Goddess Maa Durga & Her family

 

The Munis, Rishies and the exalted Yogis of Bharat (India) penned all their sadhana realizations for the benefit of the future mankind known as the Sastras (The Vedas, Upanishadas, Puranas etc. including Gita). Worshipping of Idols was never mentioned or advised in any of these Sacred Books. When a sadhaka performs this Kriyajoga Sadhana the visualization of these idols come naturally to him and he then comprehends the inner meaning. Those who criticize worshipping of Idols do that out of lack of understanding and utmost ignorance.

 

DURGA: Yogically it infers the one who resides in the durg - the fort. Body is the fort. Prana dwells within the body-fort, therefore Prana is Durga, the One Who annihilates all sorts of kineticism, the root of all sorrows. Goddess Durga possesses ten hands. These represents the manner by which sadhaka controls his ten senses or division of Prana. These divisions denote Prana, Apana, Vyana, samana, naga, kurma, krikara, devadatta and dhanamjaya. With the help of these ten Pranas or ten senses, all actions are accomplished. 

At the feet of Durga lies the lion, king of the jungle. She controls or restraints him, for the lion represents passion (Kama). He has not been completely annihilated for then the creation will not be maintained, but She has controlled him. She has exterminated Asura (the Devil within). Asura symbolizes anger. It is imperative for the sadhaka to eliminate anger. 

 

LAKSHMI: On the right is Goddess Lakshmi, whose mount is owl. Here sadhaka is being cautioned that while practicing sadhana, when he achieves Lakshmi state, he should be careful that he does not become like the owl because the owl is day-blind and is nocturnal. In other words, dear sadhaka, be careful for when you achieve spiritual and material wealth you may attain the state of owl. 

 

SARASVATI: On the left, of Goddess Durga is Goddess Sarasvati, her mount is the swan and it’s function is to segregate milk from the water if mixed. When a sadhaka arrives at an exalted state of sadhana then deriving the correct knowledge he achieves that state. He then becomes capable of extracting the essence from the murky material world. This state is known as Paramahansa. But the sadhaka has to proceed further because he has not as yet established himself in non-duality. 

 

KARTIKEYA: Beside Sarasvati, is the commander-in-chief of the gods, Kartikeya. He symbolizes heroism. A sadhaka has been advised to practice sadhana heroically. Kartikeya’s mount is the peacock. The eye design noticed in the plume of a peacock represents Kutastha – the Third Eye. If a sadhaka heroically practices sadhana, he will surely visualize Kutastha. Kartikeya has a bow and arrow in his hands. The arrow reprents breath and bow represents the body. One who guides the arrow like breath within the body valiantly and executes the air like Pranakarma is Kartikeya. 

 

GANESHA: Since a sadhaka practices sadhana with austerities, he deserves fulfillment or salvation. For this one who grants success is Ganesa. But his mount is mouse. The disposition of the mouse is to cause harm without any reason. Therefore in that state since a sadhaka has not yet attained settlement completely in non-dual state, he has to remain away from harmful ones, for if this is not done fulfillment or salvation will not come to him ..................(from Puran Purusha -by Yogacharya Dr A K Chatterjee).