Sunday Story(Updated on pg 26) - Page 11

NAMO DEVYAI MAHA DEVYAI, SHIVAAYAI SATATAM NAMAH
NAMAH PRAKRUTHYAI BHADRAAYAI, NIYANTHAH PRANATAH SMA TAAM
ROUDRAYI NAMO NITHYAYI, GAURYAIH DHAATRAI NAMO NAMAH
NAMO JAGATPRATHISHTHAYI, DEVYAI KRUTHYAI NAMO NAMAH
JOTSNAAYI CHANDRARUPINYAI, SUKHAYAI SATATAM NAMAH

and so on..

While the devas were thus engaged in praises and (other acts of adoration), Parvathi came there to bathe in the waters of the Ganga.

She, the lovely-browed, said to those devas, 'Who is praised by you here?' An auspicious goddess, sprung forth from her physical sheath, gave the reply:

'This hymn is addressed to me by the assembled devas set at naught by the asura Sumbha and routed in battle by Nisumbha.

Because that Ambika came out of Parvati's physical sheath (Kosa), she is glorified as Kaushiki in all the worlds.

After she had issued forth, Parvati became dark and was called Kalika and stationed on mount Himalaya.

Then, Chanda, and Munda, two servants of Sumbha and Nisumbha, saw that Ambika (Kausiki) bearing a surpassingly charming form. They both told Sumbha:

'O King, a certain woman, most surpassingly beautiful, dwells there shedding lustre on mount Himalaya.

'Such supreme beauty was never seen by any one anywhere. Ascertain who that Goddess is and take possession of her, O Lord of the asuras!

'A gem among women, of exquisitely beautiful limbs, illuminating the quarters with her lustre there she is, O Lord of the daityas. You should see her.

'O Lord, whatever jewels, precious stones, elephants, horses and others there are in the three worlds, they are all now in your house.

'O Devi, Sumbha, lord of asuras, is the supreme sovereign of three worlds. Sent by him as messenger, I have come here to your presence.

'Hearken to what has been said by him whose command is never resisted among the devas and who has vanquished all the foes of the asuras:

'(He says), "All the three worlds are mine and the devas are obedient to me. I enjoy all their hares in sacrifices separately.

"All the choicest gems in the three worlds are in my possession; and so is the gem of elephants, Airavata, the vehicle of the king of devas carried away be me. The devas themselves offered to me with salutations that gem of horses named Uccaisravas which arose at the churning of milk-ocean.

"O beautiful lady, whatever other rare objects there existed among the devas, the gandharvas and nagas are now with me.

"We look upon you, O Devi, as the jewel of womankind in the world. You who are such, come to me, since we are the enjoyers of the best objects.

"Take to me or to my younger brother Nisumbha of great prowess, O unsteady-eyed lady, for you are in truth a jewel.

"Wealth, great and beyond compare, you will get by marrying me. Think over this in your mind, and become my wife."'

Thus told, Durga the adorable and auspicious, by whom this universe is supported, then became serene and said.

One of my favorite stories Durga Maa, Kali maa Avtaar, Mahadev thanks so much for making me read again the stories i hv heard since child hood :)) beautifully written dear!!!

Luv,

Shagun

The messenger, filled with indignation on hearing the words the Devi, returned and related them in detail to the king of the daityas.

Then the asura monarch, enraged on hearing that report from his messenger, told Dhurmlochana, a chieftain of the daityas: 'O Dhumralocana, hasten together with your army and fetch here by force that shrew, distressed when dragged by her hair.

'Or if any one else stands up as her saviors, let him be slain, be he a god, a yaksa or a gandharva.'

Then the asura Dhurmlochana, commanded thus by Sumbha, went forth quickly, accompanied by sixty thousand asuras.

Then the great army of asuras became enraged and showered on Ambika sharp arrows, javelins, and axes.

Then the lion, vehicle of the Devi, shaking its mane in anger, and making the most terrific roar, fell on the army of the asuras.

Some asuras, it slaughtered with a blow of its fore paw, others with its mouth, and other great asuras, by treading over with its hind legs.

The lion, with its claws, tore out the hearts of some and severed heads with a blow of the paw.

And it severed arms and heads from others, and shaking its mane drank the blood from the hearts of others.

In a moment all that army was destroyed by that high-spirited and exceedingly enraged lion who bore the Devi.

When Shumbha, the lord of asuras, heard that asura Dhumrlocana was slain by the Devi and all his army was destroyed by the lion of the Devi, he was infuriated, his lip quivered and he commanded the two mighty asuras Chanda and Munda:

'O Chanda, O Munda, go there with large forces, and bring her here speedily, dragging her by her hair or binding her. But if you have any doubt about doing that, then let the asuras strike (her) in the fight with all their weapons.

'When that shrew is wounded and her lion stricken down, seize that Ambika, bind and bring her quickly.'

Slaying of Chand- Mund

She destroyed all that host of mighty and evil-natured asuras, devoured some and battered others.

Some were killed with her word, some were beaten with her skull-topped staff, and other asuras met their death being ground with the edge of her teeth.

And Kali, holding the heads of Chanda and Munda in her hands, approached Chandika and said, her words mingled with very loud laughter.

'Here have I brought you the heads of Chanda and Munda as two great animal offerings in this sacrifice of battle; Sumbha and Nisumbha, you shall yourself slay.'

Thereupon seeing those asuras, Chanda and Munda brought to her, the auspicious Chandika said to Kali these playful words: 'Because you have brought me both Chanda and Munda, you O Devi, shall be famed in the world by the name Chamunda.

The remaining story: The slaying of Raktbeej and the Shubh-Nishubh will be posted next week, hope u all like it.😊