The creation of the cosmos was the product of Sopadhika Parabrahman (Purusha with Prakriti). The principle that has its origin from Sopadhika Brahman and cause of Evolution of Cosmos is called Hiranyagarbha. Agni is an aspect of Hiranyagarbha. From this Agni, the rest of the gods have originated.
This Agni eventually became Chaturmukha Brahma and created the cosmos. Entire Veda extols this Agni as Jatavedas (from whom Vedas or Jnana finds its source). This Jatavedas is the remover of all afflictions and giver of Supreme Knowledge.
Jatavedas or Agni who is the remover of Afflictions is called Durg (masculine) and Durga (as feminine) (Durga durgaarthi nasini). Both are Sopadhika Brahama.
It is this Agni in the feminine form that is worshipped at Durga. And of all the Durgas, Vana-Durga is the original source.
Now, Vana and Bhaya (fear) are synonyms because vana or forest causes fear.
This fear can be any fear but the uttama adhikari understands this to be " Dvaita bhaya " or " samsara-bhaya".
Since, Durga is the remover of all afflictions and bestower of fearlessness, she is coined as Vana-Durga. (that gives protection from all fear and removes afflictions and bestows supreme knowledge of Brahman).
In the Durga Mantra, there is a word called " Purusha " which is the Key Word around which the entire Mantra Tattva revolves whose source can be traced to Brihadaranyaka & Krishna Yajuraranyaka patha. Shri Vidyaranya while writing the bhashya to this mantra, explains in detail what " Purusha " is and says that it is synonymous to Agni.
The word PURUSHA in Brihadaranyakopanishad1st chapter of Brihadaranyakopanishad (4th Brahmana 1st and 2nd Kanda) aatmaiveda magra aasit PURUSHAVIDHAH sonuveekshyanaanyadaatmanopasya
tso-AHAM ASMI itityagre vyahara ...Ya evam veda (1) so bibhe-tasmaat ekaaki..........Dvitiyaadvai BHAYAM bhavati (2)
Please note that the two words PURUSHA, AHAM ASMI and BHAYAM are found in the above two verses.
Shri Vidyaranya explaining the above verses says that Purusha (Pura + usha >Pur+Usha>Purusha) is the Prathama Jiva in the form of Prajapathi. This Prathama Jiva during the early stage does not know his REAL NATURE. Thus, not knowing his TRUE NATURE (SVA-SVARUPA), experienced a sort of Illusion. This illusion gave rise to Fear (Bhava). Thus, this is Dvaita Bheeti or the Fear of Duality. Then
the same Prajapathi performed intense Tapas and knowing his TRUE SELF became " One with Supreme Purusha. The cause of Fear in the Prajapathi is due to the presence of Prakriti in him in the form of Maya. And hence, the principle of Aham Asmi has evolved. With the Tapas, the Prajapathi burnt his Dvaita Bhaya and dissolved in Paramaatma (Nirupadhika Paramatma).
SO, IN THE KRISHNA YAJUR ARANYAKA, THE JATAVEDAS AND HIS AHANTA SAKTI IS CALLED
DURGA AND IN SUKLA YAJUR ARANYAKA, THIS JATAVEDAS IS CALLED PURUSHA AND DURGA IS CALLED PURUSHI.
Hence, PURUSHI and DURGA are Synonyms that is the Sakti of JATAVEDAS or PURUSHA.
And both are inseparable (abhinna).
In the vanadurga mantra, the Bhaya or Fear is the Fear of Duality and Purushi is Durga of Sukla Yajur Aranyaka in the form of Purushi.
These are the words of Shri Vidyaranya in his commentary on Vana Durga Mantra. So, ultimately what I wanted to convey is it is this Agni rupa Durga which is the Upasya Tattva in Durga Sukta of Rg Veda.
An Article By Sriram
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