Durga Sapta- Shati

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The book Durga Sapta-Shati is a mythological story. It is the story of the Goddess Durga who was created to defeat Mahishasura. Mahishasura was a rakshasa (demon) who had defeated the Gods and occupied their kingdom much to their dismay. It is a great story and should be read to understand the power of God, who is not only brave but also merciful and ready to bless all devotees with peace and prosperity. Her qualities of grace are unmatchable, and her might, power and courage are unique and unparalleled.

I have ventured to translate Ma Durga's Sapta-Shati from its Marathi original and reproduce the same in English so that it may be of use to modern-day readers, many of whom may not be familiar with the original story.

I am grateful to all those who have assisted me in bringing out this book. I must make a special mention of my cousin, Dr Sudheer Naik, who in spite of his numerous activities has been kind enough in writing a foreword, and not only that, his wife Dr Usha Naik has also taken all the pains to complete the most difficult task of not only editing the book but also making suitable additions and alterations where necessary. It might be true that beauty needs no ornamentation, but at the same time the enhancement of beauty by making additions and alterations where apt does enhance it. Just as an interior designer enhances the beauty of living rooms, so has Dr Usha Naik painstakingly done so with this book. This apart I thank and I am grateful to my wife Aruna who, as usual, was behind me and supported me every step of the way towards the completing this work and without her support the publication would not have been possible.

The Durga Sapta-Shati is the story of Goddess Durga. The rakshasa (demon) Mahishasur, by his sheer might and determination, had defeated the Gods and started ruling Triloka, Indraloka and all the other kingdoms of God.

Responding to prayers offered by the troubled Gods, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu counter the demon king by creating Goddess Durga. They took the imbedded Shakti (power) from the forms of Gods and transformed this Shakti into Goddess Durga. She is therefore a combined force of all the great inner spirits of all the Gods combined and possesses the power to assume various forms and shapes to fight an evil force like Mahishasura.

The story narrates in detail, and with great vividness, the mammoth war that Goddess Durga fought not only with Mahishasura and Chund-Mund but also the wars fought between the Goddess and Shumbh-Nishumbh and Raktabeej and their demonic armies. The description of weapons used for attack from all sides and how Goddess Durga effortlessly tackles all such attacks taking various forms in fiery countenance makes for fascinating reading.