Navratri festival is starting from 7th October this year. During the nine-day festival, devotees worship nine different forms of Goddess Durga. People also observe fast on these days to please Maa Durga and seek her blessings. Goddess Durga is one of the most revered deities among Indian believers. She is considered a symbol of strength, protection, courage, destruction and motherhood. In almost all her paintings, Maa Durga is seen riding a lion.
The lion is the ‘vahan’ or vehicle of Maa Durga. The animal also represents the power of Maa Durga. But do you know what is the origin of the wild animal being the ride of Goddess Durga?
According to Hindu mythology, a vehicle is assigned to almost every deity. Lord Shiva’s vehicle is Nandi – a bull, and Lord Ganesha’s ride is a mouse – a mouse.
How the lion became the ride of Maa Durga:
According to religious beliefs, once Lord Shiva sat for meditation and remained in a meditative state for eternity. Goddess Parvati, who once assumed the form of Goddess Durga, waited for the return of Lord Shiva, but remained an ascetic. Then Mother Parvati left Kailash mountain and went to the dense forest for penance. As she went into deep meditation, a hungry lion came to her.
The lion tried to attack Maa Parvati, but failed to penetrate the protective layer around her. Then the lion waited for Mother Parvati to come out of the state of meditation. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva was pleased with the penance of Mother Parvati and reached the dense forest to take her back.
When Mother Parvati got up she saw a lion waiting for her. Through his powers, he realized that the lion wanted to eat him, but was waiting for him to come out of his meditative state. Mother Parvati, who also has maternal instincts, took pity on the lion and took the animal with her. Since that day the lion has been his ride.
DisclaimerThe information given in this article is based on general knowledge. News18 does not confirm this.
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