Chapter 150 - Greatness of Kelīśvarī (Keli-īśvarī)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1-2. On hearing his words, Śukra took pity on him. He went to the holy spot of Hāṭakeśvara that yields Siddhis and duly performed the Homa in fire by means of his own flesh in the triangular Kuṇḍa made by himself. He recited the Ātharvaṇa and Rudra Mantras while performing the Homa.

3. While he performed the Homa with the same procedure as employed by Rudra, Goddess Kelīśvarī became pleased.

4-5. She quickly approached Śukra, the priest of Daityas, and said: “O tiger among the scions of the family of Bhṛgu, do not waste your flesh. I have been created and sanctified by the Three-eyed Lord. Tell me what I need do unto you.”

Śukra said:

6. O auspicious goddess, just as you rendered assistance to Rudra in the battle, today extend the same assistance to Andhaka. That is the boon I seek.

7. Those Dānavas of his army who were killed or swallowed should become alive quickly.

The Devī said:

8. O Brāhmaṇa, I shall resuscitate all those Dānavas killed in battle and recently swallowed, those who entered the mouths of the Yoginīs.

9. After saying thus the goddess delighted in her face gave him the Vidyā named Amṛtavatī by which the dead could regain life.

10-13. Then, delighted within himself Śukra went to Andhaka and said: “Goddess Kelīśvarī has been won over by me as in the case of Śaṃbhu. An auspicious Vidyā has been granted to me by her. By its power, I shall resuscitate all those Daityas who died.

O most excellent one among the Dānavas, you must have devotion to this goddess always. On the eighth lunar day especially and on the fourteenth always she should be worshipped.

She is that great Śakti by whom this universe has been pervaded. She could be propitiated only through devotion and not at all by means of force.”

14. On being told thus by Śukra, the overlord of the Dānavas adored that goḍdess with devotion and emotional fervour.

15. After eulogizing her and all the Mātṛs by means of various kinds of prayers, he spoke to her paying respects to the Mothers in due order of seniority:

16. “O goddess, I was angry with you due to ignorance. That should be excused. I am wretched. I have bowed down to you.”

Śrī Devī said:

17. O dear one, I am pleased with you and the power of Bhārgava. Hence choose your boon. My sight cannot go in vain.

Andhaka said:

18. If embodied beings install your image in this form and meditate upon you with great devotion, a Siddhi desired by them in their heart should be granted by you.

The Devī said:

19. If any man, even if he be a sinner, installs my image in this form, I shall grant him salvation. There is no doubt about it.

20. O most excellent one among the Dānavas, if a man performs my adoration on the eighth or fourteenth lunar day, I will grant him Svarga even if he is a sinner.

21. If anyone simply visits me or meditates on me, I will grant him kingdom and all human pleasures.

22. After saying thus, the goddess vanished along with the groups of the Mātṛs in an instant even as he remained watching.

23. By means of the Vidyā achieved by him, Śukra brought to life all the dead and the recently swallowed Dānavas and Daityas.

24. Joining them with delighted mind, the leader of the Daityas went to the city of Śakra and ruled the kingdom day and night.

25. The highly powerful Dānava meditated on and adored the goddess day and night particularly on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days.

26. Knowing the power of the goddess Vyāsa’s son (Kapiñjala) installed the goddess in this holy spot and attained perfection.

Sūta said:

27. Thus goddess Kelīśvarī, the great goddess, originated. Hence, she should be installed, worshipped and meditated upon.

28. A man who reads the story of the goddess or listens to it when it is read shall be rid of great distress.

29. If a king ousted from his kingdom, listens to this on the eighth (lunar) day he gets back the entire kingdom again with all the enemies destroyed.

30. When war is imminent, if a man listens to this, he will kill all the enemies and attain victory.