Some of the most powerful and awe inspiring myths in Indian culture are the myths of Ma Durga, also called Devi or Shakti.

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Stuart Wilkins
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1 Invocation to Nav Durga NAV DURGA: NINE INCARNATIONS, NINE NIGHTS Myriad hued myths are at the root of all cultures. Myths are tales that operate at various levels: religious, psychological, anthropological, and literary. Until early 20 th century, myths were dismissed as a figment of primitive people s imagination. But now we know that myths are symbolic representations of collective insights of human race. Some of the most powerful and awe inspiring myths in Indian culture are the myths of Ma Durga, also called Devi or Shakti. Historically speaking, Ma Durga s myths originated during the Indus Valley Civilization, between 2500 to 1500 B.C. The Atharv Ved is the first text that describes Prithvi (land) as Devi Mother Goddess with Golden Breasts. As the Aryans tilled the fertile land around River Ganga and Yamuna and reaped rich harvests, they became fearful of attacks by invaders. According to the renowned scholar Prof. S. Bhattacharji, to ward off evil invaders Aryans created the cult of Shakti and the Matrikas or the Mother Goddesses Durga, Chandika, Chamunda, and Kali gained tremendous importance. Their worship was characterized by rituals, chanting of mantras and sacrifices. However, as suggested earlier, myths operate at various levels and reflect the ambiguities and absurdities, contradictions and conflicts, dilemmas and deliberations, hopes and despair of human existence. The Devi / Shakti myths might have originated around 2500 to 1500 B.C. for a historian, but for the devotees, Mother Goddesses have been there since before the dawn of time. The Hindu mind is intuitive. It perceives time as cyclical, experiential and psychological. The concepts of chronological order and dates are the product of the Occidental mind and are alien to the Hindu mind. And just as time is eternal for a Hindu so is the Mother Goddess. Indelibly embedded in a Hindu psyche is the assertion of Ma Bhagvati in the sacred text of the Markyndya Purana that she would incarnate herself, be born from time to time, to protect her devotees and to establish order in the world. Rishi Markyndya has delineated nine forms of Durga Ma/Shakti, the three main ones being: Shree Mahakali, Shree Mahalaxmi and Shree Maha Saraswati. Each form gives rise to two more forms and

2 all nine forms are known as Nav Durga. The Navratri (nine nights) festival invokes these nine incarnations of Ma Durga, one on each night. From Hindu cosmological perspective, the three main forms of Ma Durga represent the female aspects (Yin) of the cosmic cycle of destruction, preservation, and creation. While their counterparts Shree Shiva, Shree Vishnu and Shree Brahma represent the male (Yang) aspects of the cycle. During the first three days, Shree Mahakali is invoked to destroy our sins and weaknesses. During the next three days, Shree Mahalaxmi is invoked to make us prosper spiritually and during the last three days, Shree Saraswati is worshipped to grant us wisdom. - Dr. Rooshikumar Pandya Invocation to Lord Ganesh Parvati created Ganesh with her essence. Her husband, Shiv, unaware of her creation killed the young lad who dared to challenge his authority. The peaceful Parvati took on the role of the fierce destroyer Kali and all the Gods pleaded with Shiv to restore life to Ganesh. Since his severed head could not be found, the face of a baby elephant was hurriedly brought and the form of Ganesh, as we know today, was created. To establish his supremacy, and to ensure that he would not be teased due to elephant head Parvati insisted that Ganesh must be given first place in every prayer or ceremony and that like her, every God must infuse in him their essence and virtues. In every Hindu ritual when we invoke Ganesh, we invoke the essence of all the Gods, their powers and their virtues. Aavaahan You fulfill our desires. You protect us and enrich our life. O Parvati, O Trymbika, O Gauri, O Narayani, we bow to you. Nav Durga Each night, we see the growth and multi-facets of the power and Shakti of the Divine Female Form The First night is devoted to Shailputri - also known as Parvati, the young daughter of the King of Mountains Himawan. Her face is resplendent like the moon. Her two hands, display a trident and a lotus. With matted locks and trends of hair running across her ears, astride her Vahan (vehicle), the bull, she inspires us to be innocent, pure and to do good to all.

3 The second night invokes Brahmacharini portrayed as holding a Kumbh or a water pot in one hand and a rosary in the other. She is steeped in the prayer of Shiv and is the epitome of devotion. Her sacrifices and focused meditation are unparalleled. She is the student and learner grasping everything there is to be imbibed. Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third night. Her golden-hued terrorizing form, riding a tiger, has ten hands and three powerful eyes. Eight of her hands terrorize the evil forces and the other two protect her devotees. She wears a grotesque necklace of human skulls and the resounding sound of her bell scares and wards off evil. Her birth reminds us of the need to crush evil especially the demons within. The fourth night is devoted to Kushmaanda, a divine, valiant and powerful form with eight arms that hold weapons and a mala (rosary). Her Vahan is a tiger. She is the wife and companion of Shiv serious, calm and ever-forgiving, to even the lowest forms of humans. She is the ideal wife who complements the work of her husband and performs her duty in peace. The fifth night invokes Skandmaata. A resplendent adorned motherly form on a lion that lovingly holds her son Skanda (Kartikeya) on her right lap. Two of her hands hold lotuses while the other two defend and bless devotees. She radiates energy, nourishment and happiness, just as every mother does. The sixth night belongs to Kaatyayani. Her victorious bedecked and bejeweled form is usually shown astride a lion or crushing the dead corpse of Demon Mahisha (Mahishasur). She has three expression-filled eyes and ten arms to hold the weapons with which she destroyed the demon. Like Shiv, she too has a crescent moon on her forehead. On the seventh night, the Kaalraatri form reigns supreme. She is portrayed as a giant with very dark skin, abundance of hair, four hands - clutching a cleaver and a torch, and other weapons. Her kohllined eyes are ferocious, her teeth and sharp and big. He body is covered with ashes and severed human heads. She rides a donkey and destroys ignorance. The eight night belongs to the fairest form Mahagauri the beautiful and graceful wife of Shiv. A four-armed form depicted on a bull (Nandi), bedecked in ornaments of gold and jewels. Often dressed in a white or green sari, with her drum, mirror and a trident she is compassion and beauty incarnate. She embodies the spirit of womanhood power, compassion, and beauty.

4 The last night of Navaratri is dedicated to Siddhiratri. A divine and serene form with four arms, seated on a lotus. She utters the powerful mantra of Om and every God and Demon bows to her purity and greatness. She is the divine form of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati power, prosperity and knowledge. She removes all obstacles, crushes evil, nurtures virtues and protects her devotees. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv all bow down to the Divine Shakti. Argala Stotra O mother, we pray to you and hail your victories. Remover of sorrows, slayer of Madhu and Kaitabh, we salute you. Provide me with beauty, victory and fame, and remove the enemies (anger and lust) from within me. You killed the demons - Mahishasur, Rakhbeej, Chand, Mund, Shumbh, Nishumbh and Dhumralochan to save your devotees. Everyone bows to your divine feet as you provide posterity. Your beauty and personality are both indescribable and your ability to remove evil and disease is great. May the jealous be weak. May my strengths further strengthen. May I prosper with wealth. Both Gods and demons prostrate at your feet. So do I. Lord Brahma praises you, O great Goddess with four hands. Lord Vishnu invokes your blessings (with devotion) every moment of very day. Lord Shiv honours you. Lord Indra worships you. Crush my ego and spread happiness amongst your devotees. Reward me with a heart-winning wife who is born in a gracious family. The one who reads this Stotra along with the Saptshatrupi Stotra, he attains best rewards of life and immense wealth. Yaa Devi Sarv Bhuteshu I repeatedly salute the Devi created by the maya of Lord Vishnu. She abides in all that is conscious. She resides in all beings as every virtue and every form. O Devi! Bless us all. I bow to the Devi who resides in my sleep (nidra) I bow to the Devi who kindles my hunger (kshudap) I bow to the Devi who reflects my personality (chaaya)

5 I bow to the Devi who creates in me a thirst (trishna) I bow to the Devi who grants me forgiveness (kshantr) I bow to the Devi who sanctions my caste (jaati) I bow to the Devi who instills modesty (lajja) I bow to the Devi who is the harbringer of peace (shaanti) I bow to the Devi who is the icon of faith (shraddha) I bow to the Devi who is the apetamy of beauty (kaanti) I bow to the Devi who is the provider of good fortune (lakshmi) I bow to the Devi who nurtures activity (vritti) I bow to the Devi who sparks memory (smriti) I bow to the Devi who imbibes in me feelings of compassion (daya) I bow to the Devi who bestows upon me gift of contentment (tushti) I bow to the Devi who resides in my every error and learning (bhranti) I bow to the Devi who is my mother (matr) Niranjini Narayani This shlok is an invocation to Narayani (Durga), the one who does great penance. The whole world praise and bows to the lotus feet of Niranjini Narayini. Weapons adorn her. She kills demons and reinstates the rule of god in the heaven. She has matted locks and her devotees know her by many names Kali, Mahishasur Mardhini, Katyaini, etc. Ever smiling, the crusher of all ego, you are our saviour. Protect us, O Maa Niranjini Narayani.

6 Artistes PT. RATTAN MOHAN SHARMA Pt Rattan Mohan Sharma of the Mewati Gharaana is the foremost disciple and nephew of Sangeet Martand Pt Jasraj. His ability to infuse magic and soul into our ancient Sanskrit mantras, and the emotional prowess of his voice make him one of the leading artistes of his generation. His pioneering efforts have revived the critical mass appeal for Sanskrit in day to day life of the common man. His album Gayatri has received fame all over the country. Rattanji has to his credit innumerable public and private performances all across the world. He is also an A-Grade artist of AIR (All India Radio) and has been recipient of many awards like Shankar Raos Vyas award, Sur Mani award, etc. His next venture is an album dedicated to Shakti and Durga. He may be contact on RAMESHWAR SINGH Rameshwar Singh is a freelance artist. He was born in Rajasthan and studied in Gujarat and Rajasthan. He did his masters in Drawing and Painting from Udaipur University. Rameshwarji has participated in various exhibitions and camps through out the world. He has also displayed his art in many individual shows and has won National Awards for them. His current exhibition is going on at Jehangir Art Gallery till 24 th Sept 2006 from 11 am to 7 pm. Accompanist Mridamgam - Shreedhar Parthsarti Tabla - Utpal Datt Harmonium - Niranjan Lele Side Rhythm - Mahendra Barsuri - Praful Gosavi Singer - Pragya Sodhani, Chavi Sodhani, Ankita Batacharji, Shreedhar Bhosle

7 Today s Painting In these paintings, the artist has juxtaposed different media in a unique composition using wooden block impressions, canvas and paper. The colours are vibrant and Indian and traditional figures are used to show various forms of Durga and the festivities of Navratri. Calligraphy is used interestingly with writings of shloks and invocations of Durga. The first painting (left) depicts Raati Joga, the festivities at night that are held during Navratri. Durga is shown sitting on the lion and on a camel, showing the ancestry of the artist from Rajasthan. The second painting (right) shows the invocation of Ganesh and the arrival of Mahishasur Mardhini (an incarnation of Durga) with Shiv (Bholaji). These paintings have a contemporary feel with traditional symbols.

Who Hindus Worship. Trideva

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