REFLECTION OF SHAKTI SWARUPAPARVATI

Godess Parvati is the appearance of Prakriti (Nature) also besides being shakti and the mother of the universe. All the organisms have arisen out of the Nature, hence She is called as Jagadamba. Mother Parvati s also known by other names viz : Durga, Kaali etc. But despite having so many names she is one in appearance.

SCRIPTURAL DESCRIPTION OF SHAKTI

VIDHUDDAMA SAMAPRABHAM 

MRIAPATISKANDHASTHITAM BHEESHANAM |

KANYABHIN KARAVALA SHWETA 

VILASATHASTABHIRA SEVITAM ||

HASTAISHCHAKRA GADAS KHETA 

VICHIKHANSHCHAPAM GUNAM TARJANIGRA |

VIBHRANAMANALATMIKAN SHASHIDHARAM 

DURGAM TRINETRA BHAJE ||

Meaning : I pray to Goddess Durga, who has a shinning like a moon; who rides the lion,who holds many types of weapons; who has a fire like flare, who bears the moon, I pray to such Goddess Durga.

REASON FOR THE LION BEING HER VEHICLE

Lion is also known as Mrigaraj. The greatest merit of the lion is that it mates only once in a year. Hence it is not a sexy animal. Thus riding the lion, Bhagawati preaches the people that if they suppress their sensual desires, they will soon find an abode in Shiva Loka near Lord Shiva. Otherwise, they will remain wandering in the never-ending search of their sensual desires only. 

REASON FOR HOLDING WEAPONS

With those weapons, Goddess had exterminated many formidable demons like Mahishasura that symbolized darkness. Thus she hints that no one must take women for granted, and never take them as powerless, dependent,and meant for fulfillment of their lust. They are second to none in bravery and are a meant to assure a place in the second world (Paraloka).Hence, the weapons in the hands of Bhagawati hint to honor the women or they may break upon you as calamities. Hence it is better to see them as mother, sister and daughter. Policy also says:

MATRIVAT PARDARESHU PARA DRAVYESHLOSHTHAVATA |

ATMVAT SARVABHUTESHU YAHPASHYATI SAHPANDITAH ||

Meaning : One who sees the other women as his mother, the others wealth as a lump of earth, is definitely the most virtues (Mahapandita)

The beautiful Goddess Mother Bhagawati or Durga, who represents the combined powers of all the gods, holds divine weapons in all of her eight arms that guard the eight directions. This is the main appearance of Shakti.