Durga Puja

By Bishwajit Majee

Just a year ago, we unwillingly bid farewell to our beloved Maa Durga, without ever getting enough of her, and here we are welcoming her again with our hands wide open, and with a new surge of excitement and hope. The spirit is in the air. The alluring fragrance of shiuli flowers reminds us the festival is around the corner. The renewed sense of freshness, youth and vigour remain unparalleled. The monotonous yet catchy manner, with barely any intonations, of mantra chanting, the signature songs in her praise, and the distinctive dhak melody evoke such emotions no words can explain. Her radiant, powerful aura itself speaks for her. Her fierce eyes, her agile body, her elegance, her beauty, and her confident smile invoke in us a mixed sense of devotion and fear on our own. Yet she is so likeable and warm. We have a special thing for her. It's more of an emotion than a festival. It's one of the many lavishly celebrated festivals in India.

The ten-handed goddess signifies courage, strength and righteousness. She is the slayer of the shape-shifting demon Mahishasur or the ‘Buffalo Demon', signifying the triumph of good over evil. A fight fought over ten long days gave the world a chance to behold her ten holy manifestations before she finally defeated the Asura, restoring peace in the world on the tenth day known as Vijaya Dashmi or Dussehra. She has ever since also been known by the name Mahishasur Mardini. The former nine days are famously celebrated as Navratri. The story follows as:

Impressed by his genuine, rigorous austerity, Lord Brahma had blessed Mahishasur so that no man in this world can defeat him. He, slave to a demon's inherent nature, left no stone unturned in misusing his powers to vehemently dominate the world. Victimized by the demon's tyranny, everyone sought refuge in the three supreme world powers - Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwar. Perceiving the graveness and helplessness of the situation, they all reached out to the invincible goddess Durga. The demon, sexist he was, looked down on her, believing that when no man could fight him, how could a woman do it?

Lo and behold! What a beauty! The demon king was as well mesmerized as we are. But little did he know of her immense powers. He was just no match for her. Blinded by his ego, he taunted and teased her. But the deity, showing immense patience, let her actions speak for her. And thus the fight began.

The form she took on Prathama was Devi Shailaputri, or 'Daughter of the Mountain ', a reincarnation of Goddess Sati, riding on a white bull. Two-handed, holding a trident and a lotus in one each, is believed to be the pure form of Mother Nature. Her veneration helps us attain higher spiritual growth.

On Dwitiya, she assumed the form of Devi Brahmacharini, portraying devotion and penance. Dressed as an ascetic in white, she is adorned with dried-up Rudraksha beads and flowers. She is two-limbed, carrying a rosary and a Kamandala. She teaches us to live an unadulterated life.

Next up on Tritiya was the formidable deity, Devi Chandraghanta or 'Slayer of the Demons'. Seated upon a fierce tiger, this Devi has ten hands out of which nine hands carry various weapons and the other hand, she uses for blessing her devotees. Her third eye is always open signifying her perpetual readiness for battle against evil. She brings an end to all the sufferings, hardships, and adversities of her devotees.

On Chaturthi, she manifested into Devi Kushmanda or 'Goddess of the Cosmic Egg'. Believed to be the creator of the world with her warm little smile, she is mounted upon a tiger. She has eight hands each carrying various weapons. She endows us with health, wealth and strength.

On Panchami, she took the form of Devi Skandamata or 'Mother of Skand/Kartikeya'. She is the goddess of Motherhood and Children. Seated on the back of a lion, she is four-armed, two of which are holding lotuses, one holding her infant Kartikeya and the other in fear-allaying Abhayamudra position. Sometimes referred to as 'Padmasini' as she is often depicted sitting on a lotus. She grants us wisdom, salvation, prosperity, and success.

Next up on Sashti, she showed us her Devi Katyayani form. Dressed in green and pink, she represents Durga in the warrior stage. She is associated with Shakti or power. Her mount is a lion and she is variously shown as four, ten or eighteen-handed. She is believed to be the manifestation of the anger of all Gods combined. She is attributed to the Third Eye Chakra. Concentrating on this point invokes her blessing on us.

On Saptami, she changed into the fearsome Devi Kalratri or Kali. Her bloodshot eyes, tousled hair, skulls weaved into a garland around her neck and her mere daunting aura is enough to incite fear and reverence in us. Believed to be the fiercest form of Durga, she is the destroyer of all evils. She blesses us with auspiciousness and courage. Her weapons include a scimitar, a vajra, a trident and a bowl. Her vehicle is a donkey.

On Ashtami, she took the form of Devi Mahagauri or the 'bright complexioned one'. Cladded in white, she is the Goddess of Beauty and Women. Riding an ox, she is shown as four-handed holding a Damru and trident in two hands, while the other two hands are held in Abhayamudra and Varadamudra positions. She is one of the peace Goddesses. She fulfils our desires and relieves us of all our miseries.

Then she finally took up the Devi Shidhidhatri form on Navami. The ultimate Goddess and awarder of all spiritual awakening. Even Lord Shiva is believed to have worshipped her to attain his all Siddhis. She is one-half of Lord Shiva himself. Mounted on a lotus or a lion, she has four hands holding Chakra, Shankh, mace and a lotus. In depictions, she is often flanked by Yakshas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Devas and Siddhas.

Despite all the confusion the demon king tried to impose on Maa Durga by changing forms, she was successful in defeating him when he turned into a buffalo on the tenth day of the fight. She killed him by shoving the holy Trishul into his chest, finally restoring good over evil.

Since then this parable has been handed down over generations and has been retold again and again. It has always been and will be kept alive in our memories. It eulogizes the continuing culture of celebrating feminine powers and attributes, and their role in thriving a society. It culturally promotes respect for the female gender. How they complete men and are no less crucial than them. So lets raise our hands in the glory of the affectionate Durga. Jai Maa Durga!!

By Bishwajit Majee