The story of Navratri begins with the birth of the demon Mahishasura.. Mahishasura was an asura. His father, Rambha, ruled the Asuras and fell in love with a buffalo that dwelled in water. As a result of this union, Mahishasura was born with the power of yoga, allowing him to transform into a buffalo or a human at will.
Mahishasura got a boon
Mahishasura was a devoted follower of the creator, Brahma. In response to his devotion, Brahma granted him a boon that made him invincible against gods and demons. Empowered by this gift, Mahishasura began tormenting the heavenly gods and wreaking havoc on Earth. He launched a surprise attack on heaven, defeating Indra and seizing control, forcing the gods to flee. Distressed, the devas sought assistance from the Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. The gods united to confront him once more, but they suffered defeat again.
Mahishasur Mardini
The gods are indeed powerful, yet their strength has often been tested by demons. According to legend, the demon king Mahishasura vanquished the gods and took control of heaven. His reign of terror was so severe that it compelled the birth of Goddess Bhagwati. She manifested in a form known as ‘Mahishasur Mardini.’
The gods were compelled to roam the Earth because of Mahishasura’s tyranny. Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva were consumed by intense anger. In that instant, a brilliant light burst forth from the mouths of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. A glowing power also emanated from the bodies of the other gods, merging with that light. This radiant energy resembled a mountain, its flames extending in all ten directions. The brilliance, born from the forms of all the gods, manifested in a unique way.
Origin for the end of Mahishasura
This goddess was born to end Mahishasura, earning her the name ‘Mahishasura Mardini.’ Upon witnessing her emerge from the radiant energy of all the gods, the suffering deities rejoiced. Lord Shiva bestowed a trident upon her, while Lord Vishnu gave her a discus. The other gods and goddesses adorned her hands with various weapons. Indra removed his thunderbolt and presented his elephant, Airavata, along with a bell for the goddess. The Sun infused his rays with brilliance, offering her a shield, sword, and a divine lion as a mount. Vishwakarma equipped Mahishasura Mardini with impenetrable armor and numerous weapons of all kinds. It is said that the Mother’s ganas (divine troops) exist in an unseen form, with Bhairava and Bhairavi being among the most notable. Hanuman rides in front of Mother Durga, while Bhairava follows closely behind.
The Battle with Mahishasura
After a while, Mahishasura spotted a colossal woman with numerous arms, armed with weapons, sitting atop a lion and laughing fiercely. The commander of Mahishasura’s army charged to confront the goddess. A formidable demon named Udagra leaped into battle, leading 60,000 demons. Another demon, Mahanu, entered with one crore soldiers, while Ashiloma brought five crore, and Vaska joined with 60 lakh troops. All the gods observed this grand battle with great anticipation. Despite the demons’ powerful weapons, they appeared insignificant against the goddess. Goddess Bhagwati began to slice through the demon army, vanquishing them with her formidable arms.
In this battle, Mahishasura was not only defeated, but many other demons were slain as well. They had instilled fear across the three worlds. Overjoyed, all the gods and goddesses showered flowers from the heavens in celebration.
Another Story….
Lord Brahma advised Ram that his worship would be fruitful only if he offered 108 Neel Lotuses after performing Chandi Puja and Havan. These blue lotuses are deemed rare. With the help of his army, Ram located the 108 Neel Lotuses, but when Ravana learned of Ram’s devotion to Chandi Devi, he used his powers to make one lotus vanish. At the conclusion of Chandi Puja, when Lord Rama presented the lotuses, he noticed one was missing. Concerned, he resolved to offer one of his eyes to Mata Chandi in place of the lotus. As he prepared to shoot his arrow, Mata Chandi appeared, pleased by his devotion, and blessed him with victory.
It is believed that during the battle against Ravana, Lord Shri Ram observed a strict fast from Pratipada to Navami to please Goddess Chandi, a form of Goddess Durga. For nine days, Lord Rama abstained from food and water, dedicating himself to the worship of Chandi Devi. After performing this intense penance and devotion, he emerged victorious in the war against Ravana. This is said to have marked the origin of the Navratri celebration and the tradition of fasting for nine days in honor of the Goddess. According to this belief, Lord Rama was the first king and human to observe the nine-day Navratri fast.