Difference between Goddess Chandi And Goddess Durga

Both Goddess Chandi and Durga are manifestations of the Divine Mother or Goddess Shakti. As per the Markandeya Purana, Shakti took the form of Chandi to slay many demons. Durga, too, killed many demons.

So, what is the difference between these 2 forms - Chandi and Durga?

Chandi is a very ferocious form of Shakti. In this form, her main mission is to annihilate demons.

Goddess Durga, on the other hand, is a benevolent form of the Divine Mother. She is more of a savior than a bloodthirsty killer.

Shakti took many forms in her fight against the demon army of the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. In her violent form, Chandi, she slays the gods’ enemies. But when she comes to the help of her devotees and rescues them from danger, she is Durga. Chandi killed Mahisasura when she was Durga in her previous life.

Goddess Durga

Durga is the most famous and purest form of Shakti. She is the presiding deity of the state of West Bengal, where Shakti worship is widely prevalent, and Durga Pooja is the most important festival. Her power is limitless.

Durga was born when Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva realized that they could not defeat Mahishasura on their own. It is believed that Goddess Durga was born from the anger and helplessness of the Trimurtis, as well as the anger of the other demi-Gods who were fighting against the Asuras or demons.

According to the Shiva Purana, Samsara originated in the desire of the Absolute to multiply in many. Param Brahman or Sadashiva created Shakti out of his own form as an independent entity, otherwise, she would not part with him. But she was not Sati or Parvati, as many believe, but Ambika. Prakriti, Sarveshwari, Nitya, Jagdamba, etc., are some of her other names. She has 8 arms.

In the Asura Hiranyaksha’s clan, there was a Daitya named Durgamasura, who was the son of Ruru. Durgamasura captured Amaravati, the capital city of Lord Indra, and expelled all the Devas. The Devas worshipped Ambika for strength. On hearing this, Durgamasura declared war on Durga. After a furious battle, Durga destroyed Durgamasura’s forces. With this incident, Ambika became known as Durga, the warrior Goddess.

Thus, Ambika is the main Goddess. Durga, Chandika, and Mahakali are all forms of Goddess Ambika.

Goddess Chandi

Chandika, or Chandi, is the emotional form of Goddess Durga. She can be furious, passionate, or terribly destructive. She is also known as Kaatyayani, which is another name for Goddess Durga, and was born in a similar manner.

When the Gods were filled with rage, their combined energies burst forth as flames. Chandika was born from this ball of flame, and she is one of the cosmic forms.

Chandi is the Goddess who tears apart thoughts. When all the thoughts that make us agitated and restless are gone, the mind becomes still. Only in this state can we experience our true selves or complete bliss.

The Chandi Path, a collection of 700 slokas or verses (also known as the Durga Saptashati and the Devi Mahatmyam), is an allegory of how Goddess Mahamaya drowns us in delusion from which we must free ourselves by battling the inner demons or negative thoughts and ego that prevent us from realizing God.

Chandi is a very popular Goddess in eastern India. She goes by many names like Mahamaya (″Great Magic″) and Abhaya (″She Who Is Fearless″). Her depiction is similar to that of Durga.

During Navratri, Chandi Path is recited to invoke the blessings of the Goddess for success, good health, protection, prosperity, and wish-fulfillment. Chandi Homam is a major Homam that brings success in all endeavors and removes Doshas and obstacles in one’s life. Maha Chandi Homam/Chandi Path protects one from all kinds of black magic, negative energies, evil eyes, etc.