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.

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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.

Devi Mahatmya-Mahishasura.

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.