#durgamaa

In less than a week, I will be on my way to a two-week vacation in Indonesia's island of Bali! While I have wanted to visit Bali for a number of years, it is appearing to be entirely appropriate that I am getting my opportunity now. Currently, the majority of Indonesia's inhabited islands (which is less 7,000 out of the country's total of 17,000) are predominantly Islamic and Bali is somewhat of an exception with Hinduism. In some last minute research I have found that Bali contains a rich history of syncretization or at least some important interactions between Hinduism, particularly Shaivism, and Indonesian esoteric Buddhism.

Specifically, knowing that Shiva is Mahakala in Himalayan esoteric Buddhism, I was trying to trace if Durga—the most popular avatar of the goddess Shakti—saw a similar conversion to Buddhism from Shaivism. Durga's most popular myth in Shaivism is when she, known as a warrior goddess, slays a water buffalo demon. She is generally seen as one of the most powerful devas within the Shaivist pantheon and an empowering figure who aids her followers in victory against adversity. So what I found out about her Balinese Buddhist depictions is not just a cliche line from TikTok intros and YouTube video titles: it legitimately shocked me.

A paper titled "Durgā Mahiṣāsuramardinī in Likely Tantric Buddhist Context from the Northern Indian Subcontinent to 11th-Century Bali" by Ambra Calo outlined the few cases of Durga's image found in Buddhist architecture in Bali. For later traditions of esoteric Buddhism involving Durga, Calo had this to say:

Mahendradattā’s [a historical Bali queen] association with Durgā rites and the perception of her as a sorceress and practitioner of black magic, is based on a 14th-century ritual drama, the Calon Arang, written during the Majapahit period (late 13th–16th centuries). The demonised description of Durgā and, by association, of Mahendradattā also, has been discussed by Hariani Santiko, who highlights a shift in the perception of Durgā. Identifying Durgā as the main goddess of Śaktism and Śaivism, rather than having a Tantric Buddhist context, she concludes that she “started out as a goddess who aided humankind and was worshipped in Tantric rituals [but] became a demonic female rākṣasī” in the Calon Arang.

What I took from this paragraph is, imagine if a traditional, goodhearted protagonist of a story who is specifically known for her defeating of villains somehow herself became a villain. If a goddess who has been known for centuries by millions of devotees can also be perceived in some part of human history and the world as being a demon, then surely any spirit can become a demon.

This supports some thoughts of demons I have had since I started developing relationships with some of the Goetia about a year ago. People have a variety of experiences with all types of spirits, but this variety expands when it comes to well known demons. We know that the likely authors of "goetic grimoires" of the 15th century and earlier in Europe were Christians. Their writing is usually framed by the imperative to be a good and pious Christian while doing this work. This is also how they justified reaching out to the demons in order to get results—usually wealth and repute if not also love—that were considered socially unacceptable within the confines of Christian Europe. Essentially, the process of demonization of these spirits allowed these individuals to get what they wanted from them while continuing to shit on them, which not coincidentally is the same type of behavior Christians exhibited toward nearby Jews in these same time periods.

I have read and heard an endless amount of stories from currently living individuals who have interacted with demons in some capacity. The vast majority of these interactions and relationships are positive. They provide an array of benefits ranging from productivity and increase of material stability to emotional support and intimacy. But there is still the odd story, excepting the cases where the person involved clearly has a mental health or other perception problem, where the meeting of the demon is dangerous or negative. I have talked about my own earlier thoughts about demons, but one still wonders why this occurs.

Jai Mata Di! 🙏🌺 May Maa Durga bless you with courage to face every challenge, wisdom to choose the right path, and strength to overcome negativity. May her divine grace bring peace, prosperity, and protection to you and your family.

Maa Durga – Divine Power

May Maa Durga bless you with courage, protection, prosperity, and inner strength. May Her divine grace remove negativity and fill your home and family with happiness and peace.

The third day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, the fierce yet compassionate form of Goddess Durga. She symbolizes courage, wisdom, and protection from all negative forces. Devotees worship her to gain inner strength, peace of mind, and the confidence to overcome life's challenges. Her divine presence is believed to remove fear and fill the heart with positivity and spiritual energy.

To connect deeply with the blessings of Maa Chandraghanta, devotees often recite the sacred Maa Chandraghanta Aarti, Chalisa, and Mantras during their daily prayers. The Aarti helps express devotion and gratitude, the Chalisa praises her divine powers and virtues, while the Mantras invoke her protective energy and blessings. Chanting these sacred Maa Chandraghanta Chalisa with faith can bring spiritual growth, prosperity, and harmony into one's life. On this auspicious day, immerse yourself in devotion and seek the grace of Maa Chandraghanta through her Aarti, Chalisa, and powerful Mantras.

Maa Chandraghanta is depicted riding a tiger, holding various divine weapons in her ten hands, while blessing her devotees with protection and prosperity. Her powerful form represents strength and fearlessness, encouraging devotees to overcome obstacles and challenges in life.

On this sacred day, devotees offer milk, sweets, and fragrant flowers to seek the Goddess's blessings. Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta is believed to remove negativity, bring mental peace, and fill life with confidence and positivity. Her divine grace helps devotees attain spiritual growth and inner balance.

The ringing of her celestial bell is said to drive away negative energies and evil influences, creating an atmosphere of peace and harmony. Devotees chant her mantras and perform prayers with deep devotion to receive her protection and blessings.

As we celebrate the third day of Navratri, let us embrace the qualities of courage, determination, and compassion that Maa Chandraghanta inspires. May her divine blessings guide us toward success, happiness, and spiritual enlightenment.

Today, Let us understand who Is Devi Durga and why did Devatas invoke her.

In the age when arrogance consumed the worlds, there rose a mighty asura named Mahishasura. Through severe penance, he pleased Lord Brahma and received a boon that no man or god could kill him. Drunk with power, Mahishasura conquered heaven, defeated the devas, and cast Indra from his throne. Darkness spread across the three worlds.

The devas, humiliated and desperate, went to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu seeking salvation. Hearing of Mahishasura’s tyranny, a terrible divine fury emerged from them. From the bodies of all the gods burst forth blazing rays of energy. fierce, radiant, immeasurable. Those flames united into the form of a woman of unbearable brilliance.

Thus was born Mahishasuramardini — the Slayer of Mahishasura.

Her face shone with Shiva’s power, her arms arose from Vishnu’s might, her hair flowed from Yama’s darkness, and her radiance illuminated the cosmos itself. The mountains trembled at her appearance. Oceans roared. The skies burned crimson.Hearing the thunderous sound, Mahishasura sent vast armies against her. Millions of demons charged toward the Goddess. But Maa Durga destroyed them effortlessly. With every movement, thousands fell. Rivers of fire flowed from her wrath. Her lion tore through demon battalions like a storm through dry leaves.

Enraged, Mahishasura himself entered the battlefield in his buffalo form. He crushed mountains beneath his hooves and uprooted trees with his horns. Sometimes he became a lion, sometimes an elephant, sometimes a warrior — constantly shifting forms through maya.

But the Devi remained unmoved.

At last, during the great cosmic battle, she leapt upon him, pinned him beneath her foot, and struck him with her trident. As Mahishasura emerged halfway from his buffalo form, roaring in rage and disbelief, the Goddess severed his head with her divine weapon.

The heavens erupted in victory.

Thank you for reading my blog. From now on I will post story about Maa durga's 9 swaroops which are worshipped during Navaratri.

Namo Shakti.

||दुर्गा|| 🙏🌺

9 Nights. 9 Goddesses. One Journey Within

Have you ever wondered why Navratri feels so magical? No it is not just about garba nights, music and lights but the journey through the 9 powerful forms of Maa Durga that truly defines its essence. 

Each form of goddess symbolises a unique energy and leads us through life. Let’s explore how these forms define the true spirit of Navratri in a simple yet significant way.

Shailputri – The Daughter of the Mountains: Navratri begins with Maa Shailputri who serves as a pure and powerful symbol. She stands for the root chakra which helps people achieve stability & grounding in their existence.

Brahmacharini – The Goddess of Devotion: True fasting means deep penance and dedication. The worship of Maa Brahmacharini evokes discipline, patience and inner peace.

Chandraghanta – The Warrior Goddess: She presents courage through her crescent moon forehead which shows her commitment to graceful movement. She helps people eliminate their fears while she provides them with the strength to face their daily challenges.

Kushmanda – The Creator of the Universe: Her nature is the receiver and the bestower. She is the healer and provides everlasting energy.

Skandamata – The Motherly Protector: She symbolises unconditional love and protection in the role of the mother of Kartikeya. She brings prosperity & wisdom to devotees' lives.

Katyayani – The Fierce Warrior: Maa Katyayani is identified as a conqueror of evildoers and bearer of intestinal strength & resolve. This form is cherished for bravery and victory.

Kalaratri – The Destroyer of Darkness: Her powerful presence eliminates all forms of negative energy together with fear and all forms of unawareness. Her scary looks protect her from providing safety to her followers while they experience no fear.

Mahagauri – The Symbol of Purity: Maa Mahagauri ensures peace, forgiveness, and purity. She cleanses past sins and brings peace to life.

Siddhidatri – The Giver of Siddhis: The final form showers the devotees with blessings of spiritual powers and fulfilment. She embodies divine grace in bringing the Navratri to a close.

The Spiritual Essence of Navratri

9 days of Navratri do not only represent divine energy but also awaken our inner power and motivate us to start and start again until we achieve victory. Every form of goddess encourages us to go on.