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Aadi Shakti: A manifestation of Durga who created the world. She is often depicted in statues and paintings as a four-armed elephant-headed woman seated on her vahana, a lion (or sometimes, a tiger) or riding an eight-spoked wheel that represents time. Her most well known ten avatars are Chandika; Chamunda; Durga Khadgaa Koshaa; Gauri Lankeshmataa Maheshwariya Vrittaatmaa Jagdeeshvarii – Parvati Mataji Kshamaasthiti Devi Mahalakshmi Dharaavani Devi Ambaaparidhi Devi Panchachudaamani Kaaladyaani Devi; Tripurasundari – Lakshmi Mata Rakshitaa Bhairavi Roopaa
Anasuya: One of the eight Vasus and wife to sage Atri. She is said to be a partial incarnation of Durga herself. Hindu scriptures claim that she was born from Lord Shiva’s forehead and hence, her name which means “peace.” Anasuya married her husband who had been cursed by their father Daksha, so that he could have children and thus release them both from this curse. Upon marrying each other they were blessed with two sons-Shyeni (also known as Skanda) and Yajnashva or Shunaka). However when the blessings came in form of one
The A – Z Of 108 Names For Durga (Part-I)
A
Abha, Aakasha, Ambaa: The sky; wife of siva.
Ambika: Mother goddess in Hinduism mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya. + Amarani, Ambigaasaasini: Varied descriptions but typically she is a form of Parvati who protects the forest dwellers from wild animals by transforming into an animal herself to fight them with her own weapon or force them away using various other means. Sometimes associated with Lakshmi as one half of the duality which creates things through coexistence and harmony after conflict and strife have been resolved such that all are contented again.
Amma, Amman: Mother.
Anandaa, Anandakumara: “Blissful” and the son of Shiva; a Hindu god who is also known as Kartikeya to some. His name means ‘having bliss or delight’. He was born on Friday evening after three nights of interrupted sleep in his mother’s womb. Legend has it that he first emerged from Gauri’s right side but she felt him coming out the left side so quickly moved her body over slightly for him to emerge through there instead. This led to Skanda being considered ambidextrous with control of both sides which made it possible for him take command during battles without causing any loss among his troops due to the confusion of which direction he was coming from.
Anantaa, Anantakumara: “Eternal” and the son of Shiva; a Hindu god who is also known as Kartikeya to some. His name means ‘endless’. He is often depicted on Skanda’s right side with an endless serpent around his neck. As one story goes Lord Indra had been given a boon by Brahma that would give him victory in battle over whoever went against him but this power was stolen by Skanda when they engaged for supremacy after having heard about the boon granted to Indra by their father Brahma. Therefore it became impossible for anyone or anything to defeat Skanda because he possessed both knowledge (Brahma) and
A quick study reveals that Hindus worship many different forms of Devi, not just Durga.
Modern-day Hinduism has 108 names for the goddess Durga in order to show her as a multifaceted deity with multiple powers and roles.
Durga is also known by these other common titles: “Mahishasuramardini,” “Rohi” or as the “Mother Of The Universe.” Her alternate name Maha Lakshmi means “the great wealth” while another title Shakti translates into “energy, power and might.” In Sanskrit language it can mean both feminine energy (feminine strength) and masculine energy (masculinity). Finally she may be referred to as Bhawani, which means “giver of life.”
Durga is also known by these other common titles: “Mahishasuramardini,” “Rohi” or as the “Mother Of The Universe.” Her alternate name Maha Lakshmi means “the great wealth” while another title Shakti translates into “energy, power and might.” In Sanskrit language it can mean both feminine energy (feminine strength) and masculine energy (masculinity). Finally she may be referred to as Bhawani, which means “giver of life.’
In Hindu mythology Durga is often depicted riding a tiger that has her unique nine-headed lion mount in its mouth with arrows poised to strike. In her four arms she holds items symbolic to Hinduism: a sword, shield (to protect people), rope or noose (a symbol of death) and lotus flower (the seat of spiritual purity).
Durga is also known by these other common titles: “Mahishasuramardini,” “Rohi” or as the “Mother Of The Universe.” Her alternate name Maha Lakshmi means “the great wealth” while another title Shakti translates into “energy, power and might.” In Sanskrit language it can mean both feminine energy (feminine strength) and masculine energy (masculinity). Finally she may be referred to as Bhawani, which means “goddess.”
Durga is the only form of representation for Goddess Parvati. Durga’s name literally means “invincible” and she represents female power, strength and courage in Hinduism. icted riding a tiger that has her unique nine-headed lion mount in its mouth with arrows poised to strike. In her four arms she holds items symbolic to Hinduism: a sword, shield (to protect people), rope or noose (a symbol of death) and lotus flower (the seat of spiritual purity).
As one might imagine from this description, there are 108 names used when referring to Durga–108 being an auspicious number because it signifies completion according to both body parts as well as levels on life’s cycle
Durga is a Sanskrit word meaning one who can overcome darkness. Durga’s name is derived from the root “durg”, which means to be inaccessible, invincible and inexpugnable.
The Goddess Durga has 108 names that signify different aspects of her. The most popular are:
Devi, Mahadevi (Great goddess), Kaali(Dark form of Devi), Chandi(goddess with moon as headdress) and Ashta Lakshmi(eight-armed).
Some other less common names for Durga are Katyayani(“one who resides on Mount Kailasha”), Bhadrakali(“the terrifying dark form”) and Vishalakshi (“wide eyed”).
Aadi: She is the beginning and also the end.
Adi Shakti: The primal cosmic energy, mother goddess of creation, as well as a personification of sexual energy.
Akuti: A form of Durga who rides on her lion or tiger to battle evil forces in society such as ignorance, greed and lust.
Alakshmi : The embodiment of poverty or obstacles that hinder one’s spiritual progress; she causes strife within families by separating husbands from wives so they will be forced to be poor together at home instead of being able to spend their lives enjoying prosperity outside the home with someone else.
Ambika: Mother Goddess who raises children like cows take care for calves (Johnston).
Amrita: The drink of immortality that grants everlasting life.
Ananda Devi: Durga is sometimes depicted riding her lion or tiger, as in an annual festival celebrated by Bengali Hindus on the seventh day after Diwali. On this day they offer thanks for a happy harvest and pray to be spared from evil forces during the coming year (Johnston).
Annapurna : She nourishes all with food; she brings prosperity and fertility to those who seek her assistance; she provides protection against starvation and famine. Annapurna’s blessings are invoked when people need help securing enough food for themselves or their families under adverse conditions, such as drought, war, floods or crop failure (Johnston). Aparajita: The invincible one. Aruna: “The morning.” Durga is the reincarnation of Aditi, daughter of Daksha and sister to Kashyapa (Johnston). When Indra was being overpowered by Raktabija he called on Arjuna for help. Arjuna’s arrows were so fast that they could not be stopped even after piercing him a thousand times. Thus she became known as Rathi-ma (“one who has ten arms”) or Karttikiya-ma(“the goddess with braided hair”). She is also sometimes referred to as Chaturbahu(four armed) due to her four hands showing weapons; six feet trampling Darid
