Celebrating Durga Puja: Honouring the Invincible Goddess Durga
By David Glover
When it comes to the month of October, for most people it’s about withdrawing, getting cosy
indoors and starting to think about eating warm unctuous stews to keep out the cold. But not
for me, my preference in the run up to October is to summon the spirit of the invincible
Goddess Durga. This involves jumping on the back of a lion, with a trident in one hand and
various instruments in the other seven to summon the qualities of strength, wisdom and
protection. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
Who is Durga?
The deities in the Hindu pantheon are imbued with symbolism and point towards
characteristics or particular energies which individuals can draw upon in times of need. This
can be done through mantra japa and allowing the vibrational energies to do their work.
One such deity is Durga who embodies Divine Feminine Energy. Durga’s creation is rooted
in a powerful mythological story that highlights the need for collective strength in the face of
darkness. According to Hindu mythology, a demon named Mahishasura became so powerful
that neither gods nor humans could defeat him. His strength threatened the balance of the
universe, and even the mighty gods—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—were powerless to stop
him. Now this isn’t a blame game, but it was Shiva who granted the demon with immortality.
These days it would be called an administrative error.
Anyhow, in response, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva combined their energies to create Goddess
Durga, a warrior goddess unlike any other. Durga was the embodiment of divine feminine
power, formed to be invincible. She was bestowed with the most potent weapons from each
god, symbolizing her role as the ultimate protector of the universe. Mounted on a lion, Durga
represented an unshakeable force of strength, courage, and compassion.
Thus, Durga was created to restore cosmic balance and eliminate Mahishasura’s tyranny. Her
creation is a reminder that feminine power, when harnessed, has the potential to overcome
even the most formidable adversaries. As the Dad of three daughters, this makes perfect sense
to me.
One of Durga’s most distinctive features is her multiple arms, typically ranging from eight to
ten in various depictions. Each arm holds a symbolic weapon or object, representing the
virtues and strengths Durga embodies.
- Trident (Trishul) – Gifted by Shiva, the trident represents the destruction of evil and
the power to eliminate ego and negativity. It symbolizes balance among creation,
preservation, and destruction. - Discus (Sudarshana Chakra) – Vishnu’s disc represents Durga’s control over time
and space, symbolizing righteousness and the ability to maintain cosmic order. - Conch (Shankha) – Also from Vishnu, the conch signifies the primordial sound of
creation. Its vibration destroys ignorance and brings spiritual awakening. - Bow and Arrow – These weapons represent focus and precision, symbolizing
Durga’s ability to balance potential and kinetic energies. - Sword (Khadga) – A gift from Ganesha, the sword symbolizes wisdom and the
power to cut through falsehood and illusion. - Lotus (Padma) – The lotus represents purity and detachment. Like the flower that
rises above muddy waters, it symbolizes spiritual growth and resilience. - Thunderbolt (Vajra) – Gifted by Indra, the thunderbolt stands for determination
and unshakable resolve in the face of challenges. - Mace (Gada) – A symbol of strength and courage, the mace, often associated with
Hanuman, shows Durga’s readiness to face obstacles.
Each item in Durga’s hands embodies a key quality that we can invoke in our own lives. The
conch for spiritual awakening, the sword for clarity of mind, and the trident for overcoming
negative energies—Durga provides us with the tools to confront and conquer life’s
challenges.
Durga’s Battle Against Mahishasura: The Triumph of Good
Durga’s epic battle with Mahishasura lasted for nine days and nights, Durga fought
Mahishasura, who changed his form several times—transforming into a buffalo, a lion, and
finally a human—using his shape-shifting abilities to elude defeat. Durga, however, remained
steadfast and unyielding in her strength.
On the tenth day, Durga ultimately pierced Mahishasura with her trident, signifying the
victory of good over evil. This day is celebrated as Dussehra in many parts of India, marking
the culmination of Navratri and the goddess’s triumph over the forces of darkness.
Chanting “Om Dum Durgayai Namaha”: Invoking Durga’s Power
The mantra “Om Dum Durgayai Namaha” is one of the most powerful ways to invoke the
goddess’s qualities. “Dum” represents Durga’s protective and empowering energy, and
through chanting this mantra, devotees call upon her strength, wisdom, and protection. The
mantra reminds us that, like Durga, we have the inner power to conquer our own struggles,
whether they are external challenges or inner fears.
How I came to this practice
My own practice in the run up to October has been to chant the mantra 108 times most, but
not all, mornings if I’m being honest. And I find it does make a difference.
Through the mantra “Om Dum Durgayai Namaha,” we connect with the divine feminine
energy that resides within each of us, empowering us to face life’s challenges with grace and
fearlessness.
And here’s another thing, I’m not sure why I started to chant the mantra but I just did and it
felt right. And when I started to dig a bit deeper it turns out that Durga Puja, a celebration of
divine feminine strength takes place between the 9 th and 13 th October in certain parts of India.
My advice to you…give it a go and if it feels right, keep going.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
David
Photo credit:
Photo by Subhajit Biswas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/figure-of-hindu-goddess-durga-
18971794/