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It is stated in the Puranas" that, when Brahma began creation, from his forehead, sprang a figure which was half male and half female. Half male and half female. Source - Pillarcarving Akhilandesvari temple. Places Essence of the three a symbolic representation with a central triangle. Source Akhilandesvari temple. Z 98 Shrimad Bhagavata-purana Sk IV.XVII.22. 99 Vishnu-purana Bk.I, Ch. VII

chapter II Major goddesses 87 Wilson H.H. quoting the Vayu Purana states that, the female part became twofold - one half white and the other black. Each of these two became manifold, being the various Saktis of Mahadeva. He further quotes the linga and the Vayu Purana and states, those of the white complexion or mild nature include Laksmi, Sarasvati, Gauri, Uma etc... Those of the darker hue included the goddesses of fiercer disposition like Durga, Kali, Candi, Maharatri etc... Under the heading of Principal Goddesses, these three important forms of the goddess, namely, Durga-Paramesvari, SriLaksmi and Sarasvati together with Tripurasundari or Bhuvaneswari are taken up for study. The order of arrangement of these goddesses is according to their popularity among the masses and their influences they hold on the sadhaka. 1. Durga. Durga is the most popular name of the goddess. She represents the manifested female potentialities and energies generally of the Saivate. Two aspects of this goddess are dealt with. She is comely as the spouse of Siva and is popular as his inner energy. In such an aspect she is famous by the form names as Parvati, Rudrani, Gauri, Ambika etc... In this aspect she is full of compassion; she represents an ideal wife and with her spouse forms an ideal couple. In her second aspect she is Durga, Camunda, Kali etc.., in this aspect she is full of power and is of the under lying essence of anger and wrath, is aggressive and potentially dangerous. She has a purpose, a mission to serve for which she is motivated. Though she is potentially

chapter II Major goddesses 88 dangerous, still the delicacies of 'motherness' surge out and she cools down and gives respite to the distressed. First the fierce aspect of the goddess Durga-Paramesvari is taken up for the purpose of study. It includes her different manifestations as Durga, Camunda, Bhagavati, Candika etc... Kali has been taken up independently in the chapter Minor goddesses. ern Durga-Paramesvari is a compound word which is in usage among the locals in the South India. A parallel to the word is Candika-Paramesvari. This compound word has been taken up because it contains within it the in essence the two-fold nature of the goddesses, fiery as Durga and gentle as Paramesvari. Durga-meaning. The dictionary meaning of the word Durga is, an epithet of Parvati, the wife of Siva 100. It is mentioned in the Devibhagavata-purana 101 that Durga is the Mother of all and as the wonderful Sakti of Mahadeva. 鈥� She is called as Durga as she controls the heart of all, removes great difficulties, dangers of all. 鈥� She is known as Durga because she slew the asura Durgama by name on the earth 102. Durga presides over the intellect. Any one who remembers Durga in this world, all his difficulties and troubles are removed. 100 The SSED - Apte V.S. P.254 101 Devibhagavata-purana Bk.9 C.L. 102 DM 11.45.b, 46.a

chapter II Major goddesses Synonyms. 89 Two synonyms of the goddess Durga as Katyayani and Bharga are specially described in the Puranas The goddesses Durga appeared in the hermitage of the sage Katyayana and hence she is known as Katyayani 103. She appeared for the destruction of the demon Mahisa as a request to the prayer of the gods. The goddess is known as Bharga as she because she scorches and destroys the ignorance and sins of the humans 104. Iconographic Details. The goddess Durga is said to have ten arms. She holds ten different weapons in the ten different hands. They are a scimitar, a discus, a mace, a bow, arrows, shield, a trident, a sling, a skull and an axe 105. In almost all of the Siva temples house a separate temple for Siva's spouse, the goddess Durga is housed on the northern direction as a retinue of Siva's family gods and facing the direction south. She is depicted as standing on the head of a buffalo which is in fact the head of the buffalo-demon or Mahisasura. Generally she has four hands the lower two depicting the abhaya-varada gestures while the above two hold the cultic weapons. On the basis of the cultic weapons which she posseses, the Sivacaryas make a classification of the goddess Durga as Visnudurga, Sivadurga and as Brahmadurga. 103 K.P.Ch.61,V.5,6 104 Devibhagavata-purana BK 9, Ch.L 105 Devibhagavata-purana (P.1006)

chapter II Major goddesses 90 90 Visnudurga having eight Visnudurga having six hands hands on as cover picture of a book. Source Agamam Uttara Kamika She is known as Visnudurga if she holds a discus and a conch in her two upheld hands. She is Sivadurga if she is depicted holding a trident and a sword in her upper two hands. She is Brahmadurga if she holds a water pot and a rosary in her two upper hands. To depict her fierce nature and fiery aspect, she is shown with a crown of fire or an umbrella of five snake hoods and with her canine teeth protruding out.

chapter II Major goddesses 91 Durga is shown riding a lion (unique realistic riding position) Source Pillarcarving Akhilandesvari temple. Goddess Durga is shown riding a lion to combat the forces of the Asuras.She may be either in the sitting or in the standing position. If seated, then it is a plain seat and if standing, it is a plain plank though lotus pattern may appear occasionally. Durga-Mantra. The mantra of Durga is eight syllabled. It is as follows Om HrimDum Durgayai Amah. The goddess of this eight syllabled mantra is green as an emerald in complexion and she is four-armed, holding conch, discus, bow and arrow. A crescent moon adorns her braids. She is invoked to

chapter II Major goddesses 92 22 destroy the misfortune of her worshippers. She is offered an offerings of Trimadura and sesame laced in sweet syrup or offered rice mixed with milk in the homa. The Puranas 106 speak of a nine-syllabled mantra for the goddess Durga. This mantra is also known by another name viz. the Candika mantra. The mantra is as followsAim Hrim Kim Camunda Vicche. The Devatas of this mantra are MahaKali, Mahalaksmi, MahaSarasvati. The bija's are - Raktadantika, Brahmari and Durga. The Sakti of the mantra are - Nanda, Sakambari and Bhima The goddess is to be offered Bijadana 07 with the following BijasOm Aim HrimKrim The Kalika Purana gives the following Durga bija¹08. Aim Hrim Srim The Kalika Purana speaks of a special type of mantra known as the netrabija of Durga which is as follows 109 106 - 107 Kali-purana LVII.22 (DBK-BK 9. Ch:L.P.1005-1008) 108 op cit LIX.184 109 Kali-purana 61.2,3 Aim Hrim Srim

chapter II Major goddesses 93 This netra bija is to be laid on the left eye - Aim, right eye - Hrim and on the forehead - Srim by the sadhaka as a part of his Anganyasa The Durga Mantra mentioned which was used by the Gods to please and invoke the goddess is as follows¹10 Om Durga Raksini Svaha In the Sarada tIlaka tantram, an eight-syllabled mantra is given which is as followsOm Hrim Dum Durgayai namah. Durga-Yantra. durga yantra The Durgayantra is a simple yantra consisting of a downward pointed triangle with a central Source- Brihattantra-sara bindu, which is enclosed within two intertwining large triangles. Surrounding it is an eight petal lotus formation which lies within a closed Bhupura¹¹². 112 110 op cit 61.24 111 Sharadatilaka-tantra 11.1,2. 112 Brihattantra-sara-I, Sec. II P.210

chapter II Major goddesses 94 Durga - Nine forms. 113 The SivaPurana, mentions of Durga as being nine in number who are popularly known as Navadurga¹¹³. They are Kali, Katyayani, Isani, Camunda, Mundamardini, BhadraKali, Bhadra, Tvarita, and Vaisnavi. They are mentioned as accompanying Virabhadra and set to destroy the sacrifice of Daksa. 114 In the Devimahatmayam also nine Durgas are mentioned. In the temple, these nine goddesses are arranged on an eight petal lotus and offered worship S Sallaputri, Brahmacarini, Candraghanta, Kusmanda, Skandamata, d Katyayani, 8 Kalaratri, Mahagauri source: Uttara Kamika Agamam. and Siddhidatri are the nine Durgas. 113 Shiva-purana 33.11,12 114 DeviMahatmayam Devi-kavaca, v.3,4. appendix-I, P.85; M.S.University Oriental series No. 18, Vadodara 1997

chapter II Major goddesses 95 It is mentioned that they are like the secretive Kavaca or armor of the goddesses. So it may be supposed that they shield the goddesses and enclose her at the centre of the nine fortresses. Nava Durga Yantra. The Brihattantra-sara lays down the yantra of the nine Durgas. This Nava-Durga yantra is known by another name the Vindyavasini 115 yantrals. This is an application type of yantra. 11. bham mam yam ram lam vam vata sam sam sam ham lam ksam vani sa bhaya svaha 1461 dama 2 Bhbe navadurga yantra am am im im um um tanista mari hrim dum sadhya ma rkham lam e em 146 hina FOR: fr s au am am kam kham gam gham IRL ya ink 士alyt fl Jhajh The Navadurga yantra. Source Brihattantra-sara The yantra consists of a twelve petal led lotus enclosing the syllable Om and the mantra Hrim Dum together with the name of the person for whom the yantra is made. This is further enclosed within two intertwined squares which form nine triangles and an octagon. 115 Brihattantra-sara-II C.5, P.1077

chapter II Major goddesses 96 96 Within the octagon formed all the vowels and the consonants are written. Within the lotus petals the Mantra - Mahisamardinyai Swaha is written in such a manner that two-two syllables are written on each petal as such this mantra is written three times. And then the syllables of the mantra are written on the petals above the previous petals 116. Yantra -Application. The Durga yantra bestows prosperity to the worshipper. It acts as a protective amulet for the wearer. It destroys the evil effects of ghosts and ghouls. The one who has lost his wealth he regains it back by this yantra. The one who desires a son, he obtains a son and the one who is diseased, his diseases get destroyed. This yantra as such is a 'wish fulfilling' yantra. Worship of Durga. The Kalivllasa tantra speaks about the 'Bodhana' or the awakening of the goddess Durga¹17. It is mentioned that 'Bodhana' of the goddesses Durga should be done in the asterism of Ardra, which is the ninth titi of the dark half after the Navaratri. The Bilva twig on which the goddesses is awakened should be taken in the asterism of mula which is the seventh titi in the bright half ie. when the Navaratri festival worship is in progress. The worship should be done in the Purva and in the Uttara Asada asterisms which fall on the eighth and 116 Uttista Purusi Kim Svapisi? Bhayam Me Samupasthitam Yadi Sakyam-asakyam Va Tanme Bhagavati Samaya Svaha. 117 Kalivilasa-tantra XXX.6.

chapter II Major goddesses 97 ninth days respectively. On the next day, when it is the asterism of Sravana, the goddess should be immersed. 1,2 - Durga on ratha panel Melattur, Tamilnadu. Worship of the goddess Durga with great festivity is prescribed on the nights of Astami and Navami, fast on these two days is ordained. On the third day i.e. Dasami, the fast should be broken with fish and meat 118. Offerings. Balidana or blood offering of a sacrificial animal makes the goddesses Durga happy 119. The sacrificial victims are birds, tortoises, alligators, male-goats, wild boars, male buffaloes, the lizard which is either monitor lizard or the chameleon, the Sosa (not clear) the nine? spices of the deer, the yak, the spotted antelope, hares, the lion, fishes, blood of one's own body. In case if all the above are not available, 118 Kamamalini-tantra ch.V 119 Kali-purana 57.1-4.

chapter II Major goddesses 98 their substitutes are mentioned which are horses, elephants. The oblations are categorized as - (i) Oblation, (ii) Great oblation and (iii) Exceedingly great oblation. No. Offering type Offerings 1. Oblation He-goats 2. Great oblation Sarabas 3. Exceedingly great oblation Man It further proceeds and explains the method of offering an 'oblation.' A he-goat is offered as an offering to the goddess. The head and the trunk of the goat are separated. The blood which gushes out is collected and it is purified with the following things salt, sound, fruit, honey, perfumes and flowers 120. The head of the victim thus purified is then placed on a pedestal facing the goddess and a lamp is put on the head placed between the horns and ears. It is mentioned that the goddess should be offered a wreath of eight flowers and also an oblation of seasum mixed with ghee. It is stated in the Kali-purana that the goddess be offered different sorts of meat¹ 21. Blessings and Favour. The goddess Durga is appeased by the reading of the Saptasati everyday. The goddess becomes obedient to the one who reads one chapter of the ninth Skanda of Devibhagavata-purana everyday 122. 120 Kali-purana 57.20-22. 121 Op cit 62.24 122 Devibhagavata-purana Bk. 9, C. 50