It is that time of the year where there are many festivals lined up one after the other.
The ten days of Navratri are celebrated with galore all over the country. The most significant pooja done during the end of Navratri is 'Durga Pooja'.
Durga Pooja is celebrated, as Goddess Durga fought with the shape-shifting demon Mahishasura and emerged victorious. It is the festival of victory of Good over Evil.
Durga pooja is celebrated across six days, with each day holding certain meaning. The first day is when Maa Durga is said to ascend on the earth with her four children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya and Ganesha. Colourful idols of the gods are worshipped with great grandeur. On the last day, the idol is immersed signifying Durga's return to her husband.
Maa Durga is a powerful Goddess who fights evil. We might have seen a lot of pictures of Goddess Durga and her many avatars. The most popular pictures depict her with ten hands, each carrying a weapon.
Did you know that each of the weapon carries a significance and was gifted to her by the other gods?
Here is a lowdown as to which are the ten weapons carried by Maa Durga and what do they signify.
1) The Trishul:
The trishul holds a lot of significance in Hinduism. Gifted to Maa Durga by Lord Shiva, it signifies three qualities - Sattva (inactivity), Rajas (activity), Tamas (Non-activity). Maa Durga uses this to slay the demons.
2) Bow And Arrow:
The bow and arrow signifies two kinds of energies - potential and kinetic. Maa Durga holds both these things in one hand, which signifies that she is in control of all the energies of the world. It was gifted to her by the Lords Vayu and Surya.
3) The Conch Shell:
This is the symbol of the sacred sound ‘OM', which is the sound of the universe. It was gifted to her by Lord Varuna.
4) The Lotus:
The half-bloomed lotus in Maa Durga's hand signifies humility. It teaches us to stay truthful to our spiritual quest without giving in to worldly pleasures.
5) The Thunderbolt:
It teaches us to stay completely focused on destroying our enemies - just as a thunderbolt. Maa Durga tells us to attack any challenge without losing confidence. It was gifted to her by Lord Indra.
6) Sudarshan Chakra:
The beautiful discus which spins around Maa Durga's index finger signifies that the entire world is at her command. She mercilessly uses this to destroy evil and let good prevail all over the world. It was gifted by Lord Vishnu to her.
7) The Sword:
Maa Durga is also seen carrying a sword in her hand, which signifies the quest of knowledge that cuts through darkness and shines. Lord Kala gifted her this weapon.
8) An Axe:
Maa Durga received an axe and metal armour from Lord Vishvakarma. It signifies no fear of consequences when fighting from Evil.
9) A Kamandalu:
Given to Maa Durga by Lord Brahma, it represents amrita (water) the elixir of life. It signifies that Maa Durga is the elixir of all life on earth.
10) The Spear:
Lord Agni gave her a spear. It was the weapon primarily used to defeat Mahishasura. It signifies the hidden power of humans to overcome all obstacles in life.
