The Birth Of Durga Devi , Mahisasuramardini!

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On this Auspicious second day of Sharad Navaratri, it is my pleasure

to bring to you the story of the Birth of Goddess Durga Devi

 

The story of the Birth of Durga Devi is linked with the slaying of

Demon Mahsasura .

 

Mahisasura was the Lord of the Asuras. There was an ongoing war

between the devas and asuras for years and years . After defeating

all the devas includng Lord Inra , Mahisasura became the Lord of

Heaven .

 

Lord Brhama could not tolerate the havoc and atrocities committed by

Demong king Mahisasura and therefore Brahma approached Lord Shiva

and Lord Vishnu for help. On hearing the various tales of atrocities

committed by Demon Mahisasura from Brahma and other devas , Lord

and lord Siva got angry and distraught .

 

Here in the following verse is Described how A 'light' emanated in

the form of Goddess Durga - please read the poetic description of

this all pervading Light!

 

" Born out of the bodies of all the Gods,

that unique efflugence, combined into a mass of light,

took the form of a woman,

pervading the triple worlds with its lustre.

In that efflugence, the light of Shiva formed the face.

The Tresses were formed from the light of Yama and

the arms from the light of Vishnu Bhagwan

 

The two breasts were formed

from the moon's (Somanath's) light,

the waist from the light of Indra,

the legs and thighs from the light of Varun ,

and hips from the light of the Earth (Bhoodev)

 

The feet from the light of Brahma

and the toes from Surya's (sun) light,

the fingers of the hand

from the light of the Vasus(the children of Ganga)

and the nose from the light of Kuber .

 

The teeth were formed

from the light of Prajapati, the lord of beings;

likewise the Triad of her eyes was

born from the Light of Agni (fire)

The eyebrows from the

two Sandhyas (sunrise and sunset);

the ears from the light of the wind(Vayu).

From the lights of other gods as well,

the auspicious goddess was born. "

 

Shiva ( Pinakapaani) gave Goddess Durga his weapon Trident;

(Chakrapaani) presented His (chakra) to Her; Varuna Gave Her A

Conch ; Agni Gave Her A Spear t presented it to her; and Vishnu

bringing forth a discus out of his own discus gave her. Varuna gave

her a conch, Agni a spear; and Maruta gave a bow as well as two

quivers full of arrows.

 

Indra, lord of devas, gave Goddess Durga (his own) thunderbolt and a

bell from that of his elephant Airavata. Yama gave a staff from his

own staff of Death and Varuna, the lord of waters, a noose; and

Brahma, the lord of beings, gave a string of beads and a water-

pot.Kuber gave her the Mace . Kala gave Her the sword and

Parsurama , the Axe!

 

Durga 's mouunt was Lion ! Thus , Goddess Durga also known as

Simhavahini was born.

Thus , Durga , a Goddess of Radiant beauty and invicible power was

born ! mighty weapons.

 

 

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 mighty 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 !!!

 

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 Ambe Bhavani Uma Maheshwari Shive Chamunde Kalike !