Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/262

 228 BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [ Chap. those from Yama created her mass of black hair which fell behind her like the clouds. Her arms were made by the sparks that immanated from Vishnu. The Sun god saturated every pore of her body with his rays; her eye-brows were created by the power of Sandhya—the goddess of evening, and her third eye on the forehead which shone fiercely was born of the power of Agni—god of fire. Earth trembled under the feet of this majestic goddess and her crown touched the skies. The gods in concert chanted her glory. Krishna gave her his divine discus, Civa his great trident, Varuna his conches, Indra his thunder-bolt and Brahmg his rosary. Vi¢vakarma gave her his axe, a_ necklace and a pair of Nupura. ‘The god of ocean gave her a garland of lotuses which never fade. The goddess who was thus an outcome of the united power and glory of all the gods, challenged Mahisasura to a fight, and killed him in the severe contest which ensued. In subsequent times when the gods were pressed by the demons Cambhu and Nicambhu, she again came to their rescue and killing the demonic brothers, restored Indra to his throne. Suratha, the king and Samadhi the Vaicya, after- wards obtained their lost possessions by the grace of this goddess. This is briefly the tale, as related in the Chandi by Markandeya. .Though it gives a Vedantic mythological account, it contains high metaphysical philosophy ae ১ - in Chandi, truths embodyingin them the essence of the Vedantic philosophy. The Durgapuja festival, which is held with great ec/at in’ Bengal, commemorates the The Durga ; ; ; Puia. victory of Chandi or Durga over Mahisasura. Of those who translated ‘ChandYr into Bengalt we shall here mention a few. The first of