Final episode · Chapter 5
Shumbh-Nishumbh and the Messenger
The story so far
After Mahishasur's end, the Devi promised to come again whenever remembered. Now two asura brothers, Shumbh and Nishumbh, have taken over heaven.
The fifth adhyay begins the Final episode. Two mighty asura brothers, Shumbh and Nishumbh, seized Indra's kingdom and the powers of Surya, Chandra, Kuber, Yama and Varun. The defeated gods remembered the Devi's promise: 'When you remember me, I will take away your trouble.' They went to the Himalaya and began to praise her.
The gods said, 'Salutations to the Devi who lives in all beings as awareness. Salutations again and again to her who lives in all as intelligence, sleep, hunger, strength, forgiveness, peace, faith, kindness and as mother.' This famous prayer, 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu', is still sung in homes everywhere today.
Just then, Mother Parvati came to bathe in the Ganga. She asked, 'Whom are you all praising?' At that moment a beautiful goddess came forth from her body and said, 'They are praising me.' Because she came from Parvati's , she was called 'Kaushiki'. After she came out, Parvati's skin turned dark, so Parvati was called 'Kalika'.
Chand and Mund, two servants of Shumbh, saw the wondrous form of the goddess Ambika on the Himalaya. They went to Shumbh and said, 'Great king, you own every treasure of the three worlds, but no jewel among women like her lives in your palace.' The proud Shumbh sent his messenger Sugriva to the Devi with an offer of marriage.
The messenger boasted of Shumbh's power and told the Devi to choose either Shumbh or Nishumbh. The Devi smiled and said, 'What you say is true, but in my simplicity I once made a : whoever defeats me in battle, breaks my pride and is my equal in strength, he alone will be my husband. Let Shumbh come himself and win me.'
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
To the Devi who dwells in all beings as power: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.
— Durga Saptashati, Adhyay 5
A lesson for today
The Devi lives in every being as strength, kindness and forgiveness. So treating every person with respect is also a kind of worship.
All chapters
- 1King Suratha, the Merchant Samadhi and Madhu-Kaitabh
- 2Mahishasur's Rise and the Birth of the Devi
- 3The End of Mahishasur
- 4The Gods' Praise and the Devi's Boon
- 5Shumbh-Nishumbh and the Messenger
- 6The End of Dhumralochan
- 7Chand-Mund and Maa Chamunda
- 8The End of Raktabeej
- 9The End of Nishumbh
- 10"I Am Alone": The End of Shumbh
- 11The Narayani Stuti and the Devi's Boons
- 12The Devi's Promise: The Glory of This Story
- 13The Boons for Suratha and Samadhi