22 Mantra, Sloka And Prayer PoemsLakshmi is the goddess of wealth. Wealth and riches are gained by
the grace of Lakshmi. Goddess Durga protects humankind from
mishaps and dangers. So another name of goddess Durga is
Bipattarii or protector from danger. She removes the distress of
human beings. So Durgotinashini or destroyer of distress is another
name of Durga.
The images of gods and goddesses are placed in temples or houses.
Some deities are worshipped every day and some are on particular
days. For example, the puja of god Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi is
performed every day. They are called Griho-devata or house-gods.
On the other hand, Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Brahma Puja etc are
performed on particular 'tithi' or lunar days and moments.
Some gods and goddesses are described below.
Durga
Durga is the goddess of power. She is the cumulative expression of
all the powers of the universe. She is the mother-symbol of Ishwara.
She has many names. Mahamaya, Bhagabati, Chandi, Mahalakshmi,
Mahakali are some of them. Durga killed a demon called Durgom.
She destroys durgoti or distress. So she is given the name Durga.
The complexion of goddess Durga is as bright yellow. It is the
colour of Atoshi flowers. Her face is as beautiful as a full-moon. She
is trinoyona or three-eyed. Her one eye is in the middle of her
forehead. There is a curved moon on one side of her head. Lion is
her carriage. Durga has ten hands. So she is also called Doshabhuja
or ten-handed. She holds ten weapons in her ten hands.
We find goddess Durga in battle dress. She fights with the weapons
in her ten hands. She punishes the evil and noursihes the good.