As a view of Navratri 2025, devotees from all over the world prepared to celebrate the divine power of Maa Durga, the avatar of Shakti (Cosmic Energy). For nine nights and ten days, Navratri respects the nine forms of the Goddess, concluding in Vijayadashami, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
At the center of this festival, a powerful Asura, who could not beat any man or God, is a legend of Maa Durga against the demon Mahishasura. It was in this cosmic crisis that Tridevas – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva – along with all other gods, to jointly connect their divine energies, to make the supreme warrior goddess Maa Durga.
One of the most attractive aspects of this mythology is how Maa Durga received her ten weapons from the gods, each with a unique symbolic meaning and divine power. Let us find out this low-bound but powerful part of Navratri legend.
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The Origin of Maa Durga: Born of the Divine Energy
The story begins with Mahishasura, a shape-shifts demon king, who did intense penance to please Lord Brahma. A boon was given that no man or God could kill him, he exposed terror on earth and in heaven, defeated the gods and seized the control of the universe.
Unable to stop him, the gods sought help from Supreme Trinity- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. In response, the gods included their collective energy (Shakti) in the construction of a powerful goddess -Duga, also known as Mahadevi or Adishadi. She was made from the burnt light that came out of the body of all the gods, which was a symbol of a force beyond masculine divinity.
But the creation alone was not enough – Dura required weapons to destroy evil. When every god offered him his most powerful weapon, he represented his faith, power and blessings.
Ten weapons of Maa Durga – Gift from Gods
Each weapon symbolizes more than physical strength – it represents the internal qualities required to defeat values, divine qualities and negativity. Here is told how every God contributed:
1. Trishul (Trishul) – From Lord Shiva
Symbolism: Destruction of evil and ignorance
Trishul represents the balance of three forces: creation, protection and destruction. Shiva’s gift gave Durga the power to pierce through confusion and destroy the root of sorrow.
2. Sudarshan Chakra (discus) – from Lord Vishnu
Symbolism: Righteousness and cosmic order
Vishnu’s spinning discus reflects eternal law (religion). In the hands of Durga, it became a weapon to restore balance and protect the truth.
3. Shanku (Shankha) – From Varun (God of the oceans)
Symbolism: Divine sound and communication
Shankha symbolizes the victory and the holy sound “Om”, aligns Durga with cosmic vibration and alerts the world to the arrival of divine intervention.
4. Dhanush and arrows – from air and sun (wind and sun god)
Symbolism: Energy and direction
The bow represents potential energy, while the arrow represents kinetic energy. Together, they give Durga’s attention, purpose and ability to strike with accuracy.
5. Thunderbolt (Vajra) – From Indra (King of Gods)
Symbolism: courage and unbreakable
Vajra gave Durga the strength to the fortresses to face obstacles. It is a symbol of internal flexibility and determination.
6. Talwar – From Lord Ganesha (son of Shiva and Parvati)
Symbolism: Knowledge and intelligence
The sword is cut through ignorance and confusion. It shows the power of knowledge and clarity in war.
7. Ax – Lord Vishwakarma (divine architect)
Symbolism: Skill and Craftsmanship
The ax represents practical power, determination and ability to remove obstacles.
8. Spear (Shakti) – From Agni (God of Agni)
Symbolism: Furious devotion and penetrating truth
Spear incarnated power and purity. It burns impurities and evil with unbreakable intensity.
9. Club (Gada) – Lord Hanuman or Kubera (God of wealth)
Symbolism: Rights and Discipline
Gada stands for the power contained in humility and loyalty. This reminds us that strength should be used with righteousness.
10. Lotus – from Lord Brahma
Symbolism: Spiritual awakening and purity
Although there is not a weapon in the traditional sense, the lotus represents spiritual knowledge and contingent – the ability to remain unqualified between the chaos of the world.
Durga’s final battle against Mahishasura
Mother Durga faced Mahishasura in a famous battle for nine days and nights while riding an armed and a cruel lion armed with these divine weapons. On the tenth day -Vijayidashami (Dussehra) -He killed the demon, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the power of a divine woman.
Why does this story matters today
In today’s world, the story of Maa Durga, who receives weapons from the gods, resonates beyond religious symbolism:
- It speaks for cooperation and unity – even the gods had to come together to remove evil.
- Each weapon represents the qualities that we need to withstand modern challenges – breed, knowledge, clarity, flexibility and compassion.
- Mother Durga herself reminds of inner strength, showing that true power arises when we align with purpose and righteousness.
(This article means only for your general information. Zee News does not pledge for its accuracy or credibility.)