SHAKTI PUJA
Sarva Mangala
Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike
Sharanye
Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute
‘Matrudevo Bhava’-Taittiriya Upanishad,
‘Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Matru Rupen Sansthita,
Namah Tasyai, Namah Tasyai, Namah Tasyai Namo Namah’-Devi Mahatmya,
‘Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devata’-Manusmruti,
‘Kuputro Jayate Kwaichidapi, Kumata Na Bhavati’ Shankaracharya,
‘Na Matuh Par Daivatam’- Anonymous.
So often our scripture underscored respect
women command in our culture.
In vedic times goddesses worshiped were- Usha (goddess of dawn), Prithvi (goddess of
the earth), Aditi (great mother of gods), Ratri (spirit of the night), Aranyani
(goddess of the Forest), Dishana (goddess of vegetation), Ila (goddess of
offerings), Puramadhi (spirit of fertility) Urvashi (Apsara), Vac (mother of Vedas, sound), Saraswati (goddess of the river, knowledge) Gayatri-Savitri-Saraswati
(personification of Gayatri Mantra), Nirriti (goddess
of destruction), Shree Devi/Lakshmi, Bharti, Bhumi, Saraniyu, Dinsana,
Raka, Parendi, Mahi, etc
Later
in puranic times, Consorts of trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh), as mother
goddesses- Sarswati (Vidya), Lakshmi (Shree, Narayani, Vaishnavi) and Sati
(Dakshayani) or Parvati replaced earlier deities. Parvati was often worshipped
as Durga or Kali as personification of Shakti and also as Chandika, Annapurna, Shiva, Mahadevi, Gauri, Uma, Maheshwari, Amba, Ambika, etc highlighting her different aspects.
With various incarnations of lord Vishnu Sita, Rukmini, Radha, Padmavati,
Tulasi, Bhudevi also became part of our pantheon. Other
best-known benevolent Devis being Adi Parashakti (Shree Bhagavati),
Subhadra, Katyayani, Maya, Swaha, Swadha, Dakshina,
Shasthi, Manasa, Surabhi, Renuka.
Often
various aspects of divine motherhood are grouped together.
Dasha Mahavidya (Tantrik-ten
aspects/facets of Patvati, divine mother)- Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari
(Shodashi), Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi,
Matangi, Kamala (Shrividya)- From Shiva Purana Uma Sanhita
Navadurga-Shailaputri,
Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushamanda, Skandamata, Katyyani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri
and Siddhidatri (worshipped during the Navaratri)
Ashta Lakshmi- Adi Lakshmi,
or Maha Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana
Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi (variant include Aishwarya Lakshmi, Saubhagya
Lakshmi, Rajya Lakshmi, Vara Lakshmi)
Sapta (Ashta?) Matrikas- Brahmani,
Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, Kaumari,Varahi, Chamunda and
Narasimhi.
Sapta Ganga-Ganga, Yamuna,
Saraswati, Godavari, Narmada, Sindhu, Kaveri
Pancha Kanya Ahalya, Draupadi,
Sita (or Kunti), Tara (Taramati?) and Mandodari
Pancha Satis- Sati,
Sita, Savitri, Damayanti and Arundhati.
Sixty four Yoginis and so on
Devi
Upanishad states that Shakti is
essentially Brahman (ultimate reality), from her arises Prakriti (matter)
and Purusha (consciousness), she is bliss and non-bliss, the born and
the unborn, and she creates and pervades the universe. She is the creative
power of Shiva, she protects, sustains and rules the universe, blesses devotees
with everything from riches to liberation. She is the supreme deity to whom all
worship is to be offered.
WELLKNOWN SCRIPTURES RELATED TO DEVI
Some of the
best known Devi related scriptures are
Devi Bhagavata (Devi Gita from Devi Bhagavata)
Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana)
Lalitasahasranam and Lalitopakhyana (Brahmanda Purana)
Kalika Purana
Nilamata Purana
Vedic Sukta: Shri, Bhu,
Durga, Neela, Saraswati, Go, Medha, Rathri, Sradhha, Nadistuti, Devi/Vak
Sukta, Alakshminashana (Rig Veda), Prithvi (Atharva)
Brahmanas: Gayatri Avahanam
Kena Upanishad: Devi
Uma, the daughter of Himavat, appears as yakshini
Shakta Upanishads: Tripura, Saubhagya,
Bahvrca, Sarasvatirahasya, Sita, Annapurna, Devi, Tripuratapani, Bhavana,
Kaula, Kundika, Gayatrirahasya, Gayatri, Devi, Savitri Tripura Tapani Upanishad, Bharicha Upanishad,
Guhyakalo Upanishad, Sita Upanishad, Devi Upanishad are
of recent origin.
Other Puranas: Brahmavaivarat, Narada, Shiva, Skanda, Vamana
Stotra by Adi Shankaracharya:Tripura Sundari Ashtakam Saundaryalahari, Mahishasura Mardini
Kanaka Dhara Anandalahari
Akulavira
Tantra and other Tantras such as Vigyan Bhairav Tantra
Tantroktadevisuktam
Gangalahari
By Jagannatha Padit
Deviatharvashirsham
There are
several saptashatis, sahasranamas, stotra praising Shakti as Lalita or Gayatri and
many other aspect of Devi.
DEMONS
KILLED BY DEVI
Scriptures focus on her different
aspects- protecting sages, devas and devotees, killing wicked demons and
re-establishing order. Some of the demons killed by Devi are given below.
Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana)
Vishnu Maya
woke up Maha Vishnu and enabled him to kill Madhu and Kaitabha
Chandika/Ambika killed Chikshura, Chamara, Udagra, Maha Hanu, Asiloma,
Bakshal Parivarita, Vidala,
Karala, Uddhata, Tamara, Andhak, Ugraveerya, Ugrasya,
Durdhar, Durmukh and Mahishasura
Chandika
killed Dhumralochana
Kali killed Chanda
and Munda and became Chamunda
Shaktis/Ashta
Durga-Kambus, Kotiveeryas, Dhumravanshis, Kaalkeyas, Durhuruth,
Chandika and
Kali killed Raktabeeja
Chandika
killed Shumbha and Nishumbha
Rakta Chamunda/Rakta Dantika killed two sons of
Vipra Chiti
Bheema Devi ate rakshasas from Himalaya
Bhramari killed Arunasura
Lalitopakhyana
(Brahmanda Purana)
Sampatkari
killed Durmada
Chandi killed
Kuranda
Nakuli killed
Karanka
Tiraskaranika
killed Balahaka
Bala Sundari
killed Sons of Bhanda led by Chaturbahu
Ganeshvara
killed Gajasura
Mantrini killed
Vishukra
Dandanatha
killed Vishanga
Nithya killed
army of Bhanda
Lalita killed
Kutilaksha and Bhandasura
Devi Bhagavata, Shiv and Skanda Puranas
Devi Parvati as Shatakshi Devi-provided water to
sages and all
Shakambhari
–provided food to all
Katyayini
(Asthadasabhuja) killed Durgamasura (hence the name Durga)
Others
Saraswati killed Vritrasura (Rg Veda)
Durga soaked all smoke became
Dhumavati and killed Dhumralochan (Vamana Purana)
Matangi transformed into Kali and killed
Shumbha, Nishumbha and their hordes (Kalika Purana)
Kali invoked by Parvati killed
demoness Daruka (Linga Purana), defeated Shankhachuda (Vayu Purana)
Lakshmii
killed demon Ahi
Satybhama killed Narakasura
Tuljapur Bhavani (Shakti) killed
demons Matanga, Mahisha of the Yamunachala and demon Kukur
Lakshmi (Ambabai, Mahalakshmi) killed
Kolhasur (city named after him)
Anakha devi with the help of Lord
Dattatreya killed Jambasura
Bagalamukhi/Peetambara slew the demon
Madanasura, who had achieved Vak-Siddhi
SOME EPISODES FROM PURANAS
Brahmanda Purana-Lalita Tripura Sundari
From the
ashes of Madana a rudra gana commander Chitrakarma prepared a doll. When Shiva
saw, it sprang to life and bowed to them. After his penance he was granted a
boon “Anyone who
fights against him would immediately lose half of his strength and that
strength would be added to his strength. None of the weapons of his opponents
would be able to bind him” Lord Brahma, who was witnessing all
this, grew frustrated and swore "Bhand" "Bhand" (meaning
shame, shame). From then on, he got the name "Bhanda". He defeated
all the devas, who then sought the advice of Sage Narada and Trinity, who
advised them to seek the help of Nirguna Brahman. Nirguna Brahman took the
shape of Maha Shambhu and Adi Parashakti and appeared before them and agreed to
save universe. For this a maha yadnya was performed where the entire manifest
universe was offered as the ahuti and from the fire arose Lalitha Tripura
Sundari and Kameshwara. They re-created the entire universe as it was before.
Devas prayed to her to kill Bhandasura.
When she started for the war with Bandasura, she was accompanied by auspicious
shaktis. While Sampatkari led the elephant regiment, Ashwarudha was the leader
of the cavalry. The army was commanded by Dandini assisted by Mantrini. Jwala
malini protected the army by creating a fire ring around it. Lailita Tripura
Sundari rode in the centre on the chariot of Chakra.
Nithya
destroyed a large chunk of Bandasura’s armies. Durmada
was the first to attack and was slain by Sampatkari. Kuranda, elder brother of
Durmada, was killed by Chandi. Five generals led by Karanka who created a huge
serpent to swallow up the Shaktis. Goddess Nakuli riding on Garuda was born of
the palate of Lalita, turned her teeth into mongooses who finished all the
serpents. Then she beheaded the five generals and Karanka. Then Bhanda
sent seven generals led by Balahaka. At the bidding of Dandanatha, her
bodyguard Tiraskaranika blinded the foe and beheaded them. Bhanda now asked his
brother Vishanga to attack Lalita from the rear while fifteen generals
distracted her armies. They came very close to Lalita’s chariot. At this,
Shridevi knitted her brows, noticing which the fifteen Nitya deities led by
Kameshvari split Vishanga’s armour and made him flee. Bhanda now sent his
thirty sons led by Chaturbahu. Lalita’s daughter Bala destroyed the army and
cut off the heads of all sons of Bhanda. Bhanda now sent Vishukra,
attacking in the dense darkness invisibly. He operated the great mystical
yantra, Jayavighna because of which the Shaktis lost all will to fight.
Mantrini and Dandanatha, in great agitation, reported the calamity to Lalita
who glanced at the face of Kameshvara and laughed with red teeth. From her
laugh emerged the elephant headed lord of Ganas, who destroyed the Yantra. The
Shaktis regained their frenzy and with the army of Ganas attacked the Danavas.
Vishukra sent Gajasura against Ganeshvara and was slain. Vishukra fled. Bhanda
sent both his brothers Vishanga and Vishkura with his ten nephews born of his
sister Dhumini into battle. Vishukra discharged the Trishna missile afflicting
all shaktis with acute thirst. Mantrini then advised Dandanatha to call forth
the deity Surasindhu, ocean of liquor, who showered torrents of various types
of liquor to reinvigorate the shaktis who drank joyously. Then they decimated
the Danava army. Mantrini used the Brahmashiras to kill Vishukra while
Dandanatha killed Vishanga with the plough and club. Overwhelmed with grief,
Bhanda himself attacked with Kutilaksha and thirty-five generals. Lalita
herself faced him. Bhanda released the Mahasurastra from which Madhu, Kaitabha,
Mahisha, Dhumralochana, Chanda, Munda, Chikshura, Chamara, Raktabija, Shumbha,
Nishumbha, Kalakeyas arose and smashed the army of Shaktis. Lalita became
furious and burst into a loud angry laugh. From this appeared Durga. She stuck
down these Danavas, bowed to Lalita. Bhanda now discharged the arnavastra,
flooding the field, whereupon the goddess created a huge tortoise from the nail
of her index finger who supported her armies. The Asura lord now discharged
missiles named after Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakashipu, Bali, Shasrarjuna, Paulastya,
Rajasura, Kali and Mahamoha. They were countered by the goddess creating from
her nails Varaha, Nrisimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Kodandarama,
Vasudeva-Samkarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha, Kalki and finally Shambhava.
Ultimately, by the Narayana missile, she burnt up the entire army of Danavas,
followed by the Pashupata missile which killed the generals. Bhanda she killed
with the Mahakameshvara missile. Lalita then recreated Madana for the good
of the world.
Devi
Bhagavata- Shatakshi, Shakambhari, Durga
Goddess Parvati got very upset with the fact
that she lost control over herself in her Mahakali avatar and placed her leg
upon her husband that too for the second time after Rakthbeej's assassination.
Hence, she declared that they should not involve her in similar wars. Adi
Shakti would never ever get on battle field again. There was a demon named Ruru. He
worshipped the Tri Devas. Tri Devas were pleased and assured him to protect him
and his family. Ruru had a powerful son named Durg. Shukracharya adviced him to
do penance and obtain the Vedas. Lord Brahma pleased with his penance appeared
before him. Brahma unwillingly had to give the vedas to him. Brahma was then
unable to do his work-creation, the humans stopped poojas and yadnya, as a
result devtas become weak and. Durg defeated Devas. In the absence of moral
values and knowledge, everything came to a standstill. There were no trains for
100 years and nothing grew that could be eaten. Durgamasura felt highly
victorious. Devas started praying Devi. Devi Parvati invoked Goddess Kali from
within her and requested Goddess Kali to go to Durgamasura as her messenger to
make him give back the vedas. Durgamasura sent in a very large powerful army
against Goddess Kali. As Goddess Kali happened to confront the large army, she
got furious and the other nine Mahavidyas appeared from her, namely, Tara,
Shodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Matangi, Bhairavi, Bagalamukhi, Chinnamastha and
Kamala. A severe battle commenced between the Mahavidyas and demons. There,
Goddess Parvati went to himalayas where gods were praying to her. Gods informed
her about the drought on earth. Seeing the dreadful condition of the earth,
Devi Parvati started crying with uncountable eyes and all of sudden, rivers
started flowing full of water. This form of Goddess is called as Shatakshi
Devi. Goddess Parvati took form of Devi Shakhambari and presented back the
greenery and fruits, grains grew in seconds. Devi Parvati got to know about
Goddess Kali being stopped by demon army, hence, she took the form Goddess Katyayini
(Asthadasabhuja Mahalaxmi in her original form of Parvati) and went to
Durgamasura. Seeing Goddess Parvati in her most beautiful form, Durgamasura didn’t
realize her and proposed her for a marriage. Getting furious by this, Katyayini
introduce herself as lord Shiva's wife and told him to give the Vedas back to
Brahma and also to give back the heaven to Indra. Soon the conversation got
converted into battle. There, Kali and Mahavidyas killed the asura army but
Durgamasura stopped them. Parvati took the form of Katyayani and Mahavidyas and
Kali gathered around her and got merged into her. Finally, Goddess Katyayini
killed Durgamasura.
.
Devi Bhagavatam-Bhramari
There was a powerful demon Arunasura. He was a God-hater. He
went to in the Himalayas and practiced a performed very strict penance. Light
emitted by his body began to burn the whole world. Lord Brahma gave him a boon
that no two or four legged creature would kill him. Arunasur fought a battle
with the Gods and won it. Indra, Brahma and Vishnu were discussing strategy to
kill him. Meanwhile Arunasura won Swargaloka and attacked Kailasha. Parvati,
the part incarnate of the Adi Parashakti
was aware of Arunasur's blessing, and devised a plan to kill the demon with the
help of six-legged creatures. Confronting him, Parvati grew to a massive size,
wielding a mace, trident, sword and shield. She closed her eyes and called
bees, hornets, wasps, flies, termites, mosquitoes and spiders from the three
worlds. They crawled onto her body and clung onto her, merging with her to
create the divine form of Bhramari Devi. In the battle she inflicted damage on
the massive army..The bees, hornets, wasps, flies, termites, mosquitoes and
spiders which clung to her emanated forth and attacked Arunasura and killed
him.
Devi Mahatmya
Devi Mahatmya also called Durga
Saptashati or Chandi Path remained most important scripture for Devi-bhaktas. It consists of its 13 chapters 81-93 of Markandeya Purana and has
700 verses (like Bhagavad gita). There are 537 shloka mantras (full shlokas),
38 ardha-shloka mantras (half slokas), 66 khandamantras (part of a shloka), 57
uvacha mantras and 2 punarukta mantras, thus totalling 700 altogether. The number
700 is thus not related to the number of verses, but indicates the total number
of mantras in the Devi Mahatmya. Thirteen chapters are arranged in 3 parts (charitas)
assigned to different deities Mahakali (Tamasic-base), Mahalakshami (Rajasic-materialistic
base), Mahasaraswati (Satvic-spiritual base). The purposes of the three parts
are dharma, artha and kaama.
Chapter
1, Chapter 4, chapter 5 and chapter 11 contain the prayers to Devi. The
beautiful hymns are:
Brahma-stuti also known as Tantrik Ratri Suktam 1/73-87
Sakradi-stuti 4/3-27
Aparajita-stuti or Tantrik
Devi Suktam also known as "Ya
Devi"hymn by Sarva devas 5/9-82
Narayani-stuti by Sarva devas 11/3-39
There
are some subsidiary texts traditionally recited along with Devi Mahatmya, most
important being
Pradhana
Rahasya - About
mula prakriti, which is the cause of creation.
Vaikritika
Rahasya -
Describes how the mula Prakriti (productive), became vikriti (produced).
Murti
Rahasya - The
incarnations- the Avatar Murtis of the Goddess
Once sage Jaimini (disciple of
Vedavyasa) approached Markandeya rishi with some queries related to Mahabharata. Since Markandeya was
busy he advised Jaimini to approach the erudite sons of Dronamuni -- Pingaksha,
Viradha, Suputra and Sumukha -- who became birds due to a paternal curse. They
were in caves of the Vindhyas. When approached, they clarified all doubts of
Jaimini. Earlier sage Markandeya reiterated to Brahmin Kraustuki (Bhaguri)
glories of the Devi narrated to the king Suratha and merchant Samadhi by Medhas
Muni. The glories were heard by the birds in the past which they narrated to
sage Jaimini. Devi Mahatmya, in the Markandeya
Purana, also finds a place in other Puranas, either in clipped or
extended versions:
Story of Maharaja Surath- Devi Bhagavat,
Prakrtikhanda of Brahama Vaivartta Purana
Madhu-Kaitabh Vadh- Devi Bhagavat,
Uttara kanda of the Ramayana, Shanti Pava of the Mahabharat
Mahisasura Vadha-Devi Bhagavat, Vamana
Purana, Skanda Purana: Prabhas Khanda, Arbuda Khanda, Brahmakhanda and Nagara
Khanda
Sumbha-Nisumbha Vadha- Devi Bhagavat,
Vamana Purana and in Skanda Purana, Arbuda Khanda
Devi Mahatmya-King Suratha, Vaishya Samadhi and Rishi Medhas
King Suratha was
defeated by internal and external enemies and driven out of his kingdom.
Vaishya Samadhi also betrayed by his greedy sons and wife. They came to the
hermitage of sage Medhas and observe that in spite of the past events they were
worried about friends and relatives who betrayed them. Their love towards the
betrayers did not diminish. They asked the sage ‘Why is it that my mind is not
under my control? Why does it create sorrow for me? Knowing fully well bad
qualities of these people, our mind is being attracted by the very same people and
both of us are becoming sad for them. Why we, otherwise wise people have become
so foolish and unwise?” The sage replied “All animals born in the world have some
knowledge. Some animals are blind during day, some blind during night but there
are also animals that can see equally both in day and night. Wisdom is always
mixed with wrong knowledge or ignorance. Man shows affection to their sons with
a hope that they would help them in their need. In spite of the knowledge due
to the power of the Mahamaya, man gets confounded by instincts, affection and
attachment and observes the rules of human life. She enchants the entire world
and so you need not wonder about your reaction. Mahamaya creates the world with
its movable and immovable things and though she is the cause of this attachment
if she becomes pleased she grants knowledge for salvation to human beings. Also
she is the goddess of all gods. Answer to the king’s query “Who is Mahamaya?”
is Devi Mahatmya. Though Mahamaya is omnipresent, she appears in the world to
protect sages, destroy wicked and establish dharma. The conclusion: ‘Knowledge
or intelligence is created by the power of Vishnu Maya and she herself creates
illusions to hide the truth. So surrender before this great goddess. Once she
is worshipped that Goddess will give material pleasures, heaven and liberation.’
After the narration
of Devi Mahatmya the King and Vaishya performed penance by repeating Devi Sukta
for three years to please the Devi. Ma Chandika pleased by the penance granted
them the boons desired by them. The king regained his kingdom permanently
destroying the enemies. He was blessed to be born again to become a Savarni Manu.
Vaishya, who was wise with a sense of renunciation, got wisdom in which
feelings like me and mine were absent and attained salvation.
The
sage recounts three different epic battles between the Devi and various demonic
adversaries. The Highlights of the stories follows.
Devi Mahatmya-Madhu Kaitabha
At the end of Pralaya,
Lord Vishnu entered in to his yoga nidra on the bed of Shesha, in the infinite
ocean. Out of the ear wax of Vishnu two terrible Asuras called Madhu and Kaitabha
rose with an intention of obstructing Brahma. Lord Brahma on the lotus flower originating
from the belly of Vishnu got scared and prayed that “Yoga Nidra,” who lived
within the eyes of Vishnu, with an intention of waking up Vishnu and to give him
enthusiasm and wisdom to kill these great Asuras. Mahamaya came before Brahma
from the eyes, face, nose, hands, heart and the soul of Vishnu for the sake of
waking up Vishnu to kill Madhu and Kaitabha. Woken by her, Vishnu who was
spread everywhere got up and fought using bare hands with Madhu and Kaitabha
for five thousand years. Madhu and Kaitabha loosing their senses enchanted by
the Devi, told Vishnu that they both are offering him a boon. Vishnu said-If
both of you are pleased you should consent to be killed by me. Seeing that the
whole world was full of water, they asked him to kill them in a place on earth,
free of water. He kept their heads on his lap and cut by the Sudarshana Chakra.
Mahisha king of
Asuras defeated Devas and their king Indra. Devas went to Lord Brahma Lord
Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Tridevas became very angry and from their teja arose a
flame. Teja of from all other devas also came out and merged with it, taking
the form of a Devi. Different body parts of the Devi resembled those of different
Devas. Devas provided her weapons and ornaments. Devi riding a lion shouted again
and again with powerful laugh and the entire sky was filled her sound. Asuras
came out and had a Great War with the Devi. Every breath of Ambika, gave rise
to thousands of Chandikas and waged war against the asuras. That goddess
destroyed the huge Asura army and the commanders- Chikshura, Chamara, Udagra,
Karala, Udhatha, Bashkala, Tamra, Andhaka, Ugrasya, Ugraveera, Maha Hanu, Bidala,
Durdhara, Durmukha, Asiloma and Parivaritha. Angry Mahishasura took the shape
of a buffalo and attacked. Devi tied that great Asura with Pasha, but he gave
up the form of the buffalo became lion and then became a male. Goddess cut the
head of the man. Then from that man he became a very big elephant. Goddess cut
off his trunk using the sword. Again he took the form of Buffalo. Chandika
climbed on the Asura and by oppressing him by her feet drove the spear in to
him, cutting his head by the big sword. All the Devas and sages prayed her and
Devi assured them that she shall destroy all dangers that they may face later
and human being who praises her using these stotras shall be granted
intelligence, wealth and happiness.
Devi Mahatmya-Shumbha-Nishumbha
Long time ago Shumbha
and Nishumbha defeated Devas and took over Swarga Loka. Devas remembered the
boon granted to them by Chandika and went to Himalayas praising Parvathy. Koushiki,
who rose from the body (Kosha) of Parvati by removing her black part (Kali),
became Gauri. Chanda and Munda saw her pretty form and informed Shumbha-Nishumbha.
Shumbha sent Asura Sugreeva to bring her to them. Durga told them that she has
taken an oath that man who will win her in war, who will take away her pride
and who is equal to her in strength would only become her husband. Asuras sent
their commander Dhumrlochana with the army of sixty thousand. When he ran
towards her was made in to ashes just by the sound of “hum” by her. Afterwards Durga
and her steed, the Lion destroyed the army of asuras. Next Asura Chanda and
Munda were deputed to bring her to their master. They saw the smiling Devi
riding a lion on the Himalayas. That Devi became very angry, her face became
black. From her broad forehead, rose a goddess called Kali armed with sword and
a rope, wearing a garland of human skulls, dressed in the hide of a tiger, with
a broad face, sunken red eyes, looking very fearful because she was moving her
tongue, roaring loudly. She started eating the asuras, elephants, chariots,
horses and all. That goddess lifted her sword very high, spoke “Ham”, and ran
towards Chanda, caught hold of his hair and cut off his head. Munda followed.
Then Goddess Kali came to Chandika and told “in this yadnya, I have brought Chanda
and Munda as sacrificed animals. Pleased Chandika, told to Kali-because you
have killed Chanda and Munda you would become famous in this world as Chamunda.
Later the three finished asura army.
Then
Shumbha-Nishumbha collected huge army with Kambus, Koti veeryas, Dhoomras,
Kalakas, Durhruth, Raktabeeja and attacked. In war enthusiasm the lion roared. Twang
of the bow, sound of the bell and conch by Ambika and war cry of Kali filled
the sky. Shaktis of Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Nrisinha, Varaha, Kumara and Indra
came out and with the looks of the corresponding gods reached Chandika (Along
with Chandika they are called the Ashta Durgas) and started war with the
asuras. Chandika then told Lord Shiva to
be a messenger to tell Shumbha-Nishumba ”Go to Patala and allow Indra to rule over. Otherwise let
my followers be satisfied by your meat.” (So she is called Shivaduti). War
followed. Chandika and Kali killed asuras who were eaten by her immediately.
When Rakta Beeja attacked it was found that, whenever a drop of his blood fell
on the ground, from that arose another Asura exactly like him. These asura gave
thrashing to matrikas. Raktabeeja’s blood gave raise to numerous asuras. Devas
were filled with great fear. Then Chandika told Goddess Kali “Chamunde, make
your face very broad and catch with your broad face every drop of blood falling
due to my weapons and eat the asuras who rise from the drops of blood. Chandika
hit that Rakta bija with her trident. He lost lot of blood, which Kali drank. Soon
Rakta Bija lost all the blood and died.
Then angry Shumbha
fought the Matrikas and Nishumbha hit lion with sword but fell down by the
arrow of Devi. Then Shumbha attacked Chandika who was hit by her spear and
fainted. Nishumbha woke up and started fighting. By his magical powers, he grew
ten thousand hands to him and covered the goddess with weapons. She hurled a
spear at him. From Nishumbha, whose chest was torn, arose another very strong
man. Seeing this, the Goddess laughed and cut off his head by her sword. Then
lion, Chamunda, Kali and Shivaduti killed and ate asuras. Agitated Shumbha told
Chandika that she fought the war depending on strength of others. She replied
‘In this world, I only am and where is the second. Please see that all these
people enter within me.’ All the goddesses became one with Chandika and the she
became alone. In this battlefield I assumed many forms due to my innate power
and now the plurality has become singularity and now stand here firmly and
fight with me.’ After a great war she lifted him and threw him on the ground
and tore his chest with a trident.
Devas and sages
praised her again and again. Katyayani Chandika promised them to fulfil their
desire to help universe whenever needed. She promised that she would come again
as Vindhyeshvari, Rakta Dantika, Shatakshi, Shakambaree, Durga, Bheemadevi and
Bhramari and save the sages and devas. Devi assured-whoever prays her daily,
would definitely not have any problems.
All these tales are allegories of conflicts
in outer and inner world, symbolized by the fierce battles the Devi waged
against evil demons. Her adversaries represent the human desires arising from
the pursuit of power, possessions and pleasure, and from illusions of
self-importance. Devi confronts the
demons of ego and dispels our mistaken idea of who we are, paradoxically; it is
she who creates the misunderstanding in the first place, and she alone can
awaken us to our true being- that is her Leela.
Kama, Krodha and Lobha, born of Rajas form
three gates to hell are called Mala, i.e. Dirt. It covers the consciousness in
such a way that it appears to be ‘not there’ at all. Then come subtler, more
formidable enemy-Vikshepa- a tendency of the mind, an inclination, that we call
a desire. Distraction, tossing and changing colours like chameleon. If you cut
off a desire, hundred more come to mind, in different forms. Desire can remain
in mind, even if there is no outwardly action or speech. There is no use of
merely severing the branches of the tree, unless the roots are dug. Mala can be
removed by Karma Yoga; Vikshepa can be removed only by Bhakti Yoga, by
Upasana. A subtle ignorance of Truth- Adnyana
from which comes Vikshepa which gives rise to Mala can be removed only through
owning-up and holding-on to truth, i.e. Dnyana.
Madhu-Kaitabha-Mala-Kama, Krodha, Lobha
Mahishasura, Raktabija (Change of form and multiply) = Vikshepa
Shumbha, Nishumbha-Avidya/Adnyana/Avarana- Ignorance of truth
The three
Gunas- tendencies of the mind- lead to bondage. Mala represents Tamas, Vikshepa represents
Rajas, Satva though binds us to ignorance, is preferred
as it can lead us to liberation. From Tamas to Rajas, from Rajas to Satva and from Satva to Dnyana by
grace of Maha-Kali (Action), Maha-Lakshmi (Desire) and Maha-Sarasvati (Dnyana)-
all manifestations of Mula-Prakriti (Adi-Shakti) is the path of liberation. Destruction of Avidya or Ajnana, for
overcoming Mala, Vikshepa and Avarana, can happen only with the grace of the Mother.
