Praise of the Goddess by the Devas
Maharishi Medha said – In ancient times, the powerful Asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha, intoxicated by their strength, seized Indra’s sovereignty over the three worlds along with the shares of the Yajnas that belonged to the Devas. In the same way, they took control of the powers of Surya, Chandra, Dharmaraj and Varuna and began exercising those functions themselves. They also took over the duties of Vayu and Agni. After depriving the Devas of their authority, they drove them from their respective positions. Having lost their powers and been cast out by the Asuras, the Devas remembered Aparajita Devi and recalled the boon She had given them: “Whenever you face great distress, I will destroy your troubles and protect you.”
Remembering this, all the Devas went to the Himalayas and began praising Bhagavati Vishnumaya. They said, “Salutations to the Devi. Salutations to Shiva. Salutations to Prakriti and Bhadra. We bow to Raudra, Nitya and Gauri. Again and again we bow to Jyotsnamayi, Chandrarupini and the Goddess who is the very form of happiness. We bow repeatedly to Her who brings welfare to those who seek refuge in Her, and who is the embodiment of growth and Siddhi. Salutations to Nairriti, to the Lakshmi of kings and to Sarvani. Salutations to Durga, to Durgapara who carries beings across difficult paths, to Sara, Sarvakarini, Khyati, Krishna and Dhumra Devi. We bow again and again to Her who is both supremely gentle and terribly fierce.”
Again and again we bow to the Goddess who is the very foundation of the universe. Salutations to Her whom all beings know as Vishnumaya. Salutations to Her who dwells in all beings as consciousness. Salutations to Her who dwells in all beings as intelligence. Salutations to Her who abides in all beings as sleep. Salutations to Her who dwells in all beings as hunger. Salutations to Her who exists in all beings as shadow. Salutations to Her who is present in all beings as Shakti.
Salutations to Her who dwells in all beings as thirst. Salutations to Her who abides in all beings as peace. Salutations to Her who is present in all beings as birth and identity. Salutations to Her who dwells in all beings as modesty.
Salutations to Her who is present in all beings as faith. Salutations to Her who dwells in all beings as beauty and radiance. Salutations to Her who exists in all beings as Lakshmi. Salutations to Her who dwells in all beings as livelihood and activity. Salutations to Her who is present in all beings as memory. Salutations to Her who abides in all beings as compassion. Salutations to Her who dwells in all beings as contentment.
Salutations to Her who is present in all beings as the Mother. Salutations to Her who dwells in all beings as delusion. Salutations to Her who eternally pervades all beings. Salutations to Her who, as pure consciousness, pervades this entire universe.
May that Ishwari, who was praised by the Devas in ancient times for the fulfilment of their desires and who was worshipped for long by Devaraj Indra, bring us welfare and auspiciousness and remove every difficulty. We, the Devas tormented by the Asuras, now bow to that Parameshwari. May Jagadamba, who immediately removes the troubles of those who remember Her with devotion, bless us even now and free us from all adversity.
Maharishi Medha said – O King, while the Devas were praising the Goddess in this way, Parvati Devi came there to bathe in the Ganga. At that very moment, a radiant Goddess emerged from Her body and said, “These Devas, who have been driven out of Swarga by Shumbha and defeated by Nishumbha, are praising Me.” Because Ambika emerged from the body of Parvati, She became known throughout the worlds as Kaushiki. After Kaushiki manifested, the complexion of Parvati’s body became dark, and She came to be known in the Himalayas as Kalika Devi.
Soon afterwards, the messengers of Shumbha and Nishumbha, Chanda and Munda, arrived there and saw Ambika Devi, whose beauty was beyond compare. They returned to Shumbha and said, “O Maharaj, an extraordinarily beautiful woman is illuminating the Himalayas with Her radiance. Never before have we seen such beauty in any woman. O Lord of the Asuras, You should find out who She is and bring Her into Your possession. She is truly a jewel among women, and Her brilliance lights up all ten directions. You should see Her for Yourself.”
“O Lord, all the finest treasures of the three worlds — elephants, horses, jewels and other precious possessions — now adorn Your palace. Airavata, the jewel among elephants, and the divine horse Uchchaihshravas were taken from Indra. The celestial chariot drawn by swans, once belonging to Brahmaji, is now with You. The treasure called Mahapadma was taken from Kubera. The Ocean has given You the ever-blooming garland known as Kinjalkini. Varuna’s golden umbrella that showers wealth is also in Your possession. The finest chariot of Prajapati is Yours. O Daityendra, You have even taken the weapon called Utkrantika from Mrityu. Varuna’s Pasha is now in the possession of Your brother Nishumbha, and Agni has given You two garments that cannot be burned by fire.”
“O Daityaraj, You have gathered every treasure of the three worlds. Why then should You not also possess this incomparable woman, who is truly the jewel among women?” Maharishi Medha said – Hearing the words of Chanda and Munda, Shumbha decided to send Sugriva as his messenger to the Goddess.
He carefully instructed Sugriva and said, “Go to Her and speak in such a way that She is pleased and comes to Me willingly.” Sugriva then went to the beautiful region of the mountain where the Goddess was staying. The messenger said, “O Devi, I am the messenger of Shumbha, the king of the Daityas and presently the lord of the three worlds. All the Devas obey his command. Listen now to the message he has sent for You.
He says: ‘The entire three worlds are under My control, and I receive the shares of all Yajnas. Every precious treasure of the three worlds is now in My possession. Airavata, the elephant of Devaraj Indra, is with Me. Uchchaihshravas, the divine horse that arose during the churning of the Kshira Sagar, has also come into My possession.
O beautiful one, all the other precious ornaments and treasures that once belonged to the Devas are now Mine. O Devi, I regard You as the finest jewel among all women, and since I am the possessor of every treasure, You too should become Mine. O beautiful one with captivating eyes, You may choose either Me or My mighty brother Nishumbha. If You choose Me, You will gain incomparable wealth and splendour. Consider this carefully and come to Me.’”
Maharishi Medha said – Hearing the messenger’s words, Bhagavati Durga, who brings welfare to the entire universe, smiled gently within Herself and replied:
“O messenger, what you have said is true. There is no falsehood in it. Shumbha is indeed the lord of the three worlds, and Nishumbha too is extraordinarily powerful. But how can I abandon a vow I have already made? Listen, therefore, to My pledge.
Whoever defeats Me in battle, destroys My pride and proves himself equal to Me in strength — he alone shall become My husband. Therefore, let Shumbha or Nishumbha come here, defeat Me in battle and then marry Me. Why should there be any delay?”
The messenger replied, “O Devi, You are speaking out of pride. Do not speak like this before me. In all three worlds, I see no one who can stand against Shumbha and Nishumbha. If even the Devas cannot face them in battle, how can a woman like You hope to stand before them on the battlefield?
When even Indra and the other Devas could not withstand Shumbha and Nishumbha, how can You alone oppose them? Listen to my advice and go to them willingly. Otherwise, if they come and drag You away by the hair, Your honour will be lost. Therefore, accept what I say.”
The Goddess replied, “What you say about the strength of Shumbha and Nishumbha is true. They are indeed very powerful. But what can I do? I made this vow without considering what might follow. So go now and respectfully tell the Asura king everything I have said. After that, let him do whatever he considers appropriate.”