96 - The exploits of Raudri

Varäha said:

1. O Earth, listen to the Vrata of Raudri, representing the power of Tamas, went to the Nïla mountain for performing penance.

2. With the aim of protecting the world by means of penance for a long time, she resorted to five fires.1

1. The five fires are those on the four sides, the fifth being the sun.

3-4. While she was thus performing great penance, there lived in a city rich with gems and full of forests in the midst of the sea, a powerful Asura king named Ruru who had got a boon from Brahma. He was a source of terror to gods.

5. He was like a second Namuchi,2 and had as his followers crores of Asuras.

2. Namuchi was a demon killed by Indra.

6. For a long time fought against gods with a view to capturing the cities of the deities guarding different quarters.

7. As the great Asura was rising with his army, the water in the sea began to swell and enter the valleys of mountains filling them with crocodiles and big fish.

8. From within that water issued forth the Asura army with variegated weapons and armour.

9. Came out from it big elephants with Asuras seated on them and loudly tinkling with bells tied on them.

10. Crores of horses having White streamers came out with riders seated on golden pedestals.

11. Similarly, came out a ceaseless stream of chariots with good wheels, shaft and poles, fitted with mechanical contrivances, and equalling in speed the chariot of the sun.

12. In the same manner rushed forth the infantry with quivers, bows and arrows, quickly striking at all those that came in the way.

13. After coming out of the waters, they vanquished the gods and darted towards the city of Indra with all the four divisions of the army.

14. The Asura king Ruru fought Devas with fierce club, hammer, rod and arrows.

15. In the battle, the Asuras inflicted serious injury on Devas and so too Devas on the Asuras. In the end, Devas with their leader Indra were defeated and they ran away.

16. When Devas were thus taking to their heels, Asuras chased them.

17-18. Running in great fear, gods came to Nila mountain where the goddess Raudrï was doing penance. They understood her to be Kälarätri, the cause of all destruction.

19. Seeing Devas thus fear-stricken, she told them aloud not to be afraid.

The goddess said:

20. O gods, why are you so worried. Tell me the cause of your fear.

The gods said:

21. “O great goddess, protect us from the powerful Ruru, the king of Asuras, who is pursuing us”

22. Told thus by the gods, she of matchless valour, simply laughed a while.

23. As she was laughing, from her mouth arose numerous goddesses of strange forms, and the whole world became covered by them. 

24. They were ferocious, with expansive breasts, holding noose, goad, trident, bow and arrows.

25. They remained around the goddess in crores.

26. They soon fought against Asuras and annihilated their entire force.

27. The army of Devas together with the army of Kälarätri fought Asuras and sent them all to Yama’s abode.

28. The great demon Ruru alone was left there.

29. He then discharged towards the gods a magical power which made them all fall into a swoon.

30. When Devas were thus in a state of forced sleep, the goddess struck at Ruru with her trident.

31. When he was struck, his trunk (charma) and head (munda) got separated from each other.

32. Since the charma and munda of the demon Ruru were separated thus, she came to be known as Chämunda.1

1. Usually the name is taken as due to her killing the two demons, Chanda and Munda.

33. Because of her terrific form engaged in destruction, she was known as Kälarätri (the night of time).

34. Her attendant goddesses are legion and they always stand around her.

35. They all felt extremely hungry and so requested the goddess to give them food.

36. Thus requested, she began to think about food for them, but could not find an immediate solution.

37. She then meditated on Lord Rudra, and as a result the three-eyed god appeared before her.

38. He then asked her to tell him what her desire was.

The goddess said:

39. These mighty attendants of mine are in need of food. Please give them something suitable to eat. Otherwise, O lord, they may be eating me.

Rudra said:

40. “O resplendent Kälaratri, I shall tell you about the food for them. Please listen.

41-42. She who, while in pregnancy, wears the cloth of another woman, or touches a man (other than her husband), let her be (the food) for some of them on earth.

43. Where there are foibles among the ignorant, the occasion may be taken advantage of as an offering for some of them.

44. Others may take advantage of crevices in rooms for child-birth and snatch away the new born ones.

45. Still others may satisfy their hunger by possessing the bodies of women standing with tears in houses, fields, lakes, tanks and gardens thinking of men (other than their own husbands)”.

46-47. Telling the goddess thus and seeing Ruru and his army lying dead, the three-eyed god began to praise her.

Rudra said:

48. “Hail goddess Chämundä, hail the snatcher of all beings, hail omniscient Kälarätri, bow to you.

49. O you of universal form, the auspicious, pure, three-eyed, fierce, benevolent, the great illusion, the great beginning.

50. Speedy like the mind, victory, the cause of growth, fierce-eyed, settler of all agitation, the great devastation, attractive in body, the lover of dance.

51. Fierce, black-coloured, remover of sins, with noose and and rod in hand, of frightening appearance.

52. Chämundä, with flaming mouth, sharp teeth, mighty, sitting in a hundred vehicles, sitting on the dead.

53. Possessed of threatening big eyes, striking terror in all beings, furious.

54. Kali, Karäli, Kälarätri, bow to you”.

55. Thus praised by god Rudra, the great goddess became very much pleased and asked him to seek any boon he wished.

Rudra said:

56. “May you be pleased to grant desires of those who recite this stotra of yours.

57. HC who recites this with devotion thrice a day, may attain sons, grandsons, cattle and affluence.

58. He who listens to this account of the Triple power, may he be freed of all sins and made to attain beatitude”.

59. Having praised the goddess Chämunda thus, lord Rudra disappeared and the gods retired to their abodes.

60. He who knows about the origin of the goddess in this three-fold form, becomes freed from all bondages and attains supreme bliss.

61. A king who has lost his kingdom, regains it free from all troubles, if for one year he worships her fasting on Ashtamî, Navamï and Chaturdašhi.

62. This Triple power brings success in diplomacy.

63. This great goddess of creation, when white, is of Sättvic nature and pertains to Brahma. The same, when red, is of Räjasic nature and is called Vaishnavï (pertaining to Vishnu).

64. The same, when black, is of Tämasic nature and is known as Raudri (pertaining to Rudra).

65. Just as the same supreme soul manifests itself in three forms (Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra), so the same power manifests itself in three different forms based on function.

66. He who listens to the origin of this Triple power, becomes free from all sins and attains the highest bliss.

67. He who listens to the same on the Navami tithi with great attention, becomes free from fears and attains a kingdom.

68. He Who keeps it written in his house, gets it immune from fire, thieves and snakes.

69. He who worships the book in which it is written, gets the whole world in his favour. He gets children, money, grain, kind and noble women.

70. He who has it in his house, gets jewels, horses, cows, servants, servant maids and all other kinds of wealth.

Varäha said:

71. O Earth, I have now told you about the secret and the greatness of Rudra.

72.  Chamunda has different forms numbering nine crores. Chámundä is the Tamasic power which pertains to Rudra.

73. Vaishnavi has different forms numbering eighteen crores. Vaishnavï is the Räjasic Power of protection which pertains to Vishnu.

74. Brähmï has different forms countless in number.

75. O Earth, to each one of these Shiva creates a form of himself to be their husbands.

76. So Rudra becomes pleased with those who worship them and grants all that they desire.