Oct 19, 2012
Discourse of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Chandi Saptashati – Day 4 Navaratri Celebrations - Mysore - October 19, 2012
“Yesterday in the Saptashati, which is the same as Devi Mahatmyam (The Glory of Mother Goddess), we learned the prayer of the celestials that begins with ‘Yaa Devi sarva bhooteshu’, and heard the dialog between Mother Goddess and the messenger sent by Shumbha.
The messenger Sugreeva got very angry when Kaushiki Devi mentioned her vow and requested that Shumbha be informed of it. He duly conveyed the message to the king. Hearing the words, the demon king Shumbha became furious. He flew into a rage. He told his army commander Dhoomralochana, “You go at once with your army to that woman and drag her here by her hair and place her in front of me. If anyone tries to protect her, regardless of who it may be, kill him.”
Dhoomralochana left with his army. He saw Kaushiki Devi in the Himalayas and declared, “If you do not readily go with me now to Shumbha and Nishumbha, I will take you there by force.” Mother innocently replied, “Alas, the demon king Shumbha has sent you with an army to forcibly take me to him. You are very strong. What is it I can do, if you take me there by force?”
Dhoomralochana, unaware of Mother’s strength, tried to pounce on her. By merely letting out the sound ‘Hoom’, Mother reduced him to ashes. Seeing this, the army began to fight with her. Mother’s vehicle, the lion attacked the army and destroyed it.
Shumbha heard of the death of Dhoomralochana and the destruction of the army. He angrily commanded the demons Chanda and Munda to go and fight, with these instructions, “O mighty warriors! Go tie up that woman and bring her here. If that proves to be difficult, then kill her right there. Don’t leave the lion alone. If possible tie it up and bring it. If not, kill the lion also.”
Chanda and Munda proceeded to battle. They saw Kaushiki Devi in the Himalayas sporting a smile. The demon army tried to capture her. She became angry and her face turned black. Her brows were knotted. From the middle of her forehead, Kalika Devi emerged. She wielded a weapon called Khatwaanga. She wore a garland of skulls and a tiger skin. She appeared frightening. Her eyes were bloodshot. She made a loud sound and began to fight. To prevent the demons that died from coming back to life, she kept swallowing them.
Chanda grew angry to see that his army was getting destroyed. He ran towards Kalika. Mundasura also rained arrows upon Kalika Devi. She simply swallowed all his weapons. She appeared like a dark cloud hiding thousands of suns in her *** as she kept swallowing thousands of weapons that were in the form of wheels. She let out a loud laughter of derision. Her form was too frightening to see.
Kalika Devi riding on the lion ran towards Chandasura, held his hair and cut off his head. Seeing Chanda die, Mundasura’s anger doubled and he fought fiercely with Mother Kali. She used her Khatwanga to kill him. With the death of the leaders, the rest of the army ran away in fear. Kalika Devi held the heads of Chanda and Munda, approached Kaushiki Devi, gave a loud frightening laughter, and said, “O Devi! I have killed the great beasts Chanda and Munda and am offering them to you as snacks. In this battle, which is like a yajna (a fire ritual) you can kill Shumbha and Nishumbha on your own. “
Kaushiki Devi replied, “O Kalika! You will become famous in the world by the name of Chaamunda because you have killed Chanda and Munda and have come to me holding their heads.”
Since that day devotees have been worshiping Mother Goddess as Chamundeshwari or Chamunda Devi.
We are all discussing her story in the vicinity of Chamundi Hill. You are all very fortunate. May Her blessings shower upon you!”
Sri Guru Datta
Courtesy: Hira Duvvuri