Ayurveda Living

Goddess Durga

Multi-faceted Lakshmi is shown very appealing,  friendly and inviting with her nice garments and rich jewelry, distributing gold coins.   Durga, on the contrary,  whose name means “the inaccessible”, appears as a very complex character to say the least. Durga is also Devi, the Divine Mother, known under so many other names: Bhavani, Amba, Chandika, Gauri, Parvati, etc. and her other manifestations.  Perhaps Lakshmi and Durga are two different faces of the same coin as it is often the case – as it in the case in Hinduism – where deities are intertwined in a garland of divine attributes.

Without a consort of her own, Durga is usually depicted riding a lion or a tiger, and carrying weapons in her many arms, She is the personification of female energy,  the shakti power of Lord Siva. Destroyer of evil, protector of the right, Durga annihilates negativy, fights ego (all our demons).

Without the immediate appeal of Lakshmi, Durga takes time to be discovered and understood. In July 1998, I had seen  a show about Durga at Lincoln Art Center in New York City.  I regret to say that the meaning of the play eluded me almost completely. Second take, I had another encounter with Durga during Navaratri 2002.  I was then a guest at Sivananda Ashram in Val-Morin, Quebec.  The 3 first days of Navaratri are dedicated to Durga.  I was more interested in the energy of Lakshmi which follows in the celebrations.  So I was waiting eagerly for days 4, 5 and 6 to get my full share of blessings.   I was not fully aware of the negativity within me,  or even the real meaning of negativity.  It took me quite a while to realize that Durga leads to Lakshmi.

Two years later, during a trip to India, I was blessed to meet Dr. Harish Verma, the author of Secrets of Ayurveda, and to be formally introduced to Durga. It was during Navaratri where Durga is there revered under her 8 manifestations. The last day is a celebration of victory of good under evil.  Durga Puja is observed by businessmen in the capital of India which makes great sense.  In order to succeed in life, whatever your pursuit is, you need Durga’s  input. Success requires discipline and righteousness. And since we all want to succeed in life, we all need to be with Durga.

I had then the revelation of Durga which has since became a familiar presence at my upasanas.  When I feel disturbing thoughts of envy, anger, jealousy, hatred, I do retire in the company of Durga. She has been a great source of appeasement.

In my ignorance, I use to express frequently likes and dislikes, sarcasms, etc. Dr. Verma pointed out to me those attitudes do not please Durga who is of great help in fighting ego in its various manifestations. It took me a while to understand the wisdom of Durga. Thanks Dr. Verma!