Knowledge Bank

Is Lakshmi the daughter of Durga?

Durga Devi is Adi Parashakti, the cause of the material world. In Durga Saptashati we see three manifestations of Durga Devi - Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. The three Devis are Shaktis of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Shiva and Vishnu thought that they were able to defeat Asuras because of their own power. They ignored and insulted their wives. Gowri and Lakshmi went away. In their absence, the world became a mess as both Shiva and Vishnu lost their powers and direction. Devas prayed to Adi Parashakti. She made Lakshmi emerge from the milky ocean during its churning. Gowri was born as the daughter of Himavan. Both of them reunited with their husbands.

Reprehensible marriages

Reprehensible marriages are forms of marriage deemed reprehensible by the Dharma Shastras. These include four types: asura (marriage by paying money for the bride), gandharva (love marriage), rakshasa (marriage through forcible abduction), and paishacha (marriage by exploiting an insentient woman). While asura and gandharva marriages are tolerated to some extent, rakshasa and paishacha marriages are strongly condemned. Despite their reprehensible nature, all these forms are legally recognized to ensure the woman receives the legal rights of a wife, irrespective of the marriage's circumstances. This legal stance underscores the importance of protecting women's rights in all marital contexts.