Goddess Durga is perceived holding different weapons in her eight arms, evidently aimed at combating the onslaught of demonic forces coming from all possible directions. She, however, is shown carrying accessories reflecting creative potential in only two arms. It simply suggests that forces contrary to our productive aspirations, are far more active and lethal. We, therefore, need to be fully on guard in a combative mode against the evil forces in order to service our existential needs. To drive home this point, the simile of Demon is used to exemplify and forewarn us about impending danger. The demons are believed to be conjurors, capable of hoodwinking us by making varied illusionary presences and charge us from all possible directions unannounced, to their asking.
The weird forms, in which the demons are usually depicted, are nowhere in evidence anywhere on earth. It is so characterised just to exemplify in clear terms the danger inherent in the evil forces existing both within and beyond us. The evil forces dwelling within us are no less potent than those from beyond. For, human beings, armed with choice option, invariably carry both good as well as animalistic tendencies. If ever the animalistic tendencies prove heavier, they may prove more dangerous than a carnivorous animal, which is why some of the demons are shown with animal heads.
Here, it also needs to be appreciated that the negative memory implants in our minds and the preconditioning thereof, can act a great devil for the self and those around. They often overtake our mind to distract our attention from priority preferences, and which foray into uncontrolled and fanciful inconsequential thoughts. We, thus, often misdirect our energies towards unproductive ends. Our creative potential, thus gets compromised. Trapped into such unproductive voluminous thoughts, we are hardly left with mind-space necessary to invoke our faculty of discrimination. We thus loose our sense of reasons and direction, and thereby objectivity. It, thus, becomes imperative upon us to consciously strike upon such unbecoming tendencies. Otherwise, they will keep chasing us from within to our detriment.
Now, how to figure out the true intent and character of varied demonic presences in disguise, well in time? And then, identify the most appropriate weapon to checkmate their assault? Evidently, it calls for being on full mental alert all the time.
The Mother having 10 arms also correspond to the positive and negative implications of man’s sensory organs – 5 of perception and 5 of action. Experience suggests that in our usual flow of life, more often our sensory perceptions get stuck to the illusionary tempting influences of the seeming world. Ego, further driving one’s mind, makes one take things on its face value. Consequently, one does not feel the necessity of invoking the indwelling faculty of discrimination necessary to figure out the underlying truths, otherwise eluding our attention. True picture thus missing, one may inadvertently respond unintelligently on instinctive judgment. By the time one realises, the danger would have caught us unawares. It, therefore, becomes incumbent upon us to be on full mental alert, so as to figure out one’s own limitations of mind in time, work upon them aggressively, and ensure being in full control of the self.
Now, why a Lion as Mother’s mount? Lion is known to be a very intelligent animal and supposedly the king of jungles. When it goes for a hunt in search of its feed, it moves strategically, carefully, cautiously, without wasting much of its energy, but with its eyes fixed on its prospective kill. It ensures not being noticed by the kill, till it is ready for its final assault. However, once the prey comes within its reach, it extols all its energy and pounces upon it. But, the lion does not go for its next kill till it has become hungry once again after exhausting its feed. The killing too, is therefore, need based and not out of greed. The animals, unlike human beings, invariably live in their present moment, and are never tempted to amass more than enough to service their immediate needs. Accordingly, Sakti too, ought to be applied intelligently, strategically, with all the care and caution, and focused promptly towards serving need based productive aspirations alone.
If these inputs are made to sink in deep in one’s mind through continued reflection, it will induce a person to act accordingly. One may then be able to successfully steer life with ease and comfort, despite all oddities and hazards coming in the way. Life will then turn into a beautiful experience.
The writer is an astrologer, vastu consultant and spiritual counsellor. Connect with him at
Tel: 91-11-9818037273/9871037272
