Shakti comes from Sanskrit word 'shak' which means 'to be able'. Shakti stands for one who is empowered. As per Hindu scriptures, Shakti is the oldest form of cosmic energy that drives the dynamic forces in the entire universe. Shakti has been personified to the divine feminine for of Sati/Parvati/Durga/Kali. She is embodiment of change, action, creativity, prosperity and fertility. Her male counterpart is the potential, adi-yogi Shiva who is in deep meditation, an embodiment of inaction. As per mythology, Shakti manifests in different forms. The three most popular among them is her Nari swaroop (human form) married to Shiva, her Gyan swaroop (knowledge form) weds Lord Brahma and Dhan swaroop (wealth form) becomes the consort of Lord Vishnu.
Let us start with Durga and her origin. Mahishasura, the son of demon Rambha, unleashed reign of terror on earth. When Gods intervened, Mahishasura defeated them and banished them from heaven. The Gods went to Trideva Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. On hearing the turn of events, the Gods pledged to put an end to this. The Tridevas invoked their eternal strength and beams of energy from the foreheads of the three Gods merged into one, creating the feminine form of Durga. Then all the Gods gave their divine weapon(s) to that Durga.
Lord Shiva gave the 'Trishul' (holy trident)
Lord Vishnu gave his 'Sudarshan Chakra'
Varuna, gave her a conch and noose
Agni gave her a spear.
From Vayu, she received arrows.
Indra, gave her 'Vajra' (the thunderbolt)
From Yama, she received a sword and shield
From Vishwakarma (God of architecture) she received an axe and armor.
The god of mountains, Himavat gifted her with jewels and a Lion to ride on.
Many other precious and magical gifts and a garland of immortal lotuses for her head. Armed with celestial weapons of all deities and decked with divine ornaments, Durga rode on her Lion 'Vahana' into the battle field and challenged Mahishasura. Many a demons had joined forces with Mahishasura, and after a fierce battle, Durga defeated them all. Enraged Mahishasura attacked Durga in form of a swordsman. Durga pinned him down with a flood of arrows. Mahishasura changed his form into a giant elephant and tugged at Durga's Lion. Durga chopped off its trunk with her sword and freed her Lion. The elephant then turned into a giant buffalo and charged at Durga. She bound it with Varuna's celestial rope, pounced on Mahishasura, pushing him to the ground with her left leg, grasped his head in one hand, flung her trident and beheaded Mahishasura, finally killing him.
Much later in the turn of Kaal (time), Vishnu in his TretaYuga avatar, Ram worshiped Devi Durga before battle against Ravan. Ram wanted the blessings of Devi Durga, so went on a quest for one hundred 'NeelKamal' (blue lotuses) to please the devi. Ram managed to gather only ninety nine 'NeelKamal' and could find no more. Finally he decided to offer one of his eyes (which resembled blue lotuses). Durga, pleased with the devotion of Ram, appeared and blessed him with victory! These incidents inspire us to worship Durga/adi-shakti and seek her blessings
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