During the morning walk on April 4, Prabhupada noticed a Durga temple and went a little out of his way to take darsana of Katyayani, the goddess Durga. Prabhupada offered his dandavats and began glorifying her: srstisthiti-pralaya-sadhana-saktir eka, chayeva yasya bhuvanani bibharti durga. This verse describes Durga as the Lord’s shadow potency. One can worship her, Prabhupada explained, to gain admission to Krsna’s service.

Jayadvaita Swami: Prabhupada had tears in his eyes as he spoke: “We are glorifying Durga, but not in the way the materialists do — ‘Give me this. Give me that’ — but like the gopis. They were praying to Durga: ‘You are always carrying out the orders of Krsna, so you are very dear to Krsna. Therefore please give us your blessings so that we can have Krsna as our husband.'”

From “Festivals” by Lokanatha Swami; p. 191