Goddess Durga is the fierce form of Devi who, as shakti, is considered the personification of Universal energy. According to the Devi Bhagavata, the universe is but her manifestation. The worship of Durga is believed to be more than 4,000 years old in India.

The basic dynamism of God has been defined in Indian philosophy as nature or Prakriti which is supposed to be Primeval Power that has been visualized from time immemorial as 'Adyashakti' by seers and thinkers.'Adyashakti' is again the integral active form of God keeping the entire cosmos in control while Her manifestation has been portrayed by the artists and sculptors of ancient India as the Supreme Goddess Mahamaya, the creative force of the Universe. That is why She is also known as Brahmani which is an epithet of Durga. The genesis of the concept of the Supreme Goddess Mahamaya is to be found in the prevailing faith of a great number of people on the supremacy of matriarchal culture. Mahamaya or Brahmani is also known as Durga, Chamunda, Chanda, Kali, Amba and Mahishasurmardini. These violent forms of Mahamaya denote her victory over the vicious and sinful elements. She is represented on these various violent forms as a slayer of demons and sinners. She is also represented as Maha Sarasvati, the great Goddess of learning and absolute Knowledge. She is as well represented as MahaLakshmi, the great Goddess of wealth, beauty and Bliss. Like the Triad of Brahma, the God of Creation, Vishnu the God of Protection and Mahesh the God of Destruction, Mahamaya also assumes the role of Creation, Protection and Destruction. Durga or MahaKali destroys the wicked while Maha Lakshmi and Maha Sarasvati uphold Virtue, spread enlightenment and grant power and prosperity while offering protection. In this volume we present select stories about Durga. The stories allegorically describe struggles between gods and demons and teach the human race to hope that eventually truth and justice prevail. The stories are designed for children and are accompanied with beautiful illustrations.

Includes the following titles: Sati and Shiva Shiva and Parvati, Tales of Durga

Durga, as this powerful warrior-goddess is known, Has nine special forms-each one unique, not just a clone. Shailaputri, Brahmacharini and Chandraghanta, Kushmanda and Skandamata, Katyayani and Kaalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri . . . They are the Nava Durga, Worshipped during Navaratri, The festival of nine nights and nine days That's celebrated across India and the world in myriad ways To praise the goddesses and their glory. This is their story!

Only Sati could fulfill Shiva's exacting demands. As his companion she could match his ascetic ways as well as be a loving wife. Unfortunately, her happiness was overshadowed by an arrogant father. Sati countered Daksha's insensitivity with an immense, ho

Vishnu, they say, is just one of a powerful threesome, the highest lords of the universe. However, though Brahma has created the universe and Shiva can destroy it, it is up to the great god Vishnu to keep all creatures within it well and happy. Always compassionate, he is also the wisest of the trinity. It is he who good-naturedly sorts out the mess the others create and above all, Vishnu always favors the good and the pure.

Vritra, the invincible asura, was created by Sage Twashta to avenge the death of his son, Vishwarupa, who had been killed by Indra. There was no weapon in the arsenal of the gods that could stop Vritra as he went on a rampage. Indra and the gods appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu told them that only a weapon made from the bones of Sage Dadhichi would kill Vritra. The battle between Vritra and Indra was first told in the Rigveda. The version used here is taken from the Bhagawat Purana.