Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam: 20. THE ADVENT OF SHUMBHA AND NISHUMBHA

 

INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam:

20. THE ADVENT OF SHUMBHA AND NISHUMBHA

The ministers returned to Mahishasura and reported to him what they saw and heard. The demon-king felt quite amazed. He asked his general, Tamra, to bring the goddess as his prisoner. Tamra spoke to the goddess in an arrogant tone and met his death. On receiving this news, Mahishasura sent some of his ablest lieutenants to capture the goddess. None of them returned.

Mahishasura could not believe his own ears. He gave out a loud roar. Even his courtiers were terrified. He then picked up his arms and went out to meet the goddess.

He was wonderstruck by what he saw. The divinely charming figure that sat on the lion challenged him to a fight. He tried his best to scare her, but failed miserably.

The fight began. In no time the demon-king, who had taken hold of the three regions by storm, fell lifeless under the trident of the goddess. The gods in heaven sang hymns of gratitude to the great goddess who was the incarnation of the Divine Mother.

Thus did the goddess vanquish the terrible demon, Mahishasur. The realm of the demons also now came under the control of the gods. They made Shatrughna, a prince of the Solar dynasty, ascend the throne before returning to heaven. Shatrughna proved an ideal ruler.

For some years there was peace in all the three spheres. But soon two demon brothers, Shumbha and Nishumbha, began observing a most arduous penance. They even stopped taking food or drinking water till Lord Brahma, quite impressed, appeared before them.

“O Almighty, please make us immortal!” the demon brothers appealed to the Lord.

“That’s not possible. Ask me for some other boon,” said Brahma.

“In that case bless us so that no man or god can kill us,” the demons said, amending their wish.

“Let it be so,” said Brahma before he disappeared.

The two brothers were delighted. They appointed Sage Bhrigu as their priest. Shumbha soon became the king of the demons. He made his younger brother, Nishumbha, a minister. Chanda and Munda, two fearful demon-heroes, became his generals. Among his courtiers were Dhumralochan and Raktabij, two prominent giants of the nether world. They commanded a large battalion of giants. Raktabij had a peculiarity. If, during a battle, a drop of his blood were to fall on the ground, a new giant would spring out of it. Many more demons and giants joined the camp of Shumbha.

One day, Nishumbha suddenly attacked Amaravati, the city of Indra. The gods were taken by surprise. They fought valiantly, led by their king, Indra. Nishumbha swooned away as Indra hurled his thunderbolt at him.

But the gods found no respite. Shumbha, who heard of his brother’s plight, rushed to his rescue and inflicted a crushing defeat on the gods. He occupied Indra’s throne. The gods fled. Shumbha enjoyed the many means of pleasure left by the gods and passed time happily.

For a thousand years the gods roamed about in hills and forests as refugees. They did not know how and when their misfortune would end.

At last they sought out their guru, Brihaspati. “O Great Soul, please rescue us from the predicament. Through mantra or yajna, try to change our destiny.”

Brihaspati smiled sadly. “Mantra and yajna are not meant for the gods. It is through these means that the human beings please the gods and goddesses. I do not see how the gods themselves can use mantra and yajna to any profit. There is only one way out for you. That is to pray to the Divine Mother. She had saved us from the tyranny of Mahishasur. She alone can save us from the tyranny of Shumbha and Nishumbha. They cannot be killed by any male member of the races of men or gods, thanks to the boon they have obtained from Brahma.”

Brihaspati taught the gods a certain prayer. The gods retired to the Himalayas and chanted the prayer mustering all their concentration. After a while the goddess, in her luminous form, appeared before them. “What is your wish?” she asked them.

With folded hands the gods said, “Save us from the tyranny of Shumbha and Nishumbha, O Mother! For a thousand years we have suffered humiliation and misery. Vast is the army of the demons. We gods cannot face them. We have realised the truth that you alone can restore us to our lost position. You had once put an end to the terrible Mahishasur. You must do the same again to the two demon brothers who are equally dangerous.”

The plight of the gods moved the goddess to pity. She stood quiet for a moment, as though visualising the situation. She then said, “Don’t you worry any longer. I shall tackle the demons. You can rest assured that heaven will be recovered for you before long.”

The goddess then brought a new emanation out of herself. The power looked terrible. Soon it took a form and was known as Kaushiki. She was seated by her side. The goddess now proceeded to confront the demons.

The goddess reached a garden not far from the citadel of the demons. She began to sing. The entire region seemed being enchanted. Birds and deer went closer to the goddess, pulled by the magic of the song.

Some of the demons, who had a quick glimpse of the goddess and Kaushiki, ran to Shumbha. “O Mighty King! We’ve just seen a strange woman. Nothing compares with her splendour and beauty. Never has been heard a song sweeter than the one she is singing. She is in the company of another woman who looks queer,” they exclaimed. “Is that so? What do you want me to do?” asked Shumbha.

“Marry her, O King, marry her! You cannot dream of a more wondrous bride, to be sure!” said the demons.

“That’s something worthy of our consideration. If what you say proves true even partially, she deserves to be my queen. Well, go forth and invite her on my behalf and bring her along here!” said the demon-king, quite happy at the prospect of his marrying the most wondrous woman.