Week 11 Storytelling: The Teachings of Durga

            Kansa marched down the stairs of his palace quickly. The sun had barely begun to rise, and the dark of night was still present, but his tiredness had faded quickly when he heard the news. His sister, Devaki, had given birth to her eighth child, the child that the gods themselves said would kill Kansa. None of the guards would say it, but despite the coolness of the palace, Kansa was sweating.

            At the bottom of the stairs, four guards stood by the doors to the dungeon. The air was damp and smelled of death and decay. Kansa smiled as the stench entered his nostrils. The guards all fell to their knees as Kansa arrived. “My lord, the child is in here.” The guard spoke clearly but without raising his head. Kansa walked quickly passed him and pushed the door open.

            Behind the iron bars of the dungeon, Devaki, her husband Vasudeva, and their newly born child sat quietly. The married couple wore torn rags – the only clothes Kansa had given them in 4 years -  and the child lay naked in her mother’s arms. They smiled lightly, but tear streaks had cut clear paths down their dirty faces.

            “Is it true?” Kansa yelled from across the room. His voice echoed lightly off of the mossy stone walls. “Is this the eighth child of Devaki? The child who will bring about my doom?” The smiles left the faces of both parents, and they looked at Kansa with fear in their eyes. But just then, Kansa saw the child. A hearty laugh filled the dungeon.

            “A girl?” Kansa said to no one in particular. “A little girl will kill the great demon king?” Kansa’s hearty laughter was replaced by an uproarious cackling. No other sound dared intrude on the king’s joyous moment. Finishing his laughter, the king looked upwards and yelled “Gods, do you hear me? You will have to do better than that!”

            Kansa shoved the bar door open and snagged the innocent child from his sister. Both parents cried out as he slammed the door shut, blocking them from their child. “Is this your powerful warrior? Your destined Savior? A girl?” Kansa shouted at the sky once more. He drew his knife and raised it above the child’s head.

            Just as the Kansa’s hand began to fall, an explosion of light filled the dungeon. Kansa was thrown against the wall, his knife tumbling to the ground as he slammed his back against the stone. Vasudeva and Devaki shielded their eyes as the light of the sun itself emanated from the center of the dungeon. The light slowly began to fade, until only a soft golden glow remained, bright enough to block out the torches on the wall but soft enough to look at harmlessly.

            As Kansa opened his eyes, he saw the source of the light clearly; a heavenly woman, clad in armor with golden glowing skin. Countless arms emanated outwards from her, most of which carried a terrifying weapon of divine design. Hundreds of rubies lined both her weapons and her armor. Her black hair floated freely behind her, as if sitting still in water. Her face was still and calm, but her eyes were locked with Kansa’s, and he could see a burning hatred stirring within her pupils.

            Kansa reached down to grasp his knife, but his hand hadn’t moved an inch before 2 heavenly arms flew forward and shoved him up against the wall, one hand shoving his chest and the other with fingers wrapped tightly around his throat. Kansa tried to choke out a sound but managed only to gurgle quietly.

            Durga’s mouth opened, and her voice was like fire. “You find women weak, Kansa? Do you find me weak?”

            The goddess’s fingers lightened their grip around Kansa’s throat, but his response was still raspy and quiet. “No, Ma Durga.”

            “You would be a fool to think so.” Her fingers tightened their grip lightly, and her other hand pushed Kansa harder against the wall. “I’ve killed demons a thousand times more powerful than you with only one hand. I’ve killed demons who earned the world with their ferocity, and you are nothing next to them.” Durga spat the words at Kansa, her eyes narrowing as she spoke. “If it were not Vishnu’s duty, I would have become a girl and killed you myself, if only I had heard your challenges before he was reincarnated.” At the mention of Vishnu, Kansa’s eyes widened even further in shock and fear.

            Durga laughed a taunting laugh. “Ah, yes, you don’t know. Devaki’s eighth son escaped in the night. Vishnu’s next avatar is upon the world, and by now, well out of your reach. Your demise has already been written, or I would strike you down myself.”

With that, Durga dropped the demon king on the ground and turned to Devaki and Vasudeva. She flicked one of her many swords in the air, and from the tip of the blade, golden thread came forth and wrapped itself around the prisoners, weaving them elegant clothing. “I can do no more for you, but know that my strength is in you. Kansa will keep you here, but you must live on. One day, your son will come, and his strength will be matched only by his kindness. On that day, you will taste joy once more.” Devaki and Vasudeva bowed their  heads, and with a bright flash, Durga was gone, and the child was nowhere to be found.

This story is based on epified's series about the life of krishna, particularly Episode 3, Durga Speaks to Kansa. I found the idea of a warrior goddess chastising the demon king just delicious, and wanted to get in on the sweet karma action. I changed very little, just making Durga a little meaner, and adding some descriptions.

Image Information
Durga Statue - Wikiquotes