DURGA DESTROYS THE DEMON

ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः

Om Dum Durgayei Namaha

Salutations to She, who is graceful to the seeker of truth and terrible in appearance to those who would harm devotees of truth.

Many eons ago an Asura (demon) king named Rambha fell in love with a demon princess Shyamala and married her. Unfortunately, Shyamala was struck by a curse that turned her into a buffalo. Shyamala and Rambha had a son they named Mahishasura. Mahishasura had the head of a buffalo and the body of a man. However, being an Asura, Mahishasura had many special magical powers including the ability to change his form at will.

The Asuras were always at war with the Devas. Though the Asuras had strength and power they would time and again lose their battles against the Devas. One day Mahishasura went to his father Rambha and asked, “Father we have so many powers and your army of demons is forceful and mighty. Yet we are unable to defeat the Devas. Why is that so? The Devas are getting far too proud of their successes. Is it not time for us to teach them a lesson?”

Rambha replied, “You are quite right my son. We do keep losing battles against the Devas. I agree that the Devas should be taught a lesson. I believe that if we continue our war against them we will surely succeed one day.”

Mahishasura full of pride and arrogance replied, “Father, I will vanquish the Devas. I assure you that I will become so powerful that they will not be able to defeat me. It is I, father, who will lead the demons to success. With my insurmountable powers the Asuras will be unassailable.”

Rambha was very happy to hear his son speak in this manner and he replied, “I bless you, my son. May you succeed in your endeavour.”

Mahishasura was determined to defeat the Devas and become the most powerful entity in the whole universe. He knew that the only way he could do this was by increasing his powers and strength enormously. He needed to be invincible. He began to work on himself and thought of ways and means to make himself indestructible. It was then that it struck him that the best way to gain special powers was through tapasya (austerity and penance). Mahishasura was so determined that without any hesitation he began propitiating Lord Brahma, the creator of the whole Universe. He began a long period of sacrifice and prayer. He stopped eating and stood on one leg keeping the other raised at all times. He closed his eyes and focused on Brahma. He did this relentlessly for several years. The longer he continued with his penance the more powers he gained. But Mahishasura did not stop. He continued to pray. He continued for so long that the whole Universe began to feel the power of his presence. Finally, his prayers reached Lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma appeared before Mahishasura. The Asura felt the illuminating presence of the Lord. It was only when he felt this powerful presence that the buffalo Asura opened his eyes. Seeing the Lord standing before him, Mahishasura fell at the Lord’s feet.

Having succeeded in invoking Lord Brahma, Mahishasura folded his hands and lowered his eyes as he spoke with great reverence to Lord Brahma, “Lord I thank you for hearing my prayers. You have honoured me with your presence.”

The Lord replied, “Mahishasura your perseverance and devotion have moved me. You have fasted and undertaken great hardships and penance to invoke me. I stand before you and ask you what boon is it that you desire?”

Mahishasura’s heart leapt with joy. This was the moment he had worked and waited for. With folded hands and bowed head the wicked Mahishasura replied, "Lord I ask for nothing more than to be immortal.”

The sly Mahishasura knew that by becoming immortal no one would be able to kill him. He would live forever and would be invincible and undefeatable. He would then be the ruler of the entire Universe. His beady eyes gleamed with excitement in anticipation of getting the boon of immortality from Lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma smiled knowingly. He could see through the cunning Mahishasura’s devious plan. However, he had promised the Asura a boon and he had to grant him one. However, the Lord could not grant Mahishasura the boon that he had asked for and the Lord said, “Mahishasura you know that it is not possible for me to grant you immortality. Every creature born must die. This is the law of the Universe. Think of some other boon that I could grant you and it shall certainly be yours.”

Mahishasura who was eagerly looking forward to becoming immortal suddenly had his high hopes dashed by Lord Brahma’s words. However, the clever demon pulled himself together and started thinking quickly of another boon that he could ask for. It needed to be one that would make it almost impossible for anyone to kill him.

Fearing that the vision of the Lord might soon disappear the devious demon played for time by once again folding his hands and said, “Lord you are as always right, I was foolish to ask for immortality. I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to ask for something else.”

The Lord nodded his assent.

The wicked Mahishasura brain ticked away and he thought of all the forces that had the powers to kill him. He thought to himself, “Devas have special powers and some men too have great physical prowess and hence they might be able to defeat and kill me but women are physically and emotionally weak. They will not be able to withstand the rigours of warfare. Besides I am mightier than most men and Devas so there is no way a mere women can overpower or kill me.”

In his mind he applauded himself for this clever ruse. Once again, falling at the feet of Lord Brahma he requested, “Lord I beg that you grant me the boon that no deva or man should ever be able to kill me. If I should ever die it can only be at the hands of a woman.”

The Lord said, “So be it.”

Mahishasura folded his hands in gratitude. Then Lord Brahma disappeared leaving an elated Mahishasura chuckling away to himself with pride for managing to outsmart death itself.

Mahishasura returned confident that, now that no deva or man could kill him, he was indestructible. He laughed his loud and vicious laugh as he proclaimed to all those that could hear him, “I am a gigantic demon, of enormous strength and have so many special powers that no one will ever be able to fight or defeat me. Since no man or deva can kill me, I will now conquer the earth, the heavens and be master of the three worlds. Ha, ha, ha.”

True to his word Mahishasura picked up his trident and began his war against the Universe. Waving his trident menacingly he roared, “Now, these weakling Devas will know my might. I am the true ruler of the three worlds and no one will be able deny me my rightful place as the Emperor of the Universe.”

He gathered his large Asura army and began his march to earth. He trampled through cities and villages destroying everything that came in his way. He tormented the people on earth. He and his armies pillaged and looted. They thought nothing of killing mercilessly anyone who tried to defend their home or family. The whole earth resounded with his raucous, cruel laugh. The people on earth trembled with fear at the very thought of Mahishasura. Everyone lived in mortal terror every moment of every day.

Having reduced mortals to a trembling mass of fear, Mahishasura’s confidence increased manifold. He said to his soldiers, “Look how easily I have reduced the beings on earth to complete subjugation. They have all realized that there is no one more powerful than me. It is now time to teach the Devas a lesson too. They have always been proud of their victories over us Asuras. It is important that I show them that I am far more powerful than them and they must submit to me as their ruler. With Brahma’s boon even the Devas will not be able to kill me.”

The news that Mahishasura was invincible spread across the Universe, The Devas hearing the news began to prepare themselves for an attack from the Asuras. Though prepared for the attack, they were fearful that with the boon granted to him by Lord Brahma, they would fail to destroy Mahishasura.

Mahishasura’s commanded his army in a booming voice “Get ready for battle. Tomorrow we storm the heavens and defeat the Devas. I will lead you to victory and we will capture Indra’s capital Amaravati with ease.”

The Devas battled valiantly but as they had feared none of their divine weapons had any impact on Mahishasura. Lord Vishnu used his mighty mace to hit the demon hard on his head. For a brief moment the demon was stunned and tottered a bit. But the very next moment he shook off the disorientation and rose up in the form of a ferocious lion. Continually changing his size, shape and form Mahishasura left the Devas confused and befuddled.

Once again Lord Vishnu rose to the defense of the Devas. Taking up his powerful chakra he shot it through the air, aiming it directly at Mahishasura’s head. The chakra landed with enormous force right in the middle of Mahishasura’s forehead. The Devas were expecting the demon to die instantly. To everyone one’s astonishment the chakra simply bounced off Mahishasura’s head. It had not even made a scratch on the demon’s forehead. “Plop”, the chakra dropped to the ground as though it was just a child’s toy. The wicked Asura laughed out loud, “Ha,ha,ha, try what you will, you foolish Devas, you cannot harm me. So forget about killing me. The heavens are mine. Go and run away, as fast as you can. Ha,ha,ha.”

Lord Indra determined to save the heavens hurled his Vajra thunderbolt at the demon. The Devas looked aghast as the Vajra whizzed past Mahishasura as though it was a gentle breeze. Mahishasura stood perfectly upright, his wild laugh now echoing throughout the Universe.

Mahishasura once again changed his form. This time he transformed himself into a giant buffalo. He charged at Indra and Vishnu, his massive sharp horns set to tear them to bits.

The Deva’s realizing they were fighting a losing battle began to flee in fear and despair.

The barbarous Asuras screamed in joy. They waved their weapons, their villainous faces beaming, and their shrieks of victory causing terror among all living beings. This was indeed a great victory for the Asuras. They had driven the Devas out of heaven. They stormed Indra’s palace and Mahishasura delightedly jumped up onto Indra’s throne. His army gathered around him as he boasted, “I am undefeatable. I am indestructible. I am the King of the Universe. Everyone must bow to me. There can and never will be anyone as powerful as me ever again.”

The Asura’s sang victory songs and heaped praise on Mahishasura. They bowed before him and Mahishasura sat back and enjoyed the adulation and became even more arrogant and proud.

Having gained control of the three worlds, Mahishasura made life miserable for everyone. Everyone lived in mortal fear of being tortured or killed. The Devas were miserable. They had no home of their own and wandered from place to place seeking shelter from the vicious Mahishasura. Finally the Devas had had enough of this dismal existence. They decided to approach Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the holy trinity for advice as to how they could end Mahishasura’s rule of terror.

Lord Vishnu said, “Having received the boon from Lord Brahma, Mahishasura can only be killed by a woman. The problem is that there is presently no woman strong enough to destroy the wicked Asura.”

Then, after a few moments in deep thought, Lord Vishnu continued, “There may not be a woman at this moment that can kill the Asura but surely if we combine all our powers we can create a woman who will overpower Mahishasura. Let us all unitedly use our divine powers to create such a woman. She will be the nemesis of the Asuras.”

All the Devas were overjoyed. At last they had found a solution that would end their despair. The Devas went into deep meditation. Together they concentrated upon creating an invincible woman of phenomenal strength and special powers. Their concerted efforts worked and a fiery shaft of light appeared in the sky. It was so bright that the Devas could not even look upon it. This was a mass of pure energy that had been created by their combined deep meditation. From this super energy they created the Goddess that would vanquish the wicked Mahishasura. Lord Shiva crafted her exquisite face, Lord Vishnu created her ten strong, powerful arms and Lord Brahma provided her with legs and feet. The god of the oceans of milk gave her a red sari and a diamond necklace. Vishwakarma presented her with earrings, bracelets and other jewellery that he had made himself. The Devas bedecked the Goddess with glittering ornaments.

Once she was elaborately dressed, Vishnu said, “Let us arm her with our special strengths and with some invincible weapons.” Lord Vishnu then handed her a chakra exactly like his own. Shiva gave her a trident and Brahma a kamandal full of the holy Ganga water. Varun gave her a gift of an ever-blooming lotus flowers and a mighty conch. Agni presented her with the sadagni—a weapon that could kill thousands. Vayu provided her with a bow and a quiver holding an endless supply of arrows. Indra gave her a thunderbolt similar to his own. Vishwakarma armed her with an axe, Yama with a staff and Kuber gave her a cup of wine. Surya presented her with his blinding rays. Tvashtr gave her the kaumodoki, the divine mace. Finally, Himalaya, the god of the mountains, gave her a tiger to ride on. This was the birth of Goddess Durga Devi.

Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma along with all the other Devas gave Durga their divine blessings. Durga mounted the tiger and set out to destroy Mahishasura.

As she approached Amravati, she let out a mighty roar that shook the mountains and created huge waves in the seas. Mahishasura, surprised, commanded his soldiers, “Go and find out what caused this enormous sound that has made the mountains quake and the seas roar?

When they returned, they informed him, “Oh mighty ruler, the roar you heard is that of a woman challenging you to a fight.”

“Ha, ha, ha,” laughed an incredulous Mahishasura, “A woman? Tell her that instead of fighting her I will marry her.”

His soldiers conveyed Mahishasura’s proposal to goddess Durga. The Goddess looked at them with scorn and said, “Tell your king that I am no ordinary woman who would be eager to marry him. I am Mahadevi Durga and I ask that he leave Amravati and return to his place below the world. If he doesn’t go, I will destroy him!”

Mahishasura was angered by the goddess’s words. His soldiers pacified him and assured him that they would take care of this haughty woman. Mahishasura’s army assembled and marched forward to eliminate the Goddess. It took just minutes for Durga to demolish the entire Asura force.

Mahishasura screamed in rage, “What stupid weak fools I sent. They could not even defeat a mere woman. I will go and put an end to all this nonsense.”

Mahishasura assumed the form of a handsome young man. He believed that seeing him the woman would immediately swoon and beg to marry him. He went up to her and said, “Beauteous damsel, why do you want to fight like an uncouth, burly man? I am the King of the three worlds and I come to ask you for your hand in marriage.”

The Goddess laughed and replied, “Is it because you are afraid to face me that you approach me with this absurd proposal?”

Mahishasura was now inflamed with fury. Using his magical powers he created an limitless army of Asuras and began his violent attack on Durga. Durga with one deep breath created her own magnificent army. A mighty battle ensued. The crafty Mahishasura using his mystical power kept changing his form to confuse and trick the Goddess. Yet regardless of the form he took the Goddess managed to slash and wound him each time with her weapons. It was a long battle.

Mahaishasura was determined to never give up. He thought to himself, “She is after all just a mere woman. Her strength and stamina must soon give way. I will wait for just that moment of weakness and strike her dead.”

The intensely savage battle went on for nine days. On the ninth day Mahishasura took the form of a gigantic buffalo. He charged at Goddess Durga with all the strength and force he had. Durga sent her divine chakra at the raging buffalo. The chakra hit the buffalo right across its neck beheading him. Goddess Durga had slain the wicked demon king Mahishasura.

The great and powerful Goddess had freed the Universe of the tyrannical reign of Mahishasura.

The Devas sang the goddess’s praise and thanked her profusely for putting them out of their misery.

Lord Indra returned to his palace at Amravati. All the other Devas also returned to

their palaces in the heavens.

We, humans, have never forgotten the glorious Goddess Durga’s battle against Mahishasura. Every year we honour Goddess Durga over nine days at Navratri. On the tenth day, Vijayadashmi, we celebrate her victory over the demon king Mahishasura. This is a celebration of good over evil. It is an affirmation, that no matter what the circumstances, dharma (righteousness) will always prevail over adharma (unrighteousness).

LIFE LESSONS

1. Unlike Mahishasura we must never use our strengths and powers to destroy or for evil.

2. From this story we gather that God always hears our prayers but we must be careful of how we use the many gifts he gives us.

3. Just as when the Devas meditated together in unison they could create Goddess Durga we too can gain greater strength by working together with others as a team.

4. Good will always win in the end.

5. Evil may exist for a time but in the end God will ensure that evil is ultimately destroyed.