Introduction

‘She’ is the supreme consciousness, the supreme energy behind all the creations, the supreme force behind all the momentum in this universe, the supreme protector, the supreme destroyer, the supreme observer, and the supreme destroyer. In Hindu scriptures and sacred texts, the earliest references to her are given as ‘Mother Ambika’, but she is known by many names; ‘Durga’ is one of them. 

But why did she come to be known as Durga? This article in ‘The Hindu Tales’ tells the mystery behind. So, let’s discover together the story behind the Durga name!

The Supreme Energy

The ‘Markandeya Purana‘ and other Hindu scriptures tell about ‘her’ as the supreme energy in the universe. She is behind the creation of this universe, as well as the active force for sustaining life on the Earth. 

According to the tales in Markandeya Purana, at the time of the beginning of the universe, there was nothing in the universe, and the space was filled with black. Then, around the time of the beginning of the universe, she appeared in the form of a light beam and filled the entire space with life energy and moments. The universe was created, and the energy transformed into a divine feminine. 

This form of her is called ‘Goddess Kushmanda’, who, after creating the universe, went into the Sun’s core and resided there to sustain the process of life on Earth.

The Rise Of Durgamasur

According to the ‘Devi Bhagavata Purana‘—one of the mythological texts of Hinduism—there once existed a demon king named Durgamasura. He was the son of Ruru, a powerful demon king belonging to the ‘Daitya’ clan. Much like his ancestors, he, too, was exceedingly ambitious and cruel. Consequently, intending to establish his dominion over the three worlds, he undertook severe penance to propitiate Lord Brahma—the Creator of the Universe—in order to obtain a boon.

Pleased by his asceticism, Lord Brahma appeared before him and asked him to state his desire so that He might grant him a boon.

Seizing this opportunity, the demon king asked for the Vedas themselves as his boon. Upon receiving this boon, he concealed the Vedas in the ‘Patala Loka‘, thereby causing the knowledge of the Vedas to vanish from the entire universe.

In the absence of Vedic knowledge, Vedic rites and rituals began to fade away, and Vedic ceremonies started to disintegrate. As a result, people began to stray from their respective religious paths. Even among the righteous, unrighteousness and moral corruption began to proliferate. Worship, devotion, religious protocols, rituals, havans (sacred fire ceremonies), and religious observances—all came to a complete halt.

When the offerings (ahutis) in the Yajnas (sacrificial rites) ceased, the power of the gods also began to wane. Gradually, a severe famine ensued—a calamity that persisted for several centuries. Rivers dried up, reservoirs were depleted, trees, plants, and vegetation began to perish, and even the survival of living creatures became an arduous struggle. Both humans and gods alike cried out in anguish and desperation in the face of this tragedy.

Innocent Prayers

It was then that all the gods, along with the sages and seers, began to pray to the supremely revered ‘Adi Mahashakti (the Primordial Great Power)’—Mother Ambika—imploring her to come to their rescue. They implored the Goddess:

“O Mother—Mother of the Universe, Jagadambika, Mahamaya! Just as you annihilated demons such as Shumbha, Nishumbha, Chanda, Munda, Raktabija, Dhumralochana, and Madhu-Kaitabha, so too, slay the demon Durgamasura and liberate us from this crisis.”

The ‘Shatakshi’ Form Appears

Witnessing the plight of her devotees, the Mother goddess was overcome with immense compassion. Countless eyes manifested upon her body, from which streams of tears flowed ceaselessly for nine days and nine nights.

From these tears, the flow of water resumed upon the Earth. Rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds filled once again with water, and life began to pulsate across the Earth anew. The Earth became lush and verdant once more.

Since countless eyes had manifested upon the Mother’s body, she came to be known as “Shatakshi“.

Shatakshi means—the Goddess with a hundred eyes.

The ‘Shakambhari’ Form Appears 

At this very time, the Mother bestowed vegetables, fruits, and vegetation upon the Brahmins, devotees, and living beings who were tormented by hunger. For this reason, she acquired another name, ‘Shakambhari‘.

Shakambhari means—the Goddess who provides vegetables, greens, and fruits.

The ‘Das Mahavidya Goddess’ Appears

In response to her invocation, the ten Mahavidya Goddesses manifested and joined forces with her to wage war against Durgamasura. These ten Mahavidya Goddesses are: 

• Mother Kali
• Mother Tara
• Mother Tripura Sundari (Shodashi)
• Mother Bhuvaneshwari
• Mother Bhairavi
• Mother Chhinnamasta
• Mother Dhumavati
• Mother Bagalamukhi
• Mother Matangi
• Mother Kamala

Battle of Justice

Thereafter, the Mother prepared herself for battle to slay Durgamasura. She, with the help of the ‘Das Mahavidya’ goddesses, fought with demons. They slayed all the demons one by one, and in the end, ‘Maa Ambika’ slayed ‘Durgamasur’.  

‘Durga’ Name Echoes: The Story Behind The Durga Name

Because the goddess slew ‘Durgamasur’, and relieved deities, sages, and devotees from his atrocities, they praised her by addressing her as “Durga”.

“Durga” means the Goddess who destroys insurmountable obstacles and triumphs over the unconquerable.

The ‘Durga’ name echoed in the universe. People started worshipping her, and she was regarded as the powerful embodiment of that supreme feminine energy. 

The Marvelous Victory

With the end of Durgamasur, his atrocities also come to an end. Innocents, deities, sages, and devotees were delighted with the marvelous victory of the goddess over ‘Durgamasur’. They celebrated the victory. She then re-established the knowledge of the Vedas and assured devotees of her eternal protection. Thus, the story behind the Durga name ends here. 

Praise to Mother Durga!

Jai Maa Shakambhari Devi!

Jai Maa Shatakshi!