SECT. I.—Doorga

In those parts of the Hindoo shastrŭs which treat of the production of the world, this goddess is spoken of as the female power, under the name of Prŭkritēē or Bhŭgŭvŭtēē. She was first born in the house of Dukshŭ, one of the progenitors of mankind, and called Sŭtēē; under which name she was married to Shivŭ, but renounced her life on hearing her father reproach her husband. On her second appearance, we recognize heir under the name of Parvŭtēē, the daughter of Himalŭyŭa; when she was again married to Shivŭ, by whom she had two children, Kartikéyŭ and Gŭnéshŭ.

Doorga has had many births to destroy the giants. The reason of her being called Doorga is thus given in the Kashēē-khŭndŭ:—On a certain occasion Ŭgŭstyŭ, the sage, asked Kartikéyŭ, why Parvŭtēē, his mother, was called Doorga. Kartikéyŭ replied, that formerly a giant named Doorgŭ, the son of Rooroo, having performed religious austerities in honour of Brŭmha, obtained his blessing, and became a great oppressor: he conquered the three worlds, and dethroned Indrŭ, Vayoo, Chŭndrŭ, Yŭmŭ, Ŭgnee, Vŭroonŭ, Koovérŭ, Bŭlee, Eēshanŭ, Roodrŭ, Sōōryŭ, the eight Vŭsoos, &c. The wives of the rishees were compelled to celebrate his praises. He sent all the gods from their heavens to live in forests; and at his nod they came and worshipped him.