For nine nights the Goddess fought.
Each night she defeated one demon.
On the first night she quelled Kama, the demon of Lust.
On the second she extinguished Krodha, the demon of Anger.
Then on the third she dispelled the demon of Attachment, Moha.
Then she shattered Lobha, the demon of Greed.
On the fifth night, she came face to face with the demon Mada, and vanquished Hubris.
On the sixth night, she confronted the swirling demon of Jealousy, Matsarya and defeated it.
Then, still smiling with the energy of beauty, she went forward and smote the ugliness of Swartha, the demon of Selfishness.
On the eight night she killed Anyaya, Injustice.
On the ninth night, using only her kindness she banished Amanavata, the dreadful demon of Cruelty.
Then on the morning after the ninth night, she was about to rest when she realised that her most difficult foe was upon her.
She sat in the lotus position, laid down all her weapons, and with a gentle sigh and a quiet smile, she dissolved the final demon: Ahankara, her Ego.
|| Jai Ma Durga ||
* In Hindu theology, the Arishadvarga are the six enemies of the mind: these are kama (lust), krodha (anger), moha (delusion), lobha (greed), mada (arrogance) and matsarya (jealousy).
It is their presence in our daily lives, along with <