Goddess Durga

Durga is, perhaps, the most widely worshipped aspect of Sakti. An entire Purana, the Devibhagavatam, has been dedicated to her. Another work, more well known than the Devibhagavatam, but containing practically the same material in a concise form; is the Devimahatmyam. It is also known as the Durga saptasati, and forms a part of another well known Purana, the Markandeyapurana. This work is so highly venerated that every verse of it is considered to be a Mantra (sacred formula) of the Devi and its repetition is believed to confer whatever boons the votary prays for.

Literally 'Durga' means one who is difficult to approach, or difficult to know. Being the personification of the totality of the power of the gods, she is naturally difficult to approach or know. However, being the Mother of the universe, she is the personification of tender love, when supplicated.

Here, gracefully seated in the lalitasana on her mount the lion, she is eight-armed, each of which holds a different symbolic object. It is said that Durga was created out of the combined energies (shakti) of the male gods when they found themselves unable to combat the evil forces which threatened to upturn the ordered way of life, something analogous to the forces threatening the civilized structure of life today. In the end the Devi (goddess) succeeded where all the male forces could not.

This altar statue, created out of the finest quality white marble was sculpted in the city of Jaipur.

Reference:

Harshananda, Swami. Hindu Gods and Goddesses: Madras, 1987.