Many of the Gods and Goddesses have their own vehicles, mounts or vahanas that comprise various types of animals and birds. there is a deep inner significance behind their choosing particularly those vahanas. Sometimes, the deity is shown mounted on or riding their vehicle, while at other times, the vahana is shown by the deity's side. Many times, this vehicle is also represented by way of symbolisms, as a divine attribute.

Many of the Gods and Goddesses have their own vehicles, mounts or vahanas that comprise various types of animals and birds. there is a deep inner significance behind their choosing particularly those vahanas. Sometimes, the deity is shown mounted on or riding their vehicle, while at other times, the vahana is shown by the deity's side. Many times, this vehicle is also represented by way of symbolisms, as a divine attribute. Though the vahana appears to be independent, it is part and parcel of the deity's presence and has an emblematic inner meaning to it. Sometimes, the deity's vehicle may also symbolise the evil force, which the deity embodies. ‪Goddess Durga uses lion as the vahana since she is a female general who fights fierce wars. Durga is the supreme Warrior Goddess, the complete embodiment of Shakti and the Mother of all the beings in this world and beyond. Durga is depicted with ten arms, each holding a weapon, riding a lion. Though an aspect of Parvati Herself, Durga is considered fiercer and much more powerful than the calm and serene Parvati. Durga is said to be extremely beautiful and radiant, her form filled with stunningly brilliant aura. She manifested in order to kill the most terrible demon, Mahishasura. Each God gives Her their weapon in order to enhance Her strength and powers. Shiva gives Her His trident; Vishnu, his discus; Indra, his thunderbolt, Brahma, the kamandalu; Kubera, his mace and so on. The very origin of her such incarnation as Durga is mainly due to her celestial mount lion. The lion is usually assorted with her in every literature, art sculpture etc. As the symbol of divine energies embodies by the great goddess, who is stated to have been born out of the Tejas of all the gods in order to slaughter the demon, the lion express the heroism and prowess necessary to defeat the asurik forces contrasting with the Hindu dharma. The lion can be even taken to represent the heroism and strength required from the sadhak to enter the dangerous path of Shakta tantric religious practises, full of pitfalls for the uninitiated. Lion is considered to be animal full of Shakti, with a devaic and sattvik being of rhythmic movement. The lion acted in all ages as the celestial vehicle of Mahadevi. It represents the lordly power in general and the lordly powers of beasts in particular. The image of lion expressing the sense of rhythm is thought to be made up Prakriti Maya Shakti. Therefore the lion partakes in the divine essence of the great goddess, the transforming energy of the universe. Lion is symbol of strength, braveness, life , day killing darkness and cosmetic waves like heat and fire. Durga depicted as riding on a lion or a tiger tiger symbolizes unlimited power. Durga riding a tiger indicates that She possesses unlimited power and uses it to protect virtue and destroy evil. The lion is a symbol of uncontrolled animalistic tendencies (such as anger, arrogance, selfishness, greed, jealousy, desire to harm others etc.) and Her sitting on it reminds us to control these qualities, so that we are not controlled by them! Jai Mahadevi ~ Jai Maa Shakti!!