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BIRTH OF DURGA
At
a single point, the energy of all the fires coalesced and became Shiva, in
the form of a youngwoman. Her face was from the light of Shiva. Her ten
arms were from Lord Vishnu. Her legs were from Lord Brahma.
The dispossessed gods were were drawn to Durga. They praised her and gave
to her their divine gifts: Pinakadhrik gave Her a trident. Krishna gave
her a disc. Varuna, the sea, gave her a conch and the god of fire
gave her a missile. From the wind, Vayu, she received arrows. The king of
gods, Indra, gave her a thunder-bolt, and the gift of his white-skinned
elephant Airavata was a bell. From the god of death Durga received a
rod, and from the Ruler of Waters she was given a noose.
Durga received many other precious and magical treasures-- gifts of
jewels, new clothing, and a garland of immortal lotuses for her head
and breasts. Heaven's architect gave her a bright axe and magic
armor. God of mountains, Himavat gave her jewels and a magnificent lion to
ride into battle.
Now equipped with the fearsome weaponry of the gods and dressed in golden
armor and jewels she set off, seated gracefully upon that lion. His
thunderous roars shook the three worlds. Oceans boiled and surf
poured overland. Continents were torn at their granite foundations as
whole new chains of mountains rose, while older ranges crumbled,
cracked, and gave way to dust in a thousand landslides. Seeing these
cataclysms rippling in waves through all the three worlds, Mahishasura
and his demon allies found their attention drawn from heaven to Earth.
Though confident of their power and control in heaven, even the
conquering demon host could not help being awestruck.
The demons had little time to admire the radiant visage of their new
adversary, for soon she
engaged them on the battlefield. First the army of Chikasura and then that
of Chamara,
Mahishasura's chief commanders were met. They were destroyed in a great
battle. At first,
confident of his overwhelming power, Mahishasura held in reserve his
personal demon army. But seeing the setbacks being dealt his
commander's troops on every side, it soon became obvious toMahishasura
that even his personal guard must be completely committed or he would
surely be cast out of heaven. Or worse.
Onto
the battlefield swarmed that most elite and despised assemblage, with its
gruesome hordes of infantry gleefully wielding their unearthly
collection of dark iron axes and halberds, gorey bludgeoneers side by side
with squadrons of demon-archers. Leading this evil array in its mad and
desperate charge were thousands of charioteers and cavalry of horses and
elephants.
Surrounded by chants of praise, the blowing of horns the beating of drums
and songs of worship Durga roamed the battlefield on her mighty lion. From
her divine breath her army was constantly replenished with new
warriors, each able, brave and resolute.
With her bell she confused the demons, and many were dragged away bound
and chained. With her divine sword she cut them to bits. So many
demons and elephants and horses died that a river of blood flowed
across the battlefield. The ground was left littered with the broken limbs
and bodyparts of the defeated demon army. Durga was then attacked by the
demon commanders, who were all killed immediately, and without mercy. (source:www.parallel.park.org/India/Durga).
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