Indian Epic Project
The
Story of
Mahishasura
I am Paravani, a beautiful peacock. Not only am I beautiful, but you could call me divine for I am the vehicle of Kartikeya, the six-headed son of Shiva. Kartikeya, a fierce warrior, led an army against the evil Rakshasas. There is much to say about Kartikeya, but I want to tell a story about a specific asura. The asura I am speaking of is Mahishasura.
Listen...
There was once an asura named Rambha. Rambha had a son with Mahishi, a goddess in buffalo form. Their son was named Mahishasura. Mahishasura was half man and half buffalo and very mighty.
Mahishasura was so mighty because of a boon granted him by God Agni. The boon was that he could not be killed by men, only a female. Mahishasura was not happy until he had threatened and chased every God from heaven.
The Gods, knowing not what to do, decided to seek the wisdom of lord Vishnu and lord Shiva.
Lord Vishnu and lord Shiva knew of the boon that was given by God Agni. In order to destroy Mahishasura, a fierce woman was needed. A woman fierce enough to destroy the evil half man, half buffalo.
Lord Vishnu and lord Shiva decided that a goddess must be created to fill this position. All of the ‘tejas’, or collective powers, of the gods were gathered and a mighty goddess, Devi, was created. Several weapons were given to Devi to aid her battle against Mahishasura.
Full of power and anger, Devi was frightening, yet beautiful!
Although the goddess scared the demons just by sight, Mahishasura was ready for a fight. During the battle between Devi, full of power, and the mighty Mahishasura, the half man and half buffalo took many forms to better fight the goddess. First he assumed the form of a buffalo and then a lion. Next, Mahishasura took the form of a man with sword in hand. Finally, Mahishasura battled Devi as a huge elephant and his final form was that of a buffalo.
The fight between them lasted for ten thousand years!
Finally, Devi made her move, a move which proved fatal to the mighty Mahishasura. The goddess was able to hold Mahishasura down and cut his head off.
Relieved of this evil asura, the gods praised Devi and called upon her whenever her services were again needed.
I am Paravani, a beautiful peacock. Not only am I beautiful, but you could call me divine for I am the vehicle of Kartikeya, the six-headed son of Shiva. Kartikeya, a fierce warrior, led an army against the evil Rakshasas. There is much to say about Kartikeya, but I want to tell a story about a specific asura. The asura I am speaking of is Mahishasura.
Listen...
There was once an asura named Rambha. Rambha had a son with Mahishi, a goddess in buffalo form. Their son was named Mahishasura. Mahishasura was half man and half buffalo and very mighty.
Mahishasura was so mighty because of a boon granted him by God Agni. The boon was that he could not be killed by men, only a female. Mahishasura was not happy until he had threatened and chased every God from heaven.
The Gods, knowing not what to do, decided to seek the wisdom of lord Vishnu and lord Shiva.
Lord Vishnu and lord Shiva knew of the boon that was given by God Agni. In order to destroy Mahishasura, a fierce woman was needed. A woman fierce enough to destroy the evil half man, half buffalo.
Lord Vishnu and lord Shiva decided that a goddess must be created to fill this position. All of the ‘tejas’, or collective powers, of the gods were gathered and a mighty goddess, Devi, was created. Several weapons were given to Devi to aid her battle against Mahishasura.
Full of power and anger, Devi was frightening, yet beautiful!
Although the goddess scared the demons just by sight, Mahishasura was ready for a fight. During the battle between Devi, full of power, and the mighty Mahishasura, the half man and half buffalo took many forms to better fight the goddess. First he assumed the form of a buffalo and then a lion. Next, Mahishasura took the form of a man with sword in hand. Finally, Mahishasura battled Devi as a huge elephant and his final form was that of a buffalo.
The fight between them lasted for ten thousand years!
Finally, Devi made her move, a move which proved fatal to the mighty Mahishasura. The goddess was able to hold Mahishasura down and cut his head off.
Relieved of this evil asura, the gods praised Devi and called upon her whenever her services were again needed.
Research:
According to legend, Mahishasura (or Mahisha), was the chief of the asuras. Once Devi was created, word spread of her divine beauty. When word got to Mahisha, he claimed her as his, but the goddess had a stipulation. She would adhere to his wish if he could defeat her in battle. Of course Mahisha accepted. The battle ensued! The divine weapons, given to Devi by the gods, were of no use against the mighty Mahishasura. With her hands and feet she was finally able to stop the buffalo and while holding him down, used her sword to remove his head. Legend holds that the goddess smiled in victory and was praised by the gods, who asked her for assistance when needed.
Image info:
Vadehra Art Gallery
Ganesh Pyne..."Mahishasura" Mixed Media 15"x14"
Bibliography:
Philhine
Free India
Indian Divinity
According to legend, Mahishasura (or Mahisha), was the chief of the asuras. Once Devi was created, word spread of her divine beauty. When word got to Mahisha, he claimed her as his, but the goddess had a stipulation. She would adhere to his wish if he could defeat her in battle. Of course Mahisha accepted. The battle ensued! The divine weapons, given to Devi by the gods, were of no use against the mighty Mahishasura. With her hands and feet she was finally able to stop the buffalo and while holding him down, used her sword to remove his head. Legend holds that the goddess smiled in victory and was praised by the gods, who asked her for assistance when needed.
Image info:
Vadehra Art Gallery
Ganesh Pyne..."Mahishasura" Mixed Media 15"x14"
Bibliography:
Philhine
Free India
Indian Divinity