The Invincible Adya Shakti

The Markandeya Purana's Devi Mahatmayam, also known as Chandi or Durga Saptashati, narrates the story of how Goddess Ambika was created, in the second canto, Madhyam Charita, verses 6-13. The devas come to Shiv and Vishnu and tell them, how Mahishasur has thrown them out of heaven. 'We seek shelter under you both,' they say.

'May both of you be pleased to think out the means of his destruction.' Hearing this, Vishnu was angry and so was Shiv, and Brahma, whose faces became fierce and full of frowns. A great light issued forth from the angry faces of Vishnu, Shiv and Brahma. The devas witnessed a blazing mountain of light whose raging flames pervaded all quarters.

Then, that unique light that emerged from the bodies of angry devas and the teen murtis, its lustre pervading all three worlds, merged into one and thence emerged a fiery female form. Ambika was born. She is also known as Ma Durga who, with her multiple hands carrying weapons of different kinds from the gods, overpowered Mahishasur.


Ambika is really Adya Shakti, the primordial energy force. In a metaphorical sense, her energy is meant to protect us and strengthen our inner nature, making it a great source of internal power. Whether she is invoked as Durga, Kali, Bhagwati or Ambika, she is seen as the provider of strength and confidence, hence, she is shown seated on a tiger or lion, having sublimated negative emotions and forces.