(This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below):

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

 

Battling, Ferocious and Aggressive Avtars of Parvati, The Consort of Shiv

 

Parvati, also known as Shailputri, because of her birth to Himvan, the king of Himalaya, is remembered as the first of the nine avtars of Devi. Other eight are Brahmcharini, Chandraghanta, Kooshmand, Skandmata, Katyayni, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Sidhidatri.

In Durga-ashtotrashatnam Stotram, she is remembered with her 108 epithets. Devi acquired these names because of her numerous daring exploits at different times, when either she killed the Daityas or rescued the people of her land from adverse situations.

The battling, ferocious and aggressive avtars were always being prayed for her appearance in severest and difficult of the times by Devatas. She appeared as Chamunda, Aindri, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Kaumarika, Lakshmi, Ishwari, Brahmi and others. It is said that all these Devis are always full of anger and are yielding weapons like Shankh, Chakra, Gada, Shakti, Hal, Musal, Khetak, Tomar, Parshu, Paash, Kunt, Trishul and Shrang dhanush.[1]

Durga in her numerous manifestations helped Vishnu kill Madhu and Kaitabh. She killed Mahishasur, Chand, Mund, Shumbh, Nishumbh, Dhumralochan, Raktbeej and other countless rakshasas.

Avtars of Parvati

As Raktdantika she killed Vaiprachitt Daitya, as Durga she killed Durgam, as Bhima she killed countless Rakshasas who troubled rishis and munis residing at Himalaya, as Bhramri she killed Arun Daitya, as Uggrachandika she played havoc at Daksh Yagya and as Kali she killed Daruk Daitya.

Devibhagvat mentions that it is due to the desire of Adishakti Parvati that Vishnu takes incarnations whenever necessary. Once Earth, under extreme burden of wicked, took the form of a cow and went to the abode of Devatas to seek assistance of Indra, Vishnu and Brahma. The Earth complained of Jarasandh, Shishupal, Rukmi, Kans, Narkasur, Shalv, Keshi, Dhenkasur, Bakasur, Bhaumasur, Putna, Khar, Shalav and Kaalyavan for their sinful deeds. At the appeal of Vishnu Yogmaya appeared. She was requested to kill all of these wicked rulers.

Yogmaya promised and declared that Vishnu will soon take birth as the son of Vasudev, and she herself will appear as the daughter of  Yashodha in Gokul, as Yogmaya, whom Kans had killed by throwing her on the stone slab. Yogmaya entered the womb of Yashodha while Vishnu entered the womb of Devaki, born as Shri Krishan. Yogmaya is also known as Kaushiki who, it is said in Kurm Puran, was the daughter of Yashodha and sister of Shri Krishan. She is also known as Ekansha or even Vindhyavasini. In Padam Puran, it is said that Vindhyavasini, the eight armed goddess is Devi Kushmand and Yogmaya herself. In Shiv Puran, she is described as the part of Sati.

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[1] Durgasaptsati, Devya Kavacham, Shlok 3-15.