Goddess Durga Digital Art by Anand Swaroop Manchiraju

Goddess Durga

by Anand Swaroop Manchiraju

Canvas Print

Framed Print

Art Print

Poster

Metal Print

Acrylic Print

Wood Print

Greeting Card

Title

Goddess Durga

Artist

Anand Swaroop Manchiraju

Medium

Digital Art - Digital Art

Description

Durga
Goddess of Victory of Good over Evil
Durga Mahisasuramardini.JPG
Devanagari दुर्गा
Sanskrit Transliteration Durga
Affiliation Devi, Mother Goddess,Divine Mother, Original manifested form of Mother Adi-Parashakti, Goddess Shakti, manifestation of Mahashakti
Abode Forest of Madamba Kadamba
Mantra Om Durgaye Namaha / Om Aim Hreem Kleem Durga Devi Namaha
Weapon trident, discus,
Scimitar, lasso,
Conch shell, Mace, Bow and arrow, spear, sword (longsword), shield, bell, pink lotus flower, battle-axe, thunderbolt, elephant goad, snake, rod, spade, vajra, goblet, hammer weapon, iron weapon, weapon made out of thorns, javelin, dagger
Consort Shiva
Mount lion or tiger

Durga (Hindustani pronunciation: [ˈd̪uːrɡaː]; Sanskrit: दुर्गा), meaning "the inaccessible"[1] or "the invincible", is the most popular incarnation of Devi and one of the main forms of the Goddess Shakti in the Hindu pantheon.[2] Durga is the original manifested form of Mother Adi-Parashakti. Durga is Adi- Parashakti herself. The Devi Gita, declares her to be the greatest Goddess. Thus, she is considered the supreme goddess and primary deity in Shaktism, occupying a place similar to Lord Krishna in Vaishnavism. According to Skanda Purana, the goddess Parvati accounted the name "Durga" after she killed the demon Durgamaasura. Goddess Parvati is considered to be the complete incarnation of Adi Parashakti or Goddess Durga, with all other goddesses being her incarnations or manifestations. Adi Parashakti or Mahadevi, the supreme power, is called Durga Shakti as per Devi-Mahatmya. Adi Parashakti or Devi Durga is a Hindu concept of the Ultimate Shakti or Mahashakti, the ultimate power inherent in all Creation. This is especially prevalent in the Shakta denomination within Hinduism, which worships the Goddess Devi in all her manifestations. She is Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati in her mild form; Goddess Kali and Goddess Chandi in her wrathful form.

Contents

1 Origins and development
2 Worship
3 Western references
4 Notable temples of Durga
4.1 In India
4.2 Outside India
5 See also
6 References
7 Further reading
8 External links

Origins and development

Ramprasad Chanda writes the following about the development of Durga from primitive goddess to her current form: [3]

"...it is possible to distinguish two different strata � one primitive and the other advanced. The primitive form of Durga is the result of syncretism of a mountain-goddess worshiped by the dwellers of the Himalaya and the Vindhyas, a goddess worshiped by the nomadic Abhira shepherd, the vegetation spirit conceived as a female, and a war-goddess. As her votaries advanced in civilization the primitive war-goddess was transformed into the personification of the all-destroying time (Kali), the vegetation spirit into the primordial energy (Adya Sakti) and the saviouress from �samsara� (cycle of rebirths) , and gradually brought into line with the Brahmanic mythology and philosophy."

According to those well conversant with the veda and Vedanta, it was first used in 1876 and the supreme soul is identified with knowledge,pure and divine, and His Maya(delusion) is religion. The delusion of the supreme soul is otherwise called Shakti (power). From this power, generates all forms of knowledge of the world and it is accepted as vital cause of creation, existence and destruction. Mahamaya i.e. the power of Mahashakti (The Supreme Power) plays a vital role in creating the three qualitative shapes. Mahashakti, the Supreme power, is called Durga Shakti. This abstract power has been imagined by the Hindus as Durga Shakti. By the help of the Supreme soul (Adi Purusha) and the Supreme Power (Adyashakti), three other shapes have been created from the Supreme Power. They are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and from the supreme power the shapes created are Maha Saraswati, Maha Laxmi and Mahakali. Maha Saraswati is well known as Brahmani, Mahalaxmi as Vaishnavi and Mahakali as Maheswari. Durga Shakti is the original cause of all the present or past worldly occurrences. Durga Shakti is called as Adhyashakti, Paramatma Shakti or Ati Prakrutika Shakti. She is creating and controlling other two powers: Natural and General. Natural Power is called as Atma Shakti, Prakrutika Shakti, Pancha Mahabhuta Shakti etc. This Shakti creates and controls the General Energy. General Energies are called Jada Shakti or Tamashakti. By the blessings of Durga Shakti, the mother of the Universe, man is able to get his emancipation or salvation and indulge in enjoyments in performance of his daily activities. So Vyasadev, the eminent poet of "Devi Bhagwat", has aptly described "Rudrahinam Vishnuhinam na vadanti janastatha Shaktihinam Yathasarbe probodhanti Naradhamam". The powerless persons are despised as mean persons. So, by being devoted to the Supreme, we should be strong and powerful by her grace.URGA, DIGITAL ART