Shantadurga is a manifestation of Goddess Shakti. This is a peaceful form of Goddess Durga. She got the name Shanta Durga Devi after she manifested to create peace between warring Shiva and Vishnu.
Legend has it that a fierce fight broke out between Shiva and Vishnu. Brahma who realized that the fight would usher in total destruction and end of universe prayed to Mother Goddess Shakti for peace and protection.
Legend has it that a fierce fight broke out between Shiva and Vishnu. Brahma who realized that the fight would usher in total destruction and end of universe prayed to Mother Goddess Shakti for peace and protection.
Goddess Shakti appeared in the form of Shantadurga and put an end to the fight.
Goddess Shantadurga form of Goddess Shakti is worshipped at the famous Shanta Durga Devi Temple in Goa . The murti of Shantadurga is seen here between the murti of Shiva and Vishnu.
Symbolically, the story of Shantadurga illustrates that without Mother Goddess, the earth will be barren and will be soon destroyed. What keeps the earth moving forward is the feminine aspect.
In this story, Shiva represents transformation and Vishnu represents preservation. The human mind wants to avoid transformation. There is a constant fight. Mother Goddess Durga then makes a devotee realize that all forms have appeared from her womb and there is no separate existence.
This form of Goddess Durga is widely worshipped in Goa, Coastal Maharashtra and Coastal Karnataka.
In this story, Shiva represents transformation and Vishnu represents preservation. The human mind wants to avoid transformation. There is a constant fight. Mother Goddess Durga then makes a devotee realize that all forms have appeared from her womb and there is no separate existence.
This form of Goddess Durga is widely worshipped in Goa, Coastal Maharashtra and Coastal Karnataka.