Writer: G S Tripathi

The Durga Saptashati proclaims: “Ya Devi sarva bhuteshu Shakti rupena samsthita”-- The goddess who is in every being as the Supreme Energy.  The Divine Feminine pervades all space and time as the indestructible energy, taking care of the well being of one and all, protecting the world. 

As Mahakali, she carries a severed, bloodied head, warning that it could be the fate of the wicked. She also carries a skull cup and wears a garland of heads and skulls. She is ever ready for war with the demons in order to annihilate them and liberate the world of negativity. She may be the greatest annihilator; yet she dispels fear from all those who follow righteousness in their conduct, and she is mother of all --Janani barabhaya haste.

The stability of any physical system depends on how the overall energy of the system is balanced. Consider, for example, our climate. There are lots of discussions on climate change and global warming. The earth maintains an optimum temperature because the heat energy absorbed by it from the sun is balanced by the energy reflected by the earth and the atmosphere.  

Energy reflected is less than energy absorbed. Hence we have some stored energy. The space and time average of this stored energy gives an optimum temperature to the earth because of which there is order and stability here. Any change in the energy can either increase or decrease the temperature. During the last few thousand years, the temperature almost remained constant. However, of late, there are concerns about global warming due to lifestyle changes, which, if not checked, could lead to catastrophic conditions

In divine terms Durga might transform into Kali the Destroyer.

In the form of Mahalakshmi, she has neither beginning nor end -- Adyantarahite Devi.  She is the smallest and the largest. She is Mahashakti. She is the reliever of the greatest sin. She knows all. She gives the greatest of boons. She is annihilator of wicked and unrighteous demons. She is the destroyer of disorder and she is also the supreme restorer of order.

In the form of Saraswati, she dispels ignorance. If Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara, the Trimurti, do their respective jobs of creation, preservation and destruction, they do these by virtue of the powers vested in them by Saraswati, that is, by their learning and skills.  Her appearance is brighter than even the Ocean of Milk and her smile pales the full moon of the autumn.

As Mahakali, she carries a severed, bloodied head, warning that it could be the fate of the wicked. She also carries a skull cup and wears a garland of heads and skulls. She is ever ready for war with the demons in order to annihilate them and liberate the world of negativity. She may be the greatest annihilator; yet she dispels fear from all those who follow righteousness in their conduct, and she is mother of all --Janani barabhaya haste.

When Maha Yogeshwar Krishna was born to Devaki in jail, the goddess was born as Yogamaya from the womb of Yashoda. Both mothers were ignorant of these divine births. The newborns exchanged themselves in order to delude the wicked king, Kamsa. When wicked people rule the world, the earth suffers. We call this earth as Dharitri- the Mother Earth. When the mother is in distress and her children are helpless, then Goddess Durga appears to protect the righteous people and annihilate the unrighteous ones. This happens from time to time. 

The goddess, who is beyond description and imagination, gives everything to those who repose faith in her: good luck, health, happiness, beauty, victory and fame. She shows the right direction for a meaningful life. Salutations to Shakti Durga at the conclusion of navaratri, the nine sacred nights, when she is propitiated in all her forms and glory.