Goddess Sherawali, also known as Sheranwali or Sherawali Mata, is a fierce form of the Hindu goddess Durga. She is often depicted riding a lion (or tiger), symbolizing power, courage, and strength. Her stories are an integral part of Hindu mythology and are celebrated in various festivals, most notably during Navratri. Here are some of the significant stories associated with Goddess Sherawali:
1. Battle with Mahishasura
One of the most famous stories of Goddess Sherawali is her battle with the demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura, a powerful demon with the ability to change his form, had obtained a boon that he could not be killed by any man or god. This made him nearly invincible, and he began to terrorize the heavens and the earth. The gods, unable to defeat him, combined their powers to create a powerful goddess, Durga. She was endowed with the weapons of all the gods and mounted on a lion, she fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights. On the tenth day, she finally defeated him, which is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
2. The Story of Kalika and Rakhtabeej
Another notable story is of her incarnation as Kalika, who fought the demon Rakhtabeej. Rakhtabeej had a boon that every drop of his blood that fell on the ground would create another demon as powerful as him. During the battle, every time Durga wounded Rakhtabeej, his blood would fall, and new demons would arise. To counter this, Durga assumed the form of Kalika (Kali), who extended her tongue to catch the falling blood and drank it, preventing any new demons from being created. Eventually, she defeated Rakhtabeej.
3. The Story of Durga's Birth
The origin of Goddess Sherawali is tied to the legend of the creation of Durga. The gods, troubled by the demon Mahishasura, approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, emitted a powerful energy that combined to form a beautiful woman with ten arms. This divine energy was none other than Goddess Durga. Each god endowed her with their most powerful weapons to fight the demons. Lord Shiva gave her a trident, Lord Vishnu gave her a disc, and Lord Indra gave her a thunderbolt, among others. Riding a lion, she set off to battle and ultimately vanquished Mahishasura.
4. Durga Saptashati
The "Durga Saptashati" or "Chandi Path" is a revered Hindu text that comprises 700 verses dedicated to Goddess Durga. This text is part of the Markandeya Purana and narrates various stories of the goddess's exploits, including her battles with the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, Mahishasura, and Shumbha-Nishumbha. Each story showcases different forms of Durga, emphasizing her role as the ultimate protector and warrior.
5. Navratri Festival
The festival of Navratri is dedicated to the worship of the nine forms of Durga, collectively known as Navadurga. Each day of the festival is devoted to a different form of the goddess, celebrating her various aspects, from the fierce warrior to the nurturing mother. The festival culminates in Vijayadashami, celebrating Durga's victory over Mahishasura.
6. Vashishta and Sherawali
There is a legend of Sage Vashishta, who was saved by Goddess Sherawali. When the sage was threatened by demons, he invoked the goddess, who appeared riding her lion and destroyed the demons, thus protecting her devotee.
These stories reflect the goddess's role as a symbol of strength, courage, and the triumph of good over evil. The tales of Goddess Sherawali inspire devotion and reverence, highlighting her as a protector of the righteous and a vanquisher of evil.