During Navarātri , the three incarnations of Goddess Shakti are invoked - Durgā , Lakśmi and Sarasvatī . Each form represents the growth from or towards a particular guṇa (personality) .
According to the purāṇas , Navarātri signifies the destruction of the demon Mahishasura . The demon Mahishasura is portrayed as having a buffalo head . The buffalo is a symbol of tamo guṇa - a lethargic personality .
A lethargic person dulls his mind and senses by indulging in unrighteous activities such as gossiping , gambling , and even crime . His entire life is a chaotic one . Such a person requires external help to relieve him from the disorder . That help comes in the form of Maa Durgā .
Goddess Durgā is depicted with many hands wielding various weapons . The weapons represent the diverse resources that are available to guide oneself to grow out of his tamo guna . Living really starts from this liberation .
May Maa Durgā destroy the Mahishasura that dwells within us !
Om katyayanaya vidmahe ,
Kanya kumari dhimahe ,
Tanno durgai prachodayāt ||
