MADHYAMA CHARITRA · MAHALAKSHMI
Chapter 2 of 13
Mahishasura Sainya Vadha
महिषासुरसैन्यवधः
The Divine Armory
KEY SHLOKA
शूलं शूलाद्विनिष्कृष्य ददौ तस्यै पिनाकधृक् । चक्रं च दत्तवान् कृष्णः समुत्पाद्य स्वचक्रतः ॥
śūlaṃ śūlādviniṣkṛṣya dadau tasyai pinākadhṛk | cakraṃ ca dattavān kṛṣṇaḥ samutpādya svacakrataḥ ||
The wielder of Pinaka drew a trident from his own and gave it to her; Krishna brought forth a discus from his own discus and gave it.
Sanskrit recitation
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FULL TRANSCRIPT
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The Story
Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, defeats the gods and seizes heaven. In anger, a great light pours out of Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma and every god. The lights merge into one radiant woman — Mahalakshmi. Each god gives her his weapon: Shiva his trident, Vishnu his discus, Varuna his conch, Indra his thunderbolt, Himavan a lion to ride. Her roar shakes the worlds and she destroys Mahishasura's generals and armies.
Teachings
- ✦Shakti is not one power among many — she is all powers gathered.
- ✦Every gift, however small, completes the whole.
- ✦Righteous anger can be converted into creative force.
TODAY'S SADHANA
List three strengths you have received from teachers or family. Thank each one aloud.
Reflect & Remember
1. From what did the Devi arise in Chapter 2?
2. Who gave the Devi her lion?
3. Which form of the Devi presides over the middle charitra?