1. O Suta, formerly the origin of Gajriapa has been heard by
us. How was Ksetranatha born? Describe this to us who listen.
Suta replied :
2. When the heaven-dwellers were harassed by the Daitya
Daruka, they bowed down to Siva who was seated along with the
goddess and said thus:
3-5. “O Lord, we are harassed by the Daitya Daruka, who
cannot be subdued by Suras and Asuras and who is extremely
terrifying. We have been dislodged from our abodes. Excepting
Ardhanarlsvara (Lord of half-man-half-woman form) no one
else can kill that vicious one, neither Visnu nor the Moon nor
anyone else. Be a refuge unto us who are being troubled by
him.”
After saying this Devas said, “Save us, save us” and
lamented.
6. Thereupon, Hara became highly sympathetic and merci¬
ful. Parvati took the black colour from his throat and created a
fearful woman.
7-8a. She released her Sakti and transferred it to her. The
splendid goddess then spoke these words: “Since you are very
black your name will be Kalika. O splendid lady, slay that
wicked-minded enemy of Devas quickly.”
8b-12. On being told thus, Kalika of loud roar, went up to
him (Daruka) and made him dead through her roar alone. His
heart was split and he died along with his followers. Then stationed in the cremation ground of Avanti, she roared
loudly many times. Thereby the three worlds became maimed
and mutilated as though dead.
Thereupon, Rudra assumed the form of a child for the sake of
the universe. The Lord came near her in the cremation ground,
crying.
Kalika who became merciful, kept the crying child on her lap
and suckled it at her breasts saying, “Do not cry.” Under the
pretext of sucking her milk the boy drank up the anger arising
from her body.
13. That anger had been very unbearable due to the poison
coming out of the throat of Hara. After the furious nature had
been sucked (by the child), Kalika became gentle.
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