The Abirami Anthathi is a divine, lyrical song on Goddess Abirami which has 100 verses. The term “Anthaathi” refers to the particular style of composition wherein each new stanza begins with the same word that was used to end the previous stanza.

The beauty of this Anthathi is the story behind it and that it was composed ad hoc by Abirami Pattar (Subramaniya Iyer) on the spur of the moment and with intense devotion.
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This is the story behind the celebration of Narasimha Jayanthi and can be read along with the puja. Our thanks to Satsanghi Vidya Rangarajan for providing this content for the web site.
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Narasimha Avatar is a proof of the Lord’s promise that, one who is totally surrendered to him, will be under the protection of Lord at all times.

Once Hiranyakasipu asked his son Prahlada , what did he learn from his teacher. Prahlada replied, I have learnt the essence of all the learning that Narayana is the one who illumines everything in the mind , gives bliss and fulfillment to all. Prahlada’s answer disappointed Hiranyakasipu , and he tried all methods to divert his son from the devotion to God. The child Prahlada was subjected to all kinds of torture , but Prahlada’s devotion to god strengthened further. Enraged at his son’s unshaken devotion to his arch enemy, Hiranyakasipu decided to put an end forever to Prahlada , by all possible means.
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This is the fourth post on Devi Mahatmyam. These were short summaries given at our UAE Satsangh.

Thanks to Chitraji for providing the material for sharing with all of us.
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CHAPTERS 8, 9 AND 10 – THE SLAYING OF RAKTHABHIJA, NISHUMBHA AND SHUMBHA.

After the daityas Chanda and Munda and many of the battalions were destroyed, the lord of the asuras, with mind overcome by anger went forth attended by many thousands of big forces. Seeing that most terrible army approaching, Chandika filled into space between the earth and the sky with the twang of her bow-string. On hearing the roar of the Devi, the enraged asura battalions surrounded the lion, the Devi Chandika and Kaali on all the four sides.
At this moment in order to annihilate the enemies of the Devas, the great strength from the bodies of Brahma, Shiva, Guha, Vishnu and Indra along with the form of those Devas went to Chandika. Whatever was the form of each Deva, and whatever his ornaments and vehicle, in that very form his shakti advanced to fight with the asuras.
In a heavenly chariot drawn by swans advanced Brahma’s shakti carrying rosary and a Kamandalu. She is called Brahmaani.
Maaheshwari arrived, seated on a bull, holding a fine trident, wearing bracelets of great snakes and adorned with a digit of the moon.
Ambika Koumaari, in the form of Guha, holding a spear in hand riding on a fine peacock, advanced to attack the asuras.
Likewise, the shakthi of Vishnu came, seated upon Garuda, holding conch, club, bow and sword in hand.
The shakthi of Hari, who assumed the incomparable form of a sacrificial boar, also advanced there in a boar-like form.
Naarasimhi arrived there, assuming a body like that of a Narasimha, bringing down the constellations by the toss of her mane.
Likewise, the thousand eyed Aindri, holding a thunderbolt in hand and riding on the lord of elephants arrived just like Indra.
Then Shiva, surrounded by those shakthis of the Devas , said to Chandika, “ let the asuras be killed forthwith by you for my gratification”.
Thereupon from the body of Devi issued forth the Sakthi of Chandika and she told Shiva,” Go, my Lord, as an ambassador to the presence of Shumbha and Nishumbha. Ask them to give the three worlds to the Devas back, if they wish to live. But if through pride of strength, they are ready for a battle, let them come to me. Let my jackals be satiated with their flesh”.
Because that Devi appointed Shiva himself as Dhoota, she was known as Shiva-dhuti.
Hearing the words of Devi through Shiva, the king of asuras rushed to the place where Kaatyaayini stood. The terrible war began with numerous weapons. Seeing the asuras harassed by the band of Maatras, the great asura Rakthabhija strode forward to fight in wrath.
Whenever from his body there fell to the ground a drop of blood, at that very moment rose up from the earth asura of his stature. As many drops of blood fell from his body, so many persons came into being, with his courage, strength and valour. The world was pervaded by thousands of great asuras who were like Rakthabhija.
The Devas got intensely alarmed at this. Seeing the devas dejected, Chandika laughed and said to Kaali,” O, Chamunda, open out your mouth wide; with this mouth quickly take in the drops of blood generated by the blow of my weapon and the great asuras born of the drops of blood of Rakthabhija. Let this great asura, with his blood emptied perish”.
The Devi smote Rakthabhija with her various weapons, as and when Chamunda went on drinking his blood. Stricken with various weapons and bloodless, the great asura Rakthabhija fell lifeless on the ground.

After Rakthabhija was slain and other asuras were killed in the fight, the asura Shumbha and Nishumbha gave way to unbounded wrath. Supported by the great army, the two great asuras went for the fight. Then commenced a severe combat between the Devi on one side and the two asuras like two thunder-clouds on the other.
The Devi assailed the heroic Danava, Nishumbha who was advancing with battle-axe in hand, and laid him low on the ground. When his brother Nishumbha of terrific prowess fell to the ground, Shumbha got infuriated in the extreme and strode forward to slay Ambika.
The sound of the bell, bow-string, loud roars filled all the worlds which started destroying the strength of the asuras. The Devi split the arrows shot by Shumbha and Shumbha also split the arrows discharged by her. Then Chandika became angry and smote him with a trident. Wounded therewith, he fainted and fell to the ground.
Meanwhile, Nishumbha, regaining the consciousness, seized his bow and struck the arrows on the Devi, the Kali and the lion. As Nishumbha was advancing with the dart in hand, Chandika pierced him in the heart with a swiftly hurled dart. Thus Nishumbha and the other asuras were destroyed by Devi.

Seeing his brother Nishumbha slain, who was dear to him as his life, Shumbha angrily said to Devi” O Durga, you are puffed up with the pride of strength, don’t show your pride here. Though you are exceedingly haughty, you, resorting to the strength of others fight”
The Devi said:”I am all alone in the world here. These goddesses are but my own powers, entering into my own self!”
Then all those, Braahmani and others, were absorbed in the body of the Devi. Ambika alone remained.
The Devi said, “the numerous forms which I projected by my power here – those have been withdrawn by me, and now I stand alone. Be steadfast in the fight”
Then began a dreadful fight between them both on the earth and in the sky, while all Devas and asuras looked on. Various weapons were released by the asura and all were broken down by the power of Devi. The Devi pierced Shumbha’s chest with a dart, and threw him down on the earth. Pierced by the pointed dart, he fell lifeless on the ground, shaking the entire earth with its seas, islands and mountains.
The Devas became happy. The sun became very brilliant and tranquil became the strange sounds that had risen in different quarters. Praises were sung on the great Kaatyayini by the Devas .
Here ends the story of the slaying of Shumbha and Nishumbha of Devi Mahatmyam.

This is the third post on Devi Mahatmyam. These were short summaries given at our UAE Satsangh.

Thanks to Chitraji for providing the material for sharing with all of us.
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Chapters 5, 6 & 7 – The Slaying of Doomralochana, Chanda & Munda

Indra’s sovereignty over the three worlds and his portion of the sacrifices were taken by the Asuras Shumbah and Nishumbha by force of their pride and strength. They took the powers of all the Devas and deprived them of their Lordships. The Devas thought about the invincible Devi as their solution, remembering the boon granted by Devi who had said, “whenever in calamities you think of me, that very moment I will put an end to all your worst calamities”.

All the Devas resolving thus, went to Himavat, the Lord of the mountains and praised the Devi with hymns. When Devas were praising, Parvati came there to bathe in the waters of Ganga. She asked the Devas, “Who is praised by you here?” An auspicious goddess sprung forth from her physical shape and gave the reply that the hymns were addressed to herself, the Ambika. Because Ambika came out of Parvati’s physical sheath or Kosha she is glorified as Kaushiki.

Another dark form came out of Parvati and she was called Kaalika. Then Chanda and Munda, the two servants of Shumbha and Nishumbha saw that Ambika having a charming form. They thought in their mind that she will be a great gift to their kings. They told Shumbha, “When you can have all the gems of the world, why not this beautiful lady jewel? On hearing the words, Shumbha sent the great asura Sugreeva as a messenger to the Devi.

The message was conveyed to Devi. But, Devi said, “He who conquers me in battle, removes my pride and is my match in strength in the world shall be my husband. So, let Shumbha come here or Nishumbha the great asura. Vanquishing me here, let him soon take my hand in marriage.”

Hearing the words of the messenger, the asura kings got enraged. They ordered Doomralocana to go with his army and fetch Devi by force or even drag her by her hair. Whoever comes to save her be he a god, a yaksha or a gandharva be slayed. Doomralocana commanded thus by Shumbha, went forth quickly accompanied by 60 thousand asuras. The asuras showered on Ambika, sharp arrows, javelins and axes.

The asura Doomralocana rushed towards Devi and thereupon Ambika reduced him to ashes with a mere heave of the sound,”HUMMM”. On hearing that Doomralocana was slain by Devi and all his army was destroyed by the lion of Devi, Shumbha, with great anger, commanded the 2 mighty asuras, Chanda and Munda to bring Devi to his presence. The asuras fully armed and with Chanda and Munda as their heads, marched in four fold array. They saw the Devi smiling gently, seated upon the lion on a huge golden peak of the great mountain. They had a great fight with various weapons. The Devi, mounting upon her great lion rushed at Chanda and seizing him by his hair, severed his head with her sword. Seeing Chanda laid low, Munda also rushed at her and met with the same fate. The remaining army became panicky and fled in all directions. Kaali, holding the heads of Chanda and Munda in her hands approached Chandika. The auspicious Chandika said to Kaali, “Because you have brought me both Chanda and Munda you shall be famed in the world by the name Chaamunda”.

HERE ENDS THE SLAYING OF DOOMRALOCHANA, CHANDA AND MUNDA OF DEVI MAHATMYAM!

This is the second post on Devi Mahatmyam. These were short summaries given at our UAE Satsangh.

Thanks to Chitraji for providing the material for sharing with all of us.

Chapters 2,3 & 4 – The Slaying of Mahishasura

In olden times there was a war that raged between the Devas led by Indra and the asuras led by Mahishasura. The devas were unfortunately routed by the asuras and Mahishasura became the lord of heaven. The hosts of devas, having been thrown out by Mahisha took refuge in Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and pleaded them to destroy Mahishasura.
Having thus heard the words of the devas, Vishnu and Shiva were angry and their faces were fierce with anger.
Then issued forth a great light from the face of Vishnu who was full of intense anger, and from that of Brahma and Shiva too. From the bodies of indra and other devas also, sprang forth a very great light and all this light united together.
The devas saw there, a concentration of light like a mountain blazing excessively, pervading all the quarters with its flames. Then that unique light produced from the bodies of all the devas, pervading the three worlds with its lustre combined in to one and became a female form. Shiva gave forth a trident, Vishnu his discuss and all the devas gave the power thru their weapons. The Lord of wealth, Kubera, gave her a drinking cup ever full of wine. Honoured like wise by other Devas with ornaments and weapons, the Devi gave out a loud roar with a defying laugh again and again. With her laughter unending, all the worlds shook, the seas trembled.
Mahishasura, hearing this roar rushed towards that roar surrounded by innumerable asuras. Then he saw the Devi making the earth bend with her foot steps, scraping the sky with her diadem, shaking the nether worlds with the twang of her bow string, and standing there pervading all the quarters around with her thousand arms. Then began a battle between the Devi and the enemies of the Devas. Showering her own weapons and arms, Devi Chandika very easily cut in to pieces all the weapons and arms of the asuras without any strain on her face.
Then chiksura, the great asura general, seeing their army being slain by the Devi, advanced in anger to fight with Ambika. The great asura flung at Badrakaali the pike and seeing that pike coming upon her, the Devi hurled her pike that shattered his pike in to hundred fragments and the great asura himself. Then, the Devi sitting on the lion, killed Chaamara, Udagra, Bhaskara, Ugraveerya, Mahaahanu, Dhurdhara and Dhurmukha, who were great asuras.
Mahishaasura, seeing his army thus destroyed by Devi, rushed towards Ambika with his own buffalo form. There was a great fight between Devi and Mahisha. Mahisha changed his forms from buffalo to lion and then to a big elephant. When his trunk was cut, the great asura resumed his buffalo shape roaring at Devi, fought with more strength and valour.
The Devi said, “Roar, Roar, O fool for a moment while I drink this wine. When you will slain by me the Devas will soon roar in this very place.” Having exclaimed thus she jumped and landed herself on the great asura, pressed him on the neck with her foot and struck him with her spear. And thereupon, caught up under her foot, Mahishasura half issued forth from his own buffalo mouth being completely overcome by the valour of Devi. Devi struck off his head with her great sword.
Then Shaakra and other Devas uttered their words of praise, their necks and shoulders reverently bent, and bodies rendered beautiful with horripulation and exultation.
These praises are very important in Devi mahaatmyam and the Devas say, “whoever praises you with these hymns, may You, who have become gracious towards us, be also for his increase in his wealth, wife and other fortunes together with riches, prosperity and life.”

HERE ENDS THE SLAYING OF MAHISHASURA OF DEVI MAHATMYAM.

Click here to Learn to Chant – Mahishasura Mardhini Stotram

This is the first of a series of posts on Devi Mahatmyam. These were short summaries given at our UAE Satsangh.

Thanks to Chitraji for providing the material for sharing with all of us.

1st chapter – THE SLAYING OF MADHU AND KHAITABHA

The whole story of Devi Mahatmyam was narrated by Sage Markandeya to his disciple Krasustukhi Bhaguri, explaining how Saavarni, the son of Surya became the Lord of the 8th Manvantara by Mahamaya.

The curtain rasier for the first chapter has two individuals who meet at the hermitage of sage Medhas. One is a king named Suratha. The other is the merchant named Samadhi. Both were afflicted with pain, the king being relieved of his treasury and army by his own powerful evil disposed ministers and the merchant, even though born in a wealthy family had been cast out by his sons and wife who were wicked thru greed of wealth. Both of them took refuge in hermitage in the forest.

Even though they were in the forest they could not leave the thoughts of their respective losses. The king was constantly remembering about the kingdom up to the finest details. The merchant too was always engrossed in thinking about his sons’ lives. “ How is it that the mind despite knowing the attachment towards the object whose defects we do know is still prone to love even towards worthless kinsmen? How are we getting deluded even though we are aware of it?” they asked the rishi with due respects.

The rishi said, “Sir, every being has the knowledge of objects perceivable by the senses. An object of sense reaches it in various ways. Some beings are blind by day, and others are blind by night; some beings have equal sight both by day and night. Human beings are certainly endowed with knowledge but they are not the only beings for other creatures also can cognize the objects of senses.

The knowledge that men have, birds and bees too have; and what they have, men also possess. And the rest like eating and sleeping is common to both of them. Look at these birds, which though they possess knowledge and are themselves distressed by hunger are yet, because of the delusion engaged in dropping grains in to the beaks of their young ones. Human beings are attached to their children because of greed for return help.

Even so men are hurled in to the whirlpool of attachment, the pit of delusion thru the power of Mahaa maaya who makes the existence of the world possible. This mahaa maya is the yoga nidhra of Vishnu, the Lord of the world. It is by her the world is deluded. This mahaa maya forcibly drawing the minds of even the wise, throws them in to delusion. She is the supreme knowledge, the cause of final liberation and eternal. She is the cause of bondage of transmigration and the sovereign over all Lords.”

Now the king wanted to know more about that mahaamaya. The sage continued to narrate the story of madhu and khaitabha. At the end of a kalpa, when the universe was one ocean and the Lord Vishnu took to mystic slumber on Sesha, two terrible asuras, the well known Madhu and Khaitabha sprung in to being from the dirt of Vishnu’s ears. They wanted to slay Brahma. Brahma ji, seeing these two fierce asuras and Vishnu asleep and with a view to awaken Vishnu, with concentrated mind extolled Yoganidhra dwelling in Hari’s eyes. Brahma praised Yoganidhra to the extent that mother Maha maaya drew herself out from Vishnu’s eyes, mouth, nostrils, arms, heart and breast. Lord Vishnu quitted by her, rose up from his couch, saw those two evil asuras with eyes red in anger. Vishnu fought with those asuras using his own arms as weapons. The asuras proud of their exceeding power, and deluded by mahaamaya exclaimed to Vishnu, “Ask boon from us”. Bhagwan said, “If you are satisfied with me you must both be slain by me now. There is no need for any other boon here. This is my choice.” The two asuras bewitched by mahaa maya gazing then at the entire world turned in to water told Bhagwan to slay at a spot where the earth is not flooded with water. Bhagwan saying, “Be it so”, took them on his loins and severed their heads with his discus.

Here ends the story of the destruction of Madhu and Kaitabha of Devi Mahatmyam.