The Odyssey of the Great Goddess
I was eating dinner at the western canteen, and I was looking at my new the books. There was an old Indian man sat across from me. He had a small plate with toasts and a glass of tea. He had a friendly smile, but suddenly his eyes bulged out when he saw what I was reading.
Durga The Great Goddess! He said with exaltation in his voice.
Yeah, have you heard about her? I naively asked.
Well of course. My grandfather taught my father the Devi Mahatmyam, and in turn, my father taught me, and I taught my son. I am from Calcutta, where the autumn festival takes place. I know everything about her. He took a bite out of his bread, and smiled waiting for me to ask him some questions about her.
Well, you see, today I went to see the shuka nadi interpreter in Bangalore and ...
Oh yes, the palm leaves reader. Most people consider him to be a great prophet. What did he say to you?
He said that I have always been a worshipper of Goddesses, in this life and in other lives. And then he said that in this life, I should worship Durga - The Goddess of Power. I have never heard of her before. I have been very devoted to Lakshmi in the past, and he said that that was okay, but that I should study the life of Durga now. He said that I was going to write a book about Durga, and then I would teach people about her. And that many women would follow me as a spiritual teacher for that reason, and that I had been selected to do this.
In that case, please allow me to tell you the story of Durga. Let’s walk to the Ganesha garden, it’s very peaceful there. He quickly finished his tea, and we walked out of the canteen.
Would you mind if we go back to my room first? If you are going to tell me a long story, I really should tape record it. Would you mind?
No not at all. Let’s go.
The sun was just setting in and the fresh smell of the night air was making me feel very energetic and full of life. We walked back to the shed where I was staying, and then we walked back to the Ganesha garden. We sat on the floor and leaned back against the big wall of rocks in the garden. My new found friend Bodhidharma, was getting comfortable as he prepared himself to tell me this wonderful story.
The Devi Mahatmyam, also known as the Durgasaptasati or the Candi, is an old and sacred text used by the Hindus for daily chanting. It is used pretty much like the Bhagavad Gita. The story consists of 700 mantras. The whole story is chanted on sacred occasions, especially during the Durga-Puga.
‘I pray to the Divine Mother to shower Her blessings on all those who listen to her story.’ Bodhidharma closed his eyes for a minute, and began telling the story.
‘I pray to Durga, who has ten faces, ten legs, and holds in her hands the sword, discus, mace, arrows, bow, club, spear, missile, human head and conch, who is three-eyed, adorned with ornaments on all her legs, and luminous like a blue jewel, and who was created by Brahma in order to destroy the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, when Vishnu was in mystic sleep.
‘In ancient times there was a king named Suratha. He ruled the whole world in the period of Svarocisa. He protected all of his subjects like his own children. Unfortunately, he had a group of enemies know as the Destroyers of Kolas.
‘One day he fought a small battle against the Destroyers, but he was defeated. After the battle, he returned to his own city, and tried to rule his country. But then the king was attacked again by those powerful enemies. The king lost his strength, and even his own ministers robbed his treasures. He was left deprived of his sovereignty. The king left alone on horse back that night and went into the forest.
‘In the forest he saw the home of the Indian sage Medhas. The place was inhabited by wild animals which were peaceful. Entertained by the great sage, King Suratha spent some time living in his house.
‘Then one day overwhelm by attachment and sadness, the king started to think; ‘I do not know whether the treasure that was well guarded by my ancestors is being guarded righteously or not by my servants of evil conduct. I do not know what has happened to my favorite elephant that now has fallen in the hands of my enemies. Those who were my followers, and received special favors, riches and food from me, now probably follow their new king. The treasure that I gathered with great care over the years, will be spent by those who are addicted to improper expenditures. The king felt very sad as he kept on thinking about this all night.
‘Near the home of the sage, a merchant was listening to the cries of the king. When the king saw him, he said; ‘Who are you? Why are you coming here? Why do you look so depressed?’ The merchant with a friendly spirit, bowed respectfully and replied to the king. I am a merchant named Samadhi. I have cast out by my sons and wife, who are wicked because of their greed of money. My wife and sons have taken all my money and material possessions. Cast out by my trusted family, I have come to the forest full of grief and confusion. And now I wonder how they are? Are my sons living good or evil lives?
‘The king said to him; ‘Why is your mind so attached to your evil family who deprived you of your wealth?’
‘I have been thinking about this problem. But what can I do?’ Said the merchant. ‘My mind does not become hard. It holds deep affection for those people who have cast me out driven by their greed. Abandoning the love for a father. I don’t understand this, but I do know that my heart is prone to love even worthless people. On account of them, I feel rejected. But what can I do when my heart does not become hard towards those unloving ones?’
‘The merchant and the king approached the sage and sat down in front of him.
‘Sir, I wish to ask you something.’ Said the king. ‘Without the control of my intellect, my mind is afflicted with sorrow. Although I have lost my kingdom, I still feel attached to all of my former belongings. Why do I feel this way? And this merchant who has been disowned by his wife and children still feels affection towards them. Both of us are still very attached to the things and people in our past, and this is making us very unhappy. We are aware of what is happening, but we are still lost in the world of delusion.
‘The sage said to him; every being has the knowledge of objects perceivable by the senses. A physical object reaches the senses in various ways. Some beings are blind by day, and others are blind by night. Some beings have equal sight both day and night. Human beings certainly have a lot of knowledge, but they are not the only beings that have knowledge. Cattle, birds, animals and other creatures also have knowledge.
‘Some of the knowledge that men have is shared by the birds and other animals. Other types of actions, like eating and sleeping, are also common to both. Look at the birds, they possess knowledge, yet they don’t worry about what they are going to eat. Yet they feed their young everyday by finding grains and dropping them in their beaks.
Human beings are different. They are attached to their children because of the greed for return help. Do you understand this? Men and women are pushed into the whirlpool of attachment, into the pit of delusion, through the power of the Mahamaya. In this condition the world becomes confusing. Mahamaya is the great illusion, and it even draws the minds of the wise and confuses them. But there is a way out. There is an underlying force in the Universe. She is the supreme knowledge, and when the time is appropriate, she blesses human beings and grants them their final and eternal liberation. She is sovereign over all worlds. She is the ultimate and primal power of the Universe.
‘Who are you referring to?’ Said the king. ‘How did she come into being, and what is her sphere of action? What constitutes her nature? What is her form? Where did she come from? I wish to hear everything you know about her.
‘She is eternal, embodied as the Universe.’ Said the sage. ‘Nevertheless, she incarnates in different ways. When she manifests herself in order to accomplish a mission, she is said to be born in the world, although she is eternal.
‘In the ancient times, when the world was mostly an ocean, the adorable Lord Vishnu stretched out on his couch and laid down to sleep. While he was in this mystic sleep, the two well known and terrible demons Madhu and Kaitabha appeared from the dirt of Vishnu’s ears. They wanted to destroy Brahma. Brahma who is the father of all beings, was sitting on a lotus. Seeing that these two evil demons wanted to destroy him and Janarda who was asleep next to Vishnu, Brahma began to concentrate all of his mind on calling the Great Goddess.
‘Brahma said; ‘You are the nectar of immortality. Oh eternal and imperishable One, you are the Supreme Mother of the world. By you this Universe is born, and by you this world is created. At the time of creation you were the creative force. At the time of sustentation you are the form of the protective power. And at the time of dissolution of the world, you will be the destructive power. You are the supreme knowledge as well as the great intellect and contemplation. All the powers of good and evil belong to you. You are the Goddess of good fortune.
‘Armed with sword, spear, club, discus, conch, bow, arrows, slings, and iron mace, you are terrible, and at the same time pleasing. You are exceedingly beautiful. You are compassionate to those who surrender to you, but terrible to those who go against you. You are the Supreme Goddess beyond the high and the low. You are the soul of everything.
‘I request three things from you Great Goddess; bring Lord Vishnu out of his sleep, command him to slay these two demons, and confuse the mind of the demons so that they might be slayed by Lord Vishnu.
‘Suddenly Durga the Great Goddess drew herself out of Brahma’s eyes, appeared in front of him, and granted him his wish. Janardana, who was sleeping next to Vishnu, quickly woke up and saw the two evil demons getting ready to devour Brahma. At the same time Vishnu got up and started to fight with the demons. The demons frenzied with their exceeding power, and confused by the power of Durga, asked Vishnu for a final wish. ‘Slay us at the spot of the where the earth is not flooded with water.’ The demons said.
‘So be it.’ Said Vishnu. ‘Vishnu picked them up and cut their heads off with anger.
‘At the end, Brahma praised Durga for her glorious help.
Wow that’s a great story man. I said to Bodhidharma.
Wait, I haven’t finished yet. There is much more to tell. He said with a firm tone of voice.
Sorry, go ahead.
I will now tell you the story of how Durga was created by the male Gods to bring order into the Universe. Bodhidharma closed his eyes, and continued the story.
I pray to Durga, the destroyer of Mahisasura, who is seated on the lotus. She is of the complexion of coral and holds in her many hands rosary, ax, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, bow, pitcher, rod, sakti, sword, shield, conch, bell, wine cup, trident, rope, and the discus of Sudarsana.
A long time ago, there was a terrible demon named Mahisasura. Mahih meaning buffalo. This demon would appear in the form of a buffalo to fight with his enemies. He was known as the lord of the demons.
When this demon appeared, he became very powerful and formed an army of demons. He managed to dethrone Indra, the lord of all Gods, and throw him and Brahma out of heaven.
Feeling sad and distressed, Brahma went to look for Vishnu and Shiva. He described to them in detail what had happened.
‘We have been thrown out of heaven by that evil nature demon.’ Said Brahma. ‘We are seeking shelter, while we plan out the means of his destruction.
After hearing the words of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva became very angry, and their faces grew fierce with frowns. Then a bright light came forth from the face of Vishnu who was full of intense anger. That light was met by two bright lights that came out of Brahma and Shiva. Beams of bright light came out from the bodies of Indra and the other Gods present there.
The beams of light formed a mountain of light blazing with fire. Then out of that combination of power coming from all the Gods, a beautiful and radiant female form appeared. That which was Shiva’s light, became her face. Yama’s light became her hair, and Vishnu’s light became her arms. Chandra’s light formed her breasts. Indra’s light became her waist. Varuna’s light made her thighs, and the earth’s light created her hips. Brahman’s light became her feet. Surya’s light her toes. Vasus created her fingers. Kubera’s light her nose. Prajapati’s her teeth. Agni’s light formed her three eyes. The light of the two sandhyas became her eyebrows. The light of Vayu her ears. And the light of a few other Gods also contributed to her form. All of these brilliant lights combined formed that which became known as the Bright Goddess.
Then the Gods gave her their weapons. Shiva presented a trident to her. Vishnu brought forth a discus. Varuna gave her a conch. Agni a spear. Maruna gave her a bow and some arrows. Indra presented her with a thunderbolt. Yama gave her the Staff of Death. Varuna a rope. Brahma gave her a string of beads and a water pot, and Kala gave her a spotless sword and a shield. Visvakarman gave her a brilliant ax and an impenetrable armor. Kubera gave her an ever-full cup of wine, and Shesa gave her a serpent necklace decorated with precious jewels.
The ocean gave her a pure necklace, a pair of undecaying garments, a divine crest jewel, a pair of earrings, bracelets, a brilliant half noon ornament, armlets on all arms, a pair of anklets, and rings on all her fingers. Along with a garland of unfading lotuses for her head and other for her breasts. And a beautiful lotus for her hand. Finally, the mountain Himavat gave her a lion to ride on and many jewels.
Upon receiving this magnificent gifts and weapons, Durga let out a loud roar and defying laugh again and again. This terrible roar filled the sky, made the world shake, and the seas tremble.
The earth was shaking and the mountains vibrated in unison. ‘Victory to you!’ Yelled the Gods as they saw her ride upon her lion.
After hearing the resounding laughter the king demon Mahisasura mobilized all of his armies and they ran toward the source of the laughter.
‘What is this?’ Asked Mahisasura surrounded by a great number of demons.
When he reached the source, he saw Durga shining bright and making the earth move with her footsteps, and walking towards him with a thousand hands full of weapons. Then began the battle between Durga and the army of demons. The sky was illuminated by the movement of her bright arms and shining weapons. Mahisasura’s general lead the first attack with sixty thousand chariots. Parivarita, a chief demon, attacked with thousands of elephants and horses. Other demons attacked with iron maces and javelins, with spears and clubs, with swords and axes.
They began to strike her with swords in order to kill her. But Durga easily cut their swords and arms into pieces. Without any strain on her face, and with the Gods watching from a distance, she threw her weapons at the bodies of the demons, and the lion that carried Durga, shaking with rage, threw the dead bodies of the demons aside as it walked. Then Durga moved forward and continued to kill hundreds of demons with her trident, club, showers of spears, swords and the like. She even killed other demons who were stupefied by the sound of her bell, and captured others with her rope. Some were split into two by the sharp slashes of her sword, and others smashed by the blows of her mace. Some severely hammered by her club were vomiting blood.
Slashed in the chest by her trident some fell on the ground. Pierced all over by her arrows, hundreds of demons laid down on the battlefield. Some had their arms cut off, some their necks broken, and others laid headless on the ground.
Some injured demons got up from the ground, and tried to fight Durga with their best weapons in their hands. They rose and fell again, until they shouted; ‘Stop, stop.’
The ground was covered with broken chariots, dead demons, elephants, and horses. The blood of the demons and dead animals flowed like a large river of red water amidst their defeated army.
A fire was started by the Gods, and no remains were left of Mahisasura’s army of demons.
Durga’s lion roared outloud as they march around the battlefield. That was the time when Durga fought in such a manner that Gods in heaven shower her with flowers and honor her, but that was not the end of the battle.
After seeing that his army had been defeated, the demon general advanced full of anger to fight with Durga. He showered her hundreds of arrows, but Durga easily blocked them. She picked up her bow and with one single arrow she pierced the body of the general.
Another demon general came from a distance, and armed with a sword in his hand and a shield on the other, he rushed to attack Durga who was walking in the other direction. Unexpectedly, he hit the lion on the head with his sword, and struck Durga on her left arm. His sword broke into tiny pieces as it touched her arm. His eyes turned red in anger as he grabbed his spike. Seeing that a spike was coming toward her, Durga blocked the hit and shattered the spike along the demon into a million pieces.
Camara, another demon who had been watching the battle, advanced mounted on an elephant. He raised his spear and charged towards Durga. She quickly responded to his threat, broke his spear with one movement of her hand. Durga’s lion jumped on top of the elephant and started a combat with the demon.
Fighting with courage, the lion and the demon fell down from the back of the elephant. Then the lion jumped up to the sky, and while coming down the lion severed Camara’s head with a blow from its paw.
Durga continued to fight and destroy a few other demons. After the whole army had been destroyed, Mahisasura appeared in his buffalo form. He pounded the surface of the earth with his hooves in rage, and rushed to slay Durga’s lion.
Seeing this king demon full of rage, and advancing quickly towards her, Durga flung her rope over him and tide him with a knot. Mahisasura suddenly changed form and became a lion. Durga took out her sword and cut its head. But he changed form again, and became a man with a sword. Immediately, Durga threw an arrow at his heart, but then he became a big elephant.
The elephant grabbed the lion with his trunk and roared loudly, but as he was dragging the lion, Durga cut off his trunk with her sword. He jumped back and resumed his buffalo shape again.
Durga enraged by the demon, started drinking her divine drink from her cup. She started laughing and her eyes became bright red. The buffalo hurled mountains against Durga with his horns, but she showered them with arrows and the mountains disappeared.
‘Roar, roar, you fool.’ Said Durga. ‘Roar for a moment while I drink this wine. You will soon be dead, and the Gods will roar in this very place.
Durga jumped down from her lion and landed on top of the demon. She pressed his neck with her foot and struck him with her spear.
Caught under her foot, Mahisasura tried to move around. His half true form revealed for the first time. He laid there while Durga using her great sword, cut off his head.
All the Gods celebrated after the great victory, and they praised Durga. The Gods sang, danced, and celebrated for a long time.
Bodhidharma stood up and stretched. Well that’s about half of the story. What do you think so far? He said.
This is the best story I’ve ever heard. This Goddess is awesome.
I have to tell you more about her. There are many things you don’t know yet. He turned around and looked at my bottle of water. Could I have some of your water?
Yeah, sure. I handed him the bottle. Here you go. Bodhidharma picked up the bottle and turned it up away above his head in the Indian manner. That way the water will pour down without one touching the top of the bottle.
Thank you. He said. Now lets see...
After the army of evil demons had been defeated, the Gods praised Durga for her victory. This means that Durga is worthy of worship by all the Gods, sages, and human beings on the world.
‘You see, her power is the embodiment of the entire powers of all the Gods, and if we bow to her in devotion, she will grant us many wonderful things.
Bodhidharma closed his eyes again and after a small pause he continued.
May Durga, whose incomparable greatness and power, Vishnu, Brahman, and Shiva are unable to describe, dedicate her mind to protect the entire world and destroy the fear of evil.
Oh Durga, we bow before you. Please come to our rescue whenever we fall in trouble. May whomever calls upon your name with full devotion, may receive all kinds of pleasures, wealth, riches, and peace of mind.
You are the source of good fortune for the virtuous, and the source of ill fortune for the vicious. You are intelligence in the mind of the learned, faith in the hearts of the good, and modesty in the life of the high born. May you protect the Universe forever!
You are the origin of all the worlds. You are incomprehensible even to Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. You are the resort of all. This entire world is composed of an infinitesimal portion of yourself. You are the Supreme Power.
You are the means of liberation. Your knowledge is cultivated by the sages who seek total liberation.
You are the sustainer of life. You are the supreme destroyer of pain in the world.
You are the soul of the word. You are the intellect by which the essence of all scriptures is understood. You are Durga, the boat that takes men and women across the difficult ocean of worldly experience, devoid of attachments.
You are always generous with whom you are well pleased. Those fortunate ones always find riches, success, and their acts of righteousness never stop. They are indeed blessed by your grace, and they possess devoted children, servants, and wonderful spouses.
Durga, it is by your grace that blessed individuals act righteously, and thereby they are able to go to heaven.
When we call upon you in difficult times, you remove the fear from the hearts of every person. When we call you in times of happiness, you fill our minds with joy. You are the dispeller of poverty, pain and fear. You have a compassionate heart and help everyone.
You are the supporter of the world. You have been praised by the Gods, and worshipped by them with the celestial flowers that blossom in the garden of heaven.
After the battle Durga spoke to the Gods. ‘Choose, all of you, whatever you desire from me and I will grant it with great pleasure.’
Since our enemy Mahisasura has been destroyed by you, everything has been accomplished.’ Answered the Gods. ‘The only blessing that we ask for is that whenever we think of you again, you will come back and help us get rid off our problems. May anyone who praises your name increase in wealth, prosperity and life.
My friend Bodhidharma paused again to have another drink of water.
Is this true? I said to him. I mean, this is such a fantastic story. Is this a myth or a legend, or did something like this actually happened?
Everything I’m telling you happened a lot long time ago. Bodhidharma said. This is a true story. It is all written in the ancient Sanskrit scriptures called Devi Mahatmyam. Durga is not a poetic figure in an old tale. She is a divine presence whose active help and limitless love are available to all those who follow her.
But she seems so different from your average Goddess, or from your average woman for that matter. I said to Bodhidharma.
Yes, it is very important to understand her mission and purpose in the Universe.
What do you mean? I asked.
You see, the life of Durga is a lesson to every women alive. Durga is a free thinker. She likes to be independent. She is not submissive, and she will not let any man, or demon for that matter, push her around. She is powerful, beautiful, and independent. Which is how women should be.
But most of the women here in India are submissive and...
That’s why Durga is here. Said Bodhidharma. Durga wants to help people to become strong, powerful, and wealthy. She is the source of inspiration and power. And she also helps people to get rid off obstacles and enemies. The Gods could not handle it on their own. They needed a Goddess to help them bring order back into the world. It happened several times. Let me continue with the story, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Go on, I love this story.
A long time ago there were two powerful demons named; Shumbha and Nishumbha. As they grew in strength, they took over heaven and replaced Indra and other Gods. The Gods were deprived of their functions and were expelled by these two demons.
Then the Gods remember the promise made by Durga to them. ‘Whenever you are in trouble think of me, and at that very moment I will put an end to all your troubles.’
The Gods decided to go to the Himavat mountain and praise Durga. When they got there, they said; ‘Salutations to the Great Goddess. Salutations always to her who is ever auspicious. Salutations to her who is prosperity and success. Salutations always to Durga who takes one across difficulties, who is essence, and who is the author of everything.
Salutations to the Great Goddess who abides in all beings in the form of power; in the form of forgiveness, in the form of peace; in the form of faith; in the form of loveliness; in the form of good fortune; and in the form of compassion.
To the all pervading Goddess who constantly presides over the senses of all beings and governs all the elements. Salutations again and again to her who, pervading this entire world, abides in the form of consciousness.
While the Gods were engaged in their praises, Durga in the form of Parvati came there to bathe in the waters of the Ganga, and then she said to them; ‘I am routed in battle to fight the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Durga turned dark and black, and she stationed herself on mount Himalaya.
When the assistants of the demons saw the beautiful form of the Goddess, they became enchanted by her beauty. Such supreme beauty had never been seen by anyone anywhere.
They went back to see the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha and said; ‘Your Lordship! That woman is the most beautiful female in the entire Universe. A gem among women of exquisitely beautiful limbs. You should see her.’
Her beauty was described with such terms that Shumbha and Nishumbha could not resist sending their messenger Sugreeva to bring her to them.
When the messenger reached the top of the mountain, he saw Durga standing in a beautiful spot. The messenger said; ‘Great Goddess. Shumbha, lord of demons, is the supreme sovereign of all the worlds. Sent by him as messenger, I have come here to your presence. My master says that all of the worlds are his, and all the Gods obedient to him. All of the best jewels are in his possession, and so is Airvata - the best elephant, the vehicle of the king of the Gods. He looks upon you, Great Goddess, as the jewel of womankind in this world. You should come to me, for you are a true jewel. Wealth, great and beyond compare, you will get by marrying me. Think about it, and become my wife.’ The messenger waited for an answer.
‘You have spoken the truth.’ Said Durga. ‘Shumbha is indeed the sovereign of all the worlds, and likewise is his brother Nishumbha. But in this matter, I have made a promise to myself, and I stand committed to my oath. Only he who conquers me in battle, removes my pride, and it’s my match in power in the world shall be my husband. So let Shumbha or Nishumbha come here and show their strength and win me in the battle.’
The messenger said to her; ‘Lady you are very arrogant and crazy. Indra and the other Gods could not stand in battle against Shumbha and the other demons. How would you, a single woman, face them. You are a mere woman, you cannot match their might. Follow my advice; come with me and accept their proposal, or else you shall be dragged by your hair and taken to their feet.’
‘Go back and tell the demon lords what I have said to you. Let them come and fight with me.’ Durga said to him and walked away.
Filled with rage, the messenger returned to his masters and related the message from Durga. Upon hearing this, Shumbha and Nishumbha went looking for her followed by an army of sixty thousand demons.
Once they reached the snowy mountains, they asked her outloud; ‘Come to the presence of Shumbha and Nishumbha. If you don’t, we will take you by force and drag you by the hair.’
Then they sent a demon after her. The demon quickly ran towards her, but Durga pronounced the word ‘hum’ and he turned into a ball of fire and was suddenly reduced to ashes.
The great army of demons became angry, and they showered her with arrows, javelins, and axes. Then Durga’s lion made a loud roar, jumped, and landed on top of the army of demons.
Some demons were crushed with a blow from its paw, others were being chewed in its mouth, and others were smashed by its legs. In just a few moments, the whole army had been destroyed by that high spirited lion.
When Shumbha and Nishumbha heard that their army had been destroyed they sent Chanda and Munda, two great commanders, along with another army to arrest the Great Goddess. Then the fully armed group of demons marched on their way to the mountain.
Durga was smiling gently as she was sitting on top of her lion at the peak of the mountain. She had a surprise waiting for them. Out of the surface of her forehead the Goddess wrathfully produced a black woman figure named Kali. She had frightening form; bearing the strange skull topped staff, decorated with a garland of skulls, dressed in tiger skin, and very appalling because of her emancipated flesh. With a gaping mouth, her tongue rolling out, with deep red eyes, filling the sky with her roars, she fell upon the army and devoured the demons.
Snatching the elephants with one hand, Kali tossed them up into her mouth and swallowed them. Doing likewise with the cavalry, the chariots, and the drivers. She picked a demon up by the hair and crushed him by the weight of her foot. Kali destroyed all of the demons, devoured some, and battered others. She laughed outload showing her frightful sharp teeth gleaming against the sky.
Durga mounted on her lion, ran after the two commanders who were getting away. She grabbed Chanda by the hair and cut his head with her sword. Munda fell on the ground and Durga strike him with her sword. She picked up the two heads and brought them to Shumbha and Nishumbha, the demon lords.
‘I have brought you the heads of Chanda and Munda.’ Said Durga. ‘You shall be next.’ Durga went back to the mountain and waited for them.
Shumbha and Nishumbha called upon the eighty-six demons, and many other families of demons, to come and join them in the battle.
Seeing a most terrible army coming, Durga’s lion made an exceedingly loud roar, and Durga magnified that sound with her bell, but the demons continued to advanced. The demons surrounded the lion, Durga, and Kali.
Suddenly the God Shiva appeared saying; ‘Let the demons be killed by you for my gratification.’
Durga let out a fierce yell equal to that of a hundred jackals. The demons were confused and stupefied by the noise. ‘Go my lord as ambassador to the presence of Shumbha and Nishumbha.’ Said Durga to Shiva. ‘Tell the demon lords to let Indra and the other Gods back in heaven, and tell them to go to the nether world, if they wish to remain alive. But if they are too proud and anxious for battle, then let my jackals be satisfied with their flesh.’
Shumbha and Nishumbha refused to accept the Goddess offer and leading a huge army of terrible demons, they reached the battlefield. This time the army was being lead by a weird and powerful demon named Raktabeeja. He had the power to reproduce many demons of his form and dimension from the drops of his own blood.
Supported by the divine powers, the Goddess began to fight the demons. The great demon Raktabeeja strode forward to fight in wrath. Durga hit him with her club, but whenever a drop of his blood feel on the ground, another demon of his same size would appear. The Raktabeeja got stroke by a thunderbolt, and his blood flowed quickly all over the battlefield.
From his blood rose up many fresh demons with his form, strength, and courage. Again and again, whenever Raktabeeja got wounded, thousands of more demons were materialized. And those demons that were born from the blood of Raktabeeja filled up the whole world. The Gods became intensely alarmed at this time.
Seeing the Gods so worried made Durga laugh, and then she said to Kali; ‘Open your mouth real wide and quickly take in all the drops of the blood flowing from Raktabeeja.’
She swallowed all the drops of blood, and then roamed around the battlefield devouring many demons on her path. Durga attacked Raktabeeja with her dart, and while he was down, he got swallowed just like the other demons.
Upon seeing the result of the battle, the Gods danced with great joy.
After witnessing the death of Raktabeeja, Shumbha and Nishumbha joined forces with the rest of the demons who were still alive, and they advanced forward to attack Durga.
Shumbha move toward one side of the Goddess, and Nishumbha moved in the other direction. Together, like thunderclouds, they produced a tremendous shower of arrows on her. Then Nishumbha grabbed a sharp sword and struck Durga’s lion on the head.
When the lion was struck, Durga quickly turned around and cut Nishumba’s sword and shield with a sharp edge arrow. Then abruptly, he took out his spear and threw it at her. But Durga split it in two with her discus.
Infuriated, the demon ran towards Durga with a battle ax, but with her power Durga made him fall down on the floor. When Shumbha saw his brother powerless laying on the floor, he ran and jumped on his chariot. Loaded with many excellent weapons he prepared to attack.
Seeing him approaching, Durga blew her conch and rang her bell. Her lion filled the earth and the sky with his load roars, and Kali jumped up and down striking the earth with both of her hands.
The demons became frightened by those sounds, but Shumbha became outraged.
‘Durga said to him; ‘Evil nature one, stop or else.’
Shumbha grabbed his flaming spear, and charged toward her. Then Durga became angry and pierced his body with her trident. Feeling wounded, he fainted and fell to the ground.
Then Nishumbha regained consciousness and started throwing arrows at Durga, Kali, and the lion. Durga turned around, she threw a dart at him and pierced his heart. The lion then jumped on top of him and devoured him.
After fainting, Shumbha regained consciousness and decided to take on the Goddess himself. Reaching the battlefield he said; ‘You take pride on others’ strength. Why don’t you show your own power.’
Durga replied with a smile; ‘I am alone in the world here. Who else is there besides me? The whole world is just me. All creation is my form in a variety of dimensions. All these powers come from me, and ultimately return to me.
Then the nine celestial powers which had emerged from the Goddess form went back to her. ‘The numerous forms which I have projected by my power here, have been withdrawn by me.’ Said Durga. ‘Now I stand alone. Are you ready for combat?’
A terrible battle began between the two of them, as the Gods and demons watched at a distance. With showers of arrows, with sharp weapons, and frightful missiles, both engaged in a battle that frightened the whole world.
Shumbha taking his sword bright like the sun, rushed toward the Goddess in a strong effort to kill her. Durga split his sword with an arrow shot from her bow. He then grabbed his terrible mace and attacked her again. Durga threw another arrow and split his mace. Finally, he raised his fists and ran toward her. They started to fight hand to hand in close contact, which surprised the Gods who were watching.
Durga picked him up, whirled him around, and threw him on the floor. He quickly got up and ran towards her again. As he was coming, Durga threw a dart a him and pierced his heart. The demon fell lifeless on the ground, and his great fall made the earth shake.
With the death of the demon, the Universe became happy, and it regained perfect peace. The Gods rejoiced and celebrated the victory. They were so happy that they composed a hymn in praise of the Goddess.
‘Oh Great Goddess, you who remove the sufferings of your followers, be kind to us. Be kind to us, oh mother of the Universe. Protect the Universe. You are the ruler of all that is moving and unmoving.
You are the support of the world, because you subsist in the form of the earth. By you who exist in the form of water, the Universe is gratified.
You are the power of Vishnu. You are the source of the Universe. If you are kind to us, you will bring us final liberation in this world.
All the women in the world are part of you. What praise can there be for you who are the nature of everything worthy of praise?
When you have been labeled as the embodiment of all beings, and provider of enjoyment and liberation, what excellent words can praise you?
Salutations to you, Great Goddess, you who are the intelligence in the minds of all creatures, and supply enjoyment and liberation.
Salutations to you, who in the form of minutes and other divisions of time, bring about change in things, and thus have the power to destroy the Universe.
Salutations to you, who are the good in all that is good.
Salutations to you, who have the power of creation, sustentation, and destruction, and are eternal.
Salutations to you, who save the rejected and distressed that take refuge under you. You, Great Goddess, who remove the sufferings of all that come to you.
Salutations to you, who ride in the heavenly chariot.
Salutations to you, who bear the trident, the moon and the serpent, and ride a big bull.
Salutations to you, who are attended by a peacock, and bear a great spear. You who are sinless and perfect.
Salutations to you, who hold the great weapons of conch, discus, club, and bow.
Salutations to you, who grasp a discus and uplift the earth with your power.
Salutations to you, who in the fierce form of a man lion put forth your efforts to slay the demons. You possess the benevolence of saving all the worlds.
Salutations to you, who have a diadem and a great thunderbolt, and have dazzling eyes.
Salutations to you, who slayed all the demons with your terrible form and loud voice.
Salutations to you, who are good fortune. modesty, great wisdom, faith, and nourishment. You are the great night and great illusion.
Salutations to you, who are intelligent and bringer of prosperity.
Oh Queen of it all, you exist in the form of all beings, and possess every might. Please save us from error. Salutation be to you great Durga.
May you always protect us from all fears. Salutation be to you great Durga. Terrible with flames, destroyer of all the demons, may your trident guard us from fear.
Salutation be to you great Durga.
May your bell that fills the world with its ringing, and destroys the powers of the demons, guard us. Durga, protect us as a mother protects her children.
May your sword, smeared with the blood of the demons and gleaming with rays, be our welfare.
Oh Great Goddess, we bow to you.
When satisfied, you destroy all illness, but when wrathful you frustrate all the longed for desires. Nothing bad happens to those who have sought you. Those who have sought you become a refuge of others.
You have multiplied your form into many, in order to destroy the demons. Who else can do that work?
Who is there except you in the sciences, in the scriptures, and in the Vedic sayings, that light the lamp of differentiation?
When the demons and other tormentors attack, you are there and save the world.
Oh Queen of the Universe, as the self of the Universe, you support the Universe. You are the Goddess worthy to be adored by the Lord of the Universe. Those who bow in devotion to you become the protectors of the Universe.
Oh Great Goddess, be pleased and protect us always as you have done just now by slaying the demons. Please destroy the sins of all worlds and the great calamities which have sprung from the maturing of evil forces.
Oh Great Goddess, you remove the afflictions of the Universe, be kind to us who have bowed to you. You are worthy of adoration by all the people in the world. Please bless the world.’
Durga said; ‘Gods, I am prepared to bless you now. Choose whatever you desire in your mind, for the welfare of the world, and I shall grant it.’
The Gods said; ‘Queen of all, in this same manner, you must destroy all our enemies and the afflictions of the worlds.’
Durga said; ‘When the twenty-eighth age has arrived during the period of Vaivasvata Manu, two great demons will be born. Then I will be born from the womb of Yashoda, in the home of cowherd Nanda, and dwelling on the Vindhya mountains, and I will destroy them both. Having incarnated in a very terrible form on the earth, I shall slay the demons who are descendants of Vipracitti. After devouring the demons, my teeth shall become red like the flower of pomegranate, and everyone will talk of me as the ‘Red-toothed.’
When rain shall fail for a period of one hundred years, I shall be born on the drought-ridden earth, but not from a womb.
Then I shall look at the realized people of the world with a hundred eyes and everyone shall glorify me as ‘hundred-eyed’.
At that time, I shall maintain the whole world with life sustaining vegetables, born out of my own cosmic body, until the rains set in.
During that period I shall slay the great demon named Durgama.
And again, assuming a terrible form on the Himalaya, I shall destroy the demons for the protection of the realized people of the world. Then, all them bowing their bodies reverently, shall praise me. When the demon named Aruna shall make great trouble in the world having taken the collective form of innumerable bees, I shall slay the great demon for the good of the world.
Whenever trouble arises in the world, I shall incarnate and destroy the troubles.
Whoever prays to me constantly with these hymns, and maintains a good concentration level, shall - without any doubt - be free from every trouble.
And those who share my story with others, along with those who listen to this sublime poem on my greatness, to them nothing bad shall ever happen. They will never live in poverty, and they will not be separated from beloved ones.
They will not experience fear from enemies, or from robbers, or from weapons, fires, or floods.
This poem on my greatness must be repeated by people of concentrated minds and always listened to with devotion; for it is the supreme course of well being.
May this poem of my glories heal all epidemic catastrophes.
My sanctuary will be wherever this poem is repeated everyday. My presence there will be certain.
When sacrifice is offered, during worship, in the fire ceremony, and at the great festival, the poem on my acts must be repeated and heard.
I will accept with love the sacrifice and worship that are made, and the fire offering that is also offered, whether they are done with due knowledge or not.
During the autumn season, the people listening to my story with devotion shall certainly be delivered from all problems and be blessed with great riches.
Upon hearing this glorification and experiences of mine, a person becomes fearless.
Enemies perish, welfare accrues and the family rejoices for those who listen to my story.
Let everyone listen to my story at a ceremony, after a bad dream, or whenever there is great evil influence on the planet.
In this way, the evil will subside, and the bad dreams will turn into good dreams.
This story creates peacefulness in children. It also promotes friendship among couples when an argument occurs in their relationship.
It diminishes the power of evil men. Demons, goblins, and ogres are destroyed by its mere repetition.
This entire glorification of mine draws a devotee very close to me. And by that means the finest cattle, flowers, arghya and incenses, and perfumes and lamps, are obtained by listening to this sacred story of mine. The telling and the hearing of the story of my manifestations removes sin, and grants perfect health and protection of evil spirits. If this story is related by you, it will bring you a perfect mind.
If someone is lost in the forest, or surrounded by robbers in a desolate spot, or captured by enemies, or pursued by a lion, or is sentenced to death, or has been imprisoned, or is involved in battle, or is afflicted by pain, such a person upon remembering this story shall be saved. Through my power, all problems flee from a distance from those who remember my story.’
Having spoken, the beautiful Durga disappeared on that very spot as the Gods were watching her.
Their enemies had been killed, there was no more fear among them, and they all resumed their own activities and duties.
After two of the most fierce demons had been killed, the remaining demons went away below the earth.
Durga, the Great Goddess, is eternal. She incarnates again and again to protect the world.
It is by her that this Universe is supported, and it is she who creates this Universe. When worshipped by her devotees, she grants supreme knowledge, and prosperity.
In times of prosperity, she grants prosperity in the homes of her devotees. And in times of misfortune, she brings about ruin.
When praised and worshipped with flowers, incense, and perfumes, she grants wealth, children, a mind focused on righteousness, and a prosperous life.
Now let’s go back to the beginning. Said Bodhidharma. You still remember that this story was being told by a sage in the presence of the king and the trader, right?
Yeah, whatever happened to them. I said.
The sage said to them; I have now finished telling you the sublime story on the glory of the Great Goddess. Durga is full of majestic power, by her the world is upheld. Knowledge is similarly granted by her.
‘Take refuge in her, worship her, and she will grant you enjoyment, heaven, and total liberation.
After hearing the story, both the king and the merchant went to the side of the river and practiced repeating the supreme hymns to Durga. They made an image of her on the sands of the river, and they worshipped her with flowers, incense, fire, and water.
They fasted with their minds fully concentrated on her, and they both offered sacrifices of blood drawn from their own bodies.
They stayed there for three years, until Durga was well pleased and spoke to them in visible form.
Durga said; ‘What you request, you shall receive from me. I am well pleased and grant you both what you wish.’
Then the king chose a kingdom, imperishable even in another life, and in this life itself his own kingdom wherein the power of his enemies is destroyed by force.
The merchant whose mind was full of dispassion for the world, chose to have to knowledge that removes the attachment in the form of ‘mine’ or ‘I’.
Durga said; ‘In a few days, you shall obtain your own kingdom, and it shall last with you there. After you die, you shall gain another birth and become a great sage named Savarni.
For you, the best of merchants, supreme knowledge shall be yours for your self-realization.
After the Great Goddess granted them wishes, she disappeared and they left full of devotion.
Having gained the blessing from the Goddess, the king shall obtain a new birth and become a great sage named Savarni.’
OM TAT SAT OM.
After hearing this wonderful story, Bodhidharma said to me;
Let’s meditate for a while. He closed his eyes, straightened his back and chanted three times; OM DHUM DURGA IAY NAMAHA.
After several minutes of very high meditation, I opened my eyes and found my friend Bodhidharma missing. I did not hear him and stand up and walk away. I looked around for him, but he was nowhere to be found.
As I walked back to my room, I saw my friend Antonio who works at the canteen.
Hey, Antonio. Did you see that guy that I was having dinner with?
I didn’t see anybody sitting with you at dinner. Why?
Well, we came out here, and he was telling me a this wonderful story...
Tonight? He asked with a hesitant voice.
Yeah, about two hours ago.
No I saw you walked out by yourself. I thought you were going to volunteer to help us clean up tonight, but you just left before I could say anything.
I got find this guy, there are so many things I want to ask him. I’ll see you later.
Antonio remained there looking dumfounded. I walked around the Garden all the way to the other side, but there was no sign of him.
The next day I asked many people if they had seen him, but no one seemed to know who this man was.