Durga Serenity

Durga Serenity
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder

Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

Erica and Goddess Durga

Erica and Goddess Durga
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

Erica is Catholic girl from the Lal Bagh viciinity, and her gesture is not about religion, she is a devout church going Christian , here she is showing respect to a much revered and saintly divinty Goddess Durga , her actions the corner stone of parental good upbringing.
This is the true ethos of Indian multi- secular ethos.
Its our children who lead the future , a future without bigotry, a future well entrenched in our collective survival as Indians beyond the pale of religiosity

Ambe Mata

Ambe Mata
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

Another avtar of Durga Mata

At the Lotus Feet of Durga Mata

At the Lotus Feet of Durga Mata
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

This was shot by a bystander kid on my Nikon D70

Durga Sloka


Durga symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and justice in the universe. Durga is also known as "Shakti". Worship of the goddess Shakti is very popular among the Hindu people. Durga stands for the unified symbol of all divine forces; Strength, Morality, Power, Protector. Slokas on Goddess Durga form the part of prayers offered to the goddess. Durga (Devi) Shlokas / Slokas are as follows:


"Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Maatrirupena Sansthitah
Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaktirupena Sansthitah
Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaantirupena Sansthitah
Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namo Namah"


Meaning: Goddess Durga is omnipresent. She is the personification of Universal Mother. She is a Mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of power and energy. Great mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of Peace. I bow to that mother, I bow to Durga, I bow to Shakti.


Durga (Devi) Stuti



"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Vishnu Maayethi Sabdita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the name of Maya of Vishnu.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Chetanetyaabhi Dheeyate
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who abides in all creatures as realization.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Buddhi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of intelligence.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Nidraa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the form of sleep.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kshudhaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of appetite.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Chaayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of meditation and reflection.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shakthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of Shakti, the creative power.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Thrishnaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of thirst.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kshaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the merciful form.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Jaati Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of race.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Lajja Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the modest form.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of peace (Shanti).


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shradha Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of unshakable faith (Shraddha).


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of beauty or brilliance (Kaanti).


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Lakshmi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the prosperous form.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Vritti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of motion.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Smrithi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of memory.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Dayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of mercy or kindness (Dayaa).


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Tushti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of satisfaction.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Matru Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the form of Mother.


"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Braanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of illusion (Bhram).


"Indriyaanaamadhistaatri Bhootaanaam Chaakileshu Yaa
Bhooteshu Satatam Tasyai Vyaaptidevyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the all pervading goddess, who continuously controls the senses of all creatures and governs all elements.


"Chiti Roopena Yaa Kristnam Yetadhyaapya Sthithaa Jagat
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"


Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who pervades this world and controls in the form of awareness.

www.iloveindia.com/spirituality/sloka/durga-sloka.html

Durga Ma and PhotographerNo1

Durga Ma and PhotographerNo1
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

Yes I am proud to be a Shia Pandit a term used derogatory to my fascination for Hinduism, and the saffronisation of my Hindustani soul so be it.
I share my countrys cultural plurality , and perhaps its the Hindu gods specially Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha and Durga Mata or Goddess Parvati that drag me away from my own world to shoot them in their splendour and share all this with you, as my knowledge of Hinduism is limited and because I am ignorant I add links to relevant posts for the westerners who read me or see my pictures.

From
www.iloveindia.com/spirituality/goddesses/durga/index.html


Characteristics : Strength, Morality, Power, Protector
Other Names : Jagdamba, Shakti, Bhagwati, Devi, Maa
Weapon : Trident, Chakra, Snake, Conch shell, Mace, Bow, Long sword, Thunderbolt
Abode : Trikoota Mountain
Vehicle (Vahana) : Lion
Mula Mantra : Om Sri Durgaya Namah
Durga Gayatri Mantra: Aum Girijaye Cha Vidmahe
Shiva Priyaye Cha Dheemahi
Tanno Durga Prachodayat

Durga
Maa (Mother) Durga symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and righteousness in the universe. Worship of the goddess Shakti is very popular among the Hindus. Durga stands for the unified symbol of all divine forces (Shaktis). Goddess Durga is the divine mother, who protects people from evil forces of selfishness, jealousy, hatred, anger and ego. Mother's love and her kindness towards her child, is the best example of pure love in this whole universe.

Likewise, the love of Maa Bhagwati (Durga) towards her devotee (Child) is pure and serene. Maa (Mother) never asks for a favour from her child. She pours her kindness and warmth on the child without desiring anything in return. The love of Jagdamba is like a free flowing river. Durga loves her each and every devotee (Child) without any discrimination.

Origin of Goddess
Durga It is believed that once the existence of the universe was under a threat by Mahishasura (the demon). The Gods pleaded Shiva to protect their world from the evil forces. Lord Shiva asked the three goddesses, Saraswati, Maa Kali and Maa Lakshami to release their powers (shaktis). The Power emerged in a female form. The Divine light emerged and a goddess of exceptional power appeared with many arms. She was beautiful as well as ferocious.

Durga was an extremely gorgeous girl with full of rage. The gods named her Durga, the invincible one and they furnished her with all their arms. Durga rode on a lion to the top of a mountain. In a violent battle, she killed Mahishasura and thus, saved the world from the demon's threat.

Durga - The Image
The word Durga has been derived from Sanskrit language which means a fort or a place that is difficult to reach. In the Images, Shakti is visible in the female form, wearing red clothes. Goddess has eighteen arms, carrying many items in her hands. The red color symbolizes fierceness and it suggests that goddess destroys evil and protects people from pain and misery caused by evil forces. Durga riding a tiger shows that she holds infinite power and uses it to save virtue and destroy evil. The eighteen arms holding weapons signify the unattainable energy that Maa Durga possesses. Different weapons suggest the idea that she can face any evil force without consideration.

Origin of Durga Mata

Origin of Durga Mata
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

I spent amost two hours and I was on my 29th fast, tired I had walked from the Funeral of a friends father at Shivaji Park crematorium to Sena Bhavan from where I took a bus for the workshops at Lal Bagh..



www.durga-puja.org/origin-of-durga-the-mythology.html

Origin of Durga - The Mythology

Devi is the great goddess of the Hindus,the consort of Shiva and she is worshiped in various forms corresponding to her two aspects: benevolence and fierceness. She is Uma, "light"; Gauri, "yellow or brilliant"; Parvati, "the mountaineer"; and Jagatmata, "the-mother-of-the-world" in her milder guise. The terrible emanations are Durga "the inaccessible"; Kali, "the black"; Chandi, "the fierce"; and Bhairavi, "the terrible."

Descent of the Goddess
Durga, a beautiful warrior seated upon a tiger, was the first appearance of the great goddess. The circumstance of her miraculous arrival was the tyranny of the monster-demon Mahishasur, who through terrific austerities had acquired invincible strength. The gods were afraid of this water-buffalo bull because neither Vishnu nor Shiva could prevail against him. It seemed that the joint energy of Shakti was only capable of vanquishing Mahisha, and so it was the eighteen-armed Durga who went out to do battle.

Battlefield
She went to battle on her ferocious mount lion, armed with the weapons given to her by the other Gods. Durga is one of the angry and aggressive aspects of the goddess Shakti, whose role in Hindu mythology was to fight and conquer demons and also personify the Sakti or female aspect of any male deity. In the battle, she fought and killed the evil Mahishasura and restored heaven to the Gods. Since then the goddess is invoked for protection from the powers of evil. Durga Puja is observed in her honor, to celebrate her victory over evil.

Revered Mother
She has been worshiped from about 400 AD, but probably earlier, to the present. Her literary references are chiefly the Ramayana and Mahabharata, epic and Puranic texts, and she is mentioned by name in Vedic literature. In general, Durga is regarded in northern India as the gentle bride epitomizing family unity while in southern India she is revered more in her warrior aspect