NavDurga, why ?

[McKitty]

Vanakkam everyone !

Sorry for not being very active, I'm currently in the US for summer work, and I don't have many time to spend <___<"

Hm, I wanted to ask question about Maa Durga and Her nine forms...Well, if each of these forms IS a minor part of the power of the Godess, why so many Durgas instead of One ?

This may be a very stupid question I agree...Yet I can't help but wonder why.

One day I came across a story related to Maa Durga, I can't remember the name or the details of this story, forgive me, if you have any link or information regarding this, it would be welcome !
Basically the story was when the earth was apparently dying. People were starving and prayer for Maa Durga for food. She appeared and created a Godess from Her to feed the people. People asked for water, She created another Godess to make the rain...

So, in this story, the Godesses created are all a part of, and of the powers of Maa Durga Herself. But why did She had to do that ? For exemple to make the water and the food abunding, She could have done it in all Her glorious form...So why depicting so much aspects of the same Godess ?


Aum Namah Shivaya
Jai Maa Durga !

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste McKitty,

You are thinking of Maa Shakambari and Maa Shatakshi-
here is a link that addresses the stories you speak of, and should help you
to begin understanding why Devi has many forms and names... after a more
basic ground for understanding this has been achieved, then looking into
the more detailed aspects of why the number 9 is significant, etc. should
be considered...

It must be mentioned that Devi in the form of Maa Annapurna never turns
away the hungry, and it was mindfulness of Her example that prevented
my reply consisting of

Are you so lazy to just research it ? ...

JAI MATA DI

[Eastern Mind]

Vanakkam everyone !

Sorry for not being very active, I'm currently in the US for summer work, and I don't have many time to spend <___<"

Vannakkam: Where are you? There should be some decent temples around somewhere close.

Aum Namasivaya

[McKitty]

Vanakkam,

Thank you for the link JaiMaaDurga ! Well, I wasn't lazy, I just had no name, no idea of the name of the story, nothing to search for D: I checked google without results unfortunately, so I decided to ask here if someone could answer or even just enlighten me about the story and the names of the Godesses so I can search by myself !
I never though about the symbolism of 9 ! I'll look on that too !
Thank you very much for your answer

Eastern Mind: I'm currently in Seattle ! If anyone is near the area, we can go together if any want!

Aum Namah Shivaya

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste McKitty,

You are most welcome-
I am glad you found the link helpful, and are inspired to learn more


The question on being lazy was a paraphrase of your own reply
to BlueJayWay's question about the meaning of the Gita

JAI MATA DI

[McKitty]

Vanakkam,

Thank you very much JaiMaaDurga, Durga Maa is such a wonderful Devi, I have a book always with me, there is many hymns and her Glories, but there is no mention of this story and those Devi =O

Don t worry I knew you were meaning that x3 I just didn t wanted you to really believe that I was a very lazy person

Thank you again, Jai Maa Durga !

Aum Namah Shivaya

[ShivaFan]

Namaste

Temples in Seattle Washington:

HINDU TEMPLE & CULTURAL CENTER, 3818 212TH ST SE, BOTHELL WA 98021 (425) 483-7115 Greater Seattle area. We are open 8AM-1PM (New Timings) (Priest services till 11AM) and 6:30PM-8:30PM on weekdays and 10AM-8:30PM on weekends. Mix denomination, ten murthis, South Influence

ISKCON 1420, 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA 98075 Ph 425-391-3293 Hare Krishna HG Hari Vilas Das (425) 246 8436
Nanda Suta Das (206) 992 7598

Sanatana Dharma Temple 19826 SE 232 ST, Maple Valley, WA 98038 Phone: (425) 413-8900 Hanuman, Lakshmi, Shiva Lingam, mix denomination, North influence

Sanatana Dharma Temple 14320 NE 21st Street, Suite 16
(close to the intersection of I-405 and WA 520) Bellevue, WA 98007 See above same organization

Sri Venkateshwara Temple 18109 NE 76th St. Suite 108, Redmond, WA 98052 Phone 425-367-4532 Temple Hours M-F: 8.30am - 10.30am, 6pm-8pm; Sat/Sun:10am - 1pm, 6pm-8pm Venkateswar, Hanuman, Pancha Mookhaa Hanuman, Subramanya, Narasingha

OTHER...
Jain Society of Seattle ( Meets at Hindu Temple and Cultural Center)3818 212th St SE, Bothell WA 98021 (425) 483-7115

Om Namah Sivaya

[McKitty]

Vanakkam,

Thank you very much Shivafan ! A while ago I asked about temples and Seattle and was given a link listing them, but it was apparently old and many links were outdated or didn't worked...

I will look again with what you said

Thank you so much for taking the time to list this, really !

Is anyone near Seattle or been to one of these temples ? Apparently not, but I ask just in case !


Thank you again


Aum Namah Shivaya

[ShivaFan]

Namaste

I do not know the answer to your question, because there are many answers just as there are many manifestations of Mother. But one answer has to do with giving a devotee the privilege to do a pilgrimage to tirthas and to find moksha in the way of Bhakti. For example you could do prilgimage to nine temples or tirthas to Durga.

This is of course difficult Yatra (pilgrimage). But there is an easy way to do a Nav Durga Yatra. Please go to Kashi Varanasi. Then go see with your eyes these nine Gauri temples... You will obtain unimaginable benefit if you love Devi. You can obtain Moksha.


Mukhnirmalika Gauri
Mukhnirmalika Gauri is located at K.3/42, Hanumanji temple at Gai Ghat.  Devotees can travel upto Gaighat area behind Machhodari by rickshaw and walk to this place on  foot, by asking for directions.  Alternatively, they can take a boat ride upto Gai Ghat and climb the steps. Devotees who worship Mukhnirmalika Gauri will obtain happiness and prosperity in life.

Mangla Gauri
This Murthi was established by Lord Surya as instructed by Shiva.
Unmarried girls will soon find a suitable match if Devi Mangla Gauri is visited. She is also associated with Sun Beams or Rays that give a very special benediction. Mangala Gauri is located at K-24/34, Panchganga Ghat.  Devotees can travel upto Bhaironath by auto or cycle rickshaw and walk upto this place.  Mangala Gauri temple is a famous landmark. Alternatively, they can take a boat ride upto Panchganga Ghat and reach this temple through Ghats.

Lalita Gauri
Wealth and prosperity are yours as this Devi awaits you. But there is much more. Lalita Gauri is present at Ck.1/67, Lalita Ghat. If one desires to walk on foot, he will have to travel upto Dasaswamedh by rickshaw and walk through the Ghats upto Lalita Ghat and climb the steps.  If the devotee is already in the Gullies in the vicinity, Nepali Pasupati Mandir is an important landmark.

Vishalakshi Gauri
This is a Shakti Peeth. It is One of the Three, Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kashi Vishalakshi. Adi Visalakshi ki jai! Devotees can find Vishalakshi temple at D.3/85, Mir Ghat. They can travel upto Dasaswamedh Vishwanath Gulli or Bansphatak Vishwanath Gulli by rickshaw and walk on foot to this place.  Devotees generally combine prayers at this temple alongwith darshan of Visweshwar / Annapurna temple.

Mahalakshmi Gauri
This is a Shakti Peeth. Devotees who worship Mahalakshmi will attain Siddhis. Mahalakshmi is located at D.52/40, Lakshmi Kund. This temple and the locality (Lakshmi Kund) are quite famous and people can approach this place through Luxa by rickshaw.

Jyeshta Gauri
The girl who may be most unfortunate and comes to Jyeshta Gauri will become Most Fortunate indeed. She is located at K-63/24, Sapt Sagar Mohalla. The temple is approachable from a famous locality called Maidagin.  People can approach Maidagin by Auto or Cycle Rickshaw or even car.  From Maidagin it is advisable to walk on foot. A famous landmark near this temple is the Kashi Devi Temple

Saubhagya Gauri
Happiness and prosperity are yours. Sowbhagya Gauri is located at Ck.38/8, Adi Vishwanath Temple.  If a devotee travels from Bansphatak to Chowk, after crossing flower market (on the left side), there is a flight of steps leading to a fairly big ground and Shiva temple.  On the right side of the ground (north side), the devotee will find Sowbhagya Gauri.

Sringaar Gauri
Gauri is located behind Gyanvapi Masjid (mosque) and Darshan is allowed only on two days in an year. However, devotees worship this deity in Vishwanath (Visweshwar) temple premises marked as Annapurna Devi.  Kindly refer Visveshwar temple regarding directions to reach the place. Happiness is yours very easily.

Bhavani Gauri
Bhavani Gauri is located at D.8/38, Ram Mandir annexed to the premises of Annapurna Devi. The deity is located between Kali Devi and Jagannath. Regarding directions to reach this place, kindly refer to Visweshwar temple. Rest and peace is yours.

Have you heard of the Nav Durga Yantra? You may have but just in case, the Markandeya Puran contains information on the mystic power of it.

Om Aing Hring Kling Chaamundaayai Vichchai

[McKitty]

Vanakkam,

Thank you so much Shivafan ! I know pilgrimage must be very difficult, but I intend to do at last one in my life. Being born in a non-hindu family, and not living in India, I humbly go on the path of Bhakti. It may be for my life, or just for now, who can say? I'm still young !

Having Darshan of Devi on those places must be so wonderful, but I'm wondering, my heart belonging to Lord Shiva. But who see Shiva see Devi, who see Devi see Shiva, there's no difference, just a play !

I'll keep those informations preciously !

Unfortunately, after locating the temples at Seattle you gave me, it seems they are really too far away from where I am...Each temple is like, one to two hours of public transportation, and I can't skip class to go there...And I don't have a car too. Well, I live with a very kind Iranian man for the month now, and he have a car, but I can't ask him to bring me there as he is very tired each time he come back to work....So, I guess I'll have to wait.

The same day I come back to France, it's Ganesha's festival in Paris ! It's a really, really, really big festival and the streets got very crowded as everyone want to see the murthi, I'll try to be there and be a part of it !


I don't know about the NavDurga Yantra, isn't Tantra ? I'm not looking for any siddhi or fulfillement of material desire, in fact I never pray for those...But if it can bring more knowledge and bhakti, and if it's okay to look at it without a guru, then I'll look for it.

Thank again for all those informations ! This is very wonderful, you are very kind persons !

Aum Namah Shivaya

Jai Maa Durga !