Author: R. L.
Pathak
Publication: The Observer
of Business and Politics
Date: October 2, 2000
Come navratras and worshipping
commences in honour of the nine faceted all-benevolent mother Durga.
Her devouts keep a fast
for all the nine days while others try to keep fast for as many days as
possible by the individual.
Ma Durga has different
names in different parts of the country like Ma Kali in Calcutta, Ma Mansa
Devi in Haridwar, Ma Amba in Gujarat and we have Ma Vaishnodevi in Jammu.
Ma Vaishno, like her
counterparts is believed to be all forgiving, all benevolent and all pervasive.
Anyone who remembers her in distress gets what he wants.
She blesses her devotees
with what is otherwise deemed impossible. But the true disciples
pray for a boon to be granted to them to remain in the reckoning of the
Mother and worship Her forever in the true sense of the word.
Legend has it that the
demons established their complete supremacy on earth and heaven and the
masses felt forlorn, neglected and were tortured beyond expression.
In those days, two strange
devils named Rambha and Karma took birth.
They wanted to seize
control of everything under the sun. They meditated so intensely
that it even moved Brahma - the creator.
Brahma thought that a
demon could not be tamed or maimed in any manner.
He directed the petitioners
to see Indra, the king, stressing that the meditation be disrupted, come
what may.
King Indra himself saw
the ominous goings on. Time was short as the demons were going to
complete their meditation and become eligible for the much sought after
boon.
In the fourth round of
the magical sudarshan chakra. Karma's head fell apart which disrupted
the meditation of his brother Ramba also who decided to end his life.
King Indra thought that Ramba will automatically enter Swarga Lok and trouble
the Devtas.
As Rambha came forward
to jump into Agnikunda (fire), he was warned that ending his life this
way was a sin. Rambha, however, entreated that he has no other alternative
and if king Indra himself had any, he may come forward with them.
Indra told him that he
will be blessed with a son in course of time who will end his turpitudes.
On hearing this, Ramba
forgot about the loss of his brother and was blessed with a son who was
named 'Mahishasur'.
Mahishasur, like his
father, had infinite desires and was more covetous.
He too let loose a reign
of terror. He meditated for years on an end to attain the boon of
immortality from Brahma.
Brahma replied that one
who was born was bound to die but that he would stipulate Mahishasur's
death from an unmarried girl. Thereafter, he disappeared from the
scene.
Hence, Mahishasur started
his course of action and decided to comfort king Indra, who had a mighty
army.
At that time by supernatural
power, a 'Mahashakti' was born, whose darshana alone relieved the gods.
Riding a tiger like a great warrior, Mahashakti administered a stern warning
to Mahishasur to give up his course of vices.
But Mahishasur thought
that when so many Gods put together could do him no harm, what could a
little girl do?
War ensued. The
Mahashakti with a trident and a sword in her hand, did thousands of demons
to death.
The fight resulted in
the death of a brave commander in Mahishasur camp, called Chikshur.
This put Mahishasur through
the eternal thought of being dead as Chikashur's untimely death forced
him to accept that perhaps his end too was near.
Though his self-confidence
was waning but he still continued to thunder so as to appear to be unafraid
of Mahashakti.
In no time, Mahisasur
disguised himself like a bull and started running helter-skelter in utter
desperation but the all-powerful Mother saw through his disguise and chopped
off his head with a sword.
All the Gods heaved a
sigh of relief and thanked the 'Ma' the power created by their joint effort.
Yet another legend has
it that about 700 years before, all of Ma Durga's ardent devotees were
invited to a feast where Bhairon Nath was also invited.
Bhairon Nath ridiculed
the invitation and claimed that by inviting him and his 360 disciples,
a great mistake was being committed.
He claimed that even
Dev Raj Indra could not satisfy him with food such as what was offered
to be served.
He demanded meat wine
among other things which was not agreed to on such auspicious occasion.
Ma denied this request,
thus, making Bhairon Nath angry.
He ran to catch hold
of her but the Mother disappeared instantly. However, this did not
deter Bhairon Nath from chasing her.
It is believed that when
the Mother disappeared from this point, Vir Langur was also with her.
When he was thirsty,
Mother created a stream called 'Ban Ganga' which is the starting point
of Vharan Paduka.
Reaching this point Ma
Vaishno Devi looked back to see if Bhairon Nath was still chasing her.
Paying one's obeisance
at the Bhairon's temple on the way back is deemed as a necessary rite because
the legend says, the pilgrimage remains incomplete without Bhairon Baba's
darshan.
It is said that Emperor
Akbar also was impressed by the super natural powers of the mother.
Such is the abiding faith
among the millions of devotees who are attracted to Vaishno Devi's durbar.
For going to Vaishno
Devi one has to go to Jammu by air or rail and then motor down to Katra,
the base township where one has to register oneself before proceeding further
on foot or by riding ponies etc.
At a distance of about
a kilometre from Katra, we have the Darshani Darwaja - a place from where
one could see the Trikuta hills.
Millions of Mother's
devotees make it to the holy shrine year after year during Navratras which
is supposed to be the most auspicious time.
