Goddess Durga - Energy of Balance and Order

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Symbol of Shakti

Durga is one of the most prominent and revered deities in the Hindu pantheon, representing the divine feminine power (Shakti) in its fierce, protective, and maternal aspect. Her name literally means 'impassable', 'invincible' or 'unassailable' and she is primarily known as the Warrior Goddess who combats evil and demonic forces that threaten the cosmic order (Dharma). Her domains are vast and encompass strength, protection, motherhood, and the righteous destruction of negativity. She is often depicted as a beautiful woman with multiple arms, riding a lion or tiger, symbolizing her immense, untamed power and her mastery over the animal instincts of ferocity and courage. She is an embodiment of the collective energy of all the gods, summoned into existence to restore balance.

Legend of Mahishasura

The legend of Durga's most famous victory centres on her battle with the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. This demon, through intense penance, had acquired a boon that he could not be killed by any male god, making him virtually invincible. Upon gaining this power, Mahishasura wreaked havoc across the three worlds, driving the gods (Devas) out of heaven and usurping their authority. Powerless to defeat him themselves, the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) and all the other gods converged, releasing their individual divine energies into a single, blinding mass of light. This collective energy then coalesced to form the radiant and formidable Goddess Durga, who alone possessed the power to overcome the demon's unique protection.

To equip Durga for the monumental task of slaying Mahishasura, the gods bestowed upon her their most potent weapons and symbols of power. These included:

  • Shiva's trident (Trishula) representing the 3 gunas: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas
  • Vishnu's discus (Chakra) symbolises the infinite cosmic cycle and time
  • Indra's (king of the Gods) thunderbolt (Vajra) symbolises spiritual power
  • Vayu's (the Wind God) bow and arrows represents balance and direction
  • Varuna's (the Sea God) conch shell represents the primrodial sound of creation Om
  • Vishwakarma's (the divine architect) sword and shield stands for cutting through ignorance and revealing truth
  • Brahma's half-bloomed lotus flower symbolising spiritual awakening and humility

Mounted on her powerful lion, and armed with the collective might of the universe, Durga confronted Mahishasura in an epic battle. After a fierce engagement where the demon changed forms multiple times to evade her, Durga ultimately pinned him with her trident while he was in his buffalo form, thereby fulfilling the prophecy and restoring the universe to order.

Lladró Goddess Durga Sculpture Limited Edition

 

Portraying Durga, the goddess who alleviates the suffering of all people on Earth, who protects the righteous and establishes benevolence and order, was both a challenge and an honour for Lladró artists. Made in a combination of glazed and matt porcelain, Durga is depicted sitting on the back of a spectacular tiger with striking blue eyes and a calm composure, symbolizing the goddess’s will and determination. The eight arms with which she is portrayed, each one holding a symbol of the different powers given to her by the gods, seem to have a movement of their own, while the goddess’s body and face convey a sense of peace and compassion.

Goddess Durga Sculpture Limited Edition is decorated with the signature deep red colour of Hindu iconography and a spectrum of colours that includes faded browns, turquoises and mauves. These tonalities are enhanced by the use of carefully applied 24K golden lustre and a garland of flowers made up of 280 white and 7 pink petals, in addition to the delicate lotus flower she is holding in one of her hands. All these flowers are handmade petal by petal. This special masterpiece is limited to only 499 numbered units globally.

 

To learn about other Hindu deities:


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