The land of Durgas

Sai R Vaidyanathan

Whenever invaders have entered our frontiers, Mother India has brought forth brave children to challenge them.

And this bravery is not limited to men. In the 16th century, Rani Abbakka of Ullal, Karnataka, fought the Portuguese.

In 1824, Rani Chennamma of Kittur, Karnataka, gave the British a tough fight. In 1857, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi took on the British might.

Even in our epics, there are references to brave women who ventured into the battlefield to protect dharma.

In his lust for power, demon King Mahishasur started performing austerities. Creator Brahma appeared and said, "What do you seek?"

"Immortality," said Mahishasur.

"Everyone who is born has to die. Seek something else," Brahma said.

With the strength that he already had, no male — God, demon or human — could defeat him, so he said, “Death only at the hands of a woman.” He knew that if this was granted, it would make him virtually immortal.

“Granted,” said Brahma and disappeared.

Using his newfound power, Mahishasur drove the Gods out of heaven and tortured all the pious men on Earth.

The Trinity and the Gods brought forth — with their combined energies — Devi Durga (the Mother Goddess personification of Parvati) and then armed her with their select weapons.

Durga — riding her lion mount — reached Mahishasur’s palace and made her lion let out a loud roar.

On hearing it, Mahisha — at first — was scared. He came out and then began laughing, “A mere female!”

On Durga’s challenge, Mahisha and his men fell on her but she got the better of all of them.

Similarly, in the Ramayana, Queen Kaikeyi performed her duty well under enemy fire.

She holds the reins

The Gods needed King Dashrath’s help in the war against demon King Shambara.

Dashrath got ready for battle with Queen Kaikeyi as his charioteer.

In the war zone, Dashrath was badly hurt. Kaikeyi not only drove him out to safety but also nursed him back to health. In gratitude, Dashrath offered her “any two boons of her choice”.

She used the boons later to send her stepson Lord Rama into exile.

In the Bhagwat Mahapuran, a helpless Krishna is forced to seek his wife’s help to kill a demon.

Wife takes charge

Narakasur, the demon king and son of Bhoomi Devi, was on a winning spree. So Indra, chief of the Gods, approached Krishna for help.

Narakasur had a boon that nobody except his mother could kill him.

But to his misfortune, Vishnu incarnated as Krishna and Bhoomi as Satyabhama in the dwaparyuga.

Taking his wife Satyabhama along, Krishna went to Narakasur’s capital on his eagle mount Garuda. Five-headed demon Mura was in charge of defence, but Krishna neutralised him.

When Naraka and Krishna came face to face, Krishna feigned unconsciousness. Seeing her husband in mortal danger, Satyabhama attacked and killed the demon.

Then, Krishna woke up as if nothing had happened.

Let’s pay our homage to these brave women this Navratri.