The significance of Durga

There are a lot of explanations about the significance of Durga, the Protector, that are already available. I am giving the name Durga and what it means, a human psychology twist, in this article.

Generally accepted meaning is "all invincible". Reference to this can be had in the Srimad Bahgawatham.

 durgām—all invincible . In Srimad Bhagawatham Navamskandam   (Canto 9.10.19)

tāṁ yātudhāna-pṛtanām asi-śūla-cāpa-
prāsarṣṭi-śaktiśara-tomara-khaḍga-durgām
sugrīva-lakṣmaṇa-marutsuta-gandhamāda-
nīlāṅgadarkṣa-panasādibhir anvito ’gāt

"Lord Rāmacandra, surrounded by Lakṣmaṇa and monkey soldiers like Sugrīva, Hanumān, Gandhamāda, Nīla, Aṅgada, Jāmbavān and Panasa, attacked the soldiers of the Rākṣasas, who were fully equipped with various invincible weapons like swords, lances, bows, prāsas, ṛṣṭis, śakti arrows, khaḍgas and tomaras".

In Sanskrit language, Durga also means "impregnable" or super-steadfast, as in moats that are used to guard fortresses. Various puranas make reference to various moats - Jala Gurga ( moat with crocodiles in the water), Vayu Durga and Agni Durga etc..

The Lalitha Sahasranamam, part of the Brahmanda Purana ("The history of the universe") (Sanskrit: ब्रह्माण्ड पुराण,Brahmāṇḑa Purāņa) refers to the name of Durga or Devi, of interest for this dicussion - Manonmani . Literally, it means, Durga would grant you what your heart of mind wants.

This explanation of Manonmani appears rather superficial, right? How does one know that she grants what one wishes in the mind? Isn't it hypothetical, or even speculative? 

Therein lies the beauty of the concept of Durga, and, by extension, the significance of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswasti as a concept. 

If you observe carefully, Durga stamps her feet over Mahishasura, that buffalo-headed demon,right? Why is depicted this way? Is Durga a killer, rather than a protector? Does the buffalo not have a right to live as well?

Well, the answer to that, clearly, is that this symbolic slaying of the buffalo-headed demon has a deeper human psychological element. Buffalo, as an animal, similar to the Sloth bear, is known for it's laziness, lethargy, nonchalance etc... in words, it represents the innate tendency of humans to procrastinate, not do one's duty, and, well, just not "being in the mood" to do things. We saw earlier that "Durga" symbolizes invincibility, but also represents the doggedness, that will power to act, that is required to achieve what we want to, in this materialistic and spiritual life. I include both the materialistic and spiritual aspects of humans here - you can choose whichever path you want to, and the concept very much relevant to both.

Only by destroying the inner lethargy, can humans hope to achieve what they aim for. If you don't even resolve to act, you will never get anywhere, especially on the materialistic front, as applicable to the ordinary mortal. Thus, Durga represents the Ichaa Shakti ( the will power to act), which emanates from the mind. So, in order to achieve you end, slay and get over that lethargy first, resolve to act, and then the next steps follow, as represented by Lakshmi, the Kriya Shakti ( Kriya literally means "the act of doing" on Sanskrit). 

Lakshmi is manifest in the form of  purposeful action. This is the execution phase required to get to where you want to. This comes from the body. The power that activates the inert body and makes it vibrant is will power, represented by Durga. The power that induces the vibrations of will power is the power of discernment (jnaana shakthi), which causes radiation of energy that is required to perform the act. Jnaana shakti is represented by Sarawati, that Goddess of knowledge or discernment, and comes from the Aatma ( or soul).

Thus, to me, the concept of Durga, Lakshmi and Sarawati have a psycho-spiritual angle to it. Durga extols me to get the will power to act, Lakshmi gets me the purposeful actions required to achieve my goals, and Saraswati taps my soul to harness the power of knowledge to discern and go after the rightful. 

Another practical way to look at it, as applicable to all of us, is that without the will power to succeed (Durga), it is impossible to get the wealth and prosperity (Lakshmi) -both materialistic and spiritual-, and without Lakshmi, it is impossible to get knowledge (Saraswati) . Metaphorically speaking,  an empty stomach will not get anyone towards knowledge, something that has been recognized for thousands of years.

Thus, to me, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati transcend mere symbolism, and signify a deeper meaning, something that is applicable to our day-to-day lives.