43 DURGA FEW Durga brings the fire of the Gods to earth, and washes away all negativity, which flows like blood. Who is Durga? Durga is the Hindu warrior Goddess who was created by the Gods in order to overcome lower (Asuric or demonic) forces. They each bestowed a special attribute upon her and gave her the weapons she holds. Durga in Sanskrit means the one who is invincible and indomitable. In the Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana) Durga was created as a warrior goddess to fight an Asura (an inhumane, demonic force) called Mahishasura which none of the gods could defeat. Durga is worshipped as the Great Protectress, Destroyer of Evil and Preserver of Truth, Divine law. She preserves righteousness. In some of the 64 Yogini Temples (on which this system is based) Durga is the principle Yogini from which all the other Yoginis emanate. During the Hindu goddess's battles with the forces of inhumanity, in the form of the demon called Raktabija, eight Yoginis emanate from the body of Durga to assist her in battle. These eight in turn became 64, which form the circle of the 64 Yoginis. The Yoginis are also connected with the Matrikas (Mother Goddesses). Durga's vehicle is the tiger. She is the radiant, invincible one. An embodiment of creative feminine force (Shakti), Durga exists in a state of independence, self-sufficiency and fierce compassion. Location/Sphere of Influence Cosmic battlefield/inner or outer. Mount Kailash, India. Allies Tiger, lion. Nature & Description of Dakini Durga is shown in the center of a golden repousse relief plaque. This is framed by a set of temple doors, so that we are looking into her shrine. The plaque itself represents Durga's golden shield. Below her is the mystic diagram that represents her essence, her yantra, indicting that her essence is her ground of being. She is crowned and has ten arms, each of which hold a weapon and represent her various powers. Each weapon, such as the trident, the mace, the discus or bow and arrow, represents the different weapons that are needed to overcome different kinds of enemies or obstacles. For example, her sword symbolizes knowledge, with which she cuts through the obstacle of ignorance. Devi Durga rides on a tiger or lion in a fearless pose of 'Abhay Mudra', signifying assurance of freedom from fear. She bears an Om symbol in henna on her upraised hand, the universal vibration of peace, defining her intention and her inner state of being. Aum (Om) is also the sound that emanates from the conch she holds, said to be the sound of creation. In the Hindu spiritual view, Shakti is seen as the inner feminine energy moving through matter. She is an active, not passive force. The Yoginis/Dakinis are all forms of this inner Shakti with Durga leading the charge. Although she is seated in repose upon her tiger, the small figures that adorn the plaque/shield show Durga in action. Her tiger symbolizes unlimited power. Durga rides it indicating that this power is at her disposal and she employs it to support the higher good. Divinatory Meaning If Durga stands before you, you have called in the right energy to help you stand up for what you believe in. She brings courage and invincibility. It is your time to be given psychic weapons to take up arms against injustice. Relinquish the need to be right and replace it with championing what is right. If you are with Durga on the battlefield of existence, she will have you understand that these are not literal, but metaphysical weapons - gifts from the Gods of skillful means. Each weapon as its revealed will show which God gave it and what type of skillful action it represents. She cuts off the head of every self-multiplying pull of the lower self. To see her as fighting in the physical sense and actually spilling blood is taking the symbology at a gross, literal level. The deep metaphysical question, explored in the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna in the Bhajavad Gita on the battlefield, is whether it is ever right, from a spiritual standpoint, to take up arms. The conclusion arrived at, which propelled Arjuna into battle, may have been relevant for that culture and time, but is it the answer we need for the present moment in our evolutionary history? Durga, shining and with gleaming weaponry, represents the essence of invincibility. In the context of our cycle of Dakinis, it is the battlefield within that is addressed, the place of inner mastery, the inner plane of psychic weaponry. Durga is offering you her weapons, as they were offered to her by the Gods that created her, to help overcome lower or negative tendencies before they overcome you. Literal battle is always a last resort. If physical fighting is the only way left to resolve conflict, we are generally looking at quite an unevolved society. Of course there is no simple answer to how one defends oneself against acts of aggression. In an absolute sense, non violence is the only 'right' solution. However we live in a relative world where people share relative values - so how do we bridge this ethical quandary? Gandhi carried through with the path of non - violent opposition. It was his willingness, and that of his followers, to face any sacrifice for the cause, that made his position invincible. His power of purpose was his greatest weapon. This weapon which did not spill blood and take lives turned out to be way more powerful than those that did. With the Hindu belief in re-incarnation, loss of the present life carries a different weight than it does to the western mind. A true practitioner of martial arts understands that the art of self defense is not in essence about fighting. It is about understanding the flow of energy within in relation to the energy fields of nature. Once you realize that attunement, your skills and form emerge from there. With true invincibility sensed, your enemy no longer wishes to fight Know that anything achieved through the use of any kind of force has, sooner or later, a karmic repercussion. The wise practitioner does not seek to create more karma of this kind. Witnessing her battle is like seeing the fight to end all fights. When the Goddess gets involved, there is no contest. She is so immensely powerful that negative forces are only allowed to exist in her realm out of her compassion and because she believes in free will. But if we see the futility of fighting once she gets involved, perhaps mankind will understand a little more and abandon this barbaric behavior. Durga's powers of attraction, and radiance made her challengers fall in love with her. She represents great feminine power, where strength is united with beauty and grace. When she finally slays the Buffalo King, it is when he is blinded by her light.... How to overcome your opponents, and all opposition, with power and grace. A confirmation of your own power and resources to execute whatever you really believe in. A boost for your strength. Stand on your own two feet. Be independent and self-sufficient. You have the power of the Goddess with you. An indication of success. Victory. Triumph over negative forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred and greed. Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never loses her sense of humor, even during spiritual battles of epic proportion. Transformation cannot always be achieved through peaceful means. Durga is here to show you that you need the energy of Mars to help you cut through a present situation, or a stagnation, a lethargy, in your mind or psyche. Strong or shock tactics are recommended, as long as you are prepared to face whatever consequences they engender. Taking up arms. Time to bring out your inner Shakti in the 'Battle of Love'. Let Durga empower your lovemaking and have the feminine take an active role. Be fierce with passion, wild with delight. Play with your aggression in a safe way in the bedroom. Indications It is time for action. Look for skillful ways to do battle that avoid confrontation. Practices 1. The Hindu Gods created the Goddess Durga from qualities they each possessed, and conferred on her the powers of their own weapons. There are several versions where the weapons she carries, their doners and the number of her arms vary. The following describes Durga's depiction in this Dakini cycle. Visualize yourself as Durga, as a radiant Goddess seated on a tiger, invincible. Visualize your many arms and the weapons they carry. Consider that each weapon is specifically designed to resolve a conflict, unloose a blockage, capture a negativity, harness a greed. The discus (Chakra) that swirls around your upraised finger is the gift of Vishnu, Lord of Preservation. It represents the power to preserve the world as it turns, to uphold the natural order of things, and, by the same token, to slice away all that stands in opposition to this positive principle. The mace or club (Gada) you wield is the gift of Kubera, God of Wealth. The mace carries with it the strength of Indra (Lord of Heaven and King of the Gods), his Vajra (thunderbolt) power. This brings to your administration of justice an adamantine quality, an irrestistible force. Where you need to be resolute, this weapon is for you. Your sword (Talwar) comes fromYama, Lord of Death. His weapon is the 'Great Leveller', for the knowledge of mortality levels all playing fields, all battlefields. In the end, no one survives Yama's blade. Become one with this blade, own your own mortality, so that you are no longer at its effect. Freedom from the fear of death confers invincibility. It is the sword of knowledge that cuts through the shroud of ignorance. You hold a bell (Ghanta), the gift of Airawat, the God Indra's white elephant, to bring good fortune in all encounters. Its ringing summons the Gods and engages all the senses. Its clear vibration is a clarion call that the world may be experienced, but not possessed. The golden conch (Shankha) is the gift of Varuna, Vedic Lord of the Sky, Rain, Ocean and Water. The sound of the conch when it is blown holds negative entities at bay and signifies the victory of goodness. It brings connection to source, to the primal vibration, the 'Pranava', the 'Om' that preceeds all form. Use the conch to clear the air. Your arrows (Tir) come from Vayu, God of the Wind. The bow and arrows represent energy available to you, both potential and kinetic. Vayu brings mastery of the winds of breath and subtle Prana (life force). Vahu says may the force be with you, his wind in your sails. Shiva, Lord of Dissolution, pulled a trident (Trishula) from his trident and gave it to Durga, to you. It represents the balance of the three universal forces of Creation, Preservation and Dissolution, the three 'Gunas' (qualities) - Sattvas (pure), Rajas (dynamic) and Tamas (inert), that flavor all that is - the three powers of knowledge, will and action, and removes three kinds of misery - spiritual, mental and physical. You hold a golden snake noose. This is the gift of Vasuki, King of the Nagas (Snakes). The Nagas are the holders of secret wisdom. Vasuki was used as a rope in the Hindu myth of the churning of the Ocean of Milk to produce Soma, elixir. The gift represents awakening and harnessing the Kundalinin (serpent) power within. The lotus (Padma) you hold is the gift of Brahma, Lord of Creation. The lotus represents unfolding creation and the thought of enlightenment. As the lotus pushes forth from the mud and emerges in pristine beauty, so you, as Durga, hold this potential for the human soul. It is your greatest weapon for overcoming regressive tendencies, for it is the seed of the Divine that has the potential to blossom in every being. Himavat (God of the Himalayas) gave the tiger (or lion) as your regal mount, offering you the unshakable strength and power of a mountain. Vishvakarma, the Celestial Architect, provides your shield in the form of a plaque which 'has your back' and establishes a protective field through its sacred design. The flames of Agni, the Fire God, dart from your eyes to penetrate and purify all obscuration and density. Surya, the Sun God, sent his rays of light and now they shine through every pore of your skin, dazzling all opposition with your radiance and light of consciousness. Imagine using these weapons first on yourself, letting them work their magic on you. See them cutting away all that needs to be shed of negative patterns and the things that prevent you from reaching your true potential. Now you are ready to visualize cutting through oppositions and obstacles around you. 1. As an offering to Durga, meditate on amplifying her vibration of invincibility so that her sheer radiance of being may enlighten all eyes and remove the illusion of war from the field of life. Let this vibration penetrate to the heart of the Indian continent, resolving all religious conflict and radiate out through the world as if a million suns blazed from her countenance, irradiating every obstacle to peace. Mantra A Mantra for Durga : Om Sri Durgayah Namah Repeat internally or out loud to connect with the energy field which is the Goddess Durga. Dakini Transmission I am Durga Gift from the Gods My loins quiver Ready for the battle of love For surely I see no distinction Affirmations I have strength I am invincible I am endowed With Goddess given skills That help me be victorious In any situation I am Shakti