Durga

We bow to you, whose motherhood births power, whose victory brings peace. The Primordial feminine power Shakti manifests as Durga, ultimate warrior. Was the supreme mother present at the beginning, to create Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver? Or did she take form to defeat the Aurochs Asura, when Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva crossed the streams of light emerging from their enraged visages?

The Aurochs Asura wrung a boon from Brahma that made it so no man could defeat him. He stood against Durga, thinking no woman strong enough to take him. But astride a great cat, blowing a conch-shell, she struck him dead with her trident, chakram, mace, bow, longsword, and thunderbolt. Today she enjoys a 10-day-long annual prayer festival.

Her Incarnations include the Navadurga’s nine forms, among them the mountain princess Parvati, who has ascended to Goddesshood in her own right. As a Shakti emanation, she shares her essence with Kali, Parvati, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati.

While nearly all Devá are adept martial artists, only Karttikeya’s mastery of war matches Durga’s. All armaments are hers to bless. She embodies the purest warrior impulse, the noblest rationale for weapons and soldiers: to defend what matters. She takes no pleasure in combat. She has no rage — only focus and purpose. This perspective sets Durga at odds with Gods who exult in battle, such as King Shàngó of the Òrìshà, as well as those whose wrath oversteps their control, like Maudjee-Kawiss of the Manitou.

Durga is Titanomachy’s most zealous opponent, demanding her Scions identify and put down asuras and their spawn swiftly and directly. She lacks patience for anything short of staunch bravery and unyielding defense against asura forces. When the Yazatas or Æsir, who are probably asuras anyway, dare question the Devá’s will, they must contend with Durga before all.