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Published on:

22nd Oct 2020

Navratri Day 6 - Katyayini (Mahishasur Mardini)

Story

Katyayini - Mahishasur Mardini

There was this Demon called Mahishasur who was born to Ramba and Mahishi (an afsara who was cursed and became a water buffalo). He was ruthless and fearless, as he had a boon that no one could destroy him except a woman. Taking woman to be powerless, he considered himself immortal.

All the Gods, summoned Para Shakti and she promised to come and help them. She was born to Sage Katyayan. She grew up to be a beautiful girl. One day Chand and Munda two demon saw her and felt that she would be a perfect fit for Mahishasur. Dundubi was sent to her to ask her to marry Mahishashur. 

She said that only the one who won against her in a battle could marry her. The preparations for the battle happened. The Gods descended and each granted her his power and weapons. They made her so powerful that all the Gods put together, was the power she possessed.

The battle began Dhundubi and thousands of demons were destroyed. Chanda Munda escaped. Mahisahur finally came to the battle field and a fierce battle took place. after 9 days on the 10 th day Katyayini slayed him, at that time he was half demon and half buffalo. Here, on she was known as Mahishasur Mardini.

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About the Podcast

World of Stories
Story upload cycle - One new story added every Thursday

I sometimes wonder, if it is the twinkle in there eye or the story, that fills the air with so much of Joy. These little souls, still so clean and pure, their smile so genuine and their laughters so free.

It is their belief, that what the story says is possible, that actually feeds the story with a soul and an aura which dances around, and reverberate in their chuckles.

- Stand up-They all jump up
- He laughed Ha Ha Ha-They all go Ha Ha Ha
- With a bow and arrow-They say nah, it was a machine gun and it went - and the sounds of the machine gun fills the room again
- The lake was full of nectar-Nah, strawberry milk, chocolate milk etc
- In the cave there were-Muffin, ladoos, and on they go mentioning the yummiest of treats.

Suddenly, you see the ones who were sitting a bit behind, gradually moving up and forward, to get a closer look at your expression, as if to jump up, when the story directs.

They are totally unconditioned, they still believe in miracles and that if it can be thought of, it can certainly happen. Telling a Story to the little ones is actually the best experience, there is no resistance of any kinds, as the word ‘impossible’ has still not been itched in their tender minds. They are like this soft clay, waiting to be shaped by the potter.

The adventure starts with the little ones, every action enacted, every statement of anger, shouted out, every movement of the hands depicted and every character acted.
- The pitch of the voice sometimes so loud, that hands cover their ears.
- The descriptions sometimes a bit scary, that they cover their eyes
- The voice sometimes so soft, that the room becomes totally silent.

There have been times, when dressed up like a character, have narrated the whole story, sometimes jumped up myself to eat the Sun. As if the story-teller fades away and only the story remains, the children are transported to the land of possibilities.

Then a sudden stop, to ask the morals, and the depth of the answers prove that, it does not have to be all serious for them to soak in the essence. The Scriptures are not beyond their understanding and no knowledge too deep for them to comprehend.

When they get immersed in the story they would never forget neither the story nor the moral and values. Somewhere in their hearts, I am sure that message of love has been carved, which will re-surface, when others least expect it. Their spark of kindness, will someday light the whole world.

The knowledge of the divine scriptures, wrapped in this absurd, fun and dramatic story-telling will live in their hearts forever.

About your host

Profile picture for Barkha Khandelwal / Barkha Sharda

Barkha Khandelwal / Barkha Sharda

I am Barkha by name, there are various ways one can introduce ones self, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend etc in simple words, a house-holder.

The other way would be to put forth my qualifications and career. Well, from that point of view, I am an MBA from IIM-Lucknow. Have had a short stint in 'Gillette', later worked in ‘Coca-Cola’ and post which I started my own venture by the name of ‘Good Life Endeavors’.

However, the corporate world is the thing of the past as of now. It has been years since the profession was left for a Vocation and a career for a calling. I have found immense solace in learning and narrating from the scriptures.

The journey of a Story-Teller and a Sadhika (an aspiring devotee), has been an experience, which is difficult to put in words. I will just let,

"What comes from the heart go to the heart"