{"id":4336,"date":"2021-09-05T03:33:35","date_gmt":"2021-09-04T22:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discoverursupersoul.com\/?p=4336"},"modified":"2021-09-05T03:33:35","modified_gmt":"2021-09-04T22:03:35","slug":"who-is-goddess-durga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/who-is-goddess-durga\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is Goddess Durg\u0101?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Durga-Devi-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Who is Goddess Durg\u0101?\" class=\"wp-image-4354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Durga-Devi-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Durga-Devi-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Durga-Devi-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Durga-Devi-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/bs\/5\/44\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Brahma Samhita 5.44<\/span><\/a> explains that Goddess Durga is the \u201c<strong>creating, preserving and destroying agency<\/strong>\u201d of this material world. But she does not act independently, she does everything <strong>as per the wish of Lord Krishna<\/strong>. &nbsp;Durg\u0101dev\u012b is also known as M\u0101y\u0101dev\u012b, the illusory energy of Lord Krishna. In this world she <strong>appears as the daughter of Yashoda<\/strong>. Thus, she is a <strong>sister of Krishna<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe external potency M\u0101y\u0101 who is of the nature of the shadow of the cit potency, is worshiped by all people as Durg\u0101, the creating, preserving and destroying agency of this mundane world. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda in accordance with whose will Durg\u0101 conducts herself.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/bs\/5\/44\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Brahma Samhita 5.44<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Characteristics of Goddess Durga<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura describes following characteristics of Goddess  Durga  in Brahma Samhita 5.44 <a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/bs\/5\/44\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">purport<\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The world, in which Brahm\u0101 takes his stand and hymns the Lord of Goloka, is Dev\u012b-dh\u0101ma consisting of the fourteen worlds and Durg\u0101 is its presiding deity.<\/li><li>She is ten-armed, representing the tenfold fruitive activities. <\/li><li>She rides on the lion, representing her heroic prowess.<\/li><li>Durg\u0101 tramples down Mah\u012b\u1e63\u0101sura, representing the <strong>subduer of vices.<\/strong><\/li><li>She is the mother of two sons, K\u0101rttikeya and Ga\u1e47e\u015ba, representing beauty and success.<\/li><li>Goddess Durga is placed between Lak\u1e63m\u012b and Sarasvat\u012b, representing mundane opulence and mundane knowledge.<\/li><li>She is armed with the twenty weapons, representing the various pious activities enjoined by the&nbsp;<em>Vedas<\/em>&nbsp;for suppression of vices.<\/li><li>And she holds the snake, <strong>representing the beauty of destructive time.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why does Goddess Durga come to this material world?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this material world which is described as \u201cfort\u201d, Durg\u0101 plays an important role. \u201cFort\u201d in Sanskrit means Durga. &nbsp;And Durg\u0101 Devi is the presiding deity of this fort (durga) which is like a prison house. To protect this fort, she carries ten different types of weapons in her hands. So, <strong>no one can escape from this fort<\/strong> no matter how powerful he may be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Krishna confirms this in <a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/bg\/7\/14\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Bhagavad Gita 7.14<\/span><\/a>, <em>daiv\u012b hy e\u1e63\u0101 gu\u1e47a-may\u012b\/mama m\u0101y\u0101 duratyay\u0101. \u201c<\/em>This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Different names of Goddess  Durg\u0101 <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p> Durg\u0101 Devi is the external potency of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. <strong>In this world she is worshipped in different places by different names.<\/strong> &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/10\/2\/11-12\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.11-12<\/span><\/a> says the following things about  Durg\u0101 Devi: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a blessed M\u0101y\u0101dev\u012b by saying: In different places on the surface of the earth, people will give you different names, such as Durg\u0101, Bhadrak\u0101l\u012b, Vijay\u0101, Vai\u1e63\u1e47av\u012b, Kumud\u0101, Ca\u1e47\u1e0dik\u0101, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47\u0101, M\u0101dhav\u012b, Kanyak\u0101, M\u0101y\u0101, N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47\u012b, \u012a\u015b\u0101n\u012b, \u015a\u0101rad\u0101 and Ambik\u0101.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who c<\/strong>omes <strong>to this material world?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People like us who have forgotten our service to Krishna are sent to this prison, fort. &nbsp;And here, we the souls are bound in gross and subtle material body.&nbsp; Gross body comprises of earth, water, fire, air and ether. Subtle body consists of mind, intelligence and false ego. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, in this mundane world we do not have full freedom and the <strong>material pleasure<\/strong> which we get here is always <strong>contaminated by pain.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Three types of sufferings in this world<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a prison, the prisoners are punished for different crimes. A prison cannot expect comfortable life confined in a cell. So, we see that in this world we constantly experience different kinds of sufferings.<strong> Scriptures explain three different types of suffering we undergo in this mundane world.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>adhidaivika-klesa:&nbsp;Sufferings caused by the higher powers like the demigods.<\/li><li>adhibhautika-klesa:&nbsp;&nbsp;Sufferings caused because of other living beings<\/li><li>adhyatmika-klesa&nbsp;: Sufferings because of one\u2019s own body and mind<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These punishments which we get here is to remind us that this is not our permanent home, and no amount of material comforts can free us from miseries. <strong>Through these punishments  Durg\u0101 Devi wants to reform us<\/strong>, the prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding  Durg\u0101 Devi\u2019s activities in this world, Srila Prabhupada <a href=\"https:\/\/vanisource.org\/w\/index.php?title=681021_-_Lecture_SB_07.09.08_-_Seattle&amp;hl=M%C4%81y%C4%81dev%C4%AB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">explains<\/span><\/a>, \u201cShe is Vai\u1e63\u1e47av\u012b. <strong>She is a great devotee of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. But she has accepted a thankless task: to punish<\/strong>. The policeman is a sincere government servant, but he has accepted a task, nobody likes him. If some policeman comes here, immediately you shall feel disturbed. But he is the sincere servant of government. That is the position of&nbsp;<em>M\u0101y\u0101<\/em>. Her business is to punish these rascals who have come to enjoy here. You see? But she is a sincere servant of God.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Goddess Durga fulfils material desires reluctantly<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>But in spite of so much suffering you and I still want to enjoy this world. Most of the people due to ignorance believe that with the help of material wealth they can live happily here. So, they seek material benedictions like wealth, property, worthy progeny, beautiful spouse, good health from Goddess  Durg\u0101. &nbsp;<strong>Goddess  Durg\u0101 can fulfil material desires.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBy sacrifices of animals, ordinary human beings will worship you gorgeously, with various paraphernalia, because you are supreme in fulfilling the material desires of everyone.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/10\/2\/10\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.10<\/span><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although she fulfils these desires, but she does it reluctantly. Because she knows that in this world which comprises of 14 planetary systems no one can be permanently happy. Death which is the supremely reality of the material world snatches away everything from us. So, <strong>she wants us to go back to Krishna and live in Krishna\u2019s kingdom, Goloka Vrindavan, where everything is eternal including our life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When does Goddess  Durg\u0101 becomes happy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>She becomes <a href=\"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/how-to-please-goddess-durga-during-durga-puja\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">happy<\/span><\/a> when she sees a soul trying his best to become a devotee of Krishna. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura explains, \u201c<strong>The work of purifying these penalized&nbsp;<em>j\u012bvas<\/em>&nbsp;is the duty devolved upon Durg\u0101<\/strong>. She is incessantly engaged in discharging the same by the will of Govinda. When, luckily. the forgetfulness of Govinda on the part of imprisoned&nbsp;<em>j\u012bvas<\/em>&nbsp;is remarked by them by coming in contact with self-realized souls and <strong>their natural aptitude for the loving service of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is aroused, Durg\u0101 herself then becomes the agency of their deliverance <\/strong>by the will of Govinda.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/bs\/5\/44\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">\u015ar\u012b Brahma-Sa\u1e41hit\u0101 5.44 Purport<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">Goddess Durg\u0101<\/span>, the sister of Krishna, comes to this world to make us a devotee of Krishna. So let us <strong>not pray to her for material wealth<\/strong>. But let us beg her for spiritual wealth. Let us <strong>pray to her to remove all material desires from our hearts and make us a devotee of her beloved Krishna.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Brahma Samhita 5.44 explains that Goddess Durga is the \u201ccreating, preserving and destroying agency\u201d of this material world. But she does not act independently, she does everything as per the wish of Lord Krishna. &nbsp;Durg\u0101dev\u012b is also known as M\u0101y\u0101dev\u012b, the illusory energy of Lord Krishna. In this world she appears as the daughter of&#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more11\"><a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/who-is-goddess-durga\/\">Read More<i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4354,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-category"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4336","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4336"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4336\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4336"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}