Goddess Durga, also known as Parvati or Lalita is the wife (consort) of Lord Shiva and exists in various divine (both friendly and fearful) forms. Two of her fierce but very powerful forms are Durga (goddess beyond reach) and Kali (goddess of destruction).
Both have eight hands and great power and energy (Shakti). Durga rides on a lion and Kali rides on a corpse of a demon. Parvati was called Sati in her previous divine incarnation. The family of Lord Shiva, Parvati and their sons Ganesha and Kartikeya is an ideal example of family unity and love.
She has a charming personality. Married women for a happy married life adore her. Parvathi is Lord Siva's consort & like Lord Siva, she is portrayed in her roudra & serene aspects. In her serene aspect, she is depicted as Uma or Parvati & is usually seen along with Siva & also their children Lord Ganesha & Lord Kartikeya. She is seen with only two hands, holding a blue lotus in her right hand.
In her terrifying aspects, the most commonly worshipped forms are Durga & Kali. These are forms taken by the Goddess in an effort to destroy some form of evil & hence even these forms need not invoke fear, for she is the mother who has risen in anger only to destroy evil forces and provide eternal happiness and peace to her children.
As Durga she is seen with four - twenty hands. She has 3 eyes, the 3rd eye in her forehead. She is adorned in bright red sari. In her hands she holds the discuss, bow, trident, bow & arrow, sword, gadha, etc., Her vehicle is the lion and she is sometimes seen as standing on a lotus or on a buffalo's head.
As Kali ( the Goddess of Time ) she presents the most terrifying aspect, usually seen in a burial or war field. She is standing on a dead body with her hair let loose and dishivelled. She wears a garland of skulls.
Goddess Parvati is worshipped by several other names - Maheswari, Kaumari, Varahi, Vaishnavi, Chamundi, Durga, Kali, Bhuvaneswari, Matangi, Lalita, Annapurana, Rajarajeswari. |
