Maa Durga, Protect us from head to toe

Goddess Durga is believed to be the power behind creation, preservation and destruction of everything in this world. The word "Durga" is originated from a Hindi word "Durg" which means fort, a place which is difficult to invade. Many other believers assume the origin of the word "Durga" from word "Durgatinashini" which means "one who eliminates suffering". Hindu devotees believe that Goddess Durga protests them in every way possible. Every direction ( cardinal direction) is taken by one form of Goddess Durga and they all protect devotees with their divine powers. Another faith is for our body. Each body part is conserved by a form of Goddess Durga. So here are, few verses from Durga Sapt-Shati, delineating how our body is being looked after by Maa Durga (highlighted in bold are forms of Maa Durga):

"May I be Protected by Maladhari on the forehead, Yashswini on the eye-brows, Trinetra between the eye-brows, Yamaghanta on the nose, Shankini on both the eyes, Dwaravasini on the ears, may Kalika Protect my cheeks and Shankari the roots of the ears.

May I be Protected by Sugandha-nose, Charchika-lip, Amrtakala-lower lip, Saraswati-tongue, Kaumari-teeth, Chandika-­throat, Chitra-ghanta-soundbox, Mahamaya-crown of the head, Kamakshi-chin, Sarvamangala-speech, Bhadrakali-neck, Dhanurdhari-back.

May Neelagreeva Protect the outer part of my throat and Nalakoobari-windpipe, may Khadgini Protect my shoulders and Vajra-dharini Protect my arms.

May Devi Dandini Protect both my hands, Ambika-fingers, Shooleshwari my nails and may Kuleshwari Protect my belly.

May I be Protected, by Mahadevi-breast, Shuladharini-abdomen, Lalita Devi-heart, Kamini-navel, Guhyeshwari-hidden parts, Pootana Kamika-reproductive organs, Mahishavasini-excretory organ.

May Goddess Bhagavati Protect my waist, Vindhyavasini-knees and the wish-fulfilling Mahabala may Protect my hips.

May Narashini Protect my ankles. May Taijasi Protect my feet, may Shri Protect my toes. May Talavasini Protect the soles of my feet.
May Danshtrakarali Protect my nails, Urdhvakeshini-hair, Kauberi-pores, Vagishwari-skin.

May Goddess Parvati Protect blood, marrow of the bones, fat and bone; Goddess Kalaratri-intestines. Mukuteshwari-bile and liver.

May Padmavati Protect the Chakras, Choodamani-phlegm (or lungs), Jwalamukhi lustre of the nails and Abhedya-all the joints.
Brahmani-semen, Chhatreshwari the shadow of my body, Dharmadharini-ego, superego and intellect (buddhi).

Vajrahasta-pran, apan, vyan, udan, saman (five vital breaths), Kalyanashobhana-pranas (life force).

May Yogini Protect the sense organs, that is, the faculties of tasting, seeing, smelling, hearing and touching.

Varahi-the life, Vaishnavi-dharma, Lakshmi-success and fame, Chakrini-wealth and knowledge.

Indrani-relatives, Chandika-cattle, Mahalakshmi-children and Bhairavi-spouse.

Supatha may Protect my journey and Kshemakari my way. Mahalakshmi may Protect me in the king's court and Vijaya everywhere."

In my family, especially my mother has a firm belief on the dynamism of above verse. This may not be an interesting post (I know, I admit) but I thought to share it as #Mondaymommymoments post because my mother has been chanting this verse since last many years. Whenever anyone goes to a new place or is going for any important work, chanting these lines is assumed imperative. Although I am not sure about the power veiled in above lines, the divination of my mother always gives me a positive intuition about it. For few things, we don't try to analyse logically, measuring it based on efforts and outcomes. And worshipping God is one such thing. Isn't it?

May Maa Durga protects all of us from all evil and unpleasant happenings. 

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