The battle between the gods and demons

To say that the suffering, sin and decline in public morality that seem universal today, were not prevalent in the past, is not true. But presuming sin as a sign of Kaliyug, is incorrect. Actually, the immorality seen today is only a repetition of the past eras. Today is the repetition of the yesterday; the rainy season of the present year is the repetition of that of the previous years. Similarly, the time cycle of different yugas (that is, eras) has been going on more or less around the same axle. Immorality was present even in Satyuga (the golden period). In Dwapar and Tretayuga also, it was dealt with in a similar fashion. In ancient times, the method of dealing with immorality had been called the battle between the gods and the demons. Every time the powers of demonhood had been defeated by the organized power of gods (or the divinely guided persons) and ultimately, the divine law had been re-established.

This fact has been described very imaginatively and rhetorically in chapters 73 to 85 of the Markandeya Purana. Every time the credit for defeating the demons has gone to Devi or Bhagwati Durga. She has also been called Mahashakti which emanated from the integrated power of all the gods. By collecting one drop of blood from each rishi (sage), the cause of destruction of Ravana - Goddess Sita, came into existence. In a similar manner, Mahashakti has always been rising in the form of an organized power of divinity. It is also a synonym of original human consciousness, i.e., life. The same is also called the origin of life or the seed of divinity or presiding Mother of the Vedas, or mother of gods. The philosophy and its expansion, both the sides are synonymous.

The first appearance of Mahashakti can be traced back to the beginning of this world. At that time, Lord Vishnu was sleeping. Brahmaji was born from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Two demons, Madhu and Kaitabh, were also born from the wax of ears of Lord Vishnu. These demons were bent upon killing Brahmaji. Helpless Brahmaji prayed to the Primeval Power Mahamaya of Parabrahma (The Supreme Lord). She awakened the Supreme Personality, that is, Lord Vishnu. He fought with these demons for five thousand years, but he could not win, as they were too illusive. Then Mahamaya hypnotized the demons and instigated them to request for a boon. Lord Vishnu then destroyed them directly by making them demand death for themselves.

It is clear that neither God sleeps, nor anyone is born out of anyone’s ear. Parmatma (the Supreme Soul) has been named as shraddha (faith) and vishwas (belief, trust). When the human faith and belief vanish, there is want of faith in or respect for God in the society. Humanity goes on becoming more and more arrogant and egotist. From here onwards the forces of evil go on increasing. God loves his creation - the world. He wants to restore its harmony and balance by love and affection and by imparting knowledge; but when the child is spoiled beyond a certain limit, the precept or advice does not work. Father retreats and mother does little slapping. The child comes onto the right path. This is Mahamaya of Parmatma. At the time of victory, every one has praised Mahashakti by addressing her by different names; e.g. Supreme Light, Great Spirit, Primeval Power, Eternal Power, etc. All these are epithets of Goddess Gayatri. Only she has been called the mother form (feminine aspect) of Parmatma.