Adi Shakti (Source: Pinterest)
Hindu scriptures identify Durga and Parvati as separate goddesses, although the two can be interpreted as different aspects of the same divine feminine energy. Durga and Parvati are worshipped as two goddesses by their devotees, while they are, at the same time, seen as the aspects of the supreme feminine energy or Adi Shakti.
Parvati with Shiva and Ganesha (Source: Hindu Cosmos, Original Print from Gita Press)
Parvati- the daughter of Parvat (mountain, or king of mountains Himalaya), is a form of the supreme feminine, taken to provide a counterpart to Shiva, who had taken the vow of asceticism after the self-immolation of Sati. Parvati is the wife of Shiva and the mother of Kartikeya and Ganesha.
Mahishasuramardini Durga, Guler School
Durga is the warrior goddess, a form that the supreme feminine energy took, to protect the gods from Asuras, especially Mahishasura. According to Devi Mahatmya, Durga emerged from the anger of all gods, which combined into a luminous body, that took the form of a multiple-armed goddess.
In essence, if one follows the supreme truth of Devi Mahatmya and Hindu Shakta tradition, there is no difference between Durga and Parvati. The two forms are among the innumerable forms of Adi Shakti, Para Shakti- primordial mother goddess. Both Durga and Parvati are addressed as Ambika- the supreme mother and the distinction is only on the basis of the role they carry out. While Parvati is more outwardly maternal and wifely, Durga is the same goddess taking on the role of protector and warrior and vice-versa.
The discussion on the difference between Parvati and Durga emerges mainly from how they are worshipped. Festivals and rituals of goddess Parvati (Hariyali Teej, Maha Shivaratri, Gangaur) are centered around women seeking a good husband, protection for their children, womanly virtues, and auspiciousness in household affairs. On the other hand, festivals of goddess Durga such as Navaratri are celebrations of power- Shakti, which is at the core of cosmic activities.
Alternatively, the legends of the goddess are narrated in different ways in different texts and folk traditions. For the devotees who worship goddess Parvati, she is not separate from Durga, and for the worshippers of Maa Durga, Parvati is just one of the many forms of the goddess.
To sum up, Durga and Parvati are two different appearances or roopa of the same feminine energy, which is known as Prakriti or Shakti, which is the beginning, sustenance, and end of the Universe.
While there are innumerable ways of worshipping Shakti as Durga and Parvati, these are some popular mantras of the goddesses-
ऊँ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।। (Om Dum Durgaye Namah)
A powerful chant of goddess Durga.
ऊँ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चै।। (Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichay)
A mantra for Chamunda, a warrior aspect of goddess Durga.
सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोस्तुते।। (Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Triyambake Gauri, Narayani Namostute)
A chant for the goddess from Durga Saptashati is used to worship both goddesses Durga and Parvati.
ऊँ उमामहेश्वराभ्यां नमः (Om Uma Maheshwarabhyam Namah)
A mantra for the worship of Parvati as Uma, the beloved of Shiva.
ॐ अन्नपूर्णे सदापूर्णे शंकरप्राणवल्लभे। ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं भिक्षां देहि च पार्वति॥” (Om Anna poorne sada poorne, Shankara Praana Vallabhe, Gyana vairagya sidhyartham bhiksham dehi ch Parvati)
This is a mantra for goddess Parvati’s aspect as Annapurna, praying the goddess for sustenance and spiritual upliftment.
In Skanda Purana, it is mentioned that goddess Parvati took the form of Durga, to fight a demon. In other texts such as Devi Mahatmya, goddess Durga is said to have originated from the wrath of gods, while Parvati is an incarnation of Adi Shakti (one of whose emanations is Durga).
Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura, or buffalo demon, which is why she is also called Mahishasura-mardini.
In texts such as Linga Purana, Kali emerged from Parvati and is one of the names of Parvati, who was dark-skinned. Parvati performed penance for gaining fair skin and split into fair-skinned Gauri and dark-skinned Kali. On the battlefield, Kali is the manifestation of pure wrath, emerging from Kaushiki (an aspect associated with Durga as well as Parvati). Kali in Hindu legends originates from Durga, Parvati, and even Shiva (in the episode of Sati’s self-immolation), as the embodiment of cosmic wrath.
(source: pinterest)
Goddess Durga is typically depicted as a warrior goddess with multiple arms, each holding a weapon symbolizing strength, wisdom, and protection. She is often shown riding a lion or tiger, representing courage and fearlessness. Her divine energy is believed to protect devotees from all harm.
The 9 forms of Goddess Durga are celebrated during the festival of Navratri. These include:
1.) Shailaputri - Daughter of the mountains.
2.) Brahmacharini - The one who observes austerity.
3.) Chandraghanta - The one who wears a crescent moon.
4.) Kushmanda - The creator of the universe.
5.) Skandamata - Mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya).
6.) Katyayani - The warrior goddess.
7.) Kalaratri - The fierce form of Durga.
8.) Mahagauri - The one with a radiant complexion.
9.) Siddhidatri - The one who grants all types of siddhi (powers).
Hindu festivals such as Navaratri and Shiva-Vivah or Mahashivaratri are popular festivals related to the goddess Parvati, celebrated all over India. There are several regional celebrations centered around goddess Parvati as well such as Gan-Gaur (the marriage of Gan or Shiva and Gaur or Gauri-Parvati from Rajasthan), Teej celebrations in northern India, Annapurna Jayanti celebrated in north India, especially Kashi, which is the home of Parvati’s form as Annapurna.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati was born as the daughter of the mountain king, Himavan. She performed intense penance to win Lord Shiva's heart. Impressed by her devotion, Shiva married Parvati, and together they represent the cosmic balance of asceticism and worldly life.
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