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Kaartik Maas Mahatmya - Skand Puran Hindi - कार्तिक माहात्म्य स्कन्द पुराण

कोटि कार्तिक सोमवार

कार्तिक माहात्म्य स्कन्द पुराण


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कार्तिक मास माहात्म्य | Kartik Maas Mahatmya

6 videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmsIvnkfdR2dRt5hDbRAD8E318EwIr4kD

Significance of the month of Kartika

Sage Narada enquired of Lord Brahma regarding  the best month of a year for prayers and spiritual activities,  the best Deity to worship and  the best Tirtha to visit.

Brahma’s instant reply was that the best month of a Year was Kartika, the Supreme Deity to worship was Narayana and the most Sacred Tirtha was Badari Kshetra.

As regards Kartika Month, Bhagavan Vishnu always accorded high esteem and whatever good deeds were performed in the ‘Masa’ were fully accepted by all the Devas.

The acts and endeavours of the devotees like ‘Snaan’, ‘Daan’, ‘Bhojan’, ‘Vrath’, ‘Til’(Sesame Seeds), Dhenu (Cows), ‘Suvarna’ (Gold), ‘Rajat’ (Silver), ‘Bhumi’ (Land), ‘Vastra’(Clothing), Tapasya, Japa, Homa, Yagna, Annadaan, Puja with Tulasi leaves, Abhishek of Vishnu’s Idol with Ganges and other holy river waters as also ‘Panchamrit’ comprising milk, ghee, curd, honey and sugar; ‘Shodasopacharas’ to Deities, Veda- parayana, Purana Shravan, Bhajans, Deva Stutis, Visits to Temples, fasting, abstinence, ‘Jaagarans’ (Keeping awake in the night singing hymns), Guru Seva etc. would indeed secure manifold returns in the consecrated month of Kartik.

At every time during the day and night, ‘kirtans’(Stanzas) on one’s own lips must be uttered like ‘Govinda Govinda Hare Murari, Govinda Govinda Mukunda Krishna, Govinda Govinda Rathangapane, Govinda Damodara Maadhaveti’. Specific time on each day must also be apportioned for ‘Bhagavat Geeta Paath’ or reading as many Chapters as possible.

Also, a devotee must observe sleeping on the floor and if possible perform Kanya Daan and Vidya Daan in the month. Practice of the month long austerity and good conduct even in one Kartika month in a year ought to result in tangible benefits for sure!


One has to observe certain don'ts during Kartika Month such as avoiding use of oil on the body and food (except on Naraka Chaturdasi), food from others, fruits with many seeds, rice, left over or spoilt food, heavy food and twice a day, drinking intoxicants, use of glass items, eating group food or Grama Purohit, Shraddhas and from women during menses period; eating in lotus leaves, consuming brinjals, carrots, ‘Loki, onions and masoor dal; eating on Ekadashi days; turning off guests at eating time;  conversing with chandal, Mlechha, Patita (women with bad character), Vratahin ( those not observing the rules of Kartika month), hater of Brahmanas, those who talk ill of others, non believers of God/ Godmen and immoral beings.

During the month of Kartika, Snanaas (bathings) acquire considerable importance. Those who are devoted to Surya Deva, Ganesha, Shakti, Siva and Vishnu are all required to formally observe Kartika Snanas. Snanas in favour of Surya need to be followed as long as Surya is in ‘Tula’ Rasi. Snanas in favour of Shankara be performed from Asvayuja Pournami to Kartika Pournami. Bathings in favour of Devis be observed from Aswayuja Shukla Pradhana day till Karthika Krishna Chaturdasi while for Ganesha Snanas are to be performed From Ashvin Krishna Chaturdasi till Kartika Krishna Chaturdasi. Bhagavan Janardana would be pleased with formal Snaanas from Aswin Shukla Ekadashi till Kartika Shukla Ekadashi.Those who observe the Snana Procedure during the month of Kartika would be free from the tributations of Yama Dharma Raja. Special Snaans and worship to Radha and Gopala during the month preferably under a Tulasi Tree have immense significance. While observing Kartika Snaans the following Stanza is recited:

Kartikeham Karishyami Pratha Snaanam Janardana,
Preethyartha Tava Devesha Damodara maya sahah.

(Janardana! Deveshwara Damodara! I am performing my early morning Snaan to please You and Devi Lakshmi).

Also recite the following:

Grihaanaarghya maya dattam Radhaya Sahiti Hare,
Namah Kamala -naabhaaya Nammasthey Jalashhayiney,
Namasthesthu Hrishikesha Gruhaanaarghya Namosthutey.

(Bhagavan! Please accept this ‘Arghya’ (handful of water) of mine to please You and Devi Radha; My greetings to you Kamalanaabha, greetings to You Jalashaayiney; greetings to You Hrishikesha; my repeated greetings to You!).

Before taking bath, one should take the name of ‘Pavitra Ganga’(Holy Ganges); while taking the bath on the head, recite ‘Purusha Suktam’ / ‘Sri Suktam’ and after the Snaan, take Tulasi in hand and perform ‘Achaman’(Sipping water thrice with the Names of Keshava, Narayana, Madhava etc.) and later apply Tilak / Vibhudi/ Kumkum on the forehead. Cold water snaan is always preferable to hot water for double Punya. It is said that there are four types of Snaan viz. ‘Vayavya’ (along with ‘Godhuli’/Cow dung); ‘Varuna’ (in the Sea and Holy Rivers); ‘Brahma’ or with Veda Mantras and ‘Divya’ or as Sun rays pass on the body. Snaanas by women should not be with Veda Mantras.


Lord Brahma affirmed that the fortnight from Kartika Krishna Trayodasi to the end of the month ie from Deepavali on the Amavasya of Aswayuja should be observed as Festival Days. The ‘Pradosha’ time of that Trayodasi  is the most significant time when Lord Yama is worshipped with ‘Deepas’ at the main door of the residence and Naivedya to ensure that there would never be an ‘Apamrutyu’ or Akaala Mrithyu (premature and sudden death) in the family. Yama Raja would be pleased with the recitation of the Mantra after the worship:

Mrityuna pasha dandaabhyaam Kaalena cha maya saha,
Trayodashyam Deepa daanaath Suryajah Preeyathamiti

[With this Deepa daan on Trayodashi, may Surya’s son Yama be pleased without Mrityu (Death), Pasha (Yama’s rope of death), Danda (Yama’s stick) and ‘Kaal’ (Death time)] Thereafter, on Kartika Amavasya morning, worship is to be performed to Devatas and at the Pradosha time of the same evening, strings of ‘Deepas’ should be lit and Devi Lakshmi is worshipped saying: ‘Devi Lakshmi! We welcome You with ‘Deepa Jyoti’ (the splendour of these Lamps) as You are the Symbol of Limitless Illumination; You are the representation of Surya, Chandra, Agni, and Gold (Prosperity); Do make Your residence as our own!’ Thus the Kartika Krishna Paksha is the most auspicious fortnight praying for ‘Apamrityu’ / Good Health to Yama raja and Wealth for Devi Lakshmi ushering an era of happiness.If during the entire Kartik Month-or atleast ‘Pancha Rathras’ (five nights), a devotee recites ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ as well as reads / hears ‘Vishnu Sahasranam’ and ‘Gajendra Moksha Paatha’, he secures freedom from want, disease, adversity and discontent.

Most certainly, the austerities observed on Kartika Ekadashi day alone would ensure contentment in ‘Iham’ (Current Life) and bliss in ‘Param’ (Post Life). Each act of virtue on the most auspicious day of Kartika Ekadashi is bound to obtain a multiplier effect endlessly.





Significance of Kartik Month - Skand Puran

http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/details/skandapurana26.html


Updated on 13 October 2019, 5 November 2016

India - Aspirational Districts - Ranking

Sep 28, 2019

https://twitter.com/NITIAayog/status/1177906377890680835

By improving farming methods for sustainable #agricultural production and adopting #bestpractices for #water management, these are the Five most improved #AspirationalDistricts as per the Delta Ranking in the sector announced by #NITIAayog for the month of August, 2019.
4:52 PM · Sep 28, 2019

1. Jharkhand - Palam
2. Kerala - Wayanad
3. Gujarat - Dahod
4. Jharkhand - Dumka
5. Mizoram - Manit

Maha Navami - Maha Devi Battling and Killing Mahishasura - Mahishasura Mardini

Maha Navami Pooja - దసరా మహా నవమి పూజ YouTube Video Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4iYXRuGjDE&list=PL6W3qaSriFEjsdbOPJB2qwaMv5UzHdjqe

Origin of Mahishasura and his battle with Devas

Two mighty Demon brothers Karambha and Rambha performed  severe ‘Tapasya’ with desire to   beget brave children.  Karambha did  his  devotion inside deep waters and Indra having taken the form of a crocodile dragged the Danava’s feet and killed him. Rambha sat on the banks of River Indus and did his tapas and sacrificse to Lord Agni. Rambha found his elder brother dead in the depths of River Sindhu and desired to quit life but Fire-God appeared, prevented the suicide and gave him the boon of securing a son who would shake up the entire world. Rambha on his way back found in the vicinity a passionate She-Buffalo and had dalliance with her. The he-buffalo which was also there killed Rambha. The she-buffalo killed herself on the funeral fire, but gave birth to a hefty and ferocius Buffalo-Demon Mahishasura before her death. Rambha too emerged from the Fire as The Fire God recreated him in another form as ‘Rakta Bija.’ His blood acts as seed and gives birth to more demons. As Mahishasura grew, he performed tough penance and pleased Lord Brahma who gave him the boons that no force on earth could  kill him except by a woman.  

Puffed up by the boons secured, the Demon Mahishasura created havoc in the World by trying to dislodge Devas from Heaven, torturing Sages and Munis; slaughtering men, women and children, rejoicing in all kinds of sinful activities and finally attempting to dislodge Indra and Devas from the Heaven. He sent a messenger to Indra asking Him to surrender or get ready for a war. Indra got furious and warned the Demon. The latter convened a War Conference and alerted all the Danavas to get ready and  assured them that he secured great boons from Brahma and that he was as good as immortal against any male power or animal power, excepting womanhood which was in any case helpless without male power! 

Indra too called for an urgent Conference of Devas including all the Planetary Heads like Varuna, Vayu, Agni, Surya, Saturn, Yama, Budha, Guru Brihaspati and so on to position themselves ready with their respective Vehicles and followers. So far, it was a battle between Indra and Mahisasura, during which the former Commander-in-Chief Chiksusa, General Vidala and Danava Tamra took up the offensive which Indra could control. But as Mahishasura himself entered the field and spread out his ‘Samavari Maya’ or the Illusion for all and thousands of Mahishasuras appeared on the battle field each acting as powerful as the other, Devas including Varuna, Yama, Kubera and Agni  fled away. Indra in his fast-track mind prayed to Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra about Mahishasura’s Illusionary tactics. Brahma got His conveyance Hamsa or the Swan, Vishnu by Garuda, Kartika His peacock, and Rudra His bull.While Indra  controlled Chaksura, Varuna by Asiloma, Yama by Trinetra, Kubera by Maha Hanu, Vishna fought Andhaka and Rudra restricted Mahishasura. But when the battle went on for hundred years and each year Mahishasura became mightier, it became clear that the Demon would not be shattered unless a female ‘Shakti’ would have to be thought of for the purpose. It was also realised that instead of depending on the female power of one Devi, say Sachi Devi, Vani,  Lakshmi or Parvathi individually, it would be ideal to unify the Powers of all and generate one Maha Nirguna Shakti who would  destroy the Demons once and for all. The Composite Super Energy converging into a Unique Shakti  thus emerged with all the Individual Shaktis of Trinity, Devas and their respective female powers embodying a mountain like Fire and dazzle which was not visualised even by Devas themselves let alone normal species. The Supreme Deity was endowed with the armoury and ‘Mantras’ of  Gods. 

Maha Devi’s Physical features

Maharshi Veda Vyasa  described the splendorous outline of Her Image to King Janamejaya in Devi Bhagavatam. Her Form was a mass of  blistering dazzle, Her Charmingly Extraordinary Face was that of  Maha Deva represented by ‘Tamoguna’; Her long and black Hair overhanging from Head to knees was like the Power of Yamaraja; Her three Eyes were the intensity and ferocity of  ‘Agni’, the pupils  being black, middle portion being white and the end of the eye balls being red; he two Eye Brows were black like ‘Sandhyas’ ( twilights) curved like the arrows of Cupid; the two Ears created by Vayu or Air, Her Nose chiselled and attractive; teeth like gems of Daksha; lower lip like ‘Aruna’ the Charioteer of Sun and the upper lip after Lord Kartika; thighs and legs of  Earth and Varuna; eighteen hands of Vishnu and red fingers like the glitter of Vasu Devatas.

Soon after The Maha Devi was formed, various presentations were made to Her by the Devatas: the Ocean of Milk gifted a pearl necklace and eternal red robes; Vishvakarma provided ornaments for each part of Her Physique never seen in the Universe earlier; Varuna presented flowers of everlasting fragrance and freshness as well as a Vijayanti garland on her chest; Mountain Himalaya a ferocious lion as Her Conveyance; Maha Vishnu gave a Chakra (Discus); Sankara a ‘Trisula’ (Trident); Agni (Fire) Deva gifted a ‘Sataghni’ Weapon; Conch by Varuna; Divine Bow and Arrows by Vayu Deva ( Wind God); Yama God of Death a Sceptre; Indra his thundebolt; Brahma a ‘Kamandalu’a vessel of Holy Water Ganges; Kubera gifted a Drinking Cup of Gold and an everfresh Lotus; Varuna  a ‘Pasa’ (A Destructive Rope) capable of rounding off hundreds of Demons together and Visvakarma a high voltage Kaumudi Mace and  so on.

Mahishasura’s Amorous Proposals to Maha Devi

With all the armoury and ornaments Maha Devi was comfortably mounted on the Lion and   laughed so deafeningly that the entire Universe trembled with fear as though a catastrophy occurred. Mahishasura too was shuddured at  the roar and his associates ran helter skelter to ascertain what was it about! One messenger reported to the Demon that he had an illusionary appearance of a huge sheet of  light and when seen intently looked like an outlined feminine figure, with a cool and smiling face of rare beauty, fully armoured and ornamented, seated on a lion with several Gods surrounded around Her.

Mahishasura, who never ever  realised that a female figure was mounted on a Lion with eighteen hands and was fully armoured as though ready to fight, felt that the Messenger must be crazy or the view was an Illusion created by the Devatas to frighten Danavas. Any way he sent his Prime Minister to take a personal Message to ‘that Woman’ to say that if really She were not an Illusion, She should meet and surrender to him and that he would assure Her to make her a life partner as the reports received were that she was of  marriageable age without a husband. She roared in loud laughter  and asked him to convey the message to the stupid Demon to withdraw his fight  if he had any sense (which a Mahisha as an animal normally lacked),  apologise to Her and quietly to go down to the nether world Patala to save himself! The Prime Minister talked highly arrogantly and even desired to attack Her but for Her being a woman and Maha Devi said that She could have smothered him then and there but for His being a Messenger and Dharma Shastras or the discipline of war prevented Her to kill a Messenger. The Prime Minister left for Mahisha still asking for the Devi’s rethinking about the possibility of marrying his King and not to finally close the chapter of his King’s amorous offer to Her! The Messenger met the King and conveyed the proceedings that She was ready to fight.

Mahisha called for a Conference and many opinions were expressed including a ridiculous explanation that the Devi indirectly meant that She could kill him by the corner looks of Her eyes, that She would lay him down and that She could take out his vitality in no time! The Resolution was that all the Four Methods viz. ‘Sama’ ( Counselling), ‘Dana’or  material temptation, ‘Bheda’  ( divide and rule) and finally ‘Danda’ or punishment. Thus Demon Tamra was sent to the battle field with the brief that he should try all the Methods before punishing Her. Tamra did use the methods of good counselling, the temptation of marrying a hero like Mahisha and seeking to divide Her and the ‘timid’ Devas. Maha Devi laughed at the foolish alternatives proposed by Tamra and when he kept on arguing about the happiness that She could attain by Her union with Mahisha got terribly annoyed and roared thunderously when mountains shook and Tamra fled away back to Mahisha.

Carnage of Mahishasura’s Army

As Tamra returned without result that the three initial methods of Sama, Dana and Bheda did not yield results, the Danavas got the firm reply that war was imminent. But one elderly Statesman among the Danavas, Vidaliksa expressed the concern that by taking advantage of the loophole in the boon given by Brahma to Mahisha of not getting killed by any species excepting by a female should cause concern; it might well be that by placing Her ahead, Devatas might kill Mahisha!

Durmukha said that whatever might happen the situation was of no return and they have to fight out without showing their backs any way. Vaskala bragged that when the entire Deva army including Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra had retreated and collapsed, why should one  think and plan strategies at this late stage;  this is an hour of action and not of precious- little- do- nothings and thus therefore was high time for action! As an initial step in the battle, the two Demons-Durmukha and Valsala- once again used the catch phrase of Devi’s romance with Mahisha. Maha Devi got infuriarated,  lost patience that She displayed for long and fired five arrows against Vaskala to start with. When he took up his club aloft, She hurled her own club and smashed his head to death. Her action was so swift that Durmukha’s reflexes did not work for a while as there were shrill shouts of Victory to Maha Devi and after regaining some composure Durmukha reacted with his arrows and bow. Meanwhile Maha Devi rained piercing arrows all around and hundreds of  Danava heads rolled all over and Durmukha’s chariot was shattered. As he jumped out and hit Devi’s lion with his club, She cut his throat with Her axe. There were screams of happiness heard from Devas, Gandharvas and Kannaras as also Great Sages and Siddhas from Earth. As the armies of Vaksala and Durmukha ran for their lives and fled back to convey the killings of their masters, Demon Mahisha got a shock that two great warriors had succumbed to death and that was unbelievable indeed. His General Chiksuraska, a Danava of never-ending cruelty and intense loyalty to Mahisha leapt from his seat and shouted with rage that the Devi would be destroyed for sure. He took Mahisha’s permission to shatter that Woman and bring her back to Mahisha dead or alive. Demon Tamra too accompanied the General. The moment he entered the war field, Chiksuraska kept on shouting at Devi that he had arrived to avenge the death of Vaksala and Durmukha and bombarded with arrows, spears, maces, sharp swords and a lashing tongue. Tamra went near Bhagavati and hit the lion on its head with an iron ‘musala’ ( club) when Devi was provoked and hurled Her axe with dashing speed as the Demon fell, turned around and tried to throw  his musala but took the last breathing. The General Chiksaruska started screaming with rage and flew across to reach  Devi who pierced with Her spear through his body. The entire army ran for their lives in the same direction that they arrived. Asiloma and Vidalaksa were the two top Demons who not only had valour and might but were well versed in war tactics and diplomacy too. In fact these two were in the inner ring of Mahishasura’s court and get rarely provoked but could call a spade a spade always counselling their King Mahisha about the pros and cons of a given situation. Asiloma addressed Devi Bhagavati and asked Her as to why She had been killing Danava soldiers recklessly without least provocation, excepting request Her fair hand in wedding to their master. Was it a sin to ask Her for Mahisha’s wedding? After all She could simply say ‘no’, but why this carnage? Maha Devi replied to the calm reasoning put forth by Asiloma: ‘ I have no desire nor hatred. I stand for ‘Dharma’ and ‘Nyaya’( Virtue and Justice). Your King had perpetrated endless sins of severe nature and interfered with the natural way of human life and destroyed all norms of decency. He had hurt Devas, Indra and Trinity. Having secured boons from Brahma, he had harmed Brahma Himself and thus proved to be an ungrateful demon who should never be excused. I am the Origin of the Universe- The timeless, featureless, sexless, and faultless Super Energy without fear or favour. Mahisha’s conscience is impure and had been wanting to marry Me; this is clear that he had no sense as he had been posseesed by high degree of Maya.’ Thus explaining in an impassioned manner, She advised  Asiloma and Vidalaksa to retreat to ‘Patala’ but both of the Demons decided to die while fighting rather than betraying their Master. Knowing fully well that Maha Bhagavati would kill them any way, they wished rather to get killed valiantly on the battle field than show their backs. Maha Bhagavati had fully acknowledged the maturity of their thinking and felled both of them after their waging a brilliant battle.

Maha Devi Destroys Mahishasura

So far Mahishasura was despatching his warriors to fight Maha Devi but when his most trusted Asiloma and Vidalaksa had also got smashed, he got into his chariot and faced the Devi in a handsome human form to impress Her with his smartness. The all- knowing Devi smiled and said that his human form did not make any impact on Her. The Demon harped again on the same topic of union between them. She said that the only union possible could be of a sincere devotee and Almighty as She was a Parashakti and Prakrithi wedded to Maha Purusha. 

She was requested by all the Devas and the Trinity to protect them and wipe out the demons including him. Still persistent, the foolish Mahishasura gave the example of Mandodari, the daughter of King Chandrasena of Simhala, who took a vow of celibacy but when her younger sister was arranged a ‘Svayamvara’ ( bride’s choice of wedding) from a group of select suitors, Mandodari was tempted to select a husband although he proved to be a cheat later; Mahisha assured that he would never be like him. Maha Devi got highly infuriated with such narrations and said that he was not only stupid but also a coward and perverse and that he should decide at once either to fight or withdraw to ‘Patala’, lest he would not avail of the chance of fight but would unilaterally decide to destroy him. Meanwhile, two other followers of Mahisha viz. Durdhara and Trinetra had duels separately and got exterminated. Mahishasura changed his forms first like a lion and later on as an elephant and finally in his Sarabha form. The entire Universe and the Pancha Bhutas ( The Five Elements) were dislocated from their axis as the duel was in progress. The Danava tied up his tail to mountains and whirled them against Maha Devi, who was enjoying cups of Grape juice meanwhile. The Demon kept on transforming his body forms in such quick succession that one could hardly realise what was happening and each time there was a change, he was striking from various angles with different kinds of arms like arrows, swords, Trisulas (Tridents), clubs, and maces. Charged then with red eyes looking like torrential balls of fire, Devi Bhagavati finally lost Her cool and commanded Her Chakra  ( discus) which broke Mahisha’s body split into two, each part jumping one over another and the Greatest menace on Earth had thus been terminated; there were hysteric shriekings and reverberations of  earsplitting sounds of high volume drummings spread across the entire Universe to the utmost relief and ecstasy of all Devas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Kimpurushas, Apsaras and world wide congregations of Sages all rejoicing with celebrations.

As normalcy prevailed somewhat, the Devas and Trinity assembled in a Grand Felicitation Function  with Maha Devi presiding. The magnificent congregation described the features, miracles and recent happenings. Maha Devi replied that both Danavas and Devas were of the same creation of Hers and that  there was nothing like a distinct categorisation of Danavas and Devas, except that the proportion of the Three Gunas-Satvik, Rajas and Tamasic-varied from person to person and even different situations facing each person. The Eight Vices-Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya-  existed in the same person as the mind and heart at variance with each other; it would thus be a common enemy to both divinity and humanity in varying degrees; interaction of these common enemies needed to be minimised and that was the Tatva Gyan all about. Added to these features were the ‘Tapatraya’ or the three kinds of problems inherent in human life ( ‘Adibhautika’ or external pains like physical infirmities, pains from animals and  co-humans; ‘Adhyatmika’ or internal diseases; and ‘Adhidaivika’or natural occurences like cold, heat, rain, thunders, earthquakes etc.) over which fate determined the circumstances over which there could be little control anyway. But where there would be scope for self- control,  which was of utmost importance to balance the ‘Gunas’ properly. She Herself noted the individual accounts of Prarabhdha, Sanchitha, Vartamana and Bhavisya of all the beings - be it Brahma or a piece of grass. Nobody could escape the good and bad dimension or magnitude of each action. Thus life would be assessed in the strict accordance of the Rules already laid. Having said these words, Maha Bhagavati disappeared.

Devi Ambika

Sumbha, Nikumbha and Followers Slayed by Devi Ambika

 As in the case of Mahishasura, the Demon brothers from Patala, named Sumbha and Nikumbha did the same indiscretion of ignoring the Supreme Power of Maha Bhagavati as Mahishasura and after strenuous Tapasya for an ‘Ajuta’ or ten thousand  years to Lord Brahma, secured boons for invincibility from any living species, except women.

As soon as they received the boons, they requested Sage Bhrigu to be their Guru and Adviser and the elder Sumbha was enthroned with Nikumbha as the next in command. The news spread out in the nether world and multitudes of Danavas were attracted to the King as he became invincible in the three worlds.The Fierceful Chanda and Munda Danava Warriors joined in with their entire armies. So did the fearful Danava Dhumralochana and his army. The notorious Raktabija who had the boons of creating another Raktabija for each drop of blood from his body also joined in. Together, they all created  deadly scare in all the three worlds and humbled Indra, Varuna, Agni, Vayu, and other Demi-Gods like Yama, Kubera as also tormented Sages. Thus the strong group of Demons reigned the Heavens besides the rest of the World for a thousand years and Indra and other Devas were displaced and disillusioned. Indra approached Deva Guru Brihaspati as to what should be done in this situation of wilderness. Deva Guru explained that the phase of frustration was a result of ‘Karma’ and the only recourse would be to approach Maha Devi Bhagavati and also enlist the support of Brahma, Maha Vishnu and Maha Deva. He recalled that at the time of Bhagavati destroying Mahishasura, Maha Devi told Indra at that time such crises, Indras and Devas could approach Her for help. Accordingly, they  prayed to Devi Bhagavati to provide rescue to them. They all recited the Seed Mantras of Devi like ‘Om Hreem’ incessantly; 

Appearance of Ambika Devi

Pleased by their devotion, Maha Bhagavati appeared in the Form of Ambika Devi, known over the Universe as Kausika Devi ; an alternate image created from Parvati Devi also emerged as Kalika Devi( Kalaratri)  looking angry with a countenance of black colour and  blood red lips too frightful to behold by Danavas. Ambika along with Kalika appeared on the back of a lion and they were seated comfortably looking cool and relaxed as the Historic Drama of the twin Demons and their followeres was to be unveiled! 

Even as Kausika Devi and Kalika were sighted on a lion, Demons Chanda and Munda happened to passby and had a fantastic view of Kausika and Her unparalelled beauty and could not take away their eyes staring and admiring Her. They ran to  Sumbha to convey the latest news and the former asked Sugriva, an intelligent spy cum messenger to collect information about the Lady and also sensitise Her about the valour, richness and smartness of the King Nisumbha and that he could be a richly deserving partner of life for Her.The Messenger used all his skills and sought Her to tempt with innumerable valuable gifts! He also conveyed to Her the most significant fact that his King was invincible and immortal, thanks to Brahma Deva’s boons. Kausika Devi pretended that She was impressed and said that the matrimonial offer looked highly gorgeous. There was however only a small catch and that could be to overcome Her as the King appeared to be such an illustrious warrior. She said that She took a bet in Her childhood among Her friends that She would marry only such a husband who could defeat Her in a fight! The Messenger coveyed the ‘small catch’ in the alliance to which the King felt was amusing. He consulted his younger brother Nikumbha who advised that Dhumralochana to approach the Devi Kausika but handle Her tenderly, as She said something childishly and was not, after all, aware of our valour! Dhumralochana repeated the same kind of amorous message from his King, when Kalika Devi intervened to say that instead of bragging he might as well display his valour as there was no point in wasting his breath. The Danava became furious, as Kalika the ‘ugly’ woman attacked him with a shower of arrows. As he dared to leap towards Kali abusing Her, Kausika Devi burnt the demon into ashes from Her fiery looks and his entire army ran back helter-skelter to return to their King. Kausika Devi blew Her conchshell so loudly as though She was inviting the next batch of Demons could be despatched for their death. 

Nisumbha volunteered to jump in the fray, but King Sumbha restrained him, as there were other Warriors were getting anxious to dispose of ‘that’ Maya Devi. He had thus signalled Chanda and Munda go along with their combined armies of huge volume and prowess, as they were all trained in war tactics including black magic, and  tantra of meanest type. Once again the catchphrase of wedlock with Sumbha was used by them. Kausika Devi was readily annoyed as She was surfeit of  praises and boasts; She created Devi Chandika from Her frown and Her face became red with anger. Chandika Devi was looking extremely dreadful with tiger skin around , wearing strings of skulls, deep eye holes, fat belly, protruding and uneven teeth and eighteen hands wearing variety of sharp weapons. She was biting elephants and horses with Her fingernails and crooked teeth , besides hundreds of Danavas who were creating such screeches of pain and death. The entire war field looked like a stream of blood and stinking flesh with corpses bundled up in mountain-like heaps. Such was the havoc created in the battle with Chanda and Munda who were dazed and terrified. She caught them by their necks  and took them to Devi Ambika as Sacrifices, cut their heads into pieces and drank their blood when Devas clapped and chanted Victory Musicals! As the remnants of Davanas ran for their lives to the King, the latter said that they were timid flies who had vulgar lust for life and deserved to depart to Patala as they had no place for them on Earth. 

Meanwhile  Raktabija was already ready waiting for the Master’s nod. On arrival at the battle field the three Shakties-Ambika, Kalika and Chandalika-welcomed them tauntingly asking him not to commence the praises of the King’s might, smartness and richness but come to the point of a fight without the initial pleasantries. As Raktabija spilled blood, each drop would  produce his prototype, the fact indeed  known to the Devis already. Lord Rudra gave the boon to the Demon and as such, the Demon was welcoming more and more of gashes so that as many drops of blood would produce as many demons. At this point, Kausiki Devi created more forms of Shakties such as Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Rudrani, Indrani, Varahi, Narasimhi, Kumari, Narayani, Sivani and so on to devastate the thousands of Danavas. Ambika then asked Kalika to extend Her tongue long and wide  and struck  an axe on the body of Raktabija so that the blood of the body got completely drenched out. This operation continued for some time and the blood of the very many Raktabijas was drenched out sysmatically by one form of the Demon pitted against another form of a Devi  and only the flesh left out was relished by the Devis.With the last effective Demon Raktabija having been eliminated, The Devi’s high voltage death-call sound  was heard clearly in the court of Sumbha and Nikumbla inviting them to death. 

Nikumbha made his appearance at the battle forthwith as he was aware that his turn to death was certain and door-knocking. He surely knew how difficult it would be to extinguish war experts like Chanda-Munda, Dhumralochana, and Raktabija as each one of them single handedly could keep Indra and Devatas on the run. Now that they had all gone down the drain, death was staring at his face. Indra and Devas were all in their celestial positions to watch the Memorable Sight of Nikumbha’s imminent massacre. As soon as he arrived in his chariot, he went off to business without preliminaries, unlike his predesessor warriors who would not initiate the fight hoping against hope that the Devi might relent to marry the King Sumbha as Nikumbha himself brainwashed them to use the four principles of Sama, Dana, Bheda and Danda before resorting to the last alternative. As Nikumbha sent a torrential rain of arrows on Devi Chandika, She kept on breaking the arrows as a sport while intermittently She was redirecting back to the Demon and meanwhile joking to Kalika Devi that these Danavas were so foolish as not to understand even now the impossibility of success in their mission but continue to hope against hope! Her mighty lion was let loose in the meantime which sprang up like a lightning, killing hundreds of Danavas who were massacred with their  blood flowing in streams. Nikumbha was infuriated and hit the lion on its head with a massive club, as it was hurt and withdrawn and  with the same club approached Kalika Devi. Chandika noticed the offensive of Nikumbha and with Her Trisula hacked his head into pieces, which  no doubt fell down smashed but shot up on its own circling around Devi Chandika as though it was paying his last homage! Simultaneously, his headless body with his club in hands was wandering all over, as a frightful spectacle was on display by  onlookers above but the fighting hands were severed into pieces by Maha Chandika  and his body assumed a mountain-like shape fell on ground with a startling sound of a ear-piercing thud.

Now Sumbha approached Ambika Devi with false feelings of bravado and expected pride and addressed Her that he would not feel like fighting with a fresh flower like Her, as She was meant for sentimental treatment rather than harsh language and that She was worth performing prayers to rather than picking up cudgels. Fully reading the Demon’s mind hiding fear of death and of sins of the past, Ambika smilingly replied that even at this stage, he could be excused as guilt and timidity were the predominant features in his heart. More over, She said, since he was not reconciled to fighting against Her due to infatuation and obsession, he could as well attack Chandika Devi who was excusively incarnated for the purpose. As  She said so, the full play of his ‘Arishvargas’ came up in His exterior mental frame and commenced displaying arrogance, anger and desperation of ‘do or die’ attitude. He picked up his powerful club and tried to jump against Chandika Devi and with Her own club, She broke the demon’s head into two parts, thus ending the disgusting Saga of Sumbha’s end to the horror of the Sub-terrain and the momentous rejoicing of the Three Worlds which heaved a sigh of relief and liberation. Indra and Devas with the Trinity in the background went in overwhelming  swoons of  excitement and ecstacy for they were forlorn for thousand years of relegation and sincerely conveyed gratitude to Devi.

http://hinduphilosophypuranas.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-essence-of-puranas-devi-bhagavata_15.html

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