Summary of Durga Saptashati

King Suratha was a just ruler, but his ministers betrayed him. His enemies defeated him in battle. He lost his kingdom and went to the forest. There, he met a merchant named Samadhi. The merchant had been abandoned by his own family. Both were troubled and wanted answers. They found a wise sage named Medhas. They asked him why they still felt attached to what they had lost. The sage explained that this was due to Devi’s power. She controlled the universe. She made people act. To explain her greatness, the sage told them the story of Devi’s victories.

Long ago, Mahishasura, the powerful asura, attacked the devas. He defeated them and ruled over the heavens. The devas were helpless. They went to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The three gods became angry. From their combined energy, a divine goddess appeared. Her form was radiant and powerful. The devas gave her their weapons. She held a trident, a sword, a bow, and a discus. She was Devi Durga. The devas prayed to her. She rode a lion and went to battle. Mahishasura sent his army against her. A fierce war began between Devi and the asuras.

Mahishasura’s army attacked Devi with great force. She roared and shook the battlefield. She rained arrows on the asuras. Her lion leaped among them. She struck them down with her weapons. Many asuras fell. Mahishasura himself entered the battle. He changed forms again and again. He became a lion, an elephant, and a warrior. But Devi was faster. She struck him with her trident. She pinned him down with her foot. She pierced his heart and killed him. The devas rejoiced. They bowed to Devi. The heavens were restored. Peace returned. Devi had saved the universe.

After Mahishasura’s death, the devas were filled with joy. They sang hymns of praise. They thanked Devi for her great power. They said she was the mother of all beings. She protected those who worshipped her. They asked for her blessings. Devi smiled at them. She promised to return whenever they needed her. She blessed them and disappeared. The devas ruled again. The universe was peaceful. The sage Medhas finished this part of the story. He told King Suratha and Samadhi that Devi always protects her devotees. They listened carefully and wanted to hear more about her greatness.

Shumbha and Nishumbha were two powerful asura brothers. They had defeated the devas and taken their kingdom. The devas had no place to go. They went to the Himalayas and prayed to Devi. Their prayers reached her. She appeared as Parvati. From her body, a new goddess emerged. This was Kaushiki. She was glowing like the sun. The devas were filled with hope. Shumbha saw her. He wanted her for himself. He sent messengers to ask her to marry him. She refused. The asuras did not like this. They decided to take her by force. The battle was near.

Shumbha sent his messenger Sugriva to Kaushiki. He told her about Shumbha’s power. He said Shumbha ruled over the three worlds. He asked her to accept his proposal. Kaushiki smiled. She said she had taken a vow. She would only marry the one who could defeat her in battle. Sugriva was angry. He warned her that Shumbha would not accept her refusal. He returned to Shumbha and told him everything. Shumbha was enraged. He sent Dhumralochana, a mighty asura, to capture her. Dhumralochana reached the battlefield. He roared and charged at Devi. The fight had begun.

Dhumralochana rushed toward Devi. She remained calm. She breathed out with great force. That breath turned into fire. It burned Dhumralochana to ashes. Shumbha was shocked. He sent Chanda and Munda next. They led a huge army. The battlefield shook as they attacked. They surrounded Devi from all sides. She did not move. Her face darkened. A terrifying form emerged from her forehead. It was Kali. She had wild hair, sharp teeth, and a fierce look. She roared loudly. The asuras trembled. She charged into battle. She crushed them with her strength. Chanda and Munda stood no chance.

Kali was unstoppable. She destroyed the asuras. She grabbed warriors and devoured them. She crushed elephants. She chewed weapons. Chanda and Munda attacked her with great force. She did not stop. She lifted her sword. In one strike, she cut off their heads. She took their heads to Devi Chandika. Chandika was pleased. She said, ‘You have defeated Chanda and Munda. You will be called Chamunda.’ The remaining asuras saw the destruction. They were terrified. They ran in all directions. Kali’s power was unmatched. The devas rejoiced. They praised Devi for her great victory. The battle continued.

Raktabija, a mighty asura, entered the battlefield. He had a special boon. Whenever his blood touched the ground, new asuras would appear. He attacked Devi fiercely. She struck him, but his blood created more asuras. The battle became difficult. Devi called Kali. She told her to drink Raktabija’s blood before it touched the ground. Kali moved fast. She stretched out her tongue and caught every drop. Raktabija had no escape. He became weak. Devi struck him down with her weapon. He could not rise again. The devas were overjoyed. Another powerful asura had fallen. The war was not over.

Shumbha and Nishumbha saw their army fall. They were furious. Nishumbha rushed at Devi. He attacked her with full force. Devi struck him with her spear. He fell, but rose again. She struck him again. He could not rise this time. He was dead. Shumbha was filled with rage. He faced Devi alone. He used his best weapons. He called upon his powers. But Devi was stronger. She lifted him and threw him to the ground. She struck him with her trident. He fell lifeless. The battle was over. The devas had won. Peace had returned.

The devas were filled with joy. They sang hymns to Devi. They called her the mother of the universe. They said she always protected her devotees. Devi listened. She promised that whenever evil rose, she would return. She would protect the world. The devas bowed to her. They thanked her for saving them. She blessed them and disappeared. The devas took back their kingdom. They ruled once again. The universe was peaceful. The sage Medhas continued his story. King Suratha and Samadhi listened carefully. They wanted to know more about Devi’s divine power. The story was not over.

Devi spoke to the devas. She told them about her different forms. She said she appears in many ways. Sometimes she is gentle. Sometimes she is fierce. She protects those who worship her. She removes fear and grants blessings. She said people should remember her with devotion. She would always answer their prayers. The devas were grateful. They praised her again. They asked for her blessings. She smiled and assured them she would always be with them. Then she disappeared. The devas rejoiced. They were safe again. The world was at peace. The sage continued his teachings.

The sage Medhas finished his story. King Suratha and Samadhi understood Devi’s power. They wanted to worship her. They performed a great penance. They meditated with full devotion. Devi appeared before them. She blessed them. King Suratha regained his kingdom. He ruled with wisdom and strength. Samadhi became enlightened. He found peace within. Devi had fulfilled their wishes. She had shown them the path. The sage’s teachings were complete. Devi’s story had given them hope. She always protects her devotees. She destroys evil. She grants blessings. Her power is endless. Her grace is boundless. The story ended here.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi