Devi maahaathmyam 4

Devi maahaathmyam --4

Fifth chapter of Devi Maahathmyam describes how Koushiki Devi, another manifestation of Aadi Parashakthi meets with the messengers of  two more demons called Sumbha and Nisumbha. Sumbha and Nisumbha represents the most subtle enemies of our mind creating a transparent barrier between the saathvic state and Ultimate Truth.

Sumbha and Nisumbha did severe penance to please Brahma Devan and received the precious boon that they would be able fulfill all their desires. With this new acquired boon, they became very powerful. They were intoxicated and blinded by their power and terrorized the Devaas. Devaas were banished from heaven and they roamed around aimlessly  on earth.

By Devi’s grace, Devaas remembered about Devi’s promise to them that if they worshiped Her during any time of distress and danger, She would come and help them. So they all invoked  Devi by extolling Her glories using the most meaningful and beautiful words, for a very long time. They pleased Her by addressing by various names like  Bhadra, Roudra, Gouri, Dhaathri, Jyothsna, Indu, Kalyani, Thrivikrami, Lakshmi, Sharvaani, Durga, Sarvakaarini, Khyathi, Krishna etc etc.

Also Devaas worshiped Devi with the famous namaskaara slokaas starting with

Yaa devi sarbhootheshu Vishnumaayathi Shabdithaa

Namasthasyai namasthasyai namasthasyai namo nama:

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विष्णुमायेति संस्थिता 

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम :

In the above sloka, they worshiped Her by saying that She was manifested as Vishnu Maaya in all animate and inanimate beings. It is said that the three Namasthasyai (salutations to You) in each sloka is to do namaskaar to all the three aspects namely thaamasic, Raajasic and Saathvic aspects  of Devi present in the whole of the manifested world. 

Then Devaas praised one by one, several of Her various manifestations as Buddhi (intellect), Srushti (creation), Nidra (sleep) Siddhi, Medha, Shakthi etc in all beings of the universe. 

Parvathi Devi heard these prayers as she set out to river Ganga to take bath and appeared in her most beautiful form known as Koushiki, in front of  the Devaas and asked whom they were worshiping or praising using those extra ordinary adjectives. They told Her that they were worshiping none other than Herself. Devaas told about the atrocities of the Asuraas, Sumbha and Nisumbha and this Koushiki Devi promised Devaas that she would protect them from Sumbha and Nisumbha. To keep Her promise and to destroy the demons, she went to the Himalaya mountain and sat there on a golden swing waiting for a chance to kill them. 

During that time Chanda and Munda, two assistants of Sumbha and Nisumbha were roaming through the mountain valley and saw Koushiki Devi shining like a bright jewel on one of the peaks of the mountain. They could not take their eyes from Her and they were surprised to see Her enchanting beauty and brilliance. They ran to their Masters Sumbha and Nisumbha and reported what they saw. Their description of Her beauty given in Devi Maahaathmyam is very nice. They said Her beauty was greater than the beauty of thousand Thilotthamaas (most beautiful Apsara woman of heaven) and told them that it would be a shame for them if they did not own Her. Chanda and Munda told Sumbha and Nisumbha that all their other belongings and good fortune would have no meaning if they did not win Her heart!!

Sumbha and Nisumbha was excited and wanted to have Her near them as soon as possible. So Sumbha sent another demon called Sugreeva with this message for Devi:

"Hey Devi, I am the lord of the three worlds and all exquisite things belong to me. You are one of the most exquisite woman in the world and please accept me as your husband ans I will take care of you and your needs better than anybody else in this world."

Devi , with an enchanting smile replied to the messenger:

"I understand how great are your masters and I wish to become their wife. But unfortunately I have taken a vow that I will marry only that person who defeats me in a battle. So please ask Sumbha or Nisumbha to come and fight with me and I promise if they defeat me, I will be theirs for ever"

Sugreeva thought it was stupid of Her to say that and told Her that She was making a big mistake by inviting the most powerful Asuraas to fight with a meek woman like Her! Messenger went back to report the words of Devi.

This meeting of Devi, Chanda-Munda, the messenger demon, is the theme of chapter five and we will explore the sixth and seventh chapters tomorrow.

Sree Mahaatrhripurasundaryai nama:

Samaasthaaparaadham kshamaswa.