Durga Is Creator, Sustainer, And Destroyer

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Goddess Durga , with her eight arms, holds eight weapons. The gesture of Durga's first hand signifies blessings, assuring the seeker not to worry. One hand holds a lotus, symbolising joy. Another holds a conch, representing knowledge. One hand carries a trident, indicating that the three qualities - sattva, rajas, and tamas - depend on her. Another hand carries a bow, symbolising focus, which should be directed towards the self, meaning self-inquiry. Durga's sword is a symbol of wisdom, and her spear represents concentration and focus.

With this focused power, the Goddess assumes her fierce form as Kali to destroy demons. When she blesses, she is known as Mangala. When she creates everything from herself, she is Kushmanda. By giving birth to Kartikey, she is Skandamata. After slaying Mahishasura and calming down at the gods' prayers, she is called Katyayani.

The external gross form of Durga is usually seen in the form of a murti at a temple; however, the external forms of Durga are diverse. Every woman embodies Durga; every girl child is Durga. Knowledge is Durga, science is Durga, and tantra is Durga. Wherever and whenever we experience sattvic energies, it is a form of Durga. Arts, dance, music, and painting are considered to be the rajasic forms of Durga's energy.

Scriptures say that at the core of all matter lies this supreme power. And this exists within all of us - not only in our bodies but also our minds. It has no fixed form; it appears in various forms and ways. It is both formless and with form; it is both matter and energy.

According to science, matter and energy are separate, but according to tantra, they are one. Matter is a concentrated form of energy, and energy is a subtle form of matter. This divine, supreme power is what we call ' Shakti '. In a way, human life is incomplete or meaningless without this energy. Awareness is also a form of this energy. We are all manifest forms of this energy, but, in itself, this energy is unmanifest. We know this Supreme power as the mother and experience it in the form of our biological mother.

Yogis call it Kundalini Shakti, Vaishnavas refer to it as Lakshmi, and Shaivas call it Gauri, Amba. It resides in the human body at the base, Muladhar chakra , and is also the creator of the entire universe. The worship of the Goddess in her three forms - as the creator, sustainer, and destroyer - is specially carried out during the days of Navratri . In tantra, it is said that this energy is coiled up in the Muladhar. When we awaken our dormant energy, it pierces through the Swadhisthan, Manipur, Anahat, and Ajana chakras, reaching the Sahasrar. A person whose Swadhisthan chakra is awakened can never be touched by lust. When it reaches Anahat, so much love arises that even a violent person becomes nonviolent in their presence. If the Vishuddhi chakra is awakened, speech becomes powerful. When the Ajna chakra is awakened, the doors of all knowledge begin to open. When the Kundalini awakens and merges with the conscious form of Shiv, one experiences supreme bliss. Seek within and awaken this energy.

During Navratri, we strive to unite with this inner Supreme power.

Authored by: Anandmurti Gurumaa