Divine Beings

Durga

दुर्गा

She Who Carries Men Across

Who was Durga?

Durga (दुर्गा): She Who Carries Men Across, one of the divine beings in the Mahabharata. The Supreme Goddess invoked twice on the eve of danger in the epic: by Yudhishthira as the Pandavas walked disguised into Virata's city, and by Arjuna at Krishna's bidding as the two armies faced each other at Kurukshetra.

Quick Facts

Key facts about Durga
Sanskrit nameदुर्गा
Title / EpithetShe Who Carries Men Across
FactionDivine Beings
Key traitsFierce, Protective, Victorious, Invoked
Notable relationshipsDivine Sister: Krishna, Worshipper: Arjuna, Worshipper: Yudhishthira
Featured in2 stories

About Durga

The Supreme Goddess invoked twice on the eve of danger in the epic: by Yudhishthira as the Pandavas walked disguised into Virata's city, and by Arjuna at Krishna's bidding as the two armies faced each other at Kurukshetra. Armed with scimitar and shield, born in Yasoda's womb and dashed by Kamsa on the stone before rising into the sky, she is named the destroyer of Asuras and the rescuer of those lost in forests and seas, which is why she is called Durga.

In Their Words

Those who remember me in the wilderness are never prostrated.

Durga

Traits

  • Fierce
  • Protective
  • Victorious
  • Invoked

Story Appearances

Character Arc

  1. The StoneDashed by Kamsa, she ascends the sky instead of dying
  2. The DisguisePromises Yudhishthira that no one will know his face
  3. The FieldAppears to Arjuna and grants victory before battle

Key Relationships

Places in Durga's Story

Drawn from the stories Durga appears in.

Others counted among the Divine Beings.