Hinduism

The Concise Oxford... World Encyclopedia A Dictionary of First Names The Oxford Dictionary of... Further reading

Durgā

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Durgā. The one who is difficult to approach, among Hindus the fearsomely protective aspect of Śiva's consort (see Mahādevī in Devī), a slayer of demons who threaten the dharma of creation. Notable among these was the buffalo-demon Mahiṣa, who could not be slain by man or beast. Durgā being both a woman and divine, slew the creature easily (hence her name, Mahiṣāsuramardiṇī), using weapons given her by the gods.

Durgā, the ten-armed, is shown carrying a variety of weapons, and accompanied by her vehicle, a lion or tiger, symbolic of her ferocity and aggression. She is supported by eight demonesses (yoginī), whose task it is to finish the destruction. Durgā is considered as another aspect of Kālī, and, like her, is a popular deity in Bengal, where Durga-pūja, celebrated Oct.–Nov., is a major festival. Unlike Kālī, Durgā is shown as beautiful, though warlike. See also ŚAKTI; DAŚAHRĀ.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Durgā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Durgā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Durg.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Durgā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Durg.html

Learn more about citation styles

Durga

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Durga In the Hindu pantheon, one of the names of the wife of Shiva. Depicted as a 10-armed goddess, she is both destructive and beneficent but is worshipped today as a warrior against evil. Her festival, the Durga-puja, which occurs in September or October, is an occasion for family reunions.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Durga." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Durga." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Durga.html

"Durga." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Durga.html

Learn more about citation styles

Durga

A Dictionary of First Names | 2006 | | Copyright

Durga ♀ Sanskrit: ‘inaccessible’, an epithet of the wife of Shiva, because of her propensity for prolonged meditation. Durga represents her terrifying form, reflecting her anger when disturbed.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Durga." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Durga." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Durga.html

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Durga." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Durga.html

Learn more about citation styles

Durga

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

Durga in Hindu mythology, a fierce goddess, wife of Shiva, often identified with Kali. She is usually depicted riding a tiger or lion and slaying the buffalo demon, and with eight or ten arms.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Durga." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Durga." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Durga.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Durga." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Durga.html

Learn more about citation styles

Durga

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Durga see Hinduism .

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Durga." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Durga." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Durga.html

"Durga." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Durga.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	The goddess Durga in the East-Javanese period. Magazine article from: Asian Folklore Studies; 10/1/1997
	Sandhang-pangan for the goddess: offerings to Sang Hyan Bathari Durga and... Magazine article from: Asian Folklore Studies; 10/1/1997
	Nepal's trailblazing Dalit feminist.(Making Waves)(Durga Sob) Magazine article from: New Internationalist; 5/1/2010