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Also known as: Durgā, Ambā
Protective cosmic mother who embodies śakti and courage.

Significance
Durga represents fierce compassion—the strength to uphold dharma and protect community well-being.
Iconography
Lion mount, multiple arms bearing celestial weapons.
Festivals
Devī Māhātmya echoes
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु
That Goddess who abides in all beings as consciousness—salutations.
Devi Mahatmyam (Durga Saptashati), invocatory verse opening the text
नमो देव्यै महादेव्यै शिवायै सततं नमः । नमः प्रकृत्यै भद्रायै नियताः प्रणताः स्म ताम् ॥
Salutations to the Goddess, to the Great Goddess, to the auspicious one — constant salutations. We, ever disciplined in devotion, bow to her who is Nature itself, the gracious one.
Devi Mahatmyam / Durga Saptashati, Ch. 5 (Devi Suktam refrain)
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
To the Goddess who abides within all beings in the form of primal Power, we bow again and again — salutation, salutation, salutation, and repeated obeisance.
Argala Stotram, recited within the Chandi Path / Durga Saptashati liturgy
ॐ जय त्वं देवि चामुण्डे जय भूतापहारिणि । जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Victory to you, Goddess Chamunda! Victory to you, remover of every creature's suffering! Victory to you, all-pervading Goddess Kalaratri — salutations to you.
Devi Kavacham, appended to Durga Saptashati / Devi Mahatmyam
मार्कण्डेय उवाच । यद्गुह्यं परमं लोके सर्वरक्षाकरं नृणाम् । यन्न कस्यचिदाख्यातं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥
Markandeya said: O Grandsire, tell me that supreme secret of the world which grants complete protection to humankind, and which has been revealed to no one before.
Navarna Mantra, the root/seed mantra of Devi Mahatmyam recitation tradition
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे ॥
Om — invocation to Goddess Chamunda through the three seed-sounds of wisdom, abundant power, and transformative force.