Magnificence of Satakshi Maha Devi

King Janamejaya desired to understand from Maharshi Veda Vyasa about the Glory of Maha Devi Satakshi whom the bright star of Solar Dynasty Harischandra was highly devoted to. There was a dreadful Demon Durgama, son of Ruru born in the family of Hirankyaksha. He developed a great theory that Devas had been becoming powerful because of Fire Sacrifices being performed by Sages and Brahmanas according to the Mantras prescribed in the Vedas and hence the root cause of Vedas be desrtroyed. With this objective in view, he performed very severe Tapasya for thousand years and the might of the meditation shook the Three Worlds and Lord Brahma was obliged to arrive by His Swan Chariot. The Demon asked for the specific boon to give him away all the Vedas to himself. As soon as Brahma gave the boon, there was complete chaos among Brahmanas and Sages as none could carry out daily worship starting from ‘Sandhya Vandana’, to ‘Homas’, ‘Sraddhas’, ‘Jata Karmas’, rites after deaths, ‘Vrathas’ or ‘Pujas’, and a whole lot of allied activities including astrology, astronomy, fine arts, Artha Sastras, the Sciences of Wars like Astras, Sastras and so on as indeed the purpose and wherewithal of life is terminated. Indeed the balance of Nature, Planetary movement, lack of rains, water, crops, food and a threat to humanity and the other worlds, the entire creation was all affected! While Siddhas and Yogis could survive even without food, humanity in general including beasts and birds were affected for want of food; thus Maha Devi in an Extension of ‘Shakambhari Devi’ made possible a dispensation of vegetables and fruits and a general slackening of hunger and thirst! Meanwhile one thousand ‘Akshouhinis’ of army [one Akshouhini comprises 21,870 chariots, so many elephants, 65,610 horses, 109,350 foot soldiers] of Danavas were engaged in a fight with Maha Devi. From Her Personality emerged innumerable Main Shaktis like Bagada, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Jambhini, Kalika, Kamakshi, Kamala, Matangi, Mohini, Shodasa, Tarini, Tripura and Tulja Devi. There were other ramifications of Maha Shakti as well who routed and destroyed Danavas headed by Durgama. Maha Devi stated in Her own profound voice in a manner that the totality of Universe would hear: ‘I am Durga the killer of the concept of Durgama as there is nothing like ‘Durgama’ or Surpassable for Me! Vedas constitute parts of My Being. Protect them as a precious gift from Me.’ Having said thus Maha Bhagavati disappeared and the Trinity, Indra and Devas praised the Adi Shakti (Primeval Energy) as the Universe was stabilised and World Order was re-established once again.

Sri V.D.N.Rao and Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham

Kamakoti.org presents the Essence of Puranas in English, condensed by Sri. V.D.N.Rao, devotee of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India The author can be contacted at raovdn@yahoo.co.in