Chapter 5: Shumbha and Nishumbha
The Rishi said: Of yore Indra's (sovereignty) over the three
worlds and his portions of the sacrifices were taken away by the asuras,
Shumbha and Nishumbha, by force of their pride and strength. The two,
themselves, took over likewise, the offices of the sun, the moon, Kubera, Yama,
and Varuna.
They themselves exercised Vayu's authority and Agni's duty.
Deprived of their lordships and sovereignties, the devas were defeated.
Deprived of their functions and expelled by these two great asuras, all the
devas thought of the invincible Devi. She had granted us the boon,
"Whenever in calamities you think of me, that very moment I will put an
end to all your worst calamities."
Resolving thus, the devas went to Himavat, lord of the mountains,
and there extolled the Devi, who is the illusive power of Vishnu. The devas
said: ‘Salutations to the Devi, to the Mahadevi. Salutations always to her who
is ever auspicious. Salutation to her who is the primordial cause and the
sustaining power. With attention, we have made obeisance to her. We bow to her
who is welfare; we make salutations to her who is prosperity and success.
Salutation to the consort of Shiva who is herself the good fortune as well as
misfortune of kings. Salutations always to Durga who takes one across in
difficulties, who is essence, who is the authority of everything; who is the
knowledge of discrimination.’
O Prince, while the devas were thus engaged in praises and
(other acts of adoration), Parvati 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 Shumbha and routed in battle by Nishumbha.’
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 Shumbha and
Nishumbha, saw that Ambika (Kausiki) bearing a surpassingly charming form. They
both told Shumbha: '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! Nishumbha has every kind of gem produced in the sea.
Fire also gave you two garments, which are purified by fire. Thus, O Lord of
asuras, all gems have been brought by you. Why this beautiful lady-jewel is not
seized by you?’
The Rishi said: On hearing these words of Chanda and Munda,
Shumbha sent the great asura Sugriva as messenger to the Devi.
He said: Go and tell her thus in my words and do the thing
in such a manner that she may quickly come to me in love. He went there where
the Devi was staying in a very beautiful spot on the mountain and spoke to her
in fine and sweet words.
The messenger said: O Devi, Shumbha, 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. 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 Nishumbha 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."'
The Rishi said: Thus told, Durga the adorable and
auspicious, by whom this universe is supported, then became serene.
The Devi said: You have spoken truth; nothing false has been
uttered by you in this matter. Shumbha is indeed the sovereign of the three
worlds and likewise is also Nishumbha. But in this matter, how can that which
has been promised be made false? Hear what promise I had made already out of
foolishness. "He who conquers me in battle, removes my pride and is my
match in strength in the world shall be my husband." So let Shumbha come
here then, or Nishumbha the great asura. Vanquishing me here let him soon take
my hand in marriage. Why delay?
The messenger said: O Devi, you are haughty. Talk not so
before me. Which man in the three worlds will stand before Shumbha and
Nishumbha? All the devas verily cannot stand face to face with even the other
asuras in battle. Why mention you, O Devi, a single woman?
Indra and all other devas could not stand in battle against
Shumbha and other demons, how will you, a woman, face them? On my word itself,
you go to Shumbha and Nishumbha. Let it not be that you go to them with your
dignity lost by being dragged by your hair.
The Devi said: Yes, it is; Shumbha is strong and so is
Nishumbha exceedingly heroic! What can I do since there stands my
ill-considered vow taken long ago? Go back, and tell the lord of asuras
carefully all this that I have said; let him do whatever he considers proper.
Here ends the fifth chapter called 'Devi's conversation with
the messenger' of the Devi-Mahatmya in Markandeya-Purana during the period of
Savarni, the Manu.
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Having enjoined her thus, the Devi next smote him
(Raktabija) with her dart. Then Kali drank Raktabija's blood with her mouth.
Then and there he struck Chandika with his club. The blow of his club caused
her not even the slightest pain. And from his stricken body wherever blood
flowed copiously, there Chamunda swallowed it with her mouth. Then Chamunda
devoured those great asuras who sprang up from the flow of blood in her mouth,
and drank his (Raktabija’s) blood. The Devi (Kausiki) smote Raktabija with her
dart, thunderbolt, arrows, swords, and spears, when Chamunda went on drinking
his blood. Stricken with a multitude of weapons and bloodless, the great asura
(Raktabija) fell on the ground, O King. Thereupon the devas attained great joy,
O King. The band of Matrs who sprang from them danced, being intoxicated with
blood.
