Mother Mahishasura Mardini

The Slayer of Mahishasura

Goddess Mahalakshmi in Her Form as Ambika

Compassionate, radiant, and divine,
Her beauty made the heavens shine.
Her face serene, exquisitely fair,
A gentle smile illuminated her air.

Defeated by Mahishasura’s might,
The gods sought a way to end their plight.
Each offered up their weapons divine,
And Goddess Mahalakshmi emerged to shine.

With eighteen arms, Goddess Durga appeared,
Bearing celestial weapons, the demons feared.
Across the vast expanse of the skies,
She gleamed like a heavenly light before their eyes.

Clad in red silk, magnificent and bright,
Adorned with golden ornaments of light.
Her graceful figure, perfectly formed,
Spoke of spiritual heights and power transformed.

From head to toe, her beauty glowed,
As divine jewels adorned her form.
Crown and forehead mark, nose ring bright,
Earrings that sparkled with celestial light.

Gem-studded necklaces, a girdle of gold,
And anklets that chimed with grace untold.
Every ornament enhanced her divine grace,
As heavenly radiance shone upon her face.

The demon ruled all three worlds with pride,
Earth and heaven lay under his stride.
Upon a beautiful mountain, Mahalakshmi stood,
Preparing to serve the gods for good.

Seeing the divine maiden standing alone,
The demons felt attracted to her charm.
They hurried to carry the news along,
To their mighty king, proud and strong.

The master of the three worlds sat high,
Filled with arrogance, his pride reaching the sky.
Hearing of the maiden’s incomparable grace,
He longed to behold her enchanting face.

Mahishasura could scarcely contain his delight;
He sent his mighty army without respite.
With generals Chamar and Chikshura in command,
He dispatched the demon forces across the land.

Seeing the vast army approaching her way,
The Goddess remained unshaken that day.
When they proposed marriage on the king’s behalf,
She answered with a gentle, confident laugh:

“Your proposal, indeed, is fair;
But first, defeat me if you dare.
If you can conquer me in the fight,
I’ll marry your king, as you wish, outright.”

The battle began; the armies clashed,
And thunderous sounds through the heavens crashed.
Alone, Mahalakshmi Durga stood her ground,
Against Mahishasura’s forces all around.

With trident, sword, discus, conch, and mace,
And other divine weapons in their place,
The mighty Queen Durga charged ahead,
Attacking the vast demonic host with dread.

The demons fought with all their might,
Yet could not withstand the Goddess’s fight.
Defeated and driven from the field,
They fled in shame, their weapons to yield.

Then Mahishasura arrived in rage,
With an army vast, prepared to engage.
Displaying his magic, fierce and bold,
He fought the Goddess in combat untold.

At times an elephant, at times a lion,
A buffalo, or a human form he’d rely on.
Sometimes a demon, multiplying his might,
He roamed through the heavens, ready to fight.

The Goddess, too, displayed her skill,
With roars and leaps, she fought with will.
A terrible battle shook the skies,
As magic met magic before their eyes.

After fighting for a very long time,
The Goddess defeated the demon in his prime.
At last, in his buffalo form, he fell,
As the Goddess destroyed him, ending his spell.

Our Mother embodies the royal Rajas quality,
Endowed with nurturing power and prosperity.
She grants wealth, righteousness, love, and liberation,
Blessing all beings with divine salvation.

Thus rose the Goddess, Mahishasura Mardini,
Mahalakshmi, mighty and divine.
The gods rejoiced with triumphant cries,
And showered flowers from the heavenly skies.

She bestows abundance, wisdom, and grace,
Bringing prosperity to every place.
No devotee need remain deprived,
When in her divine blessings they abide.

— Vidya