There are endless aspects of the Hindu goddess Durga described in the Puranas and Agamas. She is usually pictured as having ten arms holding Sword, Conch, Discus, Rosary, Bell, Winecup, Shielf, Bow, Arrow, and Spear. She is most often shown riding a lion from which comes Her august name, Simhavahini, “She who stands astride the king of beasts”. The various tools reflect the eminent supremacy that helps in controling the universe and obey Her will.

Goddess Durga exists eternally, always abiding in her own sweet nature and inhabits the hearts and minds of her ecstatic devotees. As Shakti (power), she shapes, nurtures, and dissolves names and forms, while, as subtle spiritual energy called Kundalini, She lights the lotuses for the seven centres of awareness in the sacred human body. Goddess Durga killed the powerful demon Mahish and all his great commanders.

When demonic forces create imbalance all gods unite becoming one divine force called Shakti or Durga.

Durga is a beautiful warrior seated upon a tiger. She is 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.”