Ambe maa statue on lion

Goddess Durga symbolizes the divine forces known as Shakti (energy/power) that is used against the negative forces of evil. She protects her devotees from evil powers and safeguards them. Goddess Durga is the combined form of powers of Goddess Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. Her divine Shakti contains the combined energies of all the gods in the form of weapons and emblems. Goddess Durga/Amba maa is our Jagat Janni. She is Adishakti – our biggest strength. She is mother of the universe. She is Goddess Shakti, the prakriti, the creator. She is the energy, the power and in – behind the universe. The divine weapons of Goddess Durga are shank (conch), Sudarshan chakra, lotus, sword, bow and arrow, trishul, gada These all represents her teachings and how her energy flows in the whole universe. Maa Amba’s lion / tiger symbolizes unlimited power, it indicates that she possesses unlimited power and uses it to protect virtue and destroy the evil. Maa Durga /Amba represents the fundamental creative instinct underlying the cosmos and is the energizing force of all divinity of every being and everything.

INTRESTING FABLE-

Goddess Parvati (Durga/Amba) had to do severe penance to get shiva as her husband. She was absorbed in penance in Himalayas for many years. Lord Shiva appeared and blessed Maa Parvati with a boon to marry him. As per the legends after sometime of marriage, Lord Shiva called mother parvati as kali in pure humor. Her complexion had turned dark due to years of penance. This enraged Goddess Parvati and she left for another penance to make her complexion fair. During this a hungry lion sat with patience to make her his prey, once she is done with her meditation. Years passed again the lion sat there waiting. When she got the boon and woke up from the penance. She saw the lion and appreciated him for his patience and difficult penance with her. This incident made the lion her ride.