Ya devi sarvabhuteshu shakti – rupena samsthita, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namo namaha Ya devi sarvabhuteshu shanti – rupena samsthita, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namo namaha   (To the Goddess who abides in all beings as power: salutations to the Goddess who abides in all beings as peace: salutations to Thee. )   Durga is derived from the root words dur (difficult) and gam (pass, go through).   Also, the word Durg means fortress, something difficult to access, attain or pass.   Thus, Durga is one who signifies the strength of a fortress.   The worship of Shakti (Durga) has been practiced throughout all Yugas. In Satya Yuga, as per the Markandeya Purana, King Surtha regained his kingdom through Durgas worship, guided by Maharshee Medha.   In Treta Yuga, Sita worshipped Goddess Viraja to marry Rama, and Lord Rama himself, following Naradas advice, worshipped Durga to conquer Lanka and defeat Ravana. In Dwapara Yuga, the Gopis attained Krishnas love through the worship of Katyayini, and Rukmini also married Krishna due to Durgas grace. Arjuna, before the Mahabharata war, prayed to Durga and secured victory. Even in Kali Yuga, saints like Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Nigamananda attained Durgas blessings.   Navratri is a nine-day festival celebrating Durgas victory over Mahishasura, with the tenth day, Vijayadashmi, marking his defeat. During these nine days, devotees worship her nine forms: Sailaputri (daughter of the Himalayas), Brahmacharini (the ascetic), Chandraghanta (moon-bearer), Kushmanda (creator of the universe), Skanda-Mata (mother of Kartikeya), Katyayani (incarnated to aid the Devas), Kalaratri (dark as night), Mahagauri (Shivas consort), and Siddhidatri (giver of mystic powers).   The Devi Mahatmyam in the Markandeya Purana narrates the story of Mahishasura, the demon king who sought invincibility through a boon from Lord Brahma. Brahma granted him protection from defeat by men and Gods, but Mahishasura overlooked the possibility of a woman defeating him. Empowered by this boon, Mahishasura led the demons to conquer the Gods, prompting them to seek help from Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. Their combined energies created Goddess Durga, who, armed by the Gods, fought and killed Mahishasura after a nine-day battle, restoring peace. This story symbolizes the power and empowerment of women.   Bharat Mata and Goddess Durga ride a lion/tiger and personify glory in a smiling face.   The active principle of Paramatma is the source of all creation and is beyond gender. Viewed as masculine, Paramatma resembles deities like Shiva, Vishnu, or Krishna. As feminine, it manifests as Maha Kali, Durga (Maha Lakshmi), Maha Saraswati, or Adi Mata. Durga, as a protective mother, guides creation through cycles of birth and death toward Self-Realization (Moksha).   This cosmic play, or Leela is carried out by Paramatma with the help of Mahamaya, who creates Maya (illusion). Only those who transcend desires, greed, and ego, with Mahamayas grace, can break free from the cycle and attain liberation. These enlightened souls are yogis, rishis, and other spiritually evolved beings.   According to the Rig Veda, we can get three names of Devi Durga. They are Viswa Durga, Sindhu Durga and Agni Durga. 

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