Durga Ashtami

Durga Ashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami or Veera Ashtami is one of the important days of Durga Puja. Devotees observe rigorous fast and worship Goddess Durga which symbolizes Shakti. The literal meaning of Durga is the strong and unconquered one. Ashtami means eighth day of the fortnight. It is often also ascribed significance with respect to the eight-armed Durga holding weapons to destroy her enemies and bless those who seek her protection.

Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of Navarathri festival and is celebrated on Ashtami tithi of the lunar month of Ashvina.

Legend

Maha Ashtami is the day when Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. Once Mahishasura conquered the earth and ruined the Dharma. He had a boon that “for every drop of blood which falls on earth from him one Mahishasura will be born”. With this boon he conquered every one and attacked the heavens. Everyone frightened with his fury, pleaded for help to “Maha Sakthi” (Devi). Then Devi incarnated among with all the 64 sakthies like “Bhadra Kali” on Aswayuja Sukla Ashtami day. She fought vigorously with Mahisha and stretched her tongue over the entire earth so that his blood would not drop on the earth and killed him on Maha Navami day. Thus Goddess Durga wiped out the evil Mahishasura and restored peace on the earth.

Significance of Durga Ashtami

People worship the eight manifestations of Goddess Durga with great devotion. Durga Ashtami hold a religious importance for the people in West Bengal and other eastern states of India. Rest of India celebrates it as a fasting day and worship Goddess Durga. In West Bengal it is the grandest festival celebrated all across the state. A fast is observed by staunch Durga devotees on Durga Ashtami. Both men and women observe the fast. On Durgashtami, devotees offer food and other dakshina to Brahmin. Kumari Puja is observed on Mahashtami in some places, a tradition that originated in North India to honor the kanjaks (young girls) in the home. A group of young, unmarried girls (a group of five or seven) are invited into the home to honor them. The tradition is based on the belief that each of these young girls, represents the Shakti (energy) of Durga on Earth. The group of girls are welcomed by washing their feet (a common ceremonial in India to welcome someone), welcoming them into the home, and then the rituals are done as Arati and Puja. After the rituals the girls are fed sweets and foods and honored with small gifts.

Spiritual Significance of Durga Ashtami

Goddess Durga is also known as Mahishasuramardini – the slayer of the demon Mahishasur who had tormented the sages for eons. But it has an inner meaning. Mahishasura indicates the “Tamas Guna” within us. According to the Indian philosophy there are three gunas called as Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas guna. Sattwa is best whereas Rajas is better but Tamas guna is the worst. But all these are to be conquered to attain liberation. We need Goddess Durga’s blessings to overcome the Tamas Guna. Durga Ashtami is a time to meditate on and be in Durga awareness and pray to Goddess Durga to overcome our Tamas guna.