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Om Rakthaksh Raktajihwadi Sikshnaya Namonamaha
Om Mahishasura Dorvirya Nigrahayai Namonamaha
Goddess Durga riding on the most powerful and brave animal, the lion, is the symbol of very
high strength and courage to conquer even the most powerful demons (Evils) of the world. She is given eight hands
each holding the most powerful weapon given to her by various gods to destroy their greatest enemy Mahishasura,
and who could not be destroyed by themselves. Incidentally this is also symbolic of superior power of woman over
man in certain events as envisaged by the great sages of India.. She is worshipped by all communities particularly
during Navaratri and has several names as Mahakalika, Brahmani, Bhavani, etc. mentioned in the famous Durga Sapta
Shati (Durgashtakam). Bhavani was Ishta Deva of Shivaji and several warriors of Indian history. Kali is the form
mostly worshipped in Bengal and She was also the Ishta Deva of Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
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