07/04/2022
The Vahana of Goddess Durga as we see with her is the lion. In Hindu iconography, positive aspects of the vehicle are often emblematic of the deity that it carries. Nandi the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. Parvani the peacock, vehicle of Skanda, represents splendor and majesty. The hamsa, vehicle of Saraswati, represents wisdom, grace and beauty.
However, the vehicle animal also symbolizes the evil forces over which the deity dominates. Mounted on Parvani, Skanda reins in the peacock's vanity. Seated on Mushika, Ganesh crushes useless thoughts, which multiply like rats in the dark. Lord Shani, protector of property and Lord of justice, has a vulture, raven or crow in which he represses thieving tendencies. Under Shani's influence, the Vahana can make even malevolent events bring hope.
According to the Puranas while the Gods gave Devi Maa the different weapons to slay Mahishasura , it is the mountain King Himavat who gave her a lion to ride on. The Vahana of Maa Durga is known by different names like Kesari, Somnandi and Dawon. The lion is a symbol of uncontrolled animalistic tendencies (such as anger, arrogance, selfishness, greed, jealousy, desire to harm others etc.) and Devi sitting on it reminds us to control these qualities, so that we are not controlled by them.
Durga is the Goddess of power or the supreme energy (Shakti) and Lion or Tiger are like embodiments of power which are controlled by the Goddess. There are different stories of devi getting the lion as the vahana. As per another legend, once Devi Parvati being called kali by Mahadev started meditating in a forest to gain her Mahagauri Swaroop . While she was meditating , a lion came by in order to eat her but when the lion saw it was Devi, he started guarding her so that no one could disturb her. After Devis tapas was over, she blessed the lion to be her vehicle who guarded her out of devotion.✨🕉🍃🌼🌈👁🌷🏔🍂🔱💟💀🍃🌙📿⌛️🌺🍂🐍🐚🔆🍃🌀🔔🌈🍂🌸🌻🏔✨
Jai Maa Gauri ~ Jai Bhawani ! ✨🕉🍃🌼🌈👁🌷🏔🍂🔱💟💀🍃🌙📿⌛️🌺🍂🐍🐚🔆🍃🌀🔔🌈🍂🌸🌻🏔✨