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From Kali to Gauri: Incarnation of Kaushiki

From Kali to Gauri: Incarnation of Kaushiki

Shoka nos. 37-42 of the 5th chapter of Durga Saptashati.

एवं स्तवाभियुक्तानां देवानां तत्र पार्वती।
स्नातुमभ्याययौ तोये जाह्नव्या नृपनन्दन॥

As the gods were chanting hymns of praise, Parvati Devi appeared there to take bath in Ganga.

साब्रवीत्तान् सुरान् सुभ्रूर्भवद्भिः स्तूयतेऽत्र का।
शरीरकोशतश्चास्याः समुद्भूताब्रवीच्छिवा॥

The beautiful Parvati asked the gods, 'Who is being praised here by you?' Then from her bodily sheath emerged a divine being. 

स्तोत्रं ममैतत्क्रियते शुम्भदैत्यनिराकृतैः।
देवैः समेतैः समरे निशुम्भेन पराजितैः॥

That divine goddess said, ‘This hymn is being recited by the gods to eliminate the demon Shumbha and Nishumbha who have defeated the gods in battle.’

शरीरकोशाद्यत्तस्याः पार्वत्या निःसृताम्बिका।
कौशिकीति समस्तेषु ततो लोकेषु गीयते॥

Since that goddess emerged from the sheath (kosha) of Parvati Devi, she became famous as Kaushiki.

तस्यां विनिर्गतायां तु कृष्णाभूत्सापि पार्वती।
कालिकेति समाख्याता हिमाचलकृताश्रया॥

After Kaushiki emerged, Parvati herself turned dark. She then became known as Kalika and resided in the Himalayas.

ततोऽम्बिकां परं रूपं बिभ्राणां सुमनोहरम्।
ददर्श चण्डो मुण्डश्च भृत्यौ शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः॥

Then Ambika (Kaushiki)  taking on a most enchanting form was seen by Chanda and Munda, the servants of Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Here is the legend of Devi’s incarnation in detail -

Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati were once living on Mandarachala, the Mandara Mountain. Usually, we know Kailasa as the abode of Lord Shiva, but this is about a time when he chose to stay on Mandara Parvatha. Mandara was a beautiful place, and he chose it to make Devi Parvati happy.

During this time, two demons named Shumbha and Nishumbha performed severe penance. They pleased Lord Brahma and asked for a boon: 'No man should be able to kill us.' Though they could not ask for immortality, as death is inevitable for all who are born, they wanted to ensure their safety. So, they placed a condition: 'We can be killed only by a virgin, born from Devi Parvati’s body but not biologically, not from her womb. She must be untouched by any man, and we should feel attracted to her before she can kill us.' Brahma granted their wish.

Empowered by Brahma's boon, Shumbha and Nishumbha began committing atrocities everywhere. Their terror spread, and Lord Brahma himself approached Lord Shiva, seeking a way to defeat them. The divine leela (play) then began, which led to the fulfillment of Brahma's request.

One day, as Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati were alone, Shiva teased Parvati about her dark complexion. He laughed and called her ' Kali (dark-skinned.)' Devi Parvati felt offended. She responded, 'The love of a husband is the greatest asset for any woman. If you do not like my dark complexion, then there is no point in continuing like this. Either I must become fair-skinned, or I should not live.'

Seeing Devi Parvati angry, Lord Shiva tried to console her. 'I was only joking,' he said. 'My love for you is not based on your appearance. You are the Mother of the world, and I am the Father of the world. Our love is beyond physical attributes. We loved each other even before Kamadeva, the god of desire, was born. It is not about physical attraction.'

However, Devi Parvati was not convinced. She said, 'You would not have mentioned my complexion unless the thought was already in your mind. That means it was always there.' She declared, 'I will leave this place and perform penance to change my complexion by pleasing Brahma.'

Shiva asked her, 'Why do you need to do that? I can change your complexion, or you can do it yourself just by wishing.' Parvati insisted, 'No, I will do it by observing tapas.. In my previous birth, I got you as my husband by observing tapas, and I will do the same now.'

Determined, Devi Parvati circumambulated Lord Shiva, prostrated before him, and then left for the Himalayas to begin her penance. Even during her tapas, her mind remained focused on Lord Shiva. She knew that it would be Shiva, in the form of Brahma, who would fulfill her wish.

In the meantime, Shumbha and Nishumbha expelled the Devas from Swarga . The Devas, along with Brahma, came to  the Himalayas, seeking Devi’s help. Brahma asked her what she was doing such severe tapas for, and she replied that she wished to become fair. Brahma exclaimed, 'It cannot be for such a trivial reason. There must be something else behind it.'

As they were talking, a divine goddess emerged from Parvati’s dark skin, which she had shed. This goddess was an incarnation meant to kill Shumbha and Nishumbha. Since she emerged from the kosha (sheath) of Parvati, she was called Kaushiki. After shedding her dark skin, Parvati became fair, and hence she was known as Gauri. Later, she turned herself dark again and became known as Kalika.

It was at this time that Chanda and Munda, assistants of Shumbha and Nishumbha saw the divine Kaushiki.

Devi turned from dark (Kali) to fair (Gauri) to manifest a divine Goddess from her sheath, whose purpose was to defeat Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Lessons -

  • Self-Respect is Crucial: Parvati stands up for her dignity, showing the importance of valuing oneself in relationships and not accepting disrespect.
  • Transformation Through Effort: True transformation requires dedication. Parvati's insistence on performing tapas teaches us the value of perseverance and self-effort in achieving meaningful growth.
  • Cosmic Purpose Behind Personal Actions: Even personal actions can have greater cosmic significance. Parvati’s transformation leads to Kaushiki’s birth, meant to restore balance by defeating evil.
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Is Tripurasundari one among the Dasha Mahavidyas?

Yes. Tripurasundari is one among the Dasha Mahavidyas.

Why did Vyasa divide Veda into four parts?

1.For ease of learning. 2.Veda was divided and compiled based on their application in yajnas.You should bear in mind that Veda Vyasa divided and compiled only a small part of the Vedas useful in performing yajnas. This is called Yajnamatrika Veda.

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What was the name of the first son of Devaki - Vasudeva couple ?
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English

Devi Mahatmyam

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