Sri Durga Devi - Eighth Day Goddesses of Navratri Puja (Durgasthami)

 

We all celebrate Durga puja but hardly anyone knows the history or origin behind the celebration. As in case of most of the Indian festivals we have to refer to Hindu mythology to trace out the origin. The festival of Durga puja comes with its own retinue of mythological stories. There are various legends associated with its origin but the most important and prevalent among them is the legend of Lord Rama (the incarnation of Lord Vishnu). When lord Rama was fighting a battle with Ravana (the demon king) to rescue his wife Sita whom Ravana abducted and held as hostage in Lanka, his kingdom. That time a fierce battle ensued. In that battle Ravana could not be defeated. So Lord Ram decided to seek the blessings of Shakti (Goddess Durga) in order to defeat the demon. For that puja, which lord Ram was performing 108 blue lotus were needed for the worship of Goddess Durga but Rama could manage only 107. But without that one lotus his puja would be incomplete so he was on the verge of laying one of his eyes that was lotus-shaped and blue in color at the Goddess's feet when Goddess Durga appeared and satisfied with his devotion, granted her blessing and eventually he won the battle against Ravana. The time he worshipped was Spring season so from that time onwards Durga puja is celebrated.

Another legend, which is associated with the celebration of Durga puja is the story of the defeat of the demon king, Mahishasura at the hands of Goddess Durga, the incarnation of Shakti (the power). This demon was almost invincible because of a boon granted by Lord Shiva whereby no male could defeat him. So to find a solution to this all the God amalgamated their power and gave birth to Shakti (the power) in the form of Goddess Durga. She defeated the demon king and killed him. That's why she is called Mahishasuramardini (the slayer of Mahishasura). The holy battle symbolizes the victory of Good over Evil. However, according to another legend about Durga, she was a manifestation of Parvati, Shiva's wife.

Something more on Goddesses Durga :

Durga is an incarnation of Devi or the Mother Goddess, a unified symbol of all divine forces. For Shaivas Durga is the wife of Shiva. For Vaishnavas and Shaktas Durga is another form of Uma or Parvati.

The Hindu Goddess Durga manifested when evil forces threathened the very existance of the Gods. To destroy these demons, all gods offered their radiance to her creation and each formed part of Durga's body. Durga also obtained very powerful weapons, such as the chakra from Vishnu and a trident from Shiva.

The name "Durga" in Sanskrit means "invincible". The syllable "du" is synonymous with the 4 devils of poverty, sufferings, famine and evil habits. The "r" refers to diseases and the "ga" is the destroyer of sins, injustice, irreligion, cruelty and laziness.

Durga killed the powerful demon Mahish and all his great commanders. Demonic forces are self-destructive but very powerful. Divine forces are constructive but slow and efficient. When demonic forces create imbalance, all gods unite, becoming one divine force called Shakti or Durga.

Significance of Kanaka Durga Devi Temple in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh ,India

The abode of Kanaka Durga, goddess of power, riches and benevolence, is the presiding deity of the city. The temple is set on the Indrakiladri hill. The deity in the Kanaka Durga temple is regarded as Swayambhu or self-manifested, hence is considered very powerful. It is said that Adi Sankara visited this temple and installed the Sri Chakra here.

The beauty of this temple is seen to be believed. The temple is situated on a hill on the banks of the Krishna river. The origin or installation of Kanaka - durga Devi at Vijayawada is unknown. She is said to be Swayambu or selfmanifest. She also takes the aspect of Chandi or destroyer of the demon Durgama who was causing havoc among the peace - loving inhabitants of Dakshinapatha.

Mother Kanakadurgeswari seated atop the Indrakilaparvatha at Vijayawada is the supreme Goddess of Andhra Pradesh, attracting lakhs of tourists since time immemorial. This temple occupies a covetable place in the scriptures; for several of the Sivalilas and Saktimahimas were enacted on and around it, making the region a place of unparalleled spiritual eminence of everlasting significance.

Here are some of the Strotras and mantras  Of Durga Devi :

Durga ApadUdharakha Strotram :

Namasthe saranye, shive sanukampe,
Namasthe jagad vyapike viswaroope,
Namasthe jagad vandhya padaravindhe,
Namasthe jagatharini thrahi durge. //1//

Namasthe jagath chinthyamana swaroope,
Namasthe maha yogini, jnana roope,
Namasthe, namasthe sadananda roope,
Namasthe jagatharini thrahi durge. //2//

Anadhasya dheenasya thrushnathurasya,
Bhayarthasya bheethasya bhadasya jantho,
Thwameka gathir Devi nisthara karthri,
Namasthe jagatharini thrahi durge. //3//

Aranye, rane, dharune, shathru madhye,
Anale sagare pranthare raja gehe,
Thwameka gathir Devi nisthara nouka,
Namasthe jagatharini thrahi durge. //4//

Apare, maha dusthare athyantha ghore,
Vipath sagare majjatham deha bhajam,
Thwameka gather Devi, nisthara hethu,
Namasthe jagatharini thrahi durge. //5//

Namaschandige, chanda durdanda leela,
Samuth gandtha aganditha sesha sathro,
Thwameka gather Devi nisthara bheejam,
Namasthe jagatharini thrahi durge. //6//

Thwamevaghabhava dhrutha sathya vadi,
Na jathajitha krodhanath krodhanishta,
Ida pingala thwam sushumna cha nadi,
Namasthe jagatharini thrahi durge. //7//

Namo devi durge shive Bheema nadhe,
Saraswathyarundathithyamogha swaroope,
Vibhoothi sachi kala rathri sathi thwam,
Namasthe jagatharini thrahi durge. //8//

Saranamasi suranam sidha vidhyadharanaam,
Muni manuja pasoonaam, dasyubhisthasithanaam,
Nrupathi gruha gathanaam, vyadhibhi peedithanam,
Thwamasi saranameka devi durge praseeda. //9//

Sarvam vaa slokamekam vaa yah padeth bhakthiman sada,
Sa sarvam dushkrutham thyakthwa prapnodhi paramam padam. //10//

Durga DwaTrisanti Strotram

durga durgathesamani,

durga apadnivarini

durga matcheydini

durg sadhini

durg nasini

 durgothodharini

durgnihanthri

durgmapaha

durgamagnanada

durgadaithyaloka

davanala

 durgamaa

durgama loka

durga matya swarupini

durga marga prada

durgama vidya

durga masritha

 durgamagnanasamsthana

durgama dhyanabasini

durgamoha

durgamaga

durgamardha swaroopini

 

durgamasurasamhamthri

durgama ayudhadharini

durgamangi ,durga matha durgamya durgameswari

durgabhima,durga bhama, durga bha, durga dharini,

namavali meyamyasthu durgaya mama manavaha

patheysarva bayaksmrukthov bhavishyathi na samsayaha

Source Adapted from  here and here and here 

Image Source : google

Strotras from my Sister -in -law (P) and some from the Book.

Thanks Vadina for sharing the Strotras.

Wishing All of you a happy Durgashtami