The Tale of Nine Incarnations
Chandika or Chamunda
Two mightly demons Chanda and Munda were killed by the goddess Kali, in the very past ages. Both the demons were so powerful that gods were also terrified by them, what to say of the human beings. Goddess Ambika, in her greates fury, issuedforth from between her eyebrows-Kali, with protruding fangs, carrying a sword and a noose, with a mottle skull topped staff, adorned with the necklace of human skulls, covered with tiger skin. Her mouth gaping wide, her lolling tongue terrifying, her eyes red and sunken. She filled the whole of space with her howling. Such was the shape of Kali-The black one, who killed the mighty demon Chanda and Munda and rescured the world from their terrors. When she brought the heads of the two demons grabbing in her hand and appoached goddess Ambika. She was pleased with her and told - "Since you have captured Chandra and Munda and have brought them to me, O goddess, you will be known as Chamunda".
In such a way, then does the divine goddess, although eternal, take birth again and again to protect the creation. This world is deluded by her; it is begotten by her; it is she who give knowledge when prayed to and prosperity when pleased. By Mahakali is this entire egg of Brahma pervaded, lord of men. At the awful time of dissolution she takes on the form of Mahamari, the great destuctress of the world. She is also its unborn source, eternal, she sustains creatures in homes in times of prosperity. In times of disaster she appears as Misfortune for their annihilation. When the goodess is praised and worshiped with flowers, incense, perfume and other gifts she give wealth, sons, a mind set upon Dharma, and happiness to all mankind.
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