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As a goddess, Durga's feminine power contains the energies of the gods. Each of her weapons was given to her by various gods: Rudra's trident, Vishnu's discus, Indra's thunderbolt,Brahma's [[kamandalu]], Kuber's Ratnahar, etc. |
As a goddess, Durga's feminine power contains the energies of the gods. Each of her weapons was given to her by various gods: Rudra's trident, Vishnu's discus, Indra's thunderbolt,Brahma's [[kamandalu]], Kuber's Ratnahar, etc. |
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According to a narrative in the [[Devi Mahatmya]] story of the [[Markandeya Purana]] text, Long long ago when Indra was the king of devas and Mahisha was the king of asuras, a hundred year was fought between devas and asuras. (Mahishmati was the wife of an Asura called Vipra chithi. She terrorized the sage Sindhu Deepa taking the form of a buffalo. He cursed her to really become a buffalo. She drank the semen of sage Sindhu Deepa and gave birth to Mahishasura. The place where Mahishasura ruled in the olden days was called Mahishur and is the present Mysore in the city in the Karnataka State of India. ) |
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According to a narrative in the [[Devi Mahatmya]] story of the [[Markandeya Purana]] text, Durga was created as a warrior goddess to fight an [[asura]] (an inhuman force/demon) named [[Mahishasura]]. He had unleashed a reign of terror on earth, heaven and the nether worlds, and he could not be defeated by any man or god, anywhere. The gods went to [[Brahma]], who had given Mahishasura the power not to be defeated by a man. Brahma could do nothing. They made Brahma their leader and went to [[Vaikuntha]]—the place where Vishnu lay on [[Shesha|Ananta Naag]]. They found both [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]], and Brahma eloquently related the reign of terror Mahishasur had unleashed on the three worlds. Hearing this Vishnu, Shiva and all of the gods became very angry and beams of fierce light emerged from their bodies. The blinding sea of light met at the Ashram of a priest named Katyayan and Durga emerged from this pool of light. The goddess Durga took the name Katyaayani from the priest and emerged from the sea of light. She introduced herself in the language of the [[Rig-Veda]], saying she was the form of the supreme Brahman who had created all the gods. Now she had come to fight the demon to save the gods. They did not create her; it was her ''[[lila]]'' that she emerged from their combined energy. The gods were blessed with her compassion. |
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In that war the army of devas was defeated by the very valorous army of Asuras and after winning all devas Mahishasura became Indra (king of Devas) Afterwards the defeated Devas went to the place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are there with Brahma who was born out of the lotus as their leader. Devas went to them and related to them about the action of Mahishasura and their great defeat truly as it happened. That Mahishasura has usurped the powers of Sun, Indra, Fire, wind god, and moon and using their powers. Driven out from heaven by the bad soul Mahishasura all groups of Devas are traveling in the earth like human beings. We have told you all actions of Mahishasura and have sought your refuge. Please think about how he can be killed. Thus hearing the words of the devas, Lord Vishnu and lord Shiva, with a face with eyebrows curved, became very angry. Then from the very angry and broad face of Vishnu and the faces of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, one lustrous power arose. From the bodies of all devas including Indra very large lustrous power arose and became united with this power. Those devas saw that very powerful fireball which was lighting all directions with its great flame and found it similar to a shining mountain. In that assembly of devas, that incomparable flame which emerged from the bodies of all devas including Vishnu became one and took the form of a lady whose power was shining in all the three worlds. |
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It is said that upon initially encountering Durga, Mahishasura underestimated her, thinking: "How can a woman kill me, Mahishasur—the one who has defeated the trinity of gods?". However, Durga roared with laughter, which caused an [[earthquake]] which made Mahishasur aware of her powers. |
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From the power of Lord Shiva the face of Goddess was formed, from that of Yama her hair was formed and from that Vishnu her hands were formed. (Her face was white because Shiva was white her hair black because Yama was black and her eighteen hands were blue because Vishnu was blue. ) From the power of moon her two busts were made, from the power of Indra her middle part, from the power of Varuna her calfs and thighs and from the power of earth her behind. (Her busts were white because it was from moon, and her middle part was red because it was from Indra) Her feet were made by the power from Brahma, her toes from the power of Sun, from the Ashta Vasus her fingers and from the power of Kubhera her nose were made. (Her feet were red because they were made with the power of Brahma) Her teeth were made with the power of Prajapathis like Daksha and her three eyes from the power of God of fire. From the power of dawn and dusk were made her eye brows, from the power of God of wind her ears and then power from all other Devas became one and she was formed. All devas who were troubled by Mahishasura became happy seeing that Devi (Goddess) who was formed out of the powers of all devas. Lord Shiva took the power of trident and gave it to her and Similarly Lord Vishnu took the power of his holy wheel and mace and gave it to her. (“Chakram cha” meaning “also holy wheel” has been interpreted as Holy wheel and mace, because she holds the mace in one of her eighteen hands). Varuna (God of rain) gave her the Conch, fire god Spear, and the God of wind the quiver full (inexhaustible) of many arrows. The thousand-eyed Indra who was the king of Devas took (attracted) the diamond from Vajrayudha (weapon made of diamond) and bell from his elephant Iravatha and gave it to her. Yama, the God of death gave her a staff made from his death staff, Varuna his rope made from his rope and the creator Brahma gave bead chain for praying and pot for taking water. |
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And the terrible Mahishasura rampaged against her, changing forms many times. First he was a [[Water buffalo|buffalo]] demon, and she defeated him with her sword. Then he changed forms and became an elephant that tied up the goddess's lion and began to pull it towards him. The goddess cut off his trunk with her sword. The demon Mahishasur continued his terrorizing, taking the form of a lion, and then the form of a man, but both of them were gracefully slain by Durga. |
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The Sun God gave her all the rays taken from every hair pore of his body and the God of time (Also God of death) gave her his sword and a sparkling shield. The sea of milk gave her the very clear garland of pearls and ever fresh and never destroying set of cloths. Viswakarma the architect and crafts specialist of Devas gave her, a jewel to wear on her head, studs, bangles, the holy crescent and shoulder armlets for all her hands and also very holy toe rings, very holy axe, several types of arrows and a shield which cannot be cut. The God of sea gave her garlands made of never fading flowers to wear over her head and neck and a very pretty lotus flower and the Himalaya mountain gave her a lion to ride and several type of gems. Kubhera, the god of wealth gave her a goblet full of wine that Anantha who was the king of snakes and who bears the earth gave her a snake garland decorated by precious jewels. (One interpreter says Goblet filled with nectar, though majority interpret it as goblet full of wine. The above stanzas indicate that the Goddess had 18 hands and was the basic power behind all the Gods. ) Thus presented by many other ornaments and weapons by other devas, she again and again shouted with powerful laugh and the entire sky was filled her Sound. That great Sound produced great echo and the entire earth and ocean shook because of that. |
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Then Mahishasur began attacking once more, starting to take the form of a buffalo again. The patient goddess became very angry, and proclaimed to Mahishasur in a colorful tone—"Roar with delight while you still can, O illiterate demon, because when I will kill you, the gods themselves will roar with delight".{{citequote|date=January 2010}} When Mahishasur had half emerged into his buffalo form, he was paralyzed by the extreme light emitting from the goddess's body. The goddess then resounded with laughter before cutting Mahishasur's head down with her sword. |
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The earth shook, all the mountains trembled and all the gods wished victory to that goddess who was riding on a lion. Sages praised with humility born of devotion and the enemies of devas (Mahisha and others) seeing the entire world is tumultuous rose up along with the ever-ready armies and with weapons held aloft. Mahishasura with anger said, “What is this?” and surrounded by all asuras ran towards the origin of the Sound. (This shows the baser quality of the Asura, who did not first send an emissary to enquire about the source of the Sound and started for a war himself.) Afterwards he saw her spread all over the three worlds by her lustrous power, pushing down the earth by her feet, touching the skies with her crown, shaking the world including patala by the twang of her bow and occupying all the sides with her thousand arms. Then those Asuras had a Great War with the Devi (goddess) in which the differently sent weapons and arrows lighted all the different directions. She fought with Chikshura the great Asura who was the commander-in-chief of Mahishasura’s army, Chamara who fought along with the four types of army (Infantry, Cavalry, and chariot riders and elephant riders) and with Udagra, the great asura with sixty thousand chariots. While Maha Hanu fought with one hundred million chariots, the great Asura called Asiloma fought with five hundred million chariots. The Asura called Bhashkala fought with six million chariots and the Asura called Parivaritha fought surrounded by innumerable and uncountable groups of elephants and horses and one hundred million chariots. Afterwards Bidaala (cat eyed Asura) took part in that war with five hundred million chariots. All other asuras who were not mentioned above fought with the goddess surrounded by ten thousand sets of chariots, elephants and horses. Similarly Mahishasura also was ready to fight in that battle surrounded by thousand million times thousand million sets of chariots, elephants and horses. Those Rakshasas fought the war with javelins, (not clear), elephant controlling spears, spears, pestles, axes and broad swords. Some of them threw spears and some rope at her. And other great asuras tried to cut that goddess by swords and kill her. Afterwards that Goddess Chandika by sending her weapons and arrows cut off the weapons and arrows send by them as if she was playing. Without sign of any tiredness in her face that Goddess who was being praised by devas and sages also sent weapons and arrows towards the bodies of those asuras. The famous steed lion of the goddess also became angry and with flowing manes traveled in the army of asuras like fire. Every deep breath of that Goddess Ambika took while fighting in the war with asuras, themselves became into of millions of Chandikas immediately. Those soldiers (Chandikas) enthused by the great valour of the goddess-waged war against the asuras with weapons like axes, swords, Bindhipala and Pattisa etc (last two weapons were weapons of that time.) Those soldiers celebrated that festival of war by playing on huge drums or blowing conches or playing on Mrudangam (a type of drum) Afterwards that goddess killed innumerable asuras by trident,, mace sword and shower of spears. Some were made to swoon by production of huge clanging Sound and some other asuras were tied by rope and dragged on the floor by the goddess. Some great asuras were cut in to two by the severe strokes of the sword. Some others were beaten severely by the mace and fell on the floor. Some others vomited blood because of the beatings by the pestle. Others fell on the floor because the spears were driven on their chest. Some very valorous asuras gave up their life in the war by becoming hurt by crowds of arrows. In case of some, the hands were cut, similarly in case of some necks were cut, in case of some heads fell on the ground, in case of some they were cut in the middle and in case of some they fell on the earth having their legs broken. Some of them were cut in to two pieces with each piece having one eye, one ear and one leg. Some others even though they were beheaded again and again got up and fought with the goddess as headless body with several great weapons. (It was believed that once thousand heroes are beheaded in war one trunk without head gets up to fight. In this war it is believed ten million times ten million trunks got up) Some other asuras danced to the balanced tune of orchestra. While some trunks fought with the two sided sharpened sword, some other asuras fought with her shouting to her, “Stop, stop.” That arena of war where the war took place became mpossible to cross due to fallen chariots, elephants, horses and other fallen asuras. There in the midst of the Asura army, great rivers of blood in which elephants, horses and asuras were floating were seen. That goddess destroyed the huge Asura army as quickly as a huge fire destroys heaps of straw. That lion with its flowing manes and with a great roar, appeared as if it was interested in taking away souls from the Asura bodies Devya Ganaischa thaisthathra krutham yudham thadhasurai, Yadhishaam thustuvur deva pushpa vrushti mucho dhivi.,68 While the devas who were singing her praise and causing rain of flowers, there was war between asuras and the army of the goddess. This is the second chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the killing of the army of Mahishasura Occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura The sage said: Afterwards seeing that the entire army of Mahishasura was destroyed, A commander of their army known as Chikshura started for war against the goddess. In that war, that Chikshura rained arrows at her similar to the torrential rain of water covering the peaks of Meru Mountain Afterwards the goddess as if she was playing, cutoff his crowd of arrows and killed his horses and horseman. Then the Goddess cut of his bow and flag post of his chariot and hit him in all his organs by arrows. That Asura whose bow was cut, whose chariot was broken, whose horse was killed and whose chariot driver was killed ran towards her with a sword and a shield. That Asura called Chikshura who was a commander wounded the lion on his head by the sword and hit the Goddess on her left hand. Hey king, that sword reaching the arm of the Goddess broke in to pieces and he with red eyes due to extreme anger took the spear. Afterwards that great Asura reached the sky and like the shining sun of the sky threw that shining spear at the good giving Goddess. Seeing the spear thrown by the Asura coming towards her, she sent her spear and split in to hundred that spear as well as that great Asura. Seeing that, that very strong commander in chief of Mahishasura was killed by her. One Asura called Chamara came riding on an elephant. Afterwards he too threw a spear at the Goddess. The Goddess after swiftly destroying it, made it loose the glitter and made it fall on to the earth. Chamara seeing that his spear was destroyed, threw the trident and the Goddess cut it off with her arrows. Afterwards that lion jumped up to a great height and standing on the forehead of the elephant fought with the Asura using its hands. Afterwards they (Lion and Chamara) who were fighting jumped to the earth from the elephant and with great anger continued the horrific fighting with slaps. (Note that in most of the places where wresting is done, the Goddess does not take part. ) Then they both jumped on to the sky and again fell down. Then by a hit of the hand, the lion separated the head of Chamara from his trunk. In the war Udagra was also killed by stones and trees and Karala was killed by teeth, fist and palm. (Some people interpret instead of “teeth, fist and Palm”, sword whose handle was made of ivory. ) The Goddess with great anger powdered Udhatha with hits from her mace. The three eyed goddess of every one, killed Bashkala with her scythe. With her arrows Thamra and Andhaka, with her trident Ugrasya, Ugraveera and Maha Hanu. With sword she separated the head of Bidala from his body and famously made it fall and with arrows she sent Durdhara and Durmukha to the place of God of death. When his army was thus being vanquished Mahishasura took the shape of a buffalo and scared the army of the Goddess. Mahishasura hit some with his face, some others he stamped with his hoof, some others he beat with his tail, some by tearing with his horns, some he fell on the ground because of his speed, some by Sound, some by his movement and some by his breath. After felling her army he ran towards the lion to kill it and this made the Goddess angry. He who is very strong became very angry and by tearing the earth by his front hoof threw the mountains by his two horns and shrieked. Due to his fast rotation the earth was broken and the ocean which was beaten by his tail rose up and drowned every one. The clouds, which were moved by his horns, broke in to pieces and the mountains, which were blown by his breath, fell into innumerable pieces. Seeing the Mahishasura who was burning with anger and running towards her, that Chandika became angry and decided to kill him. In that Great War That Goddess threw the famous Pasa (literally rope) and tied that great Asura. Though he was tied he gave up the form of the buffalo Afterwards that Asura swiftly became lion and when she was cutting his head, then he was seen as a male who was holding a sword. Afterwards the Goddess cut the head of the man with a sword and shield by using swift arrows. Then from that man he became a very big elephant. He (with form of an elephant) with his huge trunk pulled that great lion and trumpeted. But the Goddess cut off his pulling trunk using the sword. Afterwards that Great Asura again took the form of Buffalo and shook the entire world with all its beings. Afterwards that Goddess Chandika who was the mother of the entire world, with great anger and with blood shot eyes, drank high quality wine and again and again laughed. That Asura who was ferociously agile due to his great strength shouted at her and threw mountains at her with his horns. That Goddess made in to powder, mountains thrown at her and with reddish face and with unclear words told him. (Reddish face and unclear words were as a result of wine. ) The Goddess told: Hey Idiot, You keep on roaring again and again for little more time till I drink this wine. When I kill you quickly these gods will roar with happiness. The sage told: After telling thus that Goddess climbed on the Asura and by oppressing him by her feet drove the spear in to him. Afterwards he being pressed by the feet of the Goddess tried to lift half of his body and face but was kept immobile by her. That great Asura though he fought with half his body, was felled down by the goddess by cutting his head by the big sword. Afterwards that great Asura army ran away shouting,”Ha”, “Ha” and all the Gods attained great happiness. The gods along with sages in the heaven prayed that Goddess, the chiefs of gandarwas (celestial singers) sang about her and crowds of Apsaras (Deva dancers) danced. Long long ago when Indra was the king of devas and Mahisha was the king of asuras, a hundred year was fought between devas and asuras. (Mahishmati was the wife of an Asura called Vipra chithi. She terrorized the sage Sindhu Deepa taking the form of a buffalo. He cursed her to really become a buffalo. She drank the semen of sage Sindhu Deepa and gave birth to Mahishasura. The place where Mahishasura ruled in the olden days was called Mahishur and is the present Mysore in the city in the Karnataka State of India. ) |
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Thus Durga slew Mahishasur, thus is the power of the fierce compassion of Durga. Hence, Mata Durga is also known as Mahishasurmardhini—the slayer of Mahishasur. According to one legend, the goddess Durga created an army to fight against the forces of the demon-king Mahishasur, who was terrorizing Heaven and Earth. After ten days of fighting, Durga and her army defeated Mahishasur and killed him. As a reward for their service, Durga bestowed upon her army the knowledge of jewelry-making. Ever since, the [[Sonara community]] has been involved in the jewelry profession.<ref>G. S. Purswani '''"Incredible Origin and History of Khudabadi Sindhi Swarankar"-2005 Jaipur'''</ref> |
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In that war the army of devas was defeated by the very valorous army of Asuras and after winning all devas Mahishasura became Indra (king of Devas) Afterwards the defeated Devas went to the place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are there with Brahma who was born out of the lotus as their leader. Devas went to them and related to them about the action of Mahishasura and their great defeat truly as it happened. That Mahishasura has usurped the powers of Sun, Indra, Fire, wind god, and moon and using their powers. Driven out from heaven by the bad soul Mahishasura all groups of Devas are traveling in the earth like human beings. We have told you all actions of Mahishasura and have sought your refuge. Please think about how he can be killed. Thus hearing the words of the devas, Lord Vishnu and lord Shiva, with a face with eyebrows curved, became very angry. Then from the very angry and broad face of Vishnu and the faces of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, one lustrous power arose. From the bodies of all devas including Indra very large lustrous power arose and became united with this power. Those devas saw that very powerful fireball which was lighting all directions with its great flame and found it similar to a shining mountain. In that assembly of devas, that incomparable flame which emerged from the bodies of all devas including Vishnu became one and took the form of a lady whose power was shining in all the three worlds. |
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From the power of Lord Shiva the face of Goddess was formed, from that of Yama her hair was formed and from that Vishnu her hands were formed. (Her face was white because Shiva was white her hair black because Yama was black and her eighteen hands were blue because Vishnu was blue. ) From the power of moon her two busts were made, from the power of Indra her middle part, from the power of Varuna her calfs and thighs and from the power of earth her behind. (Her busts were white because it was from moon, and her middle part was red because it was from Indra) Her feet were made by the power from Brahma, her toes from the power of Sun, from the Ashta Vasus her fingers and from the power of Kubhera her nose were made. (Her feet were red because they were made with the power of Brahma) Her teeth were made with the power of Prajapathis like Daksha and her three eyes from the power of God of fire. From the power of dawn and dusk were made her eye brows, from the power of God of wind her ears and then power from all other Devas became one and she was formed. All devas who were troubled by Mahishasura became happy seeing that Devi (Goddess) who was formed out of the powers of all devas. Lord Shiva took the power of trident and gave it to her and Similarly Lord Vishnu took the power of his holy wheel and mace and gave it to her. (“Chakram cha” meaning “also holy wheel” has been interpreted as Holy wheel and mace, because she holds the mace in one of her eighteen hands). Varuna (God of rain) gave her the Conch, fire god Spear, and the God of wind the quiver full (inexhaustible) of many arrows. The thousand-eyed Indra who was the king of Devas took (attracted) the diamond from Vajrayudha (weapon made of diamond) and bell from his elephant Iravatha and gave it to her. Yama, the God of death gave her a staff made from his death staff, Varuna his rope made from his rope and the creator Brahma gave bead chain for praying and pot for taking water. |
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The Sun God gave her all the rays taken from every hair pore of his body and the God of time (Also God of death) gave her his sword and a sparkling shield. The sea of milk gave her the very clear garland of pearls and ever fresh and never destroying set of cloths. Viswakarma the architect and crafts specialist of Devas gave her, a jewel to wear on her head, studs, bangles, the holy crescent and shoulder armlets for all her hands and also very holy toe rings, very holy axe, several types of arrows and a shield which cannot be cut. The God of sea gave her garlands made of never fading flowers to wear over her head and neck and a very pretty lotus flower and the Himalaya mountain gave her a lion to ride and several type of gems. Kubhera, the god of wealth gave her a goblet full of wine that Anantha who was the king of snakes and who bears the earth gave her a snake garland decorated by precious jewels. (One interpreter says Goblet filled with nectar, though majority interpret it as goblet full of wine. The above stanzas indicate that the Goddess had 18 hands and was the basic power behind all the Gods. ) Thus presented by many other ornaments and weapons by other devas, she again and again shouted with powerful laugh and the entire sky was filled her Sound. That great Sound produced great echo and the entire earth and ocean shook because of that. |
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The earth shook, all the mountains trembled and all the gods wished victory to that goddess who was riding on a lion. Sages praised with humility born of devotion and the enemies of devas (Mahisha and others) seeing the entire world is tumultuous rose up along with the ever-ready armies and with weapons held aloft. Mahishasura with anger said, “What is this?” and surrounded by all asuras ran towards the origin of the Sound. (This shows the baser quality of the Asura, who did not first send an emissary to enquire about the source of the Sound and started for a war himself.) Afterwards he saw her spread all over the three worlds by her lustrous power, pushing down the earth by her feet, touching the skies with her crown, shaking the world including patala by the twang of her bow and occupying all the sides with her thousand arms. Then those Asuras had a Great War with the Devi (goddess) in which the differently sent weapons and arrows lighted all the different directions. She fought with Chikshura the great Asura who was the commander-in-chief of Mahishasura’s army, Chamara who fought along with the four types of army (Infantry, Cavalry, and chariot riders and elephant riders) and with Udagra, the great asura with sixty thousand chariots. While Maha Hanu fought with one hundred million chariots, the great Asura called Asiloma fought with five hundred million chariots. The Asura called Bhashkala fought with six million chariots and the Asura called Parivaritha fought surrounded by innumerable and uncountable groups of elephants and horses and one hundred million chariots. Afterwards Bidaala (cat eyed Asura) took part in that war with five hundred million chariots. All other asuras who were not mentioned above fought with the goddess surrounded by ten thousand sets of chariots, elephants and horses. Similarly Mahishasura also was ready to fight in that battle surrounded by thousand million times thousand million sets of chariots, elephants and horses. Those Rakshasas fought the war with javelins, (not clear), elephant controlling spears, spears, pestles, axes and broad swords. Some of them threw spears and some rope at her. And other great asuras tried to cut that goddess by swords and kill her. Afterwards that Goddess Chandika by sending her weapons and arrows cut off the weapons and arrows send by them as if she was playing. Without sign of any tiredness in her face that Goddess who was being praised by devas and sages also sent weapons and arrows towards the bodies of those asuras. The famous steed lion of the goddess also became angry and with flowing manes traveled in the army of asuras like fire. Every deep breath of that Goddess Ambika took while fighting in the war with asuras, themselves became into of millions of Chandikas immediately. Those soldiers (Chandikas) enthused by the great valour of the goddess-waged war against the asuras with weapons like axes, swords, Bindhipala and Pattisa etc (last two weapons were weapons of that time.) Those soldiers celebrated that festival of war by playing on huge drums or blowing conches or playing on Mrudangam (a type of drum) Afterwards that goddess killed innumerable asuras by trident,, mace sword and shower of spears. Some were made to swoon by production of huge clanging Sound and some other asuras were tied by rope and dragged on the floor by the goddess. Some great asuras were cut in to two by the severe strokes of the sword. Some others were beaten severely by the mace and fell on the floor. Some others vomited blood because of the beatings by the pestle. Others fell on the floor because the spears were driven on their chest. Some very valorous asuras gave up their life in the war by becoming hurt by crowds of arrows. In case of some, the hands were cut, similarly in case of some necks were cut, in case of some heads fell on the ground, in case of some they were cut in the middle and in case of some they fell on the earth having their legs broken. Some of them were cut in to two pieces with each piece having one eye, one ear and one leg. Some others even though they were beheaded again and again got up and fought with the goddess as headless body with several great weapons. (It was believed that once thousand heroes are beheaded in war one trunk without head gets up to fight. In this war it is believed ten million times ten million trunks got up) Some other asuras danced to the balanced tune of orchestra. While some trunks fought with the two sided sharpened sword, some other asuras fought with her shouting to her, “Stop, stop.” That arena of war where the war took place became mpossible to cross due to fallen chariots, elephants, horses and other fallen asuras. There in the midst of the Asura army, great rivers of blood in which elephants, horses and asuras were floating were seen. That goddess destroyed the huge Asura army as quickly as a huge fire destroys heaps of straw. That lion with its flowing manes and with a great roar, appeared as if it was interested in taking away souls from the Asura bodies Devya Ganaischa thaisthathra krutham yudham thadhasurai, Yadhishaam thustuvur deva pushpa vrushti mucho dhivi.,68 While the devas who were singing her praise and causing rain of flowers, there was war between asuras and the army of the goddess. This is the second chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the killing of the army of Mahishasura Occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura The sage said: Afterwards seeing that the entire army of Mahishasura was destroyed, A commander of their army known as Chikshura started for war against the goddess. In that war, that Chikshura rained arrows at her similar to the torrential rain of water covering the peaks of Meru Mountain Afterwards the goddess as if she was playing, cutoff his crowd of arrows and killed his horses and horseman. Then the Goddess cut of his bow and flag post of his chariot and hit him in all his organs by arrows. That Asura whose bow was cut, whose chariot was broken, whose horse was killed and whose chariot driver was killed ran towards her with a sword and a shield. That Asura called Chikshura who was a commander wounded the lion on his head by the sword and hit the Goddess on her left hand. Hey king, that sword reaching the arm of the Goddess broke in to pieces and he with red eyes due to extreme anger took the spear. Afterwards that great Asura reached the sky and like the shining sun of the sky threw that shining spear at the good giving Goddess. Seeing the spear thrown by the Asura coming towards her, she sent her spear and split in to hundred that spear as well as that great Asura. Seeing that, that very strong commander in chief of Mahishasura was killed by her. One Asura called Chamara came riding on an elephant. Afterwards he too threw a spear at the Goddess. The Goddess after swiftly destroying it, made it loose the glitter and made it fall on to the earth. Chamara seeing that his spear was destroyed, threw the trident and the Goddess cut it off with her arrows. Afterwards that lion jumped up to a great height and standing on the forehead of the elephant fought with the Asura using its hands. Afterwards they (Lion and Chamara) who were fighting jumped to the earth from the elephant and with great anger continued the horrific fighting with slaps. (Note that in most of the places where wresting is done, the Goddess does not take part. ) Then they both jumped on to the sky and again fell down. Then by a hit of the hand, the lion separated the head of Chamara from his trunk. In the war Udagra was also killed by stones and trees and Karala was killed by teeth, fist and palm. (Some people interpret instead of “teeth, fist and Palm”, sword whose handle was made of ivory. ) The Goddess with great anger powdered Udhatha with hits from her mace. The three eyed goddess of every one, killed Bashkala with her scythe. With her arrows Thamra and Andhaka, with her trident Ugrasya, Ugraveera and Maha Hanu. With sword she separated the head of Bidala from his body and famously made it fall and with arrows she sent Durdhara and Durmukha to the place of God of death. When his army was thus being vanquished Mahishasura took the shape of a buffalo and scared the army of the Goddess. Mahishasura hit some with his face, some others he stamped with his hoof, some others he beat with his tail, some by tearing with his horns, some he fell on the ground because of his speed, some by Sound, some by his movement and some by his breath. After felling her army he ran towards the lion to kill it and this made the Goddess angry. He who is very strong became very angry and by tearing the earth by his front hoof threw the mountains by his two horns and shrieked. Due to his fast rotation the earth was broken and the ocean which was beaten by his tail rose up and drowned every one. The clouds, which were moved by his horns, broke in to pieces and the mountains, which were blown by his breath, fell into innumerable pieces. Seeing the Mahishasura who was burning with anger and running towards her, that Chandika became angry and decided to kill him. In that Great War That Goddess threw the famous Pasa (literally rope) and tied that great Asura. Though he was tied he gave up the form of the buffalo Afterwards that Asura swiftly became lion and when she was cutting his head, then he was seen as a male who was holding a sword. Afterwards the Goddess cut the head of the man with a sword and shield by using swift arrows. Then from that man he became a very big elephant. He (with form of an elephant) with his huge trunk pulled that great lion and trumpeted. But the Goddess cut off his pulling trunk using the sword. Afterwards that Great Asura again took the form of Buffalo and shook the entire world with all its beings. Afterwards that Goddess Chandika who was the mother of the entire world, with great anger and with blood shot eyes, drank high quality wine and again and again laughed. That Asura who was ferociously agile due to his great strength shouted at her and threw mountains at her with his horns. That Goddess made in to powder, mountains thrown at her and with reddish face and with unclear words told him. (Reddish face and unclear words were as a result of wine. ) The Goddess told: Hey Idiot, You keep on roaring again and again for little more time till I drink this wine. When I kill you quickly these gods will roar with happiness. The sage told: After telling thus that Goddess climbed on the Asura and by oppressing him by her feet drove the spear in to him. Afterwards he being pressed by the feet of the Goddess tried to lift half of his body and face but was kept immobile by her. That great Asura though he fought with half his body, was felled down by the goddess by cutting his head by the big sword. Afterwards that great Asura army ran away shouting,”Ha”, “Ha” and all the Gods attained great happiness. The gods along with sages in the heaven prayed that Goddess, the chiefs of gandarwas (celestial singers) sang about her and crowds of Apsaras (Deva dancers) danced.[[File:Devi Durga.jpg|thumb|Durga slaying Mahishasura. College Square 2009]] |
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.<ref>G. S. Purswani '''"Incredible Origin and History of Khudabadi Sindhi Swarankar"-2005 Jaipur'''</ref> |
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The goddess, as [[Mahisasuramardhini]], appears quite early in Indian art. The Archaeological Museum in Matura has several statues on display including a 6-armed Kushana period Mahisasuramardhini that depicts her pressing down the buffalo with her lower hands.<ref>R. C. Agrawala, ''"The Goddess Mahisasuramardini in Early Indian Art", Artibus Asiae'', Vol. 21, No. 2 (1958), pp. 123-130'''</ref> A Nagar plaque from the first century BC - first century AD depicts a 4-armed Mahisamardhini accompanied by a lion. But it is in the Gupta period that we see the finest representations of Mahisasuramardhini (2-, 4-, 6-, and at Udayagiri, 12-armed). The spear and trident are her most common weapons. A Mamallapuram relief shows the goddess with 8 arms riding her lion subduing a buffalo-faced demon (as contrasted with a buffalo demon); a variation also seen at Ellora. In later sculptures (post-seventh Century), sculptures show the goddess having decapitated the buffalo demon. |
The goddess, as [[Mahisasuramardhini]], appears quite early in Indian art. The Archaeological Museum in Matura has several statues on display including a 6-armed Kushana period Mahisasuramardhini that depicts her pressing down the buffalo with her lower hands.<ref>R. C. Agrawala, ''"The Goddess Mahisasuramardini in Early Indian Art", Artibus Asiae'', Vol. 21, No. 2 (1958), pp. 123-130'''</ref> A Nagar plaque from the first century BC - first century AD depicts a 4-armed Mahisamardhini accompanied by a lion. But it is in the Gupta period that we see the finest representations of Mahisasuramardhini (2-, 4-, 6-, and at Udayagiri, 12-armed). The spear and trident are her most common weapons. A Mamallapuram relief shows the goddess with 8 arms riding her lion subduing a buffalo-faced demon (as contrasted with a buffalo demon); a variation also seen at Ellora. In later sculptures (post-seventh Century), sculptures show the goddess having decapitated the buffalo demon. |
Revision as of 13:00, 31 July 2011
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaError: no context parameter provided. Use {{other uses}} for "other uses" hatnotes. (help).
Durga | |
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Devanagari | दुर्गा |
In Hinduism, Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा, Durgā, meaning "the inaccessible"[1] or "the invincible"; Bengali: দুর্গা, durga) or Maa Durga (Bengali: মা দুর্গা, mā durgā, meaning "Mother Durga") "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress"[citation needed] is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eight arms, riding a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons and a lotus flower, maintaining a meditative smile, and practicing mudras, or symbolic hand gestures.[citation needed] The name is made of Sanskrit dur- = "with difficulty" (compare Greek δυσ- (dys-)) and gā ("come", "go").
An embodiment of creative feminine force (Shakti), Durga exists in a state of svātantrya (independence from the universe and anything/anybody else, i.e., self-sufficiency) and fierce compassion. Kali is considered by Hindus to be an aspect of Durga. She is thus considered the fiercer, demon-fighting form of Shiva's wife, goddess Parvati. Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never loses her sense of humor, even during spiritual battles of epic proportion.[citation needed]
At the Durga Puja festival, Durga is shown as the mother of Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati.[2]
History
The word Shakti means divine feminine; energy/force/power, and Durga is the warrior aspect of the Divine Mother. Other incarnations include Annapurna and Karuɳamayi (karuɳa = kindness). Durga's darker aspect Kali is represented as the consort of the god Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing.
As a goddess, Durga's feminine power contains the energies of the gods. Each of her weapons was given to her by various gods: Rudra's trident, Vishnu's discus, Indra's thunderbolt,Brahma's kamandalu, Kuber's Ratnahar, etc.
According to a narrative in the Devi Mahatmya story of the Markandeya Purana text, Long long ago when Indra was the king of devas and Mahisha was the king of asuras, a hundred year was fought between devas and asuras. (Mahishmati was the wife of an Asura called Vipra chithi. She terrorized the sage Sindhu Deepa taking the form of a buffalo. He cursed her to really become a buffalo. She drank the semen of sage Sindhu Deepa and gave birth to Mahishasura. The place where Mahishasura ruled in the olden days was called Mahishur and is the present Mysore in the city in the Karnataka State of India. )
In that war the army of devas was defeated by the very valorous army of Asuras and after winning all devas Mahishasura became Indra (king of Devas) Afterwards the defeated Devas went to the place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are there with Brahma who was born out of the lotus as their leader. Devas went to them and related to them about the action of Mahishasura and their great defeat truly as it happened. That Mahishasura has usurped the powers of Sun, Indra, Fire, wind god, and moon and using their powers. Driven out from heaven by the bad soul Mahishasura all groups of Devas are traveling in the earth like human beings. We have told you all actions of Mahishasura and have sought your refuge. Please think about how he can be killed. Thus hearing the words of the devas, Lord Vishnu and lord Shiva, with a face with eyebrows curved, became very angry. Then from the very angry and broad face of Vishnu and the faces of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, one lustrous power arose. From the bodies of all devas including Indra very large lustrous power arose and became united with this power. Those devas saw that very powerful fireball which was lighting all directions with its great flame and found it similar to a shining mountain. In that assembly of devas, that incomparable flame which emerged from the bodies of all devas including Vishnu became one and took the form of a lady whose power was shining in all the three worlds.
From the power of Lord Shiva the face of Goddess was formed, from that of Yama her hair was formed and from that Vishnu her hands were formed. (Her face was white because Shiva was white her hair black because Yama was black and her eighteen hands were blue because Vishnu was blue. ) From the power of moon her two busts were made, from the power of Indra her middle part, from the power of Varuna her calfs and thighs and from the power of earth her behind. (Her busts were white because it was from moon, and her middle part was red because it was from Indra) Her feet were made by the power from Brahma, her toes from the power of Sun, from the Ashta Vasus her fingers and from the power of Kubhera her nose were made. (Her feet were red because they were made with the power of Brahma) Her teeth were made with the power of Prajapathis like Daksha and her three eyes from the power of God of fire. From the power of dawn and dusk were made her eye brows, from the power of God of wind her ears and then power from all other Devas became one and she was formed. All devas who were troubled by Mahishasura became happy seeing that Devi (Goddess) who was formed out of the powers of all devas. Lord Shiva took the power of trident and gave it to her and Similarly Lord Vishnu took the power of his holy wheel and mace and gave it to her. (“Chakram cha” meaning “also holy wheel” has been interpreted as Holy wheel and mace, because she holds the mace in one of her eighteen hands). Varuna (God of rain) gave her the Conch, fire god Spear, and the God of wind the quiver full (inexhaustible) of many arrows. The thousand-eyed Indra who was the king of Devas took (attracted) the diamond from Vajrayudha (weapon made of diamond) and bell from his elephant Iravatha and gave it to her. Yama, the God of death gave her a staff made from his death staff, Varuna his rope made from his rope and the creator Brahma gave bead chain for praying and pot for taking water.
The Sun God gave her all the rays taken from every hair pore of his body and the God of time (Also God of death) gave her his sword and a sparkling shield. The sea of milk gave her the very clear garland of pearls and ever fresh and never destroying set of cloths. Viswakarma the architect and crafts specialist of Devas gave her, a jewel to wear on her head, studs, bangles, the holy crescent and shoulder armlets for all her hands and also very holy toe rings, very holy axe, several types of arrows and a shield which cannot be cut. The God of sea gave her garlands made of never fading flowers to wear over her head and neck and a very pretty lotus flower and the Himalaya mountain gave her a lion to ride and several type of gems. Kubhera, the god of wealth gave her a goblet full of wine that Anantha who was the king of snakes and who bears the earth gave her a snake garland decorated by precious jewels. (One interpreter says Goblet filled with nectar, though majority interpret it as goblet full of wine. The above stanzas indicate that the Goddess had 18 hands and was the basic power behind all the Gods. ) Thus presented by many other ornaments and weapons by other devas, she again and again shouted with powerful laugh and the entire sky was filled her Sound. That great Sound produced great echo and the entire earth and ocean shook because of that.
The earth shook, all the mountains trembled and all the gods wished victory to that goddess who was riding on a lion. Sages praised with humility born of devotion and the enemies of devas (Mahisha and others) seeing the entire world is tumultuous rose up along with the ever-ready armies and with weapons held aloft. Mahishasura with anger said, “What is this?” and surrounded by all asuras ran towards the origin of the Sound. (This shows the baser quality of the Asura, who did not first send an emissary to enquire about the source of the Sound and started for a war himself.) Afterwards he saw her spread all over the three worlds by her lustrous power, pushing down the earth by her feet, touching the skies with her crown, shaking the world including patala by the twang of her bow and occupying all the sides with her thousand arms. Then those Asuras had a Great War with the Devi (goddess) in which the differently sent weapons and arrows lighted all the different directions. She fought with Chikshura the great Asura who was the commander-in-chief of Mahishasura’s army, Chamara who fought along with the four types of army (Infantry, Cavalry, and chariot riders and elephant riders) and with Udagra, the great asura with sixty thousand chariots. While Maha Hanu fought with one hundred million chariots, the great Asura called Asiloma fought with five hundred million chariots. The Asura called Bhashkala fought with six million chariots and the Asura called Parivaritha fought surrounded by innumerable and uncountable groups of elephants and horses and one hundred million chariots. Afterwards Bidaala (cat eyed Asura) took part in that war with five hundred million chariots. All other asuras who were not mentioned above fought with the goddess surrounded by ten thousand sets of chariots, elephants and horses. Similarly Mahishasura also was ready to fight in that battle surrounded by thousand million times thousand million sets of chariots, elephants and horses. Those Rakshasas fought the war with javelins, (not clear), elephant controlling spears, spears, pestles, axes and broad swords. Some of them threw spears and some rope at her. And other great asuras tried to cut that goddess by swords and kill her. Afterwards that Goddess Chandika by sending her weapons and arrows cut off the weapons and arrows send by them as if she was playing. Without sign of any tiredness in her face that Goddess who was being praised by devas and sages also sent weapons and arrows towards the bodies of those asuras. The famous steed lion of the goddess also became angry and with flowing manes traveled in the army of asuras like fire. Every deep breath of that Goddess Ambika took while fighting in the war with asuras, themselves became into of millions of Chandikas immediately. Those soldiers (Chandikas) enthused by the great valour of the goddess-waged war against the asuras with weapons like axes, swords, Bindhipala and Pattisa etc (last two weapons were weapons of that time.) Those soldiers celebrated that festival of war by playing on huge drums or blowing conches or playing on Mrudangam (a type of drum) Afterwards that goddess killed innumerable asuras by trident,, mace sword and shower of spears. Some were made to swoon by production of huge clanging Sound and some other asuras were tied by rope and dragged on the floor by the goddess. Some great asuras were cut in to two by the severe strokes of the sword. Some others were beaten severely by the mace and fell on the floor. Some others vomited blood because of the beatings by the pestle. Others fell on the floor because the spears were driven on their chest. Some very valorous asuras gave up their life in the war by becoming hurt by crowds of arrows. In case of some, the hands were cut, similarly in case of some necks were cut, in case of some heads fell on the ground, in case of some they were cut in the middle and in case of some they fell on the earth having their legs broken. Some of them were cut in to two pieces with each piece having one eye, one ear and one leg. Some others even though they were beheaded again and again got up and fought with the goddess as headless body with several great weapons. (It was believed that once thousand heroes are beheaded in war one trunk without head gets up to fight. In this war it is believed ten million times ten million trunks got up) Some other asuras danced to the balanced tune of orchestra. While some trunks fought with the two sided sharpened sword, some other asuras fought with her shouting to her, “Stop, stop.” That arena of war where the war took place became mpossible to cross due to fallen chariots, elephants, horses and other fallen asuras. There in the midst of the Asura army, great rivers of blood in which elephants, horses and asuras were floating were seen. That goddess destroyed the huge Asura army as quickly as a huge fire destroys heaps of straw. That lion with its flowing manes and with a great roar, appeared as if it was interested in taking away souls from the Asura bodies Devya Ganaischa thaisthathra krutham yudham thadhasurai, Yadhishaam thustuvur deva pushpa vrushti mucho dhivi.,68 While the devas who were singing her praise and causing rain of flowers, there was war between asuras and the army of the goddess. This is the second chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the killing of the army of Mahishasura Occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura The sage said: Afterwards seeing that the entire army of Mahishasura was destroyed, A commander of their army known as Chikshura started for war against the goddess. In that war, that Chikshura rained arrows at her similar to the torrential rain of water covering the peaks of Meru Mountain Afterwards the goddess as if she was playing, cutoff his crowd of arrows and killed his horses and horseman. Then the Goddess cut of his bow and flag post of his chariot and hit him in all his organs by arrows. That Asura whose bow was cut, whose chariot was broken, whose horse was killed and whose chariot driver was killed ran towards her with a sword and a shield. That Asura called Chikshura who was a commander wounded the lion on his head by the sword and hit the Goddess on her left hand. Hey king, that sword reaching the arm of the Goddess broke in to pieces and he with red eyes due to extreme anger took the spear. Afterwards that great Asura reached the sky and like the shining sun of the sky threw that shining spear at the good giving Goddess. Seeing the spear thrown by the Asura coming towards her, she sent her spear and split in to hundred that spear as well as that great Asura. Seeing that, that very strong commander in chief of Mahishasura was killed by her. One Asura called Chamara came riding on an elephant. Afterwards he too threw a spear at the Goddess. The Goddess after swiftly destroying it, made it loose the glitter and made it fall on to the earth. Chamara seeing that his spear was destroyed, threw the trident and the Goddess cut it off with her arrows. Afterwards that lion jumped up to a great height and standing on the forehead of the elephant fought with the Asura using its hands. Afterwards they (Lion and Chamara) who were fighting jumped to the earth from the elephant and with great anger continued the horrific fighting with slaps. (Note that in most of the places where wresting is done, the Goddess does not take part. ) Then they both jumped on to the sky and again fell down. Then by a hit of the hand, the lion separated the head of Chamara from his trunk. In the war Udagra was also killed by stones and trees and Karala was killed by teeth, fist and palm. (Some people interpret instead of “teeth, fist and Palm”, sword whose handle was made of ivory. ) The Goddess with great anger powdered Udhatha with hits from her mace. The three eyed goddess of every one, killed Bashkala with her scythe. With her arrows Thamra and Andhaka, with her trident Ugrasya, Ugraveera and Maha Hanu. With sword she separated the head of Bidala from his body and famously made it fall and with arrows she sent Durdhara and Durmukha to the place of God of death. When his army was thus being vanquished Mahishasura took the shape of a buffalo and scared the army of the Goddess. Mahishasura hit some with his face, some others he stamped with his hoof, some others he beat with his tail, some by tearing with his horns, some he fell on the ground because of his speed, some by Sound, some by his movement and some by his breath. After felling her army he ran towards the lion to kill it and this made the Goddess angry. He who is very strong became very angry and by tearing the earth by his front hoof threw the mountains by his two horns and shrieked. Due to his fast rotation the earth was broken and the ocean which was beaten by his tail rose up and drowned every one. The clouds, which were moved by his horns, broke in to pieces and the mountains, which were blown by his breath, fell into innumerable pieces. Seeing the Mahishasura who was burning with anger and running towards her, that Chandika became angry and decided to kill him. In that Great War That Goddess threw the famous Pasa (literally rope) and tied that great Asura. Though he was tied he gave up the form of the buffalo Afterwards that Asura swiftly became lion and when she was cutting his head, then he was seen as a male who was holding a sword. Afterwards the Goddess cut the head of the man with a sword and shield by using swift arrows. Then from that man he became a very big elephant. He (with form of an elephant) with his huge trunk pulled that great lion and trumpeted. But the Goddess cut off his pulling trunk using the sword. Afterwards that Great Asura again took the form of Buffalo and shook the entire world with all its beings. Afterwards that Goddess Chandika who was the mother of the entire world, with great anger and with blood shot eyes, drank high quality wine and again and again laughed. That Asura who was ferociously agile due to his great strength shouted at her and threw mountains at her with his horns. That Goddess made in to powder, mountains thrown at her and with reddish face and with unclear words told him. (Reddish face and unclear words were as a result of wine. ) The Goddess told: Hey Idiot, You keep on roaring again and again for little more time till I drink this wine. When I kill you quickly these gods will roar with happiness. The sage told: After telling thus that Goddess climbed on the Asura and by oppressing him by her feet drove the spear in to him. Afterwards he being pressed by the feet of the Goddess tried to lift half of his body and face but was kept immobile by her. That great Asura though he fought with half his body, was felled down by the goddess by cutting his head by the big sword. Afterwards that great Asura army ran away shouting,”Ha”, “Ha” and all the Gods attained great happiness. The gods along with sages in the heaven prayed that Goddess, the chiefs of gandarwas (celestial singers) sang about her and crowds of Apsaras (Deva dancers) danced. Long long ago when Indra was the king of devas and Mahisha was the king of asuras, a hundred year was fought between devas and asuras. (Mahishmati was the wife of an Asura called Vipra chithi. She terrorized the sage Sindhu Deepa taking the form of a buffalo. He cursed her to really become a buffalo. She drank the semen of sage Sindhu Deepa and gave birth to Mahishasura. The place where Mahishasura ruled in the olden days was called Mahishur and is the present Mysore in the city in the Karnataka State of India. )
In that war the army of devas was defeated by the very valorous army of Asuras and after winning all devas Mahishasura became Indra (king of Devas) Afterwards the defeated Devas went to the place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are there with Brahma who was born out of the lotus as their leader. Devas went to them and related to them about the action of Mahishasura and their great defeat truly as it happened. That Mahishasura has usurped the powers of Sun, Indra, Fire, wind god, and moon and using their powers. Driven out from heaven by the bad soul Mahishasura all groups of Devas are traveling in the earth like human beings. We have told you all actions of Mahishasura and have sought your refuge. Please think about how he can be killed. Thus hearing the words of the devas, Lord Vishnu and lord Shiva, with a face with eyebrows curved, became very angry. Then from the very angry and broad face of Vishnu and the faces of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, one lustrous power arose. From the bodies of all devas including Indra very large lustrous power arose and became united with this power. Those devas saw that very powerful fireball which was lighting all directions with its great flame and found it similar to a shining mountain. In that assembly of devas, that incomparable flame which emerged from the bodies of all devas including Vishnu became one and took the form of a lady whose power was shining in all the three worlds.
From the power of Lord Shiva the face of Goddess was formed, from that of Yama her hair was formed and from that Vishnu her hands were formed. (Her face was white because Shiva was white her hair black because Yama was black and her eighteen hands were blue because Vishnu was blue. ) From the power of moon her two busts were made, from the power of Indra her middle part, from the power of Varuna her calfs and thighs and from the power of earth her behind. (Her busts were white because it was from moon, and her middle part was red because it was from Indra) Her feet were made by the power from Brahma, her toes from the power of Sun, from the Ashta Vasus her fingers and from the power of Kubhera her nose were made. (Her feet were red because they were made with the power of Brahma) Her teeth were made with the power of Prajapathis like Daksha and her three eyes from the power of God of fire. From the power of dawn and dusk were made her eye brows, from the power of God of wind her ears and then power from all other Devas became one and she was formed. All devas who were troubled by Mahishasura became happy seeing that Devi (Goddess) who was formed out of the powers of all devas. Lord Shiva took the power of trident and gave it to her and Similarly Lord Vishnu took the power of his holy wheel and mace and gave it to her. (“Chakram cha” meaning “also holy wheel” has been interpreted as Holy wheel and mace, because she holds the mace in one of her eighteen hands). Varuna (God of rain) gave her the Conch, fire god Spear, and the God of wind the quiver full (inexhaustible) of many arrows. The thousand-eyed Indra who was the king of Devas took (attracted) the diamond from Vajrayudha (weapon made of diamond) and bell from his elephant Iravatha and gave it to her. Yama, the God of death gave her a staff made from his death staff, Varuna his rope made from his rope and the creator Brahma gave bead chain for praying and pot for taking water.
The Sun God gave her all the rays taken from every hair pore of his body and the God of time (Also God of death) gave her his sword and a sparkling shield. The sea of milk gave her the very clear garland of pearls and ever fresh and never destroying set of cloths. Viswakarma the architect and crafts specialist of Devas gave her, a jewel to wear on her head, studs, bangles, the holy crescent and shoulder armlets for all her hands and also very holy toe rings, very holy axe, several types of arrows and a shield which cannot be cut. The God of sea gave her garlands made of never fading flowers to wear over her head and neck and a very pretty lotus flower and the Himalaya mountain gave her a lion to ride and several type of gems. Kubhera, the god of wealth gave her a goblet full of wine that Anantha who was the king of snakes and who bears the earth gave her a snake garland decorated by precious jewels. (One interpreter says Goblet filled with nectar, though majority interpret it as goblet full of wine. The above stanzas indicate that the Goddess had 18 hands and was the basic power behind all the Gods. ) Thus presented by many other ornaments and weapons by other devas, she again and again shouted with powerful laugh and the entire sky was filled her Sound. That great Sound produced great echo and the entire earth and ocean shook because of that.
The earth shook, all the mountains trembled and all the gods wished victory to that goddess who was riding on a lion. Sages praised with humility born of devotion and the enemies of devas (Mahisha and others) seeing the entire world is tumultuous rose up along with the ever-ready armies and with weapons held aloft. Mahishasura with anger said, “What is this?” and surrounded by all asuras ran towards the origin of the Sound. (This shows the baser quality of the Asura, who did not first send an emissary to enquire about the source of the Sound and started for a war himself.) Afterwards he saw her spread all over the three worlds by her lustrous power, pushing down the earth by her feet, touching the skies with her crown, shaking the world including patala by the twang of her bow and occupying all the sides with her thousand arms. Then those Asuras had a Great War with the Devi (goddess) in which the differently sent weapons and arrows lighted all the different directions. She fought with Chikshura the great Asura who was the commander-in-chief of Mahishasura’s army, Chamara who fought along with the four types of army (Infantry, Cavalry, and chariot riders and elephant riders) and with Udagra, the great asura with sixty thousand chariots. While Maha Hanu fought with one hundred million chariots, the great Asura called Asiloma fought with five hundred million chariots. The Asura called Bhashkala fought with six million chariots and the Asura called Parivaritha fought surrounded by innumerable and uncountable groups of elephants and horses and one hundred million chariots. Afterwards Bidaala (cat eyed Asura) took part in that war with five hundred million chariots. All other asuras who were not mentioned above fought with the goddess surrounded by ten thousand sets of chariots, elephants and horses. Similarly Mahishasura also was ready to fight in that battle surrounded by thousand million times thousand million sets of chariots, elephants and horses. Those Rakshasas fought the war with javelins, (not clear), elephant controlling spears, spears, pestles, axes and broad swords. Some of them threw spears and some rope at her. And other great asuras tried to cut that goddess by swords and kill her. Afterwards that Goddess Chandika by sending her weapons and arrows cut off the weapons and arrows send by them as if she was playing. Without sign of any tiredness in her face that Goddess who was being praised by devas and sages also sent weapons and arrows towards the bodies of those asuras. The famous steed lion of the goddess also became angry and with flowing manes traveled in the army of asuras like fire. Every deep breath of that Goddess Ambika took while fighting in the war with asuras, themselves became into of millions of Chandikas immediately. Those soldiers (Chandikas) enthused by the great valour of the goddess-waged war against the asuras with weapons like axes, swords, Bindhipala and Pattisa etc (last two weapons were weapons of that time.) Those soldiers celebrated that festival of war by playing on huge drums or blowing conches or playing on Mrudangam (a type of drum) Afterwards that goddess killed innumerable asuras by trident,, mace sword and shower of spears. Some were made to swoon by production of huge clanging Sound and some other asuras were tied by rope and dragged on the floor by the goddess. Some great asuras were cut in to two by the severe strokes of the sword. Some others were beaten severely by the mace and fell on the floor. Some others vomited blood because of the beatings by the pestle. Others fell on the floor because the spears were driven on their chest. Some very valorous asuras gave up their life in the war by becoming hurt by crowds of arrows. In case of some, the hands were cut, similarly in case of some necks were cut, in case of some heads fell on the ground, in case of some they were cut in the middle and in case of some they fell on the earth having their legs broken. Some of them were cut in to two pieces with each piece having one eye, one ear and one leg. Some others even though they were beheaded again and again got up and fought with the goddess as headless body with several great weapons. (It was believed that once thousand heroes are beheaded in war one trunk without head gets up to fight. In this war it is believed ten million times ten million trunks got up) Some other asuras danced to the balanced tune of orchestra. While some trunks fought with the two sided sharpened sword, some other asuras fought with her shouting to her, “Stop, stop.” That arena of war where the war took place became mpossible to cross due to fallen chariots, elephants, horses and other fallen asuras. There in the midst of the Asura army, great rivers of blood in which elephants, horses and asuras were floating were seen. That goddess destroyed the huge Asura army as quickly as a huge fire destroys heaps of straw. That lion with its flowing manes and with a great roar, appeared as if it was interested in taking away souls from the Asura bodies Devya Ganaischa thaisthathra krutham yudham thadhasurai, Yadhishaam thustuvur deva pushpa vrushti mucho dhivi.,68 While the devas who were singing her praise and causing rain of flowers, there was war between asuras and the army of the goddess. This is the second chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the killing of the army of Mahishasura Occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura The sage said: Afterwards seeing that the entire army of Mahishasura was destroyed, A commander of their army known as Chikshura started for war against the goddess. In that war, that Chikshura rained arrows at her similar to the torrential rain of water covering the peaks of Meru Mountain Afterwards the goddess as if she was playing, cutoff his crowd of arrows and killed his horses and horseman. Then the Goddess cut of his bow and flag post of his chariot and hit him in all his organs by arrows. That Asura whose bow was cut, whose chariot was broken, whose horse was killed and whose chariot driver was killed ran towards her with a sword and a shield. That Asura called Chikshura who was a commander wounded the lion on his head by the sword and hit the Goddess on her left hand. Hey king, that sword reaching the arm of the Goddess broke in to pieces and he with red eyes due to extreme anger took the spear. Afterwards that great Asura reached the sky and like the shining sun of the sky threw that shining spear at the good giving Goddess. Seeing the spear thrown by the Asura coming towards her, she sent her spear and split in to hundred that spear as well as that great Asura. Seeing that, that very strong commander in chief of Mahishasura was killed by her. One Asura called Chamara came riding on an elephant. Afterwards he too threw a spear at the Goddess. The Goddess after swiftly destroying it, made it loose the glitter and made it fall on to the earth. Chamara seeing that his spear was destroyed, threw the trident and the Goddess cut it off with her arrows. Afterwards that lion jumped up to a great height and standing on the forehead of the elephant fought with the Asura using its hands. Afterwards they (Lion and Chamara) who were fighting jumped to the earth from the elephant and with great anger continued the horrific fighting with slaps. (Note that in most of the places where wresting is done, the Goddess does not take part. ) Then they both jumped on to the sky and again fell down. Then by a hit of the hand, the lion separated the head of Chamara from his trunk. In the war Udagra was also killed by stones and trees and Karala was killed by teeth, fist and palm. (Some people interpret instead of “teeth, fist and Palm”, sword whose handle was made of ivory. ) The Goddess with great anger powdered Udhatha with hits from her mace. The three eyed goddess of every one, killed Bashkala with her scythe. With her arrows Thamra and Andhaka, with her trident Ugrasya, Ugraveera and Maha Hanu. With sword she separated the head of Bidala from his body and famously made it fall and with arrows she sent Durdhara and Durmukha to the place of God of death. When his army was thus being vanquished Mahishasura took the shape of a buffalo and scared the army of the Goddess. Mahishasura hit some with his face, some others he stamped with his hoof, some others he beat with his tail, some by tearing with his horns, some he fell on the ground because of his speed, some by Sound, some by his movement and some by his breath. After felling her army he ran towards the lion to kill it and this made the Goddess angry. He who is very strong became very angry and by tearing the earth by his front hoof threw the mountains by his two horns and shrieked. Due to his fast rotation the earth was broken and the ocean which was beaten by his tail rose up and drowned every one. The clouds, which were moved by his horns, broke in to pieces and the mountains, which were blown by his breath, fell into innumerable pieces. Seeing the Mahishasura who was burning with anger and running towards her, that Chandika became angry and decided to kill him. In that Great War That Goddess threw the famous Pasa (literally rope) and tied that great Asura. Though he was tied he gave up the form of the buffalo Afterwards that Asura swiftly became lion and when she was cutting his head, then he was seen as a male who was holding a sword. Afterwards the Goddess cut the head of the man with a sword and shield by using swift arrows. Then from that man he became a very big elephant. He (with form of an elephant) with his huge trunk pulled that great lion and trumpeted. But the Goddess cut off his pulling trunk using the sword. Afterwards that Great Asura again took the form of Buffalo and shook the entire world with all its beings. Afterwards that Goddess Chandika who was the mother of the entire world, with great anger and with blood shot eyes, drank high quality wine and again and again laughed. That Asura who was ferociously agile due to his great strength shouted at her and threw mountains at her with his horns. That Goddess made in to powder, mountains thrown at her and with reddish face and with unclear words told him. (Reddish face and unclear words were as a result of wine. ) The Goddess told: Hey Idiot, You keep on roaring again and again for little more time till I drink this wine. When I kill you quickly these gods will roar with happiness. The sage told: After telling thus that Goddess climbed on the Asura and by oppressing him by her feet drove the spear in to him. Afterwards he being pressed by the feet of the Goddess tried to lift half of his body and face but was kept immobile by her. That great Asura though he fought with half his body, was felled down by the goddess by cutting his head by the big sword. Afterwards that great Asura army ran away shouting,”Ha”, “Ha” and all the Gods attained great happiness. The gods along with sages in the heaven prayed that Goddess, the chiefs of gandarwas (celestial singers) sang about her and crowds of Apsaras (Deva dancers) danced.
.[3]
The goddess, as Mahisasuramardhini, appears quite early in Indian art. The Archaeological Museum in Matura has several statues on display including a 6-armed Kushana period Mahisasuramardhini that depicts her pressing down the buffalo with her lower hands.[4] A Nagar plaque from the first century BC - first century AD depicts a 4-armed Mahisamardhini accompanied by a lion. But it is in the Gupta period that we see the finest representations of Mahisasuramardhini (2-, 4-, 6-, and at Udayagiri, 12-armed). The spear and trident are her most common weapons. A Mamallapuram relief shows the goddess with 8 arms riding her lion subduing a buffalo-faced demon (as contrasted with a buffalo demon); a variation also seen at Ellora. In later sculptures (post-seventh Century), sculptures show the goddess having decapitated the buffalo demon.
Worship
The four day long (Saptami to Dashami) Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival in Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Bihar and Nepal, where it is known as Dashain. It is celebrated likewise with much fervour in various parts of India, especially the Himalayan region, but is celebrated in various forms throughout the Hindu universe.
The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijayadashami (Bengali), Dashain (Nepali) or Dussehra (Hindi) - these words literally mean "the Victory Tenth" (day).[5]
In Kashmir she is worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari Parbat in Srinagar).
The actual period of the worship however may be on the preceding nine days (Navaratri) followed by the last day called Vijayadashami in North India or five days in Bengal (from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing-moon fortnight). Nine aspects of Durga known as Navadurga are meditated upon, one by one during the nine-day festival by devout Shakti worshippers. In South India especially Andhra Pradesh Dussera Navaratri is also celebrated and the goddess is dressed each day as a different devi like Sraswati, Parvati, Laksmi etc. for the nine days.
In North India, the tenth day, signifying Rama's victory in his battle against the demon Ravana, is celebrated as Dussehra - gigantic straw effigies of Ravana are burnt in designated open spaces (e.g. Delhi's Ram Lila grounds), watched by thousands of families and little children.
In Mysore Karnataka, she is worshipped as Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess of the city during Dussehra
In Gujarat it is celebrated as the last day of Navaratri, during which the Garba dance is performed to celebrate the vigorous victory of Mahishasura-mardini Durga.
The Goddess Durga is worshipped in her peaceful form as Maha Gauri, The Fair Lady, Shree Shantadurga also known as santeri, is the patron Goddess of Goa. She is worshipped by all Goan Hindus.
In Maharashtra, Tulja Bhavani and Ambabai is worshipped as Mahishasur Mardini and is patron goddess of land. Bhavani is known as Tulaja, Amba, Renuka, Yamai, Saptshrungi, Jogai in different places of Maharashtra. She is inspirational goddess of Raja shivaji. As per legends, Bhavani revealed to Shivaji and blessed him to form a kingdom.
Mahishasuramardini Stotra
Mahishasuramardini Stotra[6]
ayi girina.ndini na.nditamedini vishvavinodini na.ndanute |
O daughter of the mountain, who makes the whole earth happy, who makes the whole universe rejoice, praised by Nandin |
||
suravaravarshhiNi durdharadharshhiNi durmukhamarshhiNi harshharate |
O bestower of boons on Gods, One who assails those hard to control, who tolerates those with ugly faces (?), one engrossed in rejoicing |
Notable temples in India and Indonesia
- Durgamba Temple, Haigunda, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka, India- Temple dates back to more than 2000 years
- Ambabai Temple, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
- Official Website of Kanaka Durgamma Temple
- Ammathiruvadi Temple, Thrissur, Kerala, India
- Matrimandir in the city of Auroville near Pondicherry
- Maa Bamleshwari temple at dongargarh,Chattisgaarh.
- Ambika Mata Temple in the village of Jagat near Mount Abu in Rajasthan, India.
- Ambaji Temple in Banaskatha district near Gujarat and Rajasthan , India
- Kulanjari Mata Temple in the village of Mau Chirayal, village of Pundhir near Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Bhairabi Devalaya, in Tezpur, Assam
- Kalighat Temple, Kolkata.
- Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple, in Mangalore, Karnataka
- Kalka Mandir, near Nehru Place, New Delhi.
- Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam
- Biraja Temple, Jajpur, Orissa
- Katak Chandi Temple, Cuttack, Orissa
- Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
- Shanta Durga temple in Goa
- Shila Devi temple at Amber Jaipur Rajasthan
- Shitla Mata temple at Patna Bihar
- Vindhyachal temple near Varanasi
- Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu & Kasmir
- Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore Karnataka
- Prambanan Temple - Indonesia
- Tulja Bhavani Temple - in Tuljapur, Maharashtra, India
- Amaramkavu Devi Temple, in Kolani, near Thodupuzha, Kerala, India
- Chamunda devi temple in Brasil
- Vaishno Devi mandir in Katra(Jammu)
See also
- Durga Puja
- Hindu Goddess
- Kala, husband of Durga in Javanese mythology.
- Kali
- List of women warriors in folklore
- Mahavidya
- Mahisasuramardini (radio programme)
- Shantadurga
- Woman warrior
References
- ^ "Durga". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
- ^ Kinsley, David (1988). Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-06339-2. p. 95.
- ^ G. S. Purswani "Incredible Origin and History of Khudabadi Sindhi Swarankar"-2005 Jaipur
- ^ R. C. Agrawala, "The Goddess Mahisasuramardini in Early Indian Art", Artibus Asiae, Vol. 21, No. 2 (1958), pp. 123-130
- ^ Esposito, John L. (2007). Religion & globalization: world religions in historical perspective. Oxford University Press. p. 341. ISBN 0195176952.
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Further reading
- Durga Puja: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Sudeshna Banerjee, Rupa and Co, Calcutta, 2004. (ISBN 81-291-0547-0)
- Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions, David Kinsley. (ISBN 81-208-0379-5)
- Mother Goddess Durga, Pranab Bandyopadhyay, United Writers, Calcutta 1993 ISBN 81-85328-13-7
- Grace and Mercy in Her Wild Hair : Selected Poems to the Mother Goddess, Ramprasad Sen (1720–1781). (ISBN 0-934252-94-7)
- Durga Puja Beginner, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir, 2001. (ISBN 1-887472-89-4)
- "Chandi Path", Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir (ISBN 1-877795-52-6)
- "Chandi Path: Study of Chapter One", Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir (ISBN 1-877795-58-5)
- "Chandi Path: Study of Chapter Two", Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir (ISBN 1-877795-60-7)
- Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal, June McDaniel, Oxford University Press, 2004. (ISBN 0-19-516791-0)
- "Pronunciation and the Chandi Samputs", Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir (ISBN 1-877795-61-5)
- "Devi Gita", Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir (ISBN 1-877795-56-9)
- The Bond Between Women: A Journey to Fierce Compassion, China Galland, Riverhead Trade Publishing, U.S., 1999.
- Mahishasura Mardini Stotram (Prayer to the Goddess who killed Mahishasura), Sri Sri Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya