Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam: 21. THE VANQUISH OF DEMONS

 

INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam:

21. THE VANQUISH OF DEMONS

Shumbha, the king of the demons, was carried away by the description of the strange woman, a glimpse of whom they had seen in the garden not far away from the palace.

They pleaded with their king that he should marry her. Shumbha then sent some of the demons to invite her to the palace.

Sugriva, an aristocrat among the demons, led a delegation to the goddess. They reached the garden in a few strides. Sugriva bowed to her and said, “Welcome, O charming damsel, welcome. You must have heard of Shumbha, our great king. He is as much of a hero as he is handsome. He has sent us to you with a sweet proposal. We are sure you’ll welcome it. He’s favourably inclined towards you. In fact, you can be sure that he’ll be pleased to marry you.”

The goddess sported a meaningful smile. “O demons, I’ve heard that your king has driven the gods out of heaven. He is an expert fighter. I’m under an oath to the effect that the one who would aspire to marry me must try his strength against me. The question of marriage will arise only if he survives the encounter. Go and convey my message!”

But Sugriva did not go away. He was shocked at what he heard. He assumed the tone of a well-wisher: “O young lady, you’ve no idea about the strength and valour of our king. There is no hero in all the three spheres to match him in these qualities. Do not be foolish. Accept our fine proposal!”

Said the goddess, “Look here, you demon, I’ve no desire to argue with you. Let your king accept my challenge, or I take it that he has accepted defeat. If the latter is the case, let him retire to the nether world–the right place for demons and giants. I have no intention to harm him, I assure you.”

The words of the goddess stunned Sugriva. He could not muster enough courage to speak to her again. At the same time he did not know how to report the situation to his king. He soon began to look crazy.

However, he managed to blurt out whatever he had heard before Shumbha. Shumbha looked at Nishumbha with surprise. “A woman appears from nowhere and challenges me to a battle! What could be more baffling than this? Will you go and answer her or should I go?” he asked.

“My brother, it is not necessary for any of us to go. Let Dhumralochan go and drag her along here. She will agree to be your spouse as soon as she gets a chance to behold your person!” said Nishumbha.

Shumbha appreciated his brother’s counsel. He summoned Dhumralochan and said, “Go and bring that charming woman here. You’re free to kill her companion, But take care to see that no harm befalls her.”

Dhumralochan proceeded to the garden, followed by a choice band of demons. But he did not try to apply force on the goddess. He was polite and he sang the glory of love!

Kaushiki had by then assumed the form of Kalika. She stepped forward and said, “You fool, stop your blabbering! Who has the patience to bear with your nonsense? It is high time you understood that the goddess is here to kill your king and his wicked lieutenants. Begone and tell him so!”

Dhumralochan’s eyes bulged with surprise. He trembled and said, “Don’t you insult my master! If fight you must, come on, fight with me!”

Dhumralochan then rushed upon Kalika. But she took hold of him like a tigress catching a rabbit and dashed him on the ground. He died. In a moment Kalika destroyed the whole horde of demons that had accompanied Dhumralochan.

The goddess who witnessed Kalika’s achievement blowed her conch-shell in triumph. Shumbha heard the sound. Great was his bewilderment. He came running to the spot.

He could not believe his eyes. Who are these two women who had succeed in killing Dhumralochan and his fearful demons? He lost no time in calling his most trusted heroes.

First to fight the goddess were Chanda and Munda. In no time they lay dead. Raktabij jumped forward next. As he was wounded and his blood fell on the ground, numerous giants came into being. The goddess looked at Kalika and instructed her to see that no blood fell! Kalika went on gulping down the blood that welled out of the giant’s body. Soon, rendered ineffective he fell dead.

By and by all the demon fighters lay dead. At last died Shumbha and Nishumbha, after a desperately fought battle.

The demons fell at the feet of the goddess. She assured them that they had nothing to fear from her as long as they behaved themselves. At her advice, they retired to the nether-world.

Long long ago there was a king named Surath who ruled over a vast kingdom. He was a just king. He gave all his time to doing good things. He never envied any other king, nor was he ever proud.