Durga Puja 2024: The Symbolism Of Goddess Durga's Weapons

Durga Puja 2024: The festival celebrates the triumph of Goddess Durga over evil. Her weapons symbolise different powers, reflect the divine qualities that empower devotees to overcome challenges.

Durga Puja 2024

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Durga Puja 2024: Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival celebrated primarily in the Indian state of West Bengal and by the Bengali community worldwide. It honours Goddess Durga and symbolises the victory of good over evil. The festival usually lasts for ten days and ends on the last day, Dashami, with the immersion of the beautiful statue of Goddess Durga. Devotees participate in prayers, cultural performances, and festivals, making it a celebration of art, culture, and spirituality.

Goddess Durga’s ten hands carry ten divine weapons, bestowed upon her by various gods. These weapons symbolise essential traits of human behaviour that everyone should embody. Her ten arms signify her protective nature, safeguarding her devotees from all directions, across the eight cardinal points, as well as from above and below.

The 10 Weapons Of Goddess Durga

1. Trishul/ Trident

Central to Maa Durga's arsenal is the Trishul, a formidable trident with three pointed tips. Gifted to her by Lord Shiva, the Trishul embodies three fundamental qualities of humanity: Satya (truth and purity), Tamas (inertia and lethargy), and Rajat (excessive activity and desire).

2. Kharga/ Sword

The sword, gifted by Lord Ganesh, embodies the brilliance of knowledge and the clarity of wisdom. Its sharp blade symbolises the keen intellect that pierces through ignorance and duality, representing the power of discernment.

3. Spear

The Spear, bestowed upon Maa Durga by Agni Dev, the God of Fire, symbolises auspiciousness. In Hindu mythology, this weapon represents her discerning nature, allowing her to differentiate between right and wrong, while embodying her fierce power.

4. Axe

Maa Durga received an Axe from Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect. This weapon signifies her fearless stance against evil, highlighting her courage to confront challenges and her dual capacity to create and destroy.

5. Bow And Arrow

Maa Durga was bestowed with the Bow and Arrow by Vayu Dev, the God of Air, along with Pawandev and Suryadev. Together, they symbolise energy. The bow signifies potential energy, while the arrow represents kinetic energy. This duo reflects Goddess Durga's mastery over all forms of energy in the universe.

6. Vajra/ Thunderbolt

The Vajra, a powerful weapon gifted by Lord Indra, symbolises unwavering spirit and resilience. It represents the perseverance of the soul and the strength of determination. Maa Durga empowers her devotees with the courage to confront challenges boldly.

7. Snake

The divine Snake, representing consciousness and the masculine energy of Lord Shiva, signifies the journey from a lower state of awareness to a higher one. It embodies both the essence of consciousness and the transformative energy of Lord Shiva.

8. Sudarshan Chakra/ Discus

The Sudarshan Chakra, bestowed upon Maa Durga by Lord Vishnu, symbolises the eternal wheel of time and the cyclical nature of existence. This powerful weapon positions the Goddess at the center of creation, with the universe orbiting around her. The Chakra calls upon humanity to demonstrate loyalty, love, and devotion to Goddess Durga.

9. Shankh/ Conch Shell

The conch shell, gifted to Goddess Durga by Lord Varuna, symbolises the primordial sound 'AUM,' from which all creation arose. It represents the universe's inception and possesses the power to dispel negative energies.

10. Gada/ Mace

The mace symbolises the power to dispel ignorance and conquer obstacles. It represents strength, courage, and the capacity to overcome challenges. The mace is believed to circulate around the body, harnessing life force, much like the Earth orbits the Sun.