27 - The Origin of Matrugana

Mahatapas said:

l. There was a powerful demon named Andhaka who had made all gods subservient to him by a boon got from Brahma.

2. Being made his servants and driven out of mount Meru, they were very much afraid of Andhaka and sought refuge in Brahma.

3. Seeing the gods, Brahma asked them the cause of their arrival there.

The gods said:

4. O grandfather, four-faced, we bow to you and seek your protection from Andhaka who is harassing us.

Brahma said:

5. “O gods, I am helpless to protect you from Andhaka. So, we will seek the help of Shiva the great god.

6. But I have already given him a boon the effect of which cannot be nullified and his body will not touch the earth.

7. The one person who can kill him is Rudra. So, will all go to Kailasa and see him”.

8. So saying, Brahma along with the other gods, went to Shiva. Shiva rose up and received them and then asked Brahma.

Shambhu said:

9. With what purpose have all of you gods come to me. Command me soon.

The gods said:

10. “Save us from the wicked and powerful Andhaka”.

11. When the gods were thus reporting to Shiva, Andhaka came there with a big army.

12. His aim was to kill Shiva in battle with all the four divisions of the army, as also to kill his consort Parvati.

13. When the demon thus suddenly appeared ready with all weapons, the gods ranged themselves with Rudra.

14. Rudra then called mentally Vasuki, Takshaka and Dhananjaya, and made for himself a waist girdle of them.

15. The big demon called Nala then assumed the guise of an elephant and quickly began to attack Shiva.

16. Nandin (the vehicle of Rudra) indicated the demon by a sign to Virabhadra (the army chief), who thereupon assumed the form of a lion and quickly killed him.

17. He then peeled off the skin of that elephant dark like collyrium and presented it to Shiva who wore it.

18. From then on Shiva became the wearer of elephant’s Skin.

19. Wearing this skin, and ornamented with the serpents, Shiva with his trident in hand and accompanied by his Ganas, rushed towards Andhaka.

20. Then started a fierce battle between gods and demons. the guardians of quarters like Indra, Skanda the commander and the gods fought in the battle.

21. Seeing this Nanda quickly went to Vishu and informed him of the severe fighting between gods and demons in Kailasa.

22. Hearing this, Vishnu took his disc and rode on Garuda to that place and fought against demons.

23. Although much relieved at the intervention of Vishnu, the gods were full of despair and were taking to their heels.

24. When the gods thus became dispirited, Rudra himself darted towards Andhaka and engaged him in a terrible fight.

25. He pierced Andhaka with his trident, but from the blood that fell from his body, arose numerous other Andhakas.

26. At this wonder, Rudra caught up the original Andhaka in the trident and began to dance.

27. The other (secondary) Andhakas that came were all annihilated by with his disc.

28. With blood and ice in the trident, Rudra rose up in anger.

29. By this anger, there arose from his mouth a fierce flame. The goddess in this form is known as Yogeshvari.

30-32. Then Vishnu produced another goddess having his own form: so did Brahma, Karttikeya, Indra and Yama. Vishnu then created another having his form at the time of raising up the earth. These together with Maheshvari and Mahendri are the eight Mothers.

33. I have thus told you about the cause as well as the form of these goddesses.

34. The eight goddesses have as their aspects love, anger, greed, pride, stupefaction, rivalry, malignity and tolerance respectively.

35-37. Know love to be Yogeshvari, anger as Maheshvari, greed Vaishnavi, pride Brahmani, stupefaction Kaumari, rivalry Indraja, malignity Yamadandadhara and tolerance Varahi.

38. The group love etc., constitute their bodies. They assumed the forms as I have told you now.

39. When the blood of Andhaka was completely drawn by these goddesses, his Maya (magical power) became extinct and he became a Siddha.

40. I have now told you all this which is the nectar of self-knowledge.

41. O king, he who listens to this account of the origin of Mothers, can get protection everywhere.

42. He who recites this, becomes blessed in the world and finally attains the world of Shiva.

43. To these Mothers the tithi was ordained by Brahma. By worshipping them (on that day) with devotion eating only Bilva, one attains their favour, wealth and health.