Navratri Special: Role of Maa Durga in Krishna Consciousness
When we think of Navratri 2025, the image that comes to mind is of energetic garba nights, colorful outfits, and grand festivities. But is Mātā Rānī’s true mercy found merely in dancing during Navratri? In reality, her deepest blessings come when we understand her actual mood and role as described in the scriptures. That is the true secret to pleasing her. Let us explore some śāstric principles and wondrous pastimes that reveal her real glory.
Who is Durga Devi?
The word Durga comes from Durg — meaning a fort that is very difficult to cross. Thus, Durga Devi is the superintendent of this universal prison, the jailer of the material world. With her three-pronged trishul of the three modes of material nature (sattva, rajas, tamas), she binds the conditioned souls in karmic reactions. Far from being ordinary, this is her exalted service to the Lord. She manages the cosmic prison under His direction.
Krishna’s Birth and Durga’s Role
During Krishna’s appearance, Vasudeva carried baby Krishna from the Mathurā prison to Gokul, and exchanged Him with baby Yogamāyā born of Mother Yaśodā. When Kaṁsa attempted to kill that child, she transformed into a vast, divine form of Durga and declared: “Fool! How will you kill me? The child who will destroy you has already been born elsewhere!” Here we see how Durga Devi assists the Lord in His pastimes, fulfilling her role in service to Him.
In the Bhagavad Gītā, Krishna Himself says:
mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sacarācaram (BG 9.10)
“This material nature is working under My direction, O son of Kuntī, and is producing all moving and unmoving beings.” This proves that material nature, personified as Durga, does not act independently but only under Krishna’s supervision.
The Story of Chandidās
In the 15th century, there lived a wealthy devotee of Goddess Kālī named Chandidās. Though rich, he was a staunch worshiper of Kali. His brother, however, was very poor but a sincere devotee of Krishna, worshiping Śāligrām. One day, the brother saw beautiful flowers in Chandidās’s garden and mentally offered one to Krishna. That evening, when Chandidās performed his usual Kali worship, the goddess actually manifested and said: “Today I am especially pleased with you.” Surprised, Chandidās asked why, since he performed the same worship every day. Mother replied: “Today you offered me the flower that had already been offered to my Lord, Krishna. That is why I am delighted.” Shaken by this revelation, Chandidās later became a great devotee of Krishna and composed devotional poetry so sweet that even Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself relished them. This story shows that the easiest way to please Durga is by offering devotion to her Lord, Krishna. Whatever is offered to Krishna becomes most dear to her.
Brahmā’s Prayer:
sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana-śaktir ekā
chāyeva yasya bhuvanāni bibharti durgā
“Durga Devi, empowered by the Lord, conducts creation, maintenance, and destruction under His command.”
Haridās Ṭhākura Tested by Māyā:
Namācārya Śrīla Haridās Ṭhākura, who chanted three hundred thousand names of Krishna daily, was once tested by Māyādevī herself. She approached him with beauty, charm, and sweet words, trying to distract him. But Haridās was unmoved and instead initiated Māyā herself into chanting Krishna’s holy names! This shows: one who firmly holds onto Krishna bhakti cannot be disturbed by Māyā.
The Deliverance of Jada Bharat:
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (5th Canto) narrates how robbers once captured the devotee Jada Bharat, intending to sacrifice him to Goddess Kāli. When they tried to kill him, Goddess Kali burst out of her deity form, furious. She slew those very robbers — her own so-called worshipers — and rescued the devotee. This proves that Durga loves Krishna’s devotees even more than her own followers.
Internal vs. External Energy:
Durga is the external energy (bahiranga śakti) of the Lord, binding souls in the material world. On the other hand, Yogamāyā is the internal energy, helping devotees connect with Krishna. Just as a prisoner wears jail clothing, the soul wears the body made of the five elements under Durga’s supervision. But in Krishna’s shelter, the soul becomes free.
Caitanya-caritāmṛta says:
kṛṣṇa—sūrya-sama; māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra
“Krishna is like the sun, and Māyā is darkness. Where there is Krishna, there can be no darkness of illusion.”
Mother Parvati’s Bhakti:
Even Mother Pārvatī showed her devotion to Krishna. On Śiva’s instruction, she performed austerities in Navadvīpa and obtained the dust of Lord Gaurāṅga’s lotus feet, placing it on her hair parting. The place became famous as Sīmanta-dvīpa. The Padma Purāṇa also records Pārvatī asking Śiva: “Who is the supreme
object of worship?” Śiva replied:
ārādhanānām sarveṣām viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param
tasmāt parataraṁ devi tadīyānām samarcanam
“Of all types of worship, worship of Lord Viṣṇu is supreme. Higher still is the worship of His devotees.”
Our Prayer:
So, what should our prayer to Mātā Rānī be? Not merely for worldly pleasures, but: “O Mother, please bless me with Krishna-bhakti. Free me from the bondage of karma and material illusion. Let me take shelter of Yogamāyā and the lotus feet of Śrī Krishna — the ultimate goal of life.”
As Krishna promises in the Gītā (7.14):
daivī hy eṣā guṇamayī mama māyā duratyayā
mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te
“This divine energy of Mine is very difficult to overcome. But those who surrender unto Me can easily cross beyond it.”
Navratri celebrations and garba are joyful, but the real secret of pleasing Mātā Rānī lies in understanding her mood: she is most pleased when we worship her Lord, Krishna. By surrendering to Him, we naturally receive her mercy, protection, and blessings. May we all seek that divine blessing — to go Back Home, Back to Godhead.
Importance of Donating During Navratri
Navratri is a time of devotion and seva. Acts of daan (charity) during these days bring multiplied blessings, purify the heart, and please Maa Durga (Donate here). True worship of the Divine Mother is complete when we also serve her children.
