Mahishasura Defeats Devas

We are starting with the Madhyama Charitra of Durga Saptashati, the beginning of which is Chapter Two.

Prathama Charitra is Chapter One. Madhyama Charitra consists of Chapters Two, Three, and Four. Uttama Charitra includes Chapters Five onwards.

In the first chapter, among various other things, we saw how Devi helped in destroying the asuras Madhu and Kaitabha.

Rishir Uvacha - Devasuramabhudyuddham purnamabdashatam pura Mahishosuranaam adhipe devaanaam cha Purandare

Once upon a time, Devas and Asuras fought each other. Devas were under the Indra called Purandara, and Asuras were under their king called Mahishasura.

Indra is a position. This battle is from the time when Purandara was Indra. After every Manvantara, which is 71 Chaturyugas, Indra changes. Still, Purandara remains Indra. After the present Manvantara, Mahabali will become Indra. The two sides fought for a hundred years.

Tatra asuraih mahaviryaih deva sainyam paraajitam Jitvaa cha sakalaan devaan Indra bhoot Mahishasurah

The army of the Devas was defeated by the army of the Asuras. Mahishasura became Indra, the king of Swarga.

Tatah paraajitaah devaah Padmayonim Prajapatim Puraskritya gatah tatra yatra Isha Garuda Dhwajau

After this, with Brahma leading them, all the Devas went to the place where Isha and Garuda Dhwaja were present. Brahma is called by two names: Padmayoni and Prajapati. He is called Padmayoni because his origin is from a lotus and Prajapati because he is the lord of all beings—he alone created all beings.

Isha and Mahavishnu were together. There they all went. Here, we fight in the name of Shiva and Vishnu, debating who is superior as if they are two opposing sides, but there, they are sitting together.

Yathaavrittam tayoh tadvat Mahishasura cheshtitam Tridashaah kathayaamaasuh devabhibhava vistaram

They told Shiva and Vishnu in detail about how Mahishasura defeated them. They narrated everything exactly as it happened.

Tridasha is a term used to denote Devas. The number thirty-three is associated with Devas: twelve Adityas, eleven Rudras, eight Vasus, and two Vishwadevas—together making thirty-three. In place of the two Vishwadevas, sometimes the two Ashwini Kumaras are taken, and sometimes Indra and Prajapati. It does not matter.

They are beyond the three dashas or avasthas of manushyas—birth, transformation, and death. These three states do not apply to Devas. They are also beyond the three states of wakefulness, dreaming, and deep sleep—Jagrat, Swapna, and Sushupti. Hence, they are called Tridasha.

Suryendraagnyanilendoonam Yamasya Varunasya cha Anyeshaam cha adhikaran sa swayam eva adhitisthati

These Devas do not just sit in Swarga and enjoy. Each one has his own responsibility. Surya has to give light and keep time. Chandra has to produce plants and food. Agni has to provide heat. Vayu has to give Prana Vayu. Anila is another name for Vayu. Yama has to end the lives of beings at the right time. Varuna has to ensure order and discipline and punish offenders.

But now, Mahishasura has taken over the powers of all these gods.

Swargaat niraakrutaah sarve tena devaganaah bhuvi Vicharanti yathaa martyaa Mahishena duraatmanaa

We have been thrown out of Swarga and are wandering about the Bhuloka just like men. If thrown out of Swargaloka, where else can they go? They can only come to Bhuloka. This is what that wicked Mahishasura has done to us.

Etad vah kathitam sarvam Amarari vicheshtitam Sharanam cha prapannaah sma vadhah tasya vichintyatam

Amarari means enemy of Amaras, the Devas. This is what Amarari Mahishasura has done. We have come to your refuge. The Devas are telling Mahavishnu and Mahadeva—please think about how to kill him, how to destroy him.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi