Devi slaying demons Shumbha-Nishumbha along with their armies

Devi: Devi slaying demons Shumbha-Nishumbha along with their armies:

(Devi Mahatmyam - 5 to 11)

• Meditation: I meditate on Devi slaying slaying demons Shumbha-Nishumbha along with their armies.

Devi

• Shumbha-Nishumbha conquering heaven: Once demons Shumbha-Nishumbha conquered the three worlds and expelled the devas from their abode. They took over the duties of the devas.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 5)

• Devas invoking Devi: The devas remembered that the Devi had granted a boon that whenever they are in great calamity, She will come to their rescue. Thinking thus, the devas started invoking the Devi. (Aparajita Stuthi)
(Devi Mahatmyam - 5)

• Devi Kaushiki emerging from Devi Parvati: When the devas were thus invoking Devi, Devi Parvati came to bathe in the waters of river Jahnavi. She said to the devas: "Who is praised by you?" An auspicious goddess came out of her physical form and replied: "This hymn is addressed to me by the devas who have been defeated in the war by Shumbha and Nishumbha". That goddess is addressed as Kaushika since she came out of the kosha (sheath of physical form) of Devi Parvati.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 5)

• Devi Parvati becoming Devi Kalika: After Devi Kaushika had emerged from her physical form, Devi Parvati became dark and came to be known as Devi Kalika. She abided in the Himalayas.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 5)

• Demons Chanda-Munda informing king Shumbha-Nishumbha about Devi: Demons Chanda and Munda (servants of Shumbha-Nishumbha) saw Devi (Kaushiki) and informed Shumbha-Nishumbha that an exceedingly beautiful woman is abiding in the Himalayas. They enumerated the treasures taken away by Shumbha-Nishumbha from the devas (like Airavata, Uccaihshrava, Parijata etc.) and said that why should not they take away this beautiful woman as well?
(Devi Mahatmyam - 5)

• Shumbha-Nishumbha sending messenger Sugriva to Devi: Shumbha-Nishumbha sent messenger Sugriva to bring Devi to them in love. Sugriva went to the abode of Devi in the mountain and said that Shumbha, the king of the three asuras and sovereign of the three worlds had sent him. Shumbha said that he is in possession of all the treasures of the devas and enjoyers of the best thing. Therefore, she should come to him and marry him (Shumbha) or his younger brother Nishumbha. By doing so, she will be in possession of great wealth.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 5)

• Devi asking for battle: The Devi said that whatever has been uttered by the messenger is true. But she had taken a vow (out of foolishness) that whoever conquers her in battle and vanquishes her pride, is a match to her in strength and can take her for marriage. Therefore, let Shumbha or Nishumbha come there and take her after conquering her in battle. The messenger said that even the devas cannot stand before Shumbha and Nishumbha, what to say of a woman. Let her submit to them now, so that she does not lose her dignity by being dragged by hair. However, the Devi remained adamant and sent away the messenger.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 5)

• Devi slaying demon Dhumralochana: The messenger returned and reported this to the king. The king in anger sent Dhumralochana (with an army of sixty thousand asuras) to bring Devi dragging by her hair. When Dhumralochana rushed towards Devi (abiding on the snowy mountain), She reduced her to ashes by the mere sound of a "hum". The army of the asura started showering arrows and other weapons on Devi. The lion of Devi confronted them and severed the arms and heads of many and soon destroyed the whole army.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 6)

• Devi slaying demons Chanda and Munda: Shumbha then sent asuras Chanda-Munda to bring Devi dragging by her hair or by binding her. Chanda and Munda marched towards Devi (who was abiding on the golden peak of the mountain). When some of the asuras tried to capture her, she became angry and from her angry frown issued the terrible goddess Kali bearing a sword (asi) and noose (pasha). She was wearing a garland of skulls and a tiger skin. Her eyes were red and her tongue lolled out. With a roar, she fell upon the army of the asuras and started slaughtering and devouring them. Thus, the army of the auras were destroyed by Devi Kali. Then Chanda and Munda rushed towards the Devi showering arrows and discuses (chakras) on her. Then Devi mounting on a lion, seized Chanda by her hair and severed his head with her sword. Munda was similarly felled by the Devi with her sword. Devi Kali brought the heads of Chanda and Munda (like two sacrificial animals) to Devi Chandika. Devi Chandika said that because she had brought the heads of Chanda and Munda, She will be known as Chamunda.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 6 to 7)

• Devi manifesting Matrikas: Hearing that Chanda and Munda had been slain by Devi, asura king Shumbha mobilised a huge army consisting of many families of asuras and marched forward. Seeing the huge army, Chandika filled the space with the twang of her bow-string and clang of her bell, the lion started roaring menancingly and Devi Kali with her mouth wide open roared deafening all sounds. The asura armies surrounded them from all four sides. At that moment Shaktis (Matrikas) emerged from the bodies of Brahma (Brahmani), Shiva (Maheshwari), Guha (Kaumari), Vishnu (Vaishnavi, Varahi and Narasimhi) and Indra (Aindri) and joined Chandika. Devi Brahmani was seated on a chariot drawn by swans and was holding a rosary and a kamandalu. Devi Maheshwari was seated on a bull wearing the digit of the moon and bracelets of snakes; she was carrying a trident. Devi Kaumari was riding a peacock and holding a spear. Devi Vaishnavi was riding on Garuda and holding shankha (conch), chakra (discus), gada (mace), sharanga bow and khadga (sword). Devi Varahi assumed the form of a sacrificial boar. Devi Narasimhi assumed the form of Narasimha. Devi Aindri with thousand eyes was riding on an elephant and holding a thunderbolt.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 8)

• Devi sending Lord Shiva as messenger: Then Shiva surrounded by the Shaktis said to Chandika: "Let the asuras be killed for my gratification". From the body of Chandika issued forth a terrible Shakti who told Shiva to go as messenger to Shumbha and Nishumbha. The demons should either go to Patala Loka or be ready for war. Since the Devi appointed Lord Shiva as messenger, She became known as Shiva-duti. The demons rejecting the proposal of the messenger to go to Patala Loka went towards Devi for war.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 8)

• Matrikas destroying the armies of the asuras: The demons started showering arrows and other weapons on Chandika which she cut to pieces. Devi Kali started cutting the enemies with her spear and khatvanga (skull-topped staff). Devi Brahmani sprinkled waters from her kamandalu and made the enemies bereft of power. Devi Maheshwari slew the demons with her trident. Devi Vaishnavi killed the demons with her discus. Devi Kaumari vanquished the demons with her spear (shakti). Devi Aindri destroyed the demons with her thunderbolt. Devi Varahi shattered the demons with her tusk and discus. Devi Narasimhi tore the demons with her claws and devoured them. Devi Shiva-duti frightened the demons by her laughter and devoured them.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 8)

• Devi slaying demon Raktabija: Seeing the army of demons being felled by the Matrikas and many of them fleeing, demon Raktabija came forward to fight with the Matrikas. Whenever a drop of blood fell from his body on the ground, a new demon similar to Raktabija rose up. In this way, being wounded by the Matrikas, thousands and thousands of Raktabijas took birth and fought with the Matrikas. The devas were alarmed. Chandika laughed and told Devi Kali to drink the blood which fall from the body of Raktabija and devour any new demons born from his blood. Then the Devi struck Raktabija with her various weapons (trident, arrows, sword, spear etc.) and Devi Kali kept on drinking his blood. Being emptied of blood in this manner, Raktabija perished. The devas attained great joy and the Matrikas danced, being intoxicated with blood.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 8)

• Devi slaying demon Nishumbha: After Raktabija was slain, Nishumbha and Sumbha in great rage went forward to fight with Chandika. A terrible battle ensued. Devi split the arrows of the two asuras and struck them with her weapons. Nishumbha taking a sword and a shield struck the lion carrier of the Devi on its head. Devi quickly cut the sword and shield of Nishumbha with arrows. Nishumbha hurled a spear which Devi split with her discus. Nishumbha sent a shula which Devi broke into pieces with her fist. Nishumbha threw a club which Devi destroyed with her trident. Then Devi attacked Nishumbha with an axe and he fell down on the ground (unconscious).

Then Shumbha approached Devi standing on his chariot and holding weapons on his eight arms. Devi blew her conch and made loud sound with the twang of her bow-string and ringing of her bell. The lion of the Devi also filled the sky with its loud roars. Devi Kali and Devi Shiva-duti filled the space with their ominous laughter. Shumbhu and Devi shot volleys of arrows on each other, and cut the arrows of each other. Then in anger, Devi hit Shumbha with her trident. Wounded by that, Shumbha fell down on the ground unconscious.

Then Nishumbha regained his consciousness and discharged arrows on Devi Chandika, Kali and the lion. Nishumbha also covered Devi with various discuses. Devi split those discuses and arrows with her own arrows. Then Nishumbha took a club and rushed towards Chandika. Devi split that club with her sword. Then he rushed towards Devi with a shula. As Nishumbha was advancing with her shula, Devi pierced his heart with her own shula. A demon of great strength came out of the heart of Nishumbha. Devi laughed aloud and severed the head of that demon. The lion and the matrikas destroyed the rest of the army and many demons fled.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 9)

• Devi slaying demon Shumbha: Seeing his dear brother Nishumbha slain in the battle, Shumbha accused Devi that she was fighting on the strength of others. Devi said that She is all alone and the Matrikas were her projections. Then She absorbed all the Matrikas in her own body. Thereafter, she challenged Shumbha all alone. Then a dreadful battle ensued between them. They showered various weapons on each other. Shumbha destroyed the weapons of Devi and Devi also playfully destroyed the weapons hurled by Shumbha. Then Shumbha discharged hundreds of arrows and covered Devi. Devi split his bow with her arrows. Shumbha took up a spear which Devi split with a discus. Shumbha took up a sword and shield and rushed towards Devi. Devi split his sword and shield with her arrows. Devi destroyed the chariot, horses and charioteer of Shumbha. Shumbha took up a terrible mace and rushed towards Devi. Devi split the mace of Shumbha with her arrows. Shumbha then fought with Devi with his fist. He hit Devi on her heart. Devi also hit him with her palm on her chest. The daitya fell down on the earth for sometime and again rose up. He seized Devi and sprung up on the sky. The Devi fought with him on the sky. Then Devi lifted him up, whirled him, and flung him on the earth. Shumbha got up and again rushed towards Devi. Devi pierced his chest with a shula. The demon king fell down dead on the ground with great agitation. The celestials sang and danced in joy.
(Devi Mahatmyam - 10)

• Devas and sages eulogizing the Devi: Seeing the powerful asuras slain by Devi, the devas eulogized Her. (Narayani Stuti)
(Devi Mahatmyam - 11)

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