Indian mythology has its share of stories and tales, which make the culture and tradition of India even more interesting and intriguing. The legend of Durga Puja is one such interesting aspect of Indian festivals.
According to Indian mythology, Goddess Durga is a creation of the collective power of all gods. She represents their weapons, their apparels, their ornaments, and their power. She was the one who is believed to have collected the Gods who were scattered across after the mighty battle against the demon King Mahisasura. Durga thus stands for unity and for peace.
The Four Powers of Durga
Goddess Durga is said to have come to earth with four powers. and they are knowledge, chivalry, wealth, and physical strength. These powers are represented by Goddess Saraswati for knowledge, Lord Karthikeya for chivalry, Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and Lord Ganesha for the physical strength.
The Durga puja
The Durga Puja symbolizes the worship of Shakti or the divine power. It shows the victory of good over evil. It symbolizes the inner struggle of human beings and how they rise up above every challenge ultimately. Durga herself represents the state of mind when you learn to live in complete bliss. The Asura Mahishasur represents the state of ignorance, delinquency, and insanity. The lion represents the manner in which our spiritual mind is attacked and Goddess Durga represents overall peace and stability.
Durga Puja thus is a symbolic representation of mind, body, and soul and aims at achieving peace through challenging our mental spirits and reaching success ultimately.
Every year Durga Puja is celebrated during Navratri, which is the nine day festival for the Goddesses of Power. Durga Puja begins on October 1 this year in 2014 and Ashtami and Navami fall on the same day this year. Thus, it is double bonanza for all and provides a good platform to ease away our worries and iron away our weaknesses.
Celebrate Durga Puja this year with a better sense of understanding and through simple methods of attaining peace and calm.
Rukmini Krishnan 