Chandipaath Series (Chapter-5) --- Demons Shumbh-Nisumbh

Maharishi Medha continued the narration of SRI DURGA SAPTASHATI (श्रीदुर्गासप्तशती):-

Once there were two very powerful and mighty demon brothers in the name of Shumbha and Nishumbha. They had captured the heaven from Indra and the deities (देवगण). They were using the power and rights of Sun (सूर्य देव), Moon (चन्द्रमा देवता), Kuber (धन देवता), Yamraaj (मृत्यु देवता), Varun (जल देवता), Wind (वायु देवता) and Fire (अग्नि देवता).  All deities were dragged out of heaven.

Now the deities assembled in one place for discussion to find a way out to get back to their heaven again. At that time they remembered that Bhagwati Jagadamba had promised them to come to their rescue at the time of their distress. So they decided to go to the Himalayas and pray to her.  After reaching there they collectively started praying for the evocation of the Devi.

The deities continuously chanted the glory of Maa Durga in her different names i.e Shiva, Bhadra (भद्रा), Jagadamba, Roudra (रौद्रा), Nitya (नित्या) Gouri, Dhatri, Jyotnamayi, Chandrarupini, Sukhaswarupa, Buddhi, Siddhi, Nairuti, Laxmi, Sarvani (शिवपत्नी), Durga, Durgapara (दुर्गपारा, दुर्गम संकट से उबारने वाली), Sara (सबकी सारभूता), Sarvakarini, Kshyati, Sarvakarini, Krishna(कृष्णा), Dhumradevi, Kriti, Vishnumaya, Chetna, Buddhi, Nidra(निद्रा), Kshyuda, Chhaya, Shakti, Trishna, Kshyanti, Jati, Lajja, Shanti, Shraddha, Kanti, Brutti, Smriti, Daya, Tusti, Mata, Bhranti, Adhistatri, Maya. They continued praying to MaaDurga for a long time.

At that time Goddess Parvati (Durga) came to the river to take bath. There she saw the deities praying intensely. She asked them "O Devgan (देवगण), what are you praying for''? At that instant goddess Shiva or Ambika appeared from the body hair of Goddess Parvati and said "Being insulted by demon Shumbh and being defeated by Nishumbh, the deities are praying to me. Goddess Ambika is called Koushiki because she had come out of the body hair of Parvati. After Koushiki came out of goddess Parvati, the body colour of Parvati became black. That's why she became famous in the name of Kalika of Himalaya. In fact, Goddess Parvati has many forms and many names. But she is one and the same.

The deities narrated their plight to Devi Ambika and requested her to save them from Shumbh and Nishumbh. Maa Durga assured the deities to get them out of the problem. Just after the Devatas left, Chand (चन्ड) and Mund (मुन्ड) came there and saw the most beautiful Maa Durga. Then they went to Shumbh and informed him that ''Oh king, we saw a very beautiful lady roaming in the Himalayas. The glaze of her body is illuminating the Himalayas. We have never seen such a beautiful lady. No lady can be compared with her beauty. You have gathered all the precious diamonds and jewellery in your palace. You have acquired elephant Airawat, Parijat tree, Uchchaishraba horse from Indra, Chariot of swans from Brahma, Mahapadma from Kuber, the imperishable garland of saffron Kinjilkini from Samudra, gold raining umbrella from Varun, the miraculous chariot from Prajapati, the Utkrantikda(उत्क्रान्तिदा) shakti from Mrutyu Dev, loop from Varun, divine and ever bright clothes from Agnidev and many other types of precious things. But all the things will look pale unless you bring the beautiful lady to your palace as the queen. She is now roaming on the bank Ganga at Himalaya. Go and get her."

Hearing such a great description from Chand and Mund, Shumbh ordered his messenger Sugriv to go to the Himalayas and fetch her. He instructed him to talk to her pleasantly and bring her to the palace. The messenger went to Maa Durga and said

        "Oh beautiful lady, I am the messenger of the King of the universe, the great Shumbh. Nobody in the universe dares to oppose him. He has a message for you. You listen to his message of Shumbh. The whole universe is under my authority. The deities obey my orders. All the oblations of Yajna (यज्ञ) are offered in my name. The deities have surrendered all their precious things before me. Besides, all the rare diamonds of the universe are under my possession. We consider the beautiful ladies as gemstones. So lady, come to me or to my brother because we are the only people who can enjoy you. You will get all the beautiful things of the world from us." Then the messenger fell silent and waited for the answer of Maa Durga."

Hearing the words from the messenger Goddess Durga replied "Oh messenger, you are telling the truth about your masters Shumbh and Nishumbh. Indeed they are the most powerful in the world at present. But I have made a promise to myself that I will marry that person who will defeat me in war. So, go and inform Shumbh and Nishumbh to come here to defeat me and marry me."

The messenger replied with a sarcastic laugh to the goddess "You have become too proud of your beauty. Being a woman, how dare you challenge Shumbh and Nishumbh? You are nothing before them. Better come with me. I will take you to them with dignity. Otherwise, they will drag you by your hair to their palace."

Goddess Ambika said "I am bound by my vow which I can't break. So let your masters come and fight with me." After hearing the final decision of the goddess Durga the messenger returned back to the palace of Shumbh and Nishumbh with a dejected mind. He informed the words of the Maa Durga.

In Chapter-6 the story of Dhumralochan's death is described. Read Chapter-5 here- Chandipaath Series (Chapter-6) - Dhumralochan Vadh

Source: Durga Saptasathi

Also Read:

Chandipaath Series (Chapter-1) - Madhu Kaitabh

Chandipaath Series (Chapter-2 & Chapter-3) - Mahisasura Vadh.

Chandipaath Series (Chapter-4) -  Durga Stuti 

Chandipaath Series (Chapter-7) - Chand Mund Vadh

Chandipaath Series (Chapter-8) - Raktabeej Vadh

Chandipaath Series (Chapter 9 and Chapter10) --- Nisumbh Shumbh Vadh