Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam: 19. GODS IN A QUANDARY

 

INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam:

19. GODS IN A QUANDARY

The emissary went away. “My lord, the words that Indra used were too derogatory to you to be repeated by me. In brief, he is ready to meet your challenge.”

“Sheer audacity!” cried out Mahishasura. “Who does not know that it is more through tricks than through valour that Indra has retained his position? Does he not employ the nymphs to distract the hermits from their spiritual goal? What does he know of fighting? I shall finish him in no time. In fact, I intend to put an end to the whole race of gods. Vishnu who always helps them should be punished, too.”

He summoned the leading demons and told them, “Heaven is a luxurious place. Gods have enjoyed the place far too long. It is time you drove them out of heaven and occupied it.”

The demons were quite happy at the prospect of conquering heaven for themselves.

In heaven, Indra called the leading gods and said, “Mahishasura, who has grown audacious on account of a boon from Brahma, had sent an emissary with an offending proposal. I had to reject it. He has now threatened war. No doubt, he is very powerful. But there is no way out for us. We must fight. It is important for us to know the strength of the demon-king’s army.”

The gods agreed with him. A capable spy was despatched to survey the army of Mahishasura. The spy’s report astounded Indra. He met Brihaspati, the priest and guide of the gods, and said, “I had no idea that Mahishasura had mobilised such a huge army. What is your advice to us?”

“This is a critical situation. What you must muster now is patience and courage. It is your duty to try to protect this domain of the gods to the best of your capacity. I can be of no help to you except wishing you victory,” said Brihaspati. “I will, of course, do my best. But the foe we are facing is terrible. He believes that the boon of Brahma has made him invincible. He thinks that the conflict between the gods and the demons has gone on for a very long time, and it should be brought to an end. According to his idea, to subdue or to vanquish the gods once for all should be the best solution to the problem. What should be the best course of action for us?” “O King, no demon can be more powerful than Providence. The question is whether providential support will be available to us or not. For the rest, my advice is not likely to be of any worth to you, because in a war it is the king’s mind and not a priest’s that works fast.”

Indra went to Brahma, “O Lord,” he said, “the proud Mahishasura is about to attack heaven. We are feeling quite uneasy about it. We seek your advice as to how we should face the challenge.”

“The issue should not be tackled without the advice of Shiva and Vishnu. Let’s go to them,” said Brahma.

First, they went to Mount Kailas, the abode of Shiva. Thereafter the three met Vishnu.

The three gods assured Indra that their help will be available to him. In the mean while the demons came rushing upon heaven. Indra met them with the army of gods. A fierce battle was fought. But the gods had no luck. The demons soon conquered heaven. Mahishasura sat on Indra’s throne.

The leading demons took charge of the various important areas of heaven. They became the masters of all the treasures and splendors of heaven. The gods fled and took shelter in the sea, on the hills and in forests. They could not think of returning to heaven.

Indra and some other gods met Brahma again. “Is our defeat at the hands of the demon’s final? Is there anything we can do to recover our lost position?” “

The demon-king cannot be killed by any male member of the races of gods, men or demons. Who then can kill him? Let’s consult Vishnu and Shiva once again,” said Brahma. He led them to Shiva.

“Aren’t you the source of the demon-king’s strength? Isn’t it because of your boon that he has grown so audacious? But where is the woman who would go forward to confront him? Will Shachi, the wife of Indra, dare to meet the demon in a battle? I don’t think so. Let’s seek Vishnu’s counsel,” said Shiva.

They hurried to Vishnu. He heard about Brahma’s boon and said, “If Mahishasura cannot be killed by any god, he can only be killed by a goddess. Let’s contribute our powers to the creation of a deity.”

The gods lost no time in throwing their powers, with the combination of which emerged a luminous goddess. To her eighteen hands, the gods offered their various weapons.

“Fear not. The demon shall be vanquished by me!” said the goddess.

She went forward and gave out a sharp war-cry. That startled the demon-king. ‘Who made such a noise? Surely not the defeated gods. Who then?’ wondered Mahishasura and he directed his lieutenants to capture whoever had made that sound.

Some of the demons at once went out to capture the goddess. But they returned to their king as fast as they had gone out and said, “A lady seated on a lion, her eighteen hands holding weapons, is coming in this direction. She inspires panic in all!”

“Panic! Only such a lady deserved to be my queen. Go, my friends, offer her the position and bring her to me,” said Mahishasura, looking at his ministers.

They approached the goddess and said, “We do not know who you are and how you ought to be addressed. But the king of the three domains is willing to make you his queen.”

“Well, I’m out to destroy the menace that is your king. You fellows are innocent. Keep away,” said the goddess with a smile of compassion for the old demons.