Durga Krama : A Short Description

 Durgā Krama : A Short Description 

द्विसप्तकोटिमन्त्राणां शक्तिरूपे सनातनि ।

सर्वशक्तिस्वरूपे च जगद्धात्रि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

Introduction :—

Kula or Krama System is a part of the basement of Śaktism. Krama or Kula is a system where a particular form of Ādi Parāśakti with her consort Śiva (in Trika Philosophy, he is Paramaśiva) , Āvaraṇa Devatās (The deities who live in the Circular group around Devī), Parivāra Devatās (family deities) are worshipped. The Krama system was created from Kramanātha (Sadāśiva) and Kramāmbā (Pārvatī). There are around 64 Kramas in Śaktism (listed by Ācārya Abhinav gupta, Ācārya Vandanā ji and many Kaula Sādhakas). Durgā kula is one of them. Durgā kula presents the doctrine of worshipping various forms, aspects of Goddess Durgā. On the occasion of Jagadhātrī Pūjā, we're going to discuss about the Krama of Durgā. 

Durgā Krama :— 

Goddess Durgā is one of the most famous name of Ādi Parāśakti. According to Devī Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, Skanda Purāṇa (Kāśī Khaṇḍa), Śrīśrīcaṇḍī, Śiva Purāṇa (Umā Saṃhitā); after killing Durgamāsura, Goddess Pārvatī was named as Durgā. 

गणेशमाता दुर्गा या शिवरूपा शिवप्रिया ।।

नारायणी विष्णुमाया पूर्णब्रह्मस्वरूपिणी ।। १४ ।।

[[ Reference : Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa: Chapter 1]] 

Meaning :- Durgā, the mother of Gaṇeśa, is the beloved wife of Sadāśiva. She is none other than Lord Śiva. She is the inner energy of Nārāyaṇa and she is Parabrahm. 

Although, Durgākrama is much lesser known than Kālīkrama and Saubhāgya krama (Śrī Vidyā), but this had a great influence throughout the Bhārata. Goddess Durgā has numerous iconographies. Hence, Durgā kula is divided into brunches or Sub Kramas. 

Worshipping of Goddess Durgā is very ancient. The evidences of Durgā of mesolithic era have been found in Madhya Pradesh. Korravai (Koṟṟavai) is the Tamil version of Goddess Durgā. Her evidences have been found before 300BCE. The Munda tribe used to worship her Vindhyavāsinī form. In the Vedic literature, she is mentioned in the Durgā Sūkta  (Taittirīyāraṇyakam 4, prapāṭhakaḥ 10, anuvākaḥ 2). 

Brunches of Durgā Krama :— 

Like other Kramas, there are also many brunches or Sub-kramas in Durgā kula. It has no doubt that the krama system was formed in Kashmir. So, the first Sub-krama of Durgākrama was created in there. It is Kādi (कादि) or Ka-ādi (क-आदि) Krama. Thereafter Dādi (दादि) or Da-ādi (द-आदि) krama, Lādi (लादि) krama, Hādi(हादि) krama, Kulādi(कुलादि) krama, Kakādi krama(ककादि) etc. Each brunch has it's own Mistress or residing Goddess or (कुलाधिष्ठात्री), Texts, Guru lineages, Āvaraṇa Devatās and Parivāra Devatās. Each of them is centered in a particular region. We're discussing on them. 

1) Kādi Krama :— 

The origin of Kādi or Ka-ādi brunch was Kashmir (Trika Philosophy). The Devī Rahasya (a part of Rudrayāmala Mahātantra) described the Mantras and Pūjā descriptions of the Durgā kula of Kāśmīra. The Kulādhiṣṭhātrī of this brunch is Kātyāyanī(कात्यायनी) or 8 handed Mahiṣāsuramardinī. She resides in the Navārakula Pīṭha. She is addressed as Kuleśvarī (the presiding Goddess of Durgākrama). Nīlakaṇṭha Bhairava(नीलकण्ठ भैरव) is her consort. The Sādhakas of Kādi krama follow Ūrdhvāmnāya Tradition or Divyācāra. 

Dhyāna :- 

दूर्वानिभां त्रिनयनां विलसत्किरीटां 

शङ्खाब्जखड्‌गशरखेटकशूलचापान् ।

संतर्जनीं च दधतीं महिषासनस्थां 

दुर्गा नवारकुलपीठगतां भजेऽहम् ॥

Meaning:- 

Goddess Kuleśvarī Durgā's skin complexion is like the colour of Dūrvā grasses. She has three eyes and she's wearing gold crown. She has eight hands holding conchshell, lotus, sword, arrow, shield, trident, bow and Tarjanī mudrā. She is standing upon a Buffalo head. I salute to her who dwells in the Pīṭha of 9 Yonīs. 

In this krama, the most famous Durgā form of North India - Aṣtabhūjā Parāmbikā Durgā or Sherawali is worshipped. Except her, the mantras of Śavarī Durgā and Āsurī Durgā are also given in Dīkṣā. Navadurgās from Samayācāra Tantra (Part of Rudrayāmala) — Śailaputrī , Brahmacāriṇī, Candraghaṇṭā, Kuṣmāṇḍā, Skandamātṛ, Kātyāyanī, Kālarātri, Mahāgaurī and Siddhidātrī are recognised as Durgā's nine divine manifestations. They are mostly worshipped in Kashmir during Navarātra. 

2) Dādi Krama :— 

Dādi krama is the most famous brunch of Durgā kula. This is observed in Bengal region. Jagadhātrīdurgā (जगद्धात्रीदुर्गा) is the kulādhiṣṭhātrī or presiding deity of this tradition. She is also known as Kāminī Durgā. Nāradaśiva(नारदशिव) is recognised as Jagadhātrī's consort. Her Dhyāna is described in the 2nd Paṭala of Māyā Tantra. 

[[ Devī Jagadhātrī ]] 

सिंहस्कंन्धाधिसंरुढां नानालंकारभूषिताम् । चतुर्भुजां महादेवीं नागयज्ञोपवीतिनीम् ॥ 

शंखचक्रधनुर्बाण नयन-त्रितयान्विताम् । रक्तवस्त्रपरिधानां बालार्कसदृशीं तनुम् ॥ 

नारदाद्यैर्मुनिगणैः सेवितां भवसुन्दरीम् । त्रिवलीवलयोपेत-नाभिनालमृणालिनीम् ॥ 

रत्नद्विपमहाद्वीपे सिंहासनसमन्विते । प्रफुल्ल कमलारूढां ध्यायेत्तां भवगेहिनीम् ॥ 

Meaning:— Goddess Jagadhātrī rides on lion. She is adorned with various ornaments. She has four hands and she wears a snake as Yajñopavīta (Juneau). She holds conchshell, discuss, bow and arrow. She has three eyes. She wears red coloured clothes and her skin complexion is as red as new born sun. Nārada etc sages are serving Bhava's beloved wife (Jagadhātrī) altime. She has three creases near her navel. The hairs of her navel are as soft as the stalks of Lotus flowers. She is riding on a lion which is over a large elephant which is looking like a large island with many jewels. I adore Bhava or Śiva's wife who is sitting on a lotus. 

Mahāmāyā Tantra, Kātyāyanī Tantra, Matsyasūkta Tantra, Viśvasāra Tantra etc are the sacred texts of this krama. Four handed Rājasika Durgā, Eight handed Tāmasika Durgā etc are worshipped in Dādi krama. It observes Uttara Āmnāya or Vāmācāra rituals. 

3) Hādi Krama :— 

Hādi Krama is observed in Southern India. The Kulādhīśvarī of Hādi Durgākrama is Śūlinī Durgā (शूलिनी दुर्गा). Her Bhairava or consort is Śarabha. 

अध्यारूढां मृगेन्द्रं सजलजलधरश्यामलां पद्महस्तैः

शूलं बाणांकृपाणंत्वरिजलज गदाचाप पाशान्वहंतीम् ।

चंद्रोत्तंसां त्रिनेत्रां चतसृभिरसिमत्खेटकं बिभ्रतीभिः

कन्याभिः सेव्यमानां प्रतिभटभयदां शूलिनीं भावयामि ॥

Meaning:-   We meditate upon the terrifying form of the Divine Mother Śūlinī Devī, seated on a menacing lion and bearing a dark complexion resembling that of a rain-laden dark cloud. She hold a trident,  arrows, sword, a discus, a mace, bow and a rope. She has the lustre of a moon and has three eyes (elevated ājñā cakra). She is served by four warrior maidens holding shields-s guarding Her access from the four directions and She drives great fear amongst legions of enemic forces (Karmas), who do not stand a chance against Her. 

Śūlinī kalpa Tantra, Ākāśa Bhairava Tantra etc are the texts of Hādi krama. Southern Navadurgā set (Vanadurgā, Śūlinī, Jātaveda, Śānti,śabarī, Jvaladurgā, Lavaṇadurgā, Dīpadurgā and Āsurī Durgā) belongs to this brunch. This brunch follows Dakṣīṇa Āmnāya or Dakṣīṇācāra. 

4) Lādi Krama :— 

[[ Jaya Durgā ]] 

Lādi krama is observed in Bihar, Bengal, Jharkhand regions. The Mistress of this krama is Jayadurgā(जयदुर्गा). Goddess Jayadurgā is the most famous iconography among all Kulādhiṣṭhātrī Goddesses in Durgākrama. She is also worshipped in the Pañcāyatana (पञ्चायतन) Pūjā of Smārta sect. Lord Nīlakaṇṭha is worshipped as her consort. Her Dhyāna is below — 

ॐ कालाभ्राभां कटाक्षैररिकुलभयदां मौलिबद्धेन्दु -रेखाम् ।

शङ्खं चक्रं कृपाणां त्रिशिखमपि करैरुद्वहन्तीं त्रिनेत्राम् ॥

सिंहस्कन्धाधिरूढां त्रिभुवनमखिलं तेजसा पूरयन्तीम् ।

ध्यायेद् दुर्गां जयाख्यां त्रिदशपरिवृतां सेवितां सिद्धिकामैः ॥ 

Meaning:-  We meditate upon the terrifying form of the Divine Mother Jaya Durgā Devī, seated on a menacing lion and radiating a dark complexion resembling that of a rain-laden dark cloud. She holds a trident, discus, sword and a conch. She has the lustre of a moon and has three eyes (elevated ājñā cakra). Her terrifying glance is enough to invoke great fear in the minds of enemies. She has a bandana on Her head with a crescent moon shining forth. She is resplendent in Her glory that radiates upon all the three realms. The Divine Mother should be prayed to, if one is keen upon achieving all round victory in all the three realms and for attaining the most difficult of siddhis. 

Śākambharī, Annapūrṇā, Abhayādurgā etc Goddesses belongs to this krama. Mahākāla Saṃhitā, Pheṭakāriṇī Tantra, Agni Purāṇa, Śrīśrī Caṇdī etc texts described her various iconographies. 

5) Kulādi Krama :— 

Kulādi krama is much associated with Kubjikā kula or Kubjikā Krama (Tradition of Kāmākhyā). It's presiding Goddess is Kubjikādurgā. It was observed in Assam region. The rituals of Kulādi krama belongs to Paścima Āmnāya or Ugra-Vāmācāra. But now this brunch is extinct. 

6) Kakādi Krama :— 

Kakādi krama is observed in Gujrat region. The Kulādhiṣṭhātrī of this brunch is Bhadrakālī Durgā. She is Kulakāminī of Sūryavaṃśa and Yaduvaṃśa. 

Durgā is none other than Pārvatī. And there is no difference between Goddess Durgā and Lord Śiva. Muṇḍamālā Tantra says, 

सदाशिव उवाच

यथा शिवस्तथा दुर्गा या दुर्गा शिव एव सा । तत्र यः कुरुते भेदं स एव मूढ़धीर्नरः ॥ 

Sadāśiva said, 

Whoever is Durga is Shiva. There is no difference between them. The person who differs them, is a fool. 

॥ श्रीदुर्गायै नमः ॥