The story of the lion becoming the vehicle of Maa Durga is a wonderful example of penance, sacrifice and compassion in the Indian mythological tradition. This story begins when Mother Parvati remains engaged in severe penance for years to get Lord Shiva as her husband. The harsh climate of the Himalayas, solitude and continuous meditation make their resolve stronger. Ultimately, pleased with her devotion, Bholenath accepts her as his better half. Due to rigorous penance, the body and appearance of Goddess Parvati changes. One day, in a casual conversation, Lord Shiva calls her “Kali”. This word hurts the mother deeply.
Motivated by self-respect and self-realization, she again sets out for the forest and begins to perform even harsher penance than before, so that she can regain her previous Gaur form. A lion wandering in the same forest reaches there. Seeing the Goddess, a desire arises within him to prepare food for her, but as soon as he goes near, the divine radiance generated by the penance of the Mother stops him. He retreats every time with a mixed feeling of fear and reverence. Days pass, years pass, but the lion does not stop waiting. Hungry and thirsty, he sits in a corner and waits for his mother to complete her penance. Unknowingly he also becomes a participant in the same penance.
Pleased with the severe penance of Mother Parvati, Lord Shiva finally appears and asks her to ask for a groom. Mother humbly expresses her wish for Gaur Varna. Lord Shiva fulfills his boon. At the time of bathing, Kaushiki Devi appears from the mother’s body and the black color produced by penance disappears. Since then Mother Parvati is famous by the name of “Maa Gauri”. When the mother came out of the forest after bathing, her eyes fell on the lion, who was still sitting aside, hungry, tired and calm.
His patience and waiting melts the mother’s heart. She says to Lord Shiva – “Lord, as much penance as I have done, this lion has also tolerated the same amount with me. He has kept the dignity of my penance.” Pleased with the compassion of the mother, Lord Shiva makes the lion her vehicle. Since then, Maa Durga, riding on a lion, has been worshiped as Maa Sherawali – where the lion is a symbol of strength and courage and the mother is the compassionate presiding deity who controls that power.