'Ya devi sarvabhuteshu shakti – rupena samsthita, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namo namaha

Ya devi sarvabhuteshu shanti – rupena samsthita, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namo namaha'

(To the Goddess who abides in all beings as power: salutations to the Goddess who abides in all beings as peace: salutations to Thee.)

Durga is derived from the root words dur (difficult) and gam (pass, go through).

Also, the word Durg means 'fortress, something difficult to access, attain or pass'.

Thus, Durga is one who signifies the strength of a fortress.

The worship of Shakti (Durga) has been practiced throughout all Yugas. In Satya Yuga, as per the Markandeya Purana, King Surtha regained his kingdom through Durga's worship, guided by Maharshee Medha.

In Treta Yuga, Sita worshipped Goddess Viraja to marry Rama, and Lord Rama himself, following Narada’s advice, worshipped Durga to conquer Lanka and defeat Ravana. In Dwapara Yuga, the Gopis attained Krishna's love through the worship of Katyayini, and Rukmini also married Krishna due to Durga’s grace. Arjuna, before the Mahabharata war, prayed to Durga and secured victory. Even in Kali Yuga, saints like Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Nigamananda attained Durga’s blessings.

Navratri is a nine-day festival celebrating Durga's victory over Mahishasura, with the tenth day, Vijayadashmi, marking his defeat. During these nine days, devotees worship her nine forms: Sailaputri (daughter of the Himalayas), Brahmacharini (the ascetic), Chandraghanta (moon-bearer), Kushmanda (creator of the universe), Skanda-Mata (mother of Kartikeya), Katyayani (incarnated to aid the Devas), Kalaratri (dark as night), Mahagauri (Shiva’s consort), and Siddhidatri (giver of mystic powers).

The Devi Mahatmyam in the Markandeya Purana narrates the story of Mahishasura, the demon king who sought invincibility through a boon from Lord Brahma. Brahma granted him protection from defeat by men and Gods, but Mahishasura overlooked the possibility of a woman defeating him. Empowered by this boon, Mahishasura led the demons to conquer the Gods, prompting them to seek help from Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. Their combined energies created Goddess Durga, who, armed by the Gods, fought and killed Mahishasura after a nine-day battle, restoring peace. This story symbolizes the power and empowerment of women.

Bharat Mata and Goddess Durga ride a lion/tiger and personify glory in a smiling face.

The active principle of Paramatma is the source of all creation and is beyond gender. Viewed as masculine, Paramatma resembles deities like Shiva, Vishnu, or Krishna. As feminine, it manifests as Maha Kali, Durga (Maha Lakshmi), Maha Saraswati, or Adi Mata. Durga, as a protective mother, guides creation through cycles of birth and death toward Self-Realization (Moksha).

This cosmic play, or 'Leela' is carried out by Paramatma with the help of Mahamaya, who creates 'Maya' (illusion). Only those who transcend desires, greed, and ego, with Mahamaya’s grace, can break free from the cycle and attain liberation. These enlightened souls are yogis, rishis, and other spiritually evolved beings.

According to the Rig Veda, we can get three names of Devi Durga. They are ‘Viswa Durga’, ‘Sindhu Durga’ and ‘Agni Durga’. 

Mahisasuramardini protects Her devotees from ten sides (We have to remember that the total number of sides (i.e north, south etc is ten). This is reflected in the deity of ‘Dashabhuja’ (Devi with ten hands).

Durga, the embodiment of divine energy, is known by many names in the Vedas, including Aditi, Saraswati, and Ratri, and takes forms such as Parvati, Uma, Gauri, and Ambika. The Durga Purana portrays her as the eternal, formless source and end of the universe. As both powerful creator and compassionate protector, she is the enlightened deity to whom even the male gods turn for help. Known as Ashtangi, she wields eight arms bearing weapons, and in her form as Mahisasuramardini, she protects devotees from all ten directions. She appears in every age to protect her devotees and vanquish evil.

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