnu his discuss and mace, Surya a quiver full of arrows, Indra his thunderbolt, Varuna a conch shell, Kumara his lance, Brahma his rosary and water pot, Agni a dart, Vayu a bow, Kuwera a mace, Kala a shield and sword and Visvakarma a battle-axe and other weapons. Other Gods gave their instruments. Then, mounting a lion, Ma Durga prepared for battle and proceeds to the Vindhya hills. And the Devas prayed. Even the Gods pray. If Ma Durga is good for Devas and Gods, what are we?
“Let me meditate on the Supreme Goddess who is existence itself, who sits on the lotus, who rides on the tiger, who plays the lute, whose divine form dazzles gods, demons and humans, whose tomb contains Time and Space, who embodies cosmic energy, who holds in her hands the implements of life and the instruments of death, who spins the cycle of existence as she creates and destroys all that is, was and will be and who empowers and enriches her devotee with the ability to accept and appreciate the unfathomable universe”.
Salutations to She who is beautiful to the seeker of truth
‘Om Dum Durgayei Namaha’.
Hari Om
Yogi Ananda Saraswati