The significance of Durga Puja
UNITY can be considered the root of development for a nation. This fundamental force can be used in different activities related to the welfare of a nation. In the image of Devi Durga, the picture of a united nation is elaborately sketched. In the Vedik Shukta, Devi says, "I am the state. I am the soul of the universe."
Commonly, four categories of people are seen in all countries as well as in all races -- the scholar, the warrior, the trader and the worker. The scholars lay out a nation's various programs and activities and thus they lead a nation. The intrepid warrior guards a nation from internal and external forces. Under this parasol, the traders manage the fortunes of the country.
The worker's capital is her/his physical strength and is regarded as a blessing from birth. The workers sustain the welfare of the country entirely. So, the four classes can be categorised as wisdom, prowess, resources and manpower. When the four forces are united, the nation proceeds to success.
Similarly, the incarnation of Devi Durga represents this unity. Lakshmi and Ganesha are placed to the right of Durga, while to the left are Saraswati and Kartikeya. Lakshmi represents wealth, while Ganesha stands for manpower. Kartikeya represents the strength of the warrior and Saraswati stands for knowledge. And Devi Durga never comes down to earth alone. She comes along with her four children and this is Her entire form. With Her children, Durga is the deification of a complete nation.
Why does the season of Durga puja start with worship of a Bel tree? The Bel tree is regarded as Sribriksha or the tree of grace. And Devi Durga also symbolises wealth, power, and victory. For this reason, the tree is worshipped as Her symbol until the spirit of Durga is established in the image or pratima.
In the Puranas and Tantric literature, great importance has been given to this tree for its herbal medicinal powers. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are its three leaves and Shakti is the stem. It is as great as the trishul, and thus it is a favourite of Shiva.
Social development and social welfare are also depicted in the worship of Devi. Devi Durga protects the ten directions with Her ten arms. Her hands symbolise work and She uses them to call all to work. The image of Devi not only discloses the steps of worship and its stages, but the development and welfare of the society are also portrayed in Her legend.
The entire link between the Goddess and the community resides here. The Goddess lives in us. She comes down to earth with the purpose of serving the eternally problem-ridden poverty-stricken humankind, leaving behind the comforts of Her sublime habitat in the mountains. She incessantly attempts to subdue the animal in people. She plainly shows herself in every sphere -- from husbandry to mining, health and morality. The rituals of Her great bath on Ashtami make a remote allusion to this secret deep significance.
To bathe the Devi with water from the rivers, streams, lakes and oceans of Bharat is a custom. Here the map of a united India comes to our mind. This is the India, which is baptised by the water of her different pilgrim places. We are awakened again with the feeling of an entire India.
From the scholar to the gardener, potter, weaver, the rituals include active participation of all sections of society. The water used for Her bath is very significant. Five seeds, five plants, cowdung, milk and curd are soaked in it.
Thus the great importance of farming, animal husbandry and forest wealth is recognised. Besides water, gold, pearl, ruby, coral and diamond are deeply important in this celebration indicating the production of wealth and mining resources. As a whole, our entire economic and social commitments are reflected in Her worship.
One question can be raised: Why does Durga ride a lion and why is it her mascot? If we think deeply, we can find out some analogies between Durga and lion. Firstly, the lion manifests strength. The lion leads the animal kingdom, as Devi is the empress of the universe. The lion uncovers his claws and fangs as Durga displays Her weapons. Devi's entangled tuft of hair is analogous to the gorgeous mane of a lion. The lion manifests different power and energies of the gods. Vishnu adorns the lion's neck, Mahadeva his head, Parvati his forehead, Durga his breast, Kartikeya his knuckles, the serpents his sides, the twins Ashwinikumar his ears, the Sun and the Moon his eyes, the Vasus his teeth, Chandika his roar and Yama with Yaksha his two cheeks. To protect and nourish the nation, strength is required. But that strength must follow the laws of truth and ethics. In worshipping Devi Durga, we ask Her to give us strength. And by keeping the lion as Her mascot, She teaches us this lesson.
Source: Hindu Gods and Goddesses by Swami Nirmalananda.
Sourav Bhattacherjee is a contributor is The Daily Star.
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