Jaya Jaya he Mahisasura Mardini , Ramyaka Vardini Shaila Sute!

[Guest guest]

Adi Shankara's song 'AyI Giri Nandini ' in the melodious voice of the

late Smt M.S. Subbalaxmi.

 

Every Stanza in the song ends with this refrain 'Jaya jaya

he Mahisasura MAardini Ramyaka Vardini Shailasute . 'Simply

translated, this means "Be Victorious , Be victorious, Slayer of

demon Mahisa , Daughter of the Mountain , who makes the whole world

happy!

 

The Triumph of Good over evil! The goddess Durga represents all that

is pure, good and auspicious (sattwic gunas) and Demon Mahisasur

represents all that is impure, evil and inauspicious. ( tamasic

qualities)

 

The Mahisasur story

 

Mahisasur was the powerful demon who had the features of a Buffalo

and the temperament of an Asura . Due to many austerities performed

by his father, Mahisasur ( mahisa means buffalo and asur means demon)

had obtained a boon that he could never be slain by devas or men. hen

Mahisasur was arrogant and was invincible and became the

undisputed King of three worlds.

 

The gods then decided that the only way to Vanquish this all powerful

demon was to create a 'woman' of radiant beauty and empower her with

all the mighty weapons.

 

Here is the beautiful description of how Devi Durga was created in

the Saptashati.

Durga's dazzling form was blindingly beautiful, with a face sculpted

by Shiva, torso by Indra, breasts by Chandra (the moon), teeth by

Brahma, bottom by the Earth, thighs and knees by Varuna

(wind), and her three eyes by Agni (fire). Each god also gave her

their own most powerful weapons - Shiva, the trident, Vishnu , the

discus,Varuna the conch, Agni , the spear, Yama , the cudgel, Vayu,

the bow, Surya , the arrow, Indra the vajra, Kuber gave the mace,

Kala, the sword and the axe was given by Parshurama. She was

beautifully decked with ornaments and jewels as well. Her mount was

the lion ( simhavahini) .

 

Mahisasur was totally captivated by Durga's dazzling beauty and asked

Durga to marry him. Devi challenged him to a fight and she would

marry Mahisa only if he defeated her in battle.

 

For nine days a fierce battle was fought. Mahisa changes forms many

times from Buffalo to Lion to man to elephant every time putting up a

great fight. But Durga's infinite power (shakti) was finally able to

pin down Mahisa 's buffalo form beneath her foot and she thrusts her

spear into his heart and her mighty sword cuts his head into two

while her mount lion (tiger) attacks mahisa's groins!

 

Attend any Durga puja ( held by Bengalees) in your area, This imagery

is very powerful as well as very symbolic - the triumph of Good over

evil. And along with Durga Mata we are also saluting the Demon

Mahisasur under her feet. Yes, when slain by the great goddess Durga,

Mahisasur attained Moksha or salvation.

 

Each weapon in Durga's 10 arms ( eight handed durga is also popular)

is symbolic of something more significant.( this will be explained

another time. )

 

Wht does Mahisasur stand for - a real demon? or demonic tendency? .

The head is the 'ego' in a man/woman. Ahamkar- refusal to bow down to

anyone - superior wisdom.

 

Have you ever seen a buffalo in India - it is very stubborn - once it

sits down, it refuses to get up . Such is a man/woman's Ego.

 

Also, when someone is ignorant, we say 'kala akshar bhains barabar'

that is all black letters are represntative of a buffalo-that is

he/she is an ignorant fool.

 

Mahisa had all thse tamasic qualities- arrogance, ahamkar (false

pride), ignorance , . lust (Moha for the beautiful form of Durga)

and uncontollable anger ... and he was might destructive too!

 

If YOU read the saptashati, you will notice that Mahishasura's

mighty form trampled the earth , his Heavy breaths tossed mountains

into the air, his lashing tail causes the oceans to overflow, and

above all his sharp horns tore the gently floating clouds to shreds.

 

In fact, MahiSAsur was nothing short of a major Tsunami, in modern

parlance.

 

The victory of Durga is the victory of the all that is Good over all

that is evil !!! She is pure consciousness ! Chid-rupa Swarupini!

 

Mahishasura nirnaashi bhaktaanaam sukhade namah

Rupam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dvisho jahi

 

To you who caused the

destruction of the Great Ego,

Giver of happiness to devotees

We bow to you

Grant us your form, Grant us victory,

Grant us welfare, remove all hostility

 

Wishing everyone a very happy and auspicious Durgashtami!

 

Jai durge maa ambe Bhavani !

 

adi_shakthi

[Guest shalaka]

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