Durga Yoga Project
For years I have been asked “why the name Three Queens?” The unfolding of the name is as nuanced as our practice of yoga- but part of it lies in seeing ourself reflected in stories of our yoga tradition¹. Recently you may have seen a stunning image of Durga in our studio and wondered who she is? Her beauty and iconography overlaps across many expressions of the self. Recently, I commissioned one of my favorite artists, Grace Hwang to create this image of Durga. This is the story of that collaboration, and the money we are raising for Philadelphia’s Asian Arts Initiative.
© Three Queens Yoga x Grace Hwang
Goddess Durga is the Divine Mother, the supreme protector of the universe. Her name means ”invincible” in Sanskrit.² She is a fierce and fearless warrior-goddess who emerged from the collective power of all the gods in order to defeat a powerful, destructive demon that was wreaking havoc and terrorizing the planet. Durga was victorious in the battle against this demon (known as Mahishasura), and since then she is invoked to protect the universe when evil forces try to conquer the Earth.³ Through her battles against suffering and injustice she restores balance and brings kindness, beauty and harmony.
Durga embodies the collective strength, ability and power of all the gods. She is very beautiful, adorned with jewels, ornaments and clothes given to her by the gods. She has 10 arms, in which she holds the weapons of the gods including Lord Shiva’s trident, Lord Vishnu’s discus, Lord Varuna’s conch shell, Lord Vayu’s bow, Lord Surya’s arrows, Lord Kaal’s sword and shield, Lord Indra’s thunderbolt, Lord Brahma’s rosary and water pot; Lord Vishvakarma’s battle axe, and Lord Himavat offered her her vehicle - She is rides around on a lion or tiger. Each weapon signifies an instrument of knowledge. The collective combination of all this power created the capacity to destroy and overcome the most evil forces.⁴
On another occasion, when evil demonic forces were terrorizing the world, the Goddess Parvati (Shiva’s consort) was informed of the current events, and from her this time emerged the warrior Goddess Durga. In the midst of battle surrounded by an army of destructive powerful demons, from Durga’s knitted brow emerges the Goddess Kali.⁵ Kali is a form of Goddess Durga herself, the most ferocious form of the Divine Goddess, and is a vital aid in accomplishing victory during the most horrific battles.
In this story, Durga emerges from Parvati, and Kali emerges from Durga in order to effectively respond to and overcome terrorism on the planet, again restoring beauty and harmony.⁶ The victorious story of these three Goddesses is one of the primary sources of inspiration behind the name Three Queens.⁸
©2022 Three Queens Yoga x Grace Hwang
Goddess Durga, the Divine Mother, the invincible, embodies and exemplifies the name Three Queens. The more we know about her story, the more we understand ourselves, and when we see her. I hope we also see Parvati and Kali, not explicitly, but as parts of her and her story.
We could have easily been “Three Goddess’ Yoga" but in establishing a community, the name (like naming your children) should have meaning, and thus Three Queens was established in Queen Village, with the word “Queens” as a nod to it’s village, and in some ways synonymous with and symbolic of the goddesses from the Yoga tradition. The three Goddesses, like the Queen on a chess board remind us that we have autonomy and all the moves on the game board we call life. Our yoga teaches⁸ us that we are householders living full lives with relationships and drama as gracefully and with as much virtuosity as possible, as does Goddess Parvati; as yoga practitioners, regardless of the form the practice takes, we are here on earth to uphold and protect goodness and beauty at all cost⁹, as does Goddess Durga, and we are well equipped for the task as her divine image reflects to us¹⁰; and when necessary/ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY we are intoxicated with rage by injustice and terrorism which invokes ferocity and the power to fight to overcome evil forces in order to restore harmony. And this is why we practice.
About the Project:
Just like the origin story of Three Queens, so too has been the desire to capture an image of Durga that tells the story of this Goddess, is culturally responsible, and aligns with our values. For years I have known that Grace Hwang was the right artist for this project. I had been following their work and was drawn to their modern aesthetic that found a way to honor the sacred in fun charismatic ways. Grace Hwang was never available, and so for years there was not an opportunity. During the pandemic, over a conversation with a mutual friend, I heard Grace might be available. I reached out in the moment, and now we have her depiction of Durga. Yay!
About the Artist:
Grace Hwang is a Korean American hybrid graphic designer and illustrator aiming to bring light vibes to a heavy world. Her work explores the intersections of opposing forces (light/dark, past/future, East/West). Core themes include motifs from ancient civilizations, sci-fi, sacred geometry, and symbology. Recent work can be found at iamgracehwang.com.
Durga Design notes:
The core intention was to stay true to the goddess Durga’s story, pose, and icons while interpreting them through a timeless lens. Details in set design, ornaments, and jewelry incorporated shading and glows to add dimensionality and conduct an ethereal charge. The dichotomy between her weapons and tranquil energy creates a portrait of strength and benevolence.
The Project:
Initially Three Queens commissioned Grace to design Durga and we custom printed and framed for the studio. Many members and guest inquired about her and with Grace we decided to launch a limited run of apparel available in-studio and online, and limited matted prints. This studio collection will be available Mother’s Day. It was important to us that proceeds from sales support Grace and also to Asian Arts Initiative.
Proceeds:
20% artist fee on posters
20% charitable contribution to Asian Arts Initiative located in Philadelphia
Available Online Now!
Cited:
Bhatt, R. (2021). How the Great Mother Emerged: The Devi Mahatmya. Manticore Press.
Kelkar, G. (2011). Little Monk’s Durga. Wisdom Tree Publishers.
Ibid.
Kali, D. (2003). In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and Its Meaning (First Edition, First Printing ed.). Nicolas-Hays.
Kelkar, G. (2011b). Little Monk’s Parvati. Wisdom Tree Publishers.
Chandrakant, K., Ugra, M., Rao, S., Bhattacharya, P., Balse, M., Seshadri, L., Patel, T., Mahadevan, S., Gangal, V. V., Balse, M., Pai, A., & Mohandas, R. W. K. C. V. R. M. P. (2010). Gods and Goddesses - From the Epics and Mythology of India by Amar Chitra Katha (22 Comic Books). Advaita Ashrama.
Brooks, D. (2019). Explaining Rajanaka as a Learning Community. Rakanaka.Com. http://rajanakadesa.blogspot.com/2019/03/explaining-rajanaka-as-learning.html
Kempton, S. (2013). Awakening Shakti: The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga (1st ed.). Sounds True.
Ibid.
