Yes, there is a beautiful story mentioned in Krittivasa Ramayana and some other Puranas, where Rama has worshiped Bhagvati Parvati. Despite being both Shri Rama and Bhagvati Uma Parvati are same Parabrahmn, one is Paramatma Swaroopam & another is Paramatma Swaroopini yet, here we would recognise the approach that,
“Everything happens in this universes and multi universe is happens through her command only. The mother protects but also punishes. Needless to say, we cannot fool around her. She is Maya & Mahamaya, she knows every intention of ours. If we are purified enough, we can easily reach her otherwise we must clean ourselves with other Sadhana to approach her. She is the sole refuge of all. And just like flowing waters in rivers finally reach sea then ultimately to ocean, all sadhna or all worship are meant to clean the sadhaka which ultimately make one to reach her. That is Shakti.”
๐ชท And the biggest lesson we will get from this legend is that -
“Devotion alone dosen't work. To attain anything in life, one must have good intention and must perform good deeds. Devotion must be combined with purification. That's where success lies.”
Karma is like a boomerang - it returns back to its origin, from where it was thrown out. Any sort of worship, Nama Japam or rituals can't stop the consequences of the karma. Yes, bhakti and Nama japam works only when we take it like water to wash the dirt of our mind. Without repentance, there's lies nothing in Devotion. Remember, there is a difference between attaining boon from God and attaining God itself. When the devotion gets accompained with purity, then it becomes -’Shakti.’
Now, let's read the great legend.
๐ชทThe Leela of ParaPrakarti Uma๐ชท
There is a climax scene where Ravana had lost all his armies, sons, and companions, and was standing alone on the battlefield. Distressed by these losses, he finally invoked Jaganmata Chandika for help. He prayed: 'O Mother, please help me. Even Lord Shiva, who is my Ishtadevata and whom I have worshipped throughout my life, has abandoned me. O Mother, now only you can help me. O mother, you are my last refuge.’
The Krittivasa Ramayana states the Ravana’s krita Ambika Stuti ;
O Mother Tarini, where are you? Have mercy on me. At this moment, protect me by appearing before me. O Kalika, you are the purifier of the fallen and the remover of sins. O Protector of the World, you are the mother of the distressed. Look upon this grieving servant with eyes full of compassion. I am trapped in a great crisis in this war with Rama. There is no other help for me in this world. Lord Shankara has abandoned me, that is why, Mother, I call out to you. I have heard in the Puranas that you are a merciful Mother. You are Power, you are Contentment, you are omnipresent. Your name and virtues are manifest throughout these three worlds. Your form and qualities are transcendental, they cannot be fully described. No misfortune befalls one who takes refuge in you. The proof of this is Indra, who possesses the wealth of immortality. Now, there is no one else near me worthy of my call. Cast your gaze of grace upon me and take away my sorrow.
When Ravana prayed in this manner, the heart of Haimavati (Parvati) was pleased and she became compassionate. As the distressed Ravana began his praise of Ambika.
Hearing the prayer of Dashanana, Bhagvati Uma Chandika Parvati got pleased. Mother, after all, being a mother, despite Ravana's evil deeds and karma, she appeared before him. She took him into her lap and said, ‘My son, don't worry, I will protect you on the battlefield. No one shall even touch you.’ She felt compassion towards him.
As Dashanan sat on the lap of dark-skinned Kali, the radiance of her form dispelled the dense darkness. Lightning flashed through her high, cloud-like hair. Her form was looking like the Blue Lightning and her nails are shining like a moon. At that very moment, all of Ravana's sorrows and sufferings vanished. His heart was filled with joy upon seeing the Goddess. Tears Start to flow from his eyes.
Then Prabhu Shri Rama, having strung his bow and standing ready to kill Ravana, saw Bhagvati Chandika Parvati on the chariot of Ravana.
The text continues the narrative as ;
Raghupati Lord Rama stepped forward and entered the battle. He saw Haimavati (Parvati) on Ravana’s chariot. Astonished, Rama threw down his bow and arrow and bowed to her, recognizing her as the Mother. Then Rama, the Lord of the Three Worlds, said to Vibhishana, "O friend, an obstacle has arisen in the destruction of Ravana. Who has the power to slay the Ten-Headed One now, when today the Goddess, the wife of Shiva himself, is protecting him? O Vibhishana, look toward Ravana’s chariot. King Dashanan is sitting in the lap of the Devi herself, who has a dark complexion like a thundercloud.
Lord Rama got disappointed. For a moment, he lost all his hope. Everyone was in awe wondering that what had happened and Why Chandika is supporting Adarma? Rama sat on the ground, dejected, and everyone became deeply distressed and worried. At such a time, everyone was thinking that what had Parvati done? She became obstacles on this war. But mother being a mother, she was playing her own leela.
However, than Indra realised that the only way which can slay Ravana, is the worship of Chandi. Seeing the lord of Ayodhya Rama distressed, at that time, Brahma deva, invoked Chandi at an untimely time (autumn) for the slay of Ravana. He suggested Lord Rama to worship the mother goddess to obtain success in the battle.
๐ชท Initiation of Akaal-Bodhan ๐ชท
As Lord Brahma and Lord Indra was discussing that the worship of Parashakti is the only solution, Lord brahma approached Rama and asked him to worship mother Chandi. The recitation of the Chandi is the only way which can cause the destruction of the demon Ravana.
Lord Brahma proposed that autumn is the very good time for this worship. It is decreed that Krishna Navami was the correct day to break the slumber. However, they found that all sort of Shubha-Muharta had passed. Either it was King Surath’s Kalparambha on Pratipada or Shukla Shashthi. The month was of the Kanya Rasi, but they found no auspicious timing for the worship.
Then Lord Brahma said, "Listen, I give you the provision for that as well: perform the Bodhan on Shashthi-Kalpa. There will be no obstacle in this. King Surath had started the Kalpa-Khanda by breaking the rules."
Hearing all this instruction, Rama was pleased, and Brahma returned to his abode. When that night passed, Shri Rama took bath next day early in the morning. He then went to the shore of the ocean with wild flowers, fruits, and roots, he performed the Kalpa according to Brahma’s decree. Raghupati worshipped Durga with praise and salutation, and the song of Chandi-worship was composed.
๐ชท Recitation of Chandi Patha ๐ชท
Shri Rama start the recitation of Chandi Patha. After the recitation of The Chandi, Rama held a celebration. There was singing and drama. All the monkeys began to dance with joy, shouting victory cries. They started singing the praises of the Goddess. The sun set in the worship of Chandi. In the evening, Ram became enlightened. Shri Rama made a clay idol of Maa Chandika.
The night of shasthi ended, and the next day dawned. The sun rose in the east. After bathing, the Lord began the worship. He concluded the puja according to Vedic rituals, performed in a pure and virtuous manner. The day ended with songs, drama, and the recitation of Chandipath. Similarly, the seventh day passed, and the eighth day arrived. Raghunatha again offered his puja & prayers. At night, he performed the Sandhi Puja.
On the ninth day of the month, Raghupati arranged for fruits and roots for the worship of Goddess Bhagwati. All the materials were gathered according to the prescribed rituals, and the monkeys began to gather flowers and fruits. He did the puja with perfect rituals and devotion. However, not seeing Maheshwari, he became suspicious. On the other hand, despite being got pleased with the pure devotion of Shri Rama, Maa Shakti remain hidden. Everyone thought - “It seems that Durga is not pleased.”
Then Vibhishana suggested to offer one hundred eight blue Lotus flowers to Bhagvati Chandika. Lord Ram said, “How can I manage to offer this Nilkamal (blue Lotus flowers) to Ambika, which is so rare for gods also. Lord Hanumana, the great devotee of Shri Rama, came forward again to serve the lotus feet of his Prabhu. He said, “My Lord, i will bring those rare flowers. If blue lotuses are found anywhere, I will bring them right now. I will roam the three worlds of heaven, mortal world, and underworld and bring you a hundred blue lotuses right now." Vibhishana said, "Blue lotuses are found in Devidah (เคฆेเคตीเคฆेเคน) on Earth. It will certainly take ten years to reach them." Lord Hanuman said, "Don't worry, I'll bring it." Saluting his Prabhu Ramachandra, the brave lord Hanuman set off for Devidah. Meanwhile, Lord Rama started to praise the goodess.
The epic states ;
After sending Hanuman to fetch lotuses, Shri Rama began to praise Goddess Chandika:
O Durga, the remover of sorrow, you are the savior and the destroyer of misfortune Tara. You reside in the difficult Vindhya mountains, you are difficult to attain but reachable through meditation, the eternal power. O mother, You are the supreme, ancient ParaPrakarti primordial nature. O the wife of the blue-throated Shiva, O formless Narayani, the essence of all things, O the primordial power with a manifest form.
You are Mahishasura-mardini, Mahamaya, Mahodari, the wife of Shiva, Shyama, Sharvani, and Shankari. You are Virupakshi, Shatakshi, Sharada, Shakambhari, Bhramari, Bhavani, Bhima, Dhuma, and Kshemankari. You are the remover of time, Kali, and the one who carries us across the tides of time. You are the Kula -Kundalini and the savior of the distressed. You are Lambodara, Digambara, the destroyer of sins, the crusher of death, and the one who delights in the lap of time. When Shri Hari (Rama) praised her in this way, the Goddess of deities, (Parvati) Haimavati, was pleased. However, she remained invisible, waiting for the blue lotuses, while Rama’s lotus-like eyes remained filled with tears.
However, Bhagvati still remain hidden from all. Meanwhile, after plucking one hundred eight blue petals Lotus, Lord Hanuman reached Lord Rama. He counted the blue lotuses and gave them to Rama. Rama was overjoyed upon receiving them, and started offering thousand-petaled blue lotuses at the feet of Shankari. But then, something else happens. Mahamaya Bhagvati Parvati tricks everyone and stole one Lotus from the bunch. (เคเคฐिเคฒेเคจ เคเคฒ, เคฌुเคिเคคे เคธเคเคฒ, เคฆेเคฌी เคนเคฐ-เคฎเคจोเคนเคฐा । เคถंเคเคฐ-เคช्เคฐिเคฏा เคฆेเคตी เคจे เคชเคฐीเค्เคทा เคฒेเคจे เคे เคฒिเค เคเคฒ เคिเคฏा เคเคฐ เคชเคฐाเคค्เคชเคฐा เคฎเคนेเคถ्เคตเคฐी เคจे เคเคจเคा เคเค เคเคฎเคฒ เคुเคฐा เคฒिเคฏा।) While Sri Rama was offering the lotus at the lotus feet of the goddess one by one, in the end he found one Lotus wss missing. His mind got astonished and the fear of breaking the resolution also arose. He asked Lord Hanumana for that. Mahavira assured him and said, “My Lord, I am sure that these lotuses were one hundred and eight in the count.” Sri Rama then understood that it is Mahamaya Parvati Devi who is testing him.
Realising this, he started to praise the goddess Ambika Parvati again. The epic states ;
Shri Rama prayed;
O the consort of Shiva (Sharvani), Ishani, Indrani, Ishwari! Salutations to you, the wife of Ishwara. You are Aparna (the one who fasted without even a leaf), Abhaya (the fearless), Annapurna (the giver of food), Jaya (victory), Maheshwari, and Mahamaya. O Uma! You are Ugrachanda, Ashutoshini (she who is easily pleased), Dhuma, Aparajita, and Urvashi. You are Raj-Rajeshwari. You are Rama, Rankari, Shankari, Shiva, and Shodashi. You are Matangi, Bagala, Kalyani, and Kamala. You are Bhavani and Bhuvaneshwari. You are the one whose womb contains the entire universe. You are the auspicious one who bestows well-being. You are the one who brings welfare to the earth and all its fields. You are the one with a thousand of beautiful hands, the Bhima, and Chhinnamasta. O Mother, you are the slayer of the demon Mahishasura (Mahishasuramardini). You are the one who grants deliverance, the one who prevents all from falling into hell, and the slayer of the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. You are the destroyer of demons, the consort of Shiva, the daughter of the mountains (Shailasuta), and the one with a beautiful face.
You are worshipped by Brahma, the destroyer of the wicked, and the wife of the sky-clad Lord (Shiva). You are the Goddess Digambari, Durga, the enemy of the demon Durgama, Kalika, and the one with a fierce form. O Shive! You are the one who sits upon a corpse, Chandi, the moon-crested, the one with a terrifying form and the one with flowing hair. You are the most beautiful in the world, the enchantress of the three realms, the one with a flickering tongue. You are the one clothed in the directions, the one who sits upon all corpses, and you have formidable teeth. You are Sharada, the giver of boons, the giver of auspiciousness, the giver of happiness, the giver of food and of liberation and Shyama.
You ride the lion, you enchant the Great Lord Shiva and you are worshipped by Indra, the King of Gods. You are Kamakhya, Rudrani, Hara, Harani, Har-Rama, and Katyayani. You are the terror that ends all fears, the destroyer of misfortunes, the compassionate Dakshayani.
O Mother Parvati, I am very humble and destitute, I am trapped in great adversity. Like a drop of water on a lotus leaf, I am always trembling and restless with fear. You should not let me be humiliated further in my misfortune. O Abhaya, have mercy on me and carry me across the ocean of worldly existence.
Chandika got pleased with Rama. But, she still remain hidden from the eyes of all. Seeing thus, Rama, Joining his hands, he offers pure words of praise to Parvati.
O Kali, look upon me with a glance of mercy during my time of misfortune. O Supreme One, Essence of all Essences, Destroyer of Calamities, You pervade the three worlds in the form of Mahamaya. You are action, and You are the root cause of action. You are fame, livelihood, compassion, modesty, and detachment. You are all-pervading, the soul of all, and all-powerful. All living beings who are attached to this world rely upon You. You are the cause of creation, preservation, and destruction. Everything, auspicious or inauspicious, is done by You. It is You who makes humans followers of wealth or disaster, righteousness or unrighteousness. You are the granter of both worldly enjoyment and liberation. You are the helper of all beings—men, women, and the third gender alike. O Yogamaya, it is You who brought me to this earth through Yoga, and today, You have mocked me and drowned me in tears of grief. Despite being named Chintamani - the jewel that removes worries, You have handed me nothing but worry. This world is Your illusion, like a magic show. Your drama is like that of puppets. You make one person a king and another his minister; You make one ride upon an elephant and another the caretaker of that elephant. You make some long-lived and others short-lived. You place a royal canopy over one head while striking another with a thunderbolt. You make one a rider in a palanquin and another the bearer who carries it. One is happy and a great yogi, while another lives in great suffering. One has fifty delicacies in a golden vessel, while another finds no food at all and must survive by begging. One is diseased, another is strong and powerful; one is a saint, another a thief, one is religious, another irreligious. In this manner, O Mother, You have established the world.
Even after so much of his prayer, Bhagvati remain hidden from the eyes of Shri Rama and others. Finally, sri Rama realized - one of my name is Kamal Nayana. People calls him with that name. Both his eyes are like blooming blue lotus petals. Finally, he took out his bow & arrow and decided to offer his one eye at the lotus feet of Shankari.
๐ชท Auspicious vision of the Devi ๐ชท
The moment he was praising the mother divine and doing so, the Goddess become downhearted. When Rama prepared to take out the eye, Katyayani appeared and caught his hand and said, "O benevolent of the world, what are you doing? Your wish has been fulfilled. I does not want your eye. I am pleased with you.”
Rama praised the goddess again. Hearing the prayer of Lord Rama, Devi said, “Rama, you are the eternal Brahman. You yourself are the supreme being. You are the supreme Lord of the universe. Your wife Sita is ParaPrakirti too. No one can harm her. How can you feel hesitant to establish dharma over adarma. Now, go and kill the demon Ravana, and Establish dharma over adarma.” Saying thus, the goddess disappeared.
Shri Rama praised the goddess again. After worshipping on Dashami, he immersed the idol of Maheshwari, then Raghupati set out for the battle. Upon receiving the order, Ram fulfilled his wish. On the other hand, Ravana was too started to chant - “The Chandi”. Then Raghupati’s army thought to disrupt his practice. Upon receiving Rama's permission, the valiant Hanuman ran and covered the entire distance in a moment. He reached Brihaspati, who was meditating and reciting the Chandi. Taking the form of a fly, he licked two letters, and Brihaspati could not see. But his practice was such that he effortlessly recited it. Hanuman was deeply worried. Leaving the fly's body and assuming his full form, the Guru was frightened and abandoned the recitation, unable to see the path. Hanuman snatched the book from him. He wiped out the first three verses describing the greatness, thus defilement Chandi. Disheartening Ravana, Maheshwari left the battle and went to Kailash. And finally, Rama killed the Ravana and got victory over him.
The similar narration are found in some Puranas also, where Lord Rama seek blessings of Goddess Kayatani to obtain his victory over Ravana. Some of them are Mahabhagvata Purana, Devi Bhagvatam mahaprana and others.
๐ธ Shri Rama kruta Durga Stuti from Shakta Mahabhagvata Purana
Lord Rama said: O Goddess who is worshipped by the three worlds! Giver of victory in battle! O Katyayani, I bow to You again and again. Be pleased with me and grant me victory. O AllPowerful One, Subduer of wicked enemies, and Destroyer of the unrighteous! O Bhagavati, grant me victory in this war; I bow to You. You are the Para Shakti residing in all living beings. Destroy the wicked demons in this battle and grant me victory; I bow to You. O Lover of battle! Reliever of the suffering of those who seek refuge! [O Mother of the Universe!] Grant me victory in this war; I bow to You.
O Bhagavati, who holds the Khatvanga and the sword, whose form is adorned with a garland of severed heads! Remove the sorrows of those who remember You in times of distress. O Protector of those who seek refuge! Destroy my wretchedness through the grace of Your lotus feet, annihilate the enemies on the battlefield, and grant me victory. I bow to You, and I bow to You again. Your prowess, form, beauty, and character are infinite; they cannot be fully grasped by thought. You Yourself are beyond contemplation. Grant me victory; I bow to You. Those who remember You the Dispeller of misfortune, during calamities never suffer in adverse circumstances. Grant me victory, I bow to You.
O Daughter of the Himalayas, the Crusher of Mahishasura in battle, and the One most worthy of seeking refuge! Grant me victory; I bow to You. O Chandika with a joyful countenance, the Slayer of Chanda! Destroy the enemies in battle and grant me victory; I bow to You. O Bhagavati, with blood-red eyes, teeth stained with blood, and a body smeared with blood! You are the Slayer of Raktabija. Grant me victory; I bow to You. O Sovereign of the Gods, Destroyer of Nishumbha and Shumbha, and Creatress of the universe! Ever destroy the enemies in battle and grant me victory, I bow to You.
O Bhavani! You eternally nourish and protect this entire universe. O Mother! Protect this world by slaying these wicked demons. O Bhagavati, Destroyer of the evil-minded! You are the manifestation of power present in all beings. O Mother of the World! Be pleased, grant me victory; I bow to You. O Subduer of the wicked and rightful Protector of the virtuous! Destroy the enemies in battle and grant me victory; I bow to You. O Mother Katyayani, the Remover of the sorrows of those who surrender to You, the Bestower of welfare! Grant me victory in this war and protect me from fear forever.
And finally,
From this story, we learn about patience, faith, determination and the importance of surrender in supreme. She protected Ravana but punished him too. She punished Ravana for his ill deeds through Shri Rama on Vijayadashami. That is when Her protection ended, and Ravana was defeated. That's how, the divine mother works. Whether in this life or the lives to come, ONLY She can redeem us. She teaches millions in countless ways, both pain and happiness are merely parts of her lessons, guiding us through the journey of life.
And thus mark the auspicious celebration of Durga Puja, the one of the biggest hindu festival. The celebration which includes puja, worship, devotion, cultural dances, pandals hopping, songs & bhajans and many more. And at subtle level, the awakening of Shakti within. When each and every street of the country becomes vibrant and each heart becomes enthusiastic. It feels like every nook and corner has come to life.
And this is how people welcome the daughter of the mountain as their own daughter. And recently, Durga Puja received a UNESCO tag. It is really a proud moment for all Hindus.
It is believed that shakti arrives at her maternal home and just as she had blessed Rama in his war, people seek her blessings to obtain victory in their own battles.
But remember, to obtain victory in our own life, we must walk on the path of Shri Rama. As we have already seen in the legend, mother protects but also punishes. No one can stop the consequences of the karma we do. Mother herself is the consequence of the action. And if we are getting the bad result of our bad actions, we must see it like a purification not Punishment. She is like our mother, who sometimes takes you in her lap and sometimes lets you fall so that you yourself stand and walk on your own.
And this legend in the epic and the purana is the motivation for all. Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, one of the great Indian poet and writer has wrote the poem, - “Ram Ki Shakti Puja” (เคฐाเคฎ เคी เคถเค्เคคिเคชूเคा) to inspire the Indian youth. Various commentries on the poem states that this poem is about people's own life struggles on personal level or as a whole. Anyways, remember, the solution of every battle is only one - “Awakening of Shakti.”
Namaste to ShailNandini.
Jai Mata Di๐ชท