Prose || THE GODDESS KAUSHIKI || Kunal Roy

 THE GODDESS KAUSHIKI

The demons Shumbh and Nishumbh sought blessings from the creator Brahma. They desired to get themselves killed by a woman with divine powers. They never thought that a woman would be responsible for their death. They always believed in belittling the woman power. However, their pride and arrogance aided them to snatch the Heavens from the Gods! Being tormented they began worship the Adi Shakti, the divine consort of Lord Shiva. This simply enraged Parvati and she gave birth to Goddess Kaushiki from her kosh( cell),the fundamental unit of life.

  Kaushiki rode on a lion and settled at Vidhayas. The ministers of the demon king Shumbh were attracted by the heavenly beauty of the Goddess and described her before Shumbh. And Shumbh was betwitched by her elegance, expressed his intense desire to wed her and sent Sugriva with his proposal to Kaushiki. But the Goddess told him, "Out of childhood innocence, I have promised to marry that person who would defeat me in the battle". Sugriva warned her but in vain. Listening to Sugriva, Shumbh's wrath burst forth. He desired to send Dhumrolochan, his minister to bring the Goddess before him. And instructed him that if she denied than he ought to execute the matter by either killing or dragging by her hair to his court. If any one intervened in the whole matter, one should deserve nothing but death! As soon as Dhumrolochan went to fetch the Goddess, he was reduced to ashes! The dismal news reached the demon king Shumbh. He sent Chanda and Munda to complete the task which Dhumrolochan failed to do! Unfortunately, this further enraged her and the four handed black Goddess emerged from her third eye. A severe battle ensued between the Goddess Kali, Ruru and Chanda Munda. Kali killed Ruru followed by Chanda and Munda. She beheaded both of them and brought their heads before the Goddess who blessed her to be known as Devi Chamunda in the whole world. On the other hand, Devi Chandamari who was born off the unkempt hair of Devi Kali killed the monster Mahesh Poundrok! This further paved the path for the monster Raktabij plunge into the battle field. At the very outset it was quite difficult for the Goddesses to kill him as he had the blessings of Lord Shiva. Noticing the faces of the Gods in the heaven, Kaushiki advised Devi Kali to spread her tongue to such an extent so that not a single drop of blood fell on the ground. Kali followed the advice and finally Raktabij was killed by Kali. But her lust for blood didnot abate! She turned into a blood thirty woman. She even wanted to drink the blood of the Goddess's 'sixty four Yoginis'! They wanted a protection from Kaushiki, but she was once more into a deep penance! Kali ran helter-skelter and the whole creation seemed to have been engulfed by her. The Gods made a plea to the Lord Shiva to douse her flames of anger and save the whole creation! The Lord intervened, Kali landed her right foot on His chest and out of shame, darted out her tongue. She sought pardon from the Lord and united again! 

  On the other side, Shumbh and Nishumbh prepared themselves for the battle with Kaushiki and her troupe! Both went to the battle field. Nishumbh went forth and after a severe battle was killed by the Goddess. Later Kaushiki summoned her 'asta matrikas' who were actually her different manifestations! Seeing all these Shumbh blamed Kaushiki for seeking their help to kill him. The Goddess smiled and said, " O , the demon Shumbh, they are all my powers of variety. Look they all are merging in me". This astounded Shumbh as he stood with a gaping mouth. The demon and the Goddess fought on the land and sky. After all his powers failed against Kaushiki, she killed him with the divine trident! The battle ended and peace was restored! Later Kaushiki took the form of Devi Matangi before being Parvati once more for the Kailash! They were answered for belittling the woman power which is the primary source of this entire creative process! There would have been no light, no rhythm, no sound and no vibration in her absence! Time to realise the truth before it becomes too late and we need to count a heavy cost!