Goddess Durga: The Nine Avatars

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Goddess Durga: The Nine Avatars

by Meera

Navratri celebrations may vary but the worship of Goddess Durga

remains their sole reason. The deity took different avatars or

incarnations, killing nine evil forces or asuras. Each day of

Navratri is devoted to one avatar.

 

 

Mahakali came into being to kill two rakshasas, Madhu and kaitabh.

After the deluge (Pralay) a lotus grew out of Narayana's navel with

Brahma seated on it. But along with him these two demons were also

born -- and they wanted to kill Brahma. In answer to Brahma's frantic

prayers, Mahakali, who stayed in Lord Vishnu's eyes, left him and he

rose to fight these demons for 5,000 years. mahakali changed the

demon's mindset and instead of fighting they sought Vishnu's

blessings.

 

Once, Mahishasura defeated the gods and began ruling in heaven. The

gods prayed to Lord Vishnu and Shiva. These gods emanated very strong

light from their bodies which turned into Mahalakshmi and killed

Mahishasur.

 

Mahasaraswati or Chamunda eliminated Shumbha and Nishumbha. She was

conceived from the powers of God Vishnu. Chamunda also killed another

demon, Raktabeej, who could reproduce as many more of himself from

each drop of his blood that fell to the ground. But Raktabeej was

vanquished with the help of Mahakali who collected his blood on her

tongue to stop this senseless reproduction.

 

The fourth avatar safeguarded Krishna from his cruel uncle, Kansa.

Yogamaya was brought to Mathura from Gokul in place of Krishna. In

future wars she helped Krishna with her yogic powers, and killed

powerful rakshasas like Chadoor.

 

The came the ferocious Rakta Dantika who killed Veprachiti

Rakshasa. She drank the demon's blood, hence this name.

 

For a change, the sixth avatar was not incarnated to save the usually

clumsy demigods. For 100 years, there was a drought on earth. So the

sages performed penance and pleased Devi Bhagwati who was born as

Shakumbhari. She brought rain to the parched land.

 

A demon named Durgam had created mayhem. So Lord Vishnu created a

goddedd. Since she killed Durgam, she was called Durga, and is the

most sought after deity. She rides a tiger.

 

A demon named Arun had evil designs on the wives of the demigods so

they changed into a wasp and prayed to Durga. Durga changed into a

wasp herself and killed the demon. So she came to be known as

Bhramari.

 

The last incarnation is Chandika -- she came to kill two demons,

Chanda and Munda.

 

So if it was not for the different incarnations of Goddess Durga, the

gods would have been a very sad lot, and like earth, our heaven too

would have been ruled by evil forces.

 

Source: Free Press Journal