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A Durga murti in a Navratri pandal with a red and gold chunri, a gold crown and a trishulImage: made with AI
DeityShakta tradition

Goddess Durga

Amba • Bhavani • Chandika • Jagadamba • Mahishasuramardini

Durga is a form of Adi Shakti, regarded in the Shakta tradition as the supreme power. According to the Durga Saptashati (Markandeya Purana), she arose from the combined radiance of the gods and slew Mahishasura. Her mount is the lion, and her nine forms are worshipped during Navratri.

Aartis and chalisasSee the relations
Edited by the SanatanBodh editorial teamLast updated: 5 sourcesDrafted with AI, checked against sourcesReport a mistake

Durga at a glance

Nature
Adi Shakti
Mount
Lion
Weapons
Trishula, chakra, sword, bow and arrows, vajra (given by the gods)
Nine forms
Shailaputri to Siddhidatri (Navadurga)
Demons slain
Mahishasura, Shumbha-Nishumbha, Raktabija, Chanda-Munda
Key texts
Durga Saptashati, Devi Bhagavata Purana
Major festivals
Sharad Navratri, Chaitra Navratri, Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
Tradition
Shakta

Durga: relations

Family, scriptures, tirthas and festivals

15 relations of Durga, each with its source in the texts or the tradition. Tap a name to open its own page, or its relations in the Sanatan tree.

See the whole knowledge graph
Sources: Markandeya Purana, Chapters 81–93; Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 3; Tradition; Durga Saptashati 5.84-88 (Ambika came forth from the sheath of Parvati’s body and was called Kaushiki). In the second chapter of the Saptashati the Devi arises from the combined radiance of all the gods.; Durga Saptashati 7.5-6 (from Ambika’s brow), 7.27 (the name Chamunda); Devi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)
All 15 relations, with sources

Deities, figures and sages 12

  • Mahishasura · Asura she slewDurga Saptashati, Chapters 2–3
  • Parvati · Original formDurga Saptashati 5.84-88 (Ambika came forth from the sheath of Parvati’s body and was called Kaushiki). In the second chapter of the Saptashati the Devi arises from the combined radiance of all the gods.
  • Kali · FormDurga Saptashati 7.5-6 (from Ambika’s brow), 7.27 (the name Chamunda)
  • Shailputri · FormDevi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)
  • Brahmacharini · FormDevi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)
  • Chandraghanta · FormDevi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)
  • Kushmanda · FormDevi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)
  • Skandamata · FormDevi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)
  • Katyayani · FormDevi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)
  • Kalaratri · FormDevi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)
  • Mahagauri · FormDevi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)
  • Siddhidatri · FormDevi Kavacha, verses 3-5 (read before the Durga Saptashati, Gita Press)

Scriptures and mantras 1

Festivals 2

The three episodes of the Durga Saptashati

Thirteen chapters of the Markandeya Purana (about 700 verses) are known as the Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmya. Its story is told in three parts (charitras):

  1. First episode (Chapter 1)

    The episode of Mahakali: Vishnu wakes from his yogic sleep (yoganidra) and slays the asuras Madhu and Kaitabha.

    Durga Saptashati, Chapter 1

  2. Middle episode (Chapters 2–4)

    The episode of Mahalakshmi: the Goddess arises from the radiance of the gods and slays Mahishasura.

    Durga Saptashati, Chapters 2–4

  3. Final episode (Chapters 5–13)

    The episode of Mahasaraswati: the slaying of Dhumralochana, Chanda and Munda, Raktabija, and Shumbha and Nishumbha.

    Durga Saptashati, Chapters 5–13

The slaying of Mahishasura

Mahishasura defeated the gods and seized heaven. Then the radiance that arose from the anger of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and the other gods took form as a Goddess. The gods gave her their weapons: Shiva his trishula, Vishnu his chakra, Indra his vajra, and Himalaya gave her a lion as her mount. In a fierce battle, the Goddess slew Mahishasura (Durga Saptashati, Chapters 2–3).

Navadurga: the nine forms of Navratri

Over the nine days of Navratri, these forms are worshipped in order. The order comes from the verse "प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च" in the Devi Kavacham.

  1. A Shailputri murti seated on a bull in a Navratri pandal, holding a trident and a lotus

    Shailaputri

    Daughter of Himalaya, king of the mountains.

  2. A marble Brahmacharini murti in white in a temple, holding a rosary and a water-pot

    Brahmacharini

    The form of austerity and self-discipline.

  3. A ten-armed Chandraghanta murti riding a tiger, with a half-moon on her crown

    Chandraghanta

    A bell-shaped crescent moon on her forehead.

  4. An eight-armed Kushmanda murti on a lion with a sun-like halo

    Kushmanda

    In tradition, the creator of the universe.

  5. A Skandamata murti on a lotus with the child Skanda on her lap and a lion beside her

    Skandamata

    Mother of Skanda (Kartikeya).

  6. A Katyayani murti riding a lion, holding a sword and a lotus

    Katyayani

    The form that appeared in the ashram of the sage Katyayana.

  7. A dark Kalaratri murti seated on a donkey in a temple, with a hibiscus garland

    Kalaratri

    The fierce form that destroys darkness and fear.

  8. A Mahagauri murti in white on a white bull, holding a trident and a damaru

    Mahagauri

    The serene form with a fair complexion.

  9. A four-armed Siddhidatri murti seated on a lotus, with a lion beside her

    Siddhidatri

    The giver of siddhis (spiritual powers).

Images: made with AI

Durga in the scriptures

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
To the Goddess who dwells in all beings in the form of power, salutations to her, again and again.Durga Saptashati, Chapter 5
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
O most auspicious of all that is auspicious, O benevolent one who fulfils every aim, O giver of refuge, three-eyed Gauri, Narayani, salutations to you.Durga Saptashati 11.10
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी ।
The first form is Shailaputri and the second is Brahmacharini (the order of the Navadurga).Devi Kavacham
  • Markandeya Purana, Chapters 81–93 (Durga Saptashati)
  • Durga Saptashati, Chapters 2–3
  • Durga Saptashati, Chapters 5 and 11
  • Devi Kavacham
  • Devi Bhagavata Purana

Festivals of Durga

Worship of Durga

Durga: Aarti, Chalisa, Stuti and Namavali, each on its own page

Vrat kathas

Frequently asked questions

What are the nine forms of Durga?

Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri (Devi Kavacham).

How did Durga slay Mahishasura?

According to the Durga Saptashati (Chapters 2–3), the Goddess, who arose from the radiance of the gods, slew Mahishasura in battle with the weapons the gods had given her.

How many chapters are in the Durga Saptashati?

13 chapters and, by tradition, 700 verses, which is why it is called "Saptashati" (seven hundred). They are chapters 81–93 of the Markandeya Purana.

What is Durga’s mount?

The lion. According to the Durga Saptashati (Chapter 2), Himalaya gave the Goddess a lion as her mount.

Sources

Checked against sources
  1. Markandeya Purana, Chapters 81–93 (Durga Saptashati)
  2. Durga Saptashati, Chapters 2–3
  3. Durga Saptashati, Chapters 5 and 11
  4. Devi Kavacham
  5. Devi Bhagavata Purana

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