1. Devī-dhāma – The material world, governed by Durgā.
2. Mahesh-dhāma (Śivaloka) – The intermediate realm, governed by Śiva.
3. Vaikuṇṭha/Goloka – The spiritual world, the abode of Lord Viṣṇu and Lord Kṛṣṇa. (Goloka-dham, the abode of Sri Krishna, is the topmost planet in Vaikuṇṭha)
Durgā as the Controller of Devī-dhāma
• Durgā is the mother and ruler of the material universe.
• She embodies Māyā-śakti, which creates illusion and binds souls to the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra).
• The three guṇas (sattva, rajas, tamas) operate under her command, influencing all beings.
Significance in Devotion and Liberation
• While Durgā controls the material world, she is ultimately a servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa, acting as His energy.
• Devotees seeking liberation aim to transcend Devī-dhāma and reach the spiritual world beyond illusion.
• However, those devoted to Śāktism worship Durgā as the Supreme Mother, seeking her blessings for both worldly and spiritual progress.