Maa Durga & Parvati

[TravisJC]

Greetings friends,

I come to you all today to get some clarification on not so much the difference between Durga and Parvati but how they manifest the way they do. I have read about how Durga is also referred to as Mother of Skanda, the son of Shiva and Parvati. Durga is also referred to as Jagaddhatri, Sati, Kali, and many more. As a new devotee of Lord Shiva I have become very interested in his partner Parvati, and thus why I am looking into Shakti as a whole. I may be asking a lot but I am specifically looking for an answer, in which I can understand why Parvati and Durga manifest as different Goddess.

I am going to explain my idea of Shakti and how Parvati plays in. A very simplified answer would be that Shakti, as the Great Divine Mother, has many manifestation and Parvati and Durga are just two of the many in which she has become. Are Durga and Parvati a closer connection say then that of Kali and Durga (just an example)?

Thank you for taking the time to read my thread. Good day to all.

 

[DeviChaaya]

Just a humble devotee's thoughts:

It is said that of all the forms of Devi that She takes within the Trimurti (Sarasvati: Brahma's Shakti, Lakshmi; Visnu's Shakti and Parvati; Shiva's Shakti) that Parvati is the full incarnation or form while Lakshmi and Sarasvati are partial expansions. We can look to the theology of Gaudiya Vaishnavas and find parallels here in Krishna and His other forms. Krishna is believed to be the full, uninhibited, total incarnation and expansion of God, who even on taking birth is still Himself. Visnu is a goodly part of Krishna but Krishna is the Source. In this way while Lakshmi and Sarasvati are definitely Devi they do not manifest Her totality. Who does? Parvati. This is why Parvati Ma has these other forms; before She marries Shiva she is known by many names, one of which is Durga, which has many meanings.

The following is from the Lalita Sahasranam

Durga is the name that is dearest to Devi. Durga is one who rescued the devas from fear. Devi is celebrated by the name Durga because She slew the demon Durgama. She Herself claims this in the Markandeya Purana: "There I will kill the great demon Durgama and My name will become famous as Durga." The name Durgama merits examination. It means one who travels on evil paths. What other demon than the mind wanders in search of evil paths? Durga is the power of the mantra that destroys that demon. Durga is one who turns the mind away from its thirst for evil and establishes it in the pursuit of good. That is the greatness of Durga worship.
Acarya Bhaskararaya describes further: "Indra and other devas were delivered from mental and physical fear in battle; hence Devi is called Durga, the Deliverer."
The image of Devi installed in Varanasi by the kind Subahu is known as Durga. Devi Bhagavata says that when Devi appeared in front of him and grated him a boon, he prayed to Her to establish Herself in the city under the name Durga.
Durga is also known as 'One who helps us to cross the ocean of samsara."

It says of of Parvati:

The Puranas tell the story of Sati, daughter of Daksa Prajapati and wife of Siva. To protest the insult shown to Her and Her husband by Her father, Sati offers Herself to the fire created through Her yogic power known as Agneyi. She then takes birth as the daughter of Himavat, the king of the mountains. Kalidasa also refers to this self-sacrifice by Sati in his Kumarasambhava.

(This is all taken from the translation and explanation published by Ammachi Publications.)

Now, as I sad, Parvati is believed to be the full, direct form of Shakti without limitations. Therefore it is easy for Her to take many other forms in vastly different situations and then to return to being the gentle Parvati ma that we all known and love. And even when She is Parvati she is not restrained by that gentleness. In the Puranas She and Shiva fight and argue amongst themselves but they also teach one another for our sake that we can learn about them.

Jai Parvati Ma!
Jai Mata Di!
Jai Durgra Ma!

 

[Jainarayan]

We have shrines to each of her forms: Ambika, Kanyaka Parameshwari, Lakshmi, Andal (Bhudevi) There is a shrine with a large murti of Durga plus in the same shrine 3 smaller murtis of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati. When an abhishekam is done for any of them the Sri Suktam is chanted. That says to me that they are all viewed as non-different. The stotra "Ya Devi Bhuteshu... " addresses Devi in all her forms.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I am going to explain my idea of Shakti and how Parvati plays in. A very simplified answer would be that Shakti, as the Great Divine Mother, has many manifestation and Parvati and Durga are just two of the many in which she has become. Are Durga and Parvati a closer connection say then that of Kali and Durga (just an example)?

The Divine Mother has many manifestations. If they are all her manifestations then talking about difference is but ignorance. But Hinduism allows you to choose what way you would see/worship the Mother. Some will see her as Parvati, some will see her as Laxmi or Radha. Perfectly valid.

Actually Shakti (energy) exists even within us, 'Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu Shakti rupena samsitha' (that Mother which exists in all things as energy). We would not survive without her. Jai Maa Parvati.

 

[Viraja]

Back in 9/11 days, I went for 3 years without job (resigned job because I was pursuing studies, then I could not find any when 9/11 happened). I used to be a career-oriented person very much during my youthful days, and I was going nuts. An astrologer recommended I recited the Durga devi praise, "HREEM SHREEM KLEEM DURGATHI NAASHINYAI MAHAAMAAYAI SWAAHAA" 108 times each day for 48 days (1 mandala). Shortly after this, I found a good job despite the steep recession!

 

[TravisJC]

In this way while Lakshmi and Sarasvati are definitely Devi they do not manifest Her totality. Who does? Parvati. This is why Parvati Ma has these other forms; before She marries Shiva she is known by many names, one of which is Durga, which has many meanings.

Did Durga come before Sati took the form as Parvati? Do, Parvati, is the whole form of Devi and thus the many female Goddesses are not so much lesser forms, but rather incomplete?

Some will see her as Parvati, some will see her as Laxmi or Radha. Perfectly valid.

So, just like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, people tend to lean towards one preferred manifestation of Mother Goddess? So, Maa Durga, would represent a more so 'fierce some' aspect of Mother Goddess?

 

[DeviChaaya]

Did Durga come before Sati took the form as Parvati? Do, Parvati, is the whole form of Devi and thus the many female Goddesses are not so much lesser forms, but rather incomplete?

It is less that they are incomplete - each form that our Amma takes is Herself - and more that that Parvati is Amma in conjunction with Shiva, She is Herself without any special functions. Lakshmi is the form Ma takes to empower us and bring to us spiritual wealth, Sarasvati is the form She takes to guide us through our spiritual journey. Parvati... is our Mother. When She is Durga She is our Mother protecting us and slaying the demons of the ego. When She is Kali She is our Mother protecting us again, in this form She is terrifying just like any mother on this planet is terrifying when protecting her young.

Parvati is all of that. All in one. She is even Shiva, who She shows Herself inseparable from in Her form as Ardhanariswari.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Back in 9/11 days, I went for 3 years without job (resigned job because I was pursuing studies, then I could not find any when 9/11 happened). I used to be a career-oriented person very much during my youthful days, and I was going nuts. An astrologer recommended I recited the Durga devi praise, "HREEM SHREEM KLEEM DURGATHI NAASHINYAI MAHAAMAAYAI SWAAHAA" 108 times each day for 48 days (1 mandala). Shortly after this, I found a good job despite the steep recession!

What can an atheist Hindu say about this!

For DeviChaya:

 

[Aupmanyav]

Did Durga come before Sati took the form as Parvati? Do, Parvati, is the whole form of Devi and thus the many female Goddesses are not so much lesser forms, but rather incomplete?

Sati is the first 'avatara' of Shakti. Before that she was inherent in Shiva.

So, just like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, people tend to lean towards one preferred manifestation of Mother Goddess? So, Maa Durga, would represent a more so 'fierce some' aspect of Mother Goddess?

Yes.
The fierce aspects of the Mother are Kāli/Mahākāli, Chāmundā, Kālarātri, Kātyāyani, Kushmāndā, Chandraghantā, etc.
The peaceful aspects are Brahmachārini, MahāSaraswati, Skandamāta, Shailaputri, MahāGauri, etc.

Travis, kindly note, I am not the last word in Hinduism but just another member of the forum. Other members also have nice views.

 

[Viraja]

What can an atheist Hindu say about this!

I understand, perhaps a little background is in order to make anyone truly understand...

Sometimes we expect god to create circumstances for us, but most likely than not, it is our own ATTITUDE that should change!

I used to work as a programmer in what is known as the 'Mainframes', involving very old and outdated language called COBOL back in late 1990's. Every other programmer of those days used to frown on Cobol programmers, partly because it was considered too easy (and hence lacking in the 'cool' and 'sexy' feature) and partly because it was not a super-hot internet language.

So after some frustration, I quit the workforce and pursued higher studies in the field, hoping for some opening into the internet languages. And then 9/11 happened. There was a dotcom bust and the entire software industry stalled... no hiring took place.

In spite of it, I did not want to go back to the old Cobol job and kept trying and trying and trying... in vain. After I heard from the astrologer and recited the Durga stotra though, I had a sudden change of mind... I thought, why not I go back to Cobol, instead of wasting my time looking for a better job? And with this change in attitude, I found a job pretty soon...

So what I am trying to say is that, sometimes, god creates new opportunities the way we want, but many other times, it is up to ourselves in keeping our hearts and eyes open to existing opportunities and have a broader outlook for getting solutions! I believe that is what the Durga stotra did to me!

 

[TravisJC]

It is less that they are incomplete - each form that our Amma takes is Herself - and more that that Parvati is Amma in conjunction with Shiva, She is Herself without any special functions. Lakshmi is the form Ma takes to empower us and bring to us spiritual wealth, Sarasvati is the form She takes to guide us through our spiritual journey. Parvati... is our Mother. When She is Durga She is our Mother protecting us and slaying the demons of the ego. When She is Kali She is our Mother protecting us again, in this form She is terrifying just like any mother on this planet is terrifying when protecting her young.

Parvati is all of that. All in one. She is even Shiva, who She shows Herself inseparable from in Her form as Ardhanariswari.

Such a good way to put it, helped me wrap my head around the whole thing.

Travis, kindly note, I am not the last word in Hinduism but just another member of the forum. Other members also have nice views.

However, you are someone I respect highly on the Hindu DIR. Other members have been so helpful, just like you have been.

Thank you!

 

[sayak83]

Did Durga come before Sati took the form as Parvati? Do, Parvati, is the whole form of Devi and thus the many female Goddesses are not so much lesser forms, but rather incomplete?



So, just like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, people tend to lean towards one preferred manifestation of Mother Goddess? So, Maa Durga, would represent a more so 'fierce some' aspect of Mother Goddess?

As a person from Bengal where devi is the central deity, I would like to say that the various rich, larger than life narratives are used to make the character of the devi being worshipped come alive during a puja and are used and recounted in that context. There is usually no desire or need from the worshippers for arranging all the hundreds of stories or their ten thousand variants into a coherent or chronological system.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I would like to say that the various rich, larger than life narratives are used to make the character of the devi being worshiped come alive during a puja and are used and recounted in that context. There is usually no desire or need from the worshippers for arranging all the hundreds of stories or their ten thousand variants into a coherent or chronological system.

^^^

 

[TravisJC]

As a person from Bengal where devi is the central deity, I would like to say that the various rich, larger than life narratives are used to make the character of the devi being worshipped come alive during a puja and are used and recounted in that context. There is usually no desire or need from the worshippers for arranging all the hundreds of stories or their ten thousand variants into a coherent or chronological system.

Thank you, I guess for me since I am still learning I look at chronological order as a way of understanding but I realize I should break this in order to have a broader view of my dharam.

 

[NayaVeda]

From my understanding Durga/Parvati/Kali are just different incarnations of the same soul. When she gets furious she turns into Kali the demon goddess of wrath and revenge. Do not make her angry.

 

[DeviChaaya]

From my understanding Durga/Parvati/Kali are just different incarnations of the same soul. When she gets furious she turns into Kali the demon goddess of wrath and revenge. Do not make her angry.

Make Her angry! It will speed the process along! She is always loving, if She is angry with us it is for our good!

 

[sayak83]

Thank you, I guess for me since I am still learning I look at chronological order as a way of understanding but I realize I should break this in order to have a broader view of my dharam.

Here is a book that may be of some use. I have not read it, but intend to.
Devī

It's free to view and download

 

[Aupmanyav]

For anyone interested:
Vedic Mythology by Indologist Arthur Anthony Macdonell is availble for free PDF download at:
Vedic mythology : Macdonell, Arthur Anthony, 1854-1930 : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive
173 pqges

 

[Jainarayan]

Make Her angry! It will speed the process along! She is always loving, if She is angry with us it is for our good!

Indeed, it's the fearful anticipation of a Divine Motherly ***-Warming that keeps me in line.

 

[SomeRandom]

From my understanding Durga/Parvati/Kali are just different incarnations of the same soul. When she gets furious she turns into Kali the demon goddess of wrath and revenge. Do not make her angry.

Demon slaying Goddess. And she won't hurt you if you anger her. Unless you are literally a demon I guess. Or hurt one of her devotees.