Devi maahaathmyam 7

Chapters nine and ten describes how both Sumbha and Nisumbha were destroyed by Devi.

Both King Suratha and Samaadhi were very curious to know how Sumbha and Nisumbha reacted to the death of their mighty assistant Rakthabeeja and what happened next. So Sage Sumedhas continued the story.

Sumbha and Nisumbha were very upset, angry and afraid to learn about the death of Rakthabeeja. First Nisumbha advanced forward along with a huge army of Asuraas to face Devi. Nisumbha and Asuraas looked like moths flying into a raging fire, to be consumed by the flames. Nisumbha showered a variety of arrows on Her and in the fierce battle Nisumbha became unconscious for a while. When Sumbha saw his brother lying unconscious, he charged forward and fought with all his might and to his surprise and to all Devaa's delight, Devi killed all his assistants and concentrated on making him weak. After some time he was tired and retreated. By this time Nisumbha got up and took this opportunity to retaliate and jumped towards Devi with all his powerful weapons. This time Devi did not want to show any kindness and finished him off with her sharp and powerful sword.

Here ends chapter nine and chapter ten is the destruction of Sumbha.

Sumbha was all the more angry and was more energized with anger and frustration. He came forward with all his power and charged towards Devi. .Sumbha saw that Devi was being worshiped by all Devaas, Gandharvaas, Kinnaraas and all other celestial beings. Devi looked so beautiful and brilliant. Her body was both tender as a young creeper and was also as hard as  diamond! Sumbha wished that she would surrender to him. That was not happening and so he decided to fight to win over Her!! He told Devi:

Devi, you are too beautiful and gentle to be in a battle field. If you looked ugly and frightening, it would have been easy for me to fight with you "

Devi said: "Hey, Sumbha, do not waste your time. If you do not want to fight with me, fight with my terrible manifestation known as Kalika and here I send her to fight with you."

Thus Kalika advanced towards Sumbha and first destroyed his chariot. When he resisted, She cut off her left arm with Her powerful sword.Then She cut off one of his feet and finally cut off his head from his trunk. He fell down on the battle field and the remaining Asuraas ran to underworld, their permanent abode. 

All the Devaas were delighted. They completely surrendered at Devi's lotus feet and prostrated again and again. Peace and harmony prevailed on earth and heaven. Sages started performing all the auspicious yajnaas with out any obstacles or interruptions and Devaas were delighted to receive the " haviss" or share of the Yajnaas again .

When we read the story and follow the literal meaning, whole Devi Maahathmyam is filled with violence and destruction. The question of how  a mother-figure of Devi could  become so cruel and express such opposite aspects at the same time, can arise in one's mind. But the moment we compare Sumbha and Nisumbha to our own Ahantha (ego) and Mamatha (mine-ness) and the daily battle taking place in our minds, we can see that the whole story is symbolic of dealing with the obstacles in the path of our spiritual evolution. 

It is interesting to note that Daithyaas or Asuraas are the result of our vision of Dvaitham or duality. This vision of "I am separate" or Aham thathvam is caused by Avidya or ignorance. Ahantha or ego and mamatha or the feeling of mine are the children of this Avidya. Of course these demons represented by Sumbha and  Nisumbha have several assistants who are our negative thoughts and emotions. When our thoughts and actions are guided by selfish ego (Sumbha), we get more and more entangled in this world of illusion. To avoid our fall,  we worship Devi. What are her divine weapons? They are the powerful manthraas contained in Devi Maahaathmyam offered by Devaas and all the divine names of Devi also are powerful weapons to destroy these demons. So Devi's stories reveal the spiritual battle in the deepest realms of our mind against the gross, subtle and subtle most enemies. Sree Durga Devi, Mahaalskhi and Saraswathi Devi, the three most important manifestations of Devi along with all other manifestations remove all the impurities of our mind due to ignorance bestowing immortality and eternal bliss.

May our prayers please  Aadi Parashakthi and lead all of us to Mosham.

असतो मा सद्गमय ।

तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।।

मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय ।

ॐ शांति: शांति: शांति

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।

सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु। मा कश्चित् दुःख भाग्भवेत्॥

Sree Mhaathripurasundaryai nama:

Samasthaaparaadham kshamaswa