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| Jai Maa Durga |
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Goddess Durga, the slayer of the demon Mahisha, is the most widely worshipped in Hindu religion. Her primary function is to exterminate demons who threaten the stability of the cosmos. In fact, Durga is the female version of Lord Vishnu. Like Lord Vishnu she creates, sustains and destroys the world. All the Gods seek her protection, when faced with a great crisis.
In ancient times there lived a demon named Mahisha, which means a buffalo. He was a strong as a buffalo, but a mindless fellow. He performed great austerities standing on one foot for many years to seek a boon from Brahma.
Brahma appeared before him and said, "Son, I am pleased with you. Seek the boon you wish."
Mahisha said, "I am terrified of death. Give me the boon of immortality!"
Brahma said, "Impossible! He who is born must die!"
Mahisha said, "Then grant me that a woman alone can kill me."
Brahma at once said, "Be it so, my lad!"
Having granted this boon of being killed by a woman, Brahmaji returned to his heavenly abode.
Mahisha, the demon, thought, "A woman can never be stronger than I! I have now virtually become immortal!" Having attained the boon, filled with arrogance and intoxicated with his physical strength, he ran to the Nether land and addressed his soldiers thus, "Brave demons! Gird up your loins. You need not now dwell any longer in this Nether World. I have got the boon of immortality from Brahma! Now the Gods can't harm me. Let us invade the abode of gods, the Heaven. We will kill the Gods and live in Heaven for ever!"
A wave of delight ran through the hearts of the demons. Countless demon soldiers equipped themselves with their mighty weapons. They drank to their fill and marched towards the Heaven led by Mahisha himself.
All the demon soldiers cried with one voice, "Victory unto the demon-king Mahisha! Victory to immortal Mahisha! Victory to slayer of Gods!"
As soon as the demon army reached heaven, there was a great commotion and confusion. The guards got sacred and terrified at the sight of such a huge and massive army of the demons. They rushed to their Lord Indra to give him the news of the invasion.
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