Durga Saptashati Katha – Chapter 7: Destruction of Raktabija

The Annihilation of Raktabija

After the slaying of Chanda and Munda, a wave of joy swept through the heavens. All were astonished by the power of Mother Durga and her wrath, but the crisis was not yet over. The vast army of demons, led by Raktabija, still stood firm on the battlefield, and Raktabija himself seemed to have taken the form of death incarnate.

Raktabija's Fierce Attack

Enraged by the death of Chanda and Munda, Raktabija went mad with fury. His eyes turned red, and flames emanated from his body. Roaring, he ordered his army to attack. The host of demons, roaring like lions, fell upon Mother Durga and her attendants. Swords flashed in the air, a rain of arrows fell, and the battlefield was filled with blood and flesh. Raktabija himself, mounted on his chariot, advanced towards Mother Durga, a massive mace in his hand, with which he struck, causing the earth to tremble with every blow. His fearsome roar shook the three worlds.

"Who is this goddess standing before me?" Raktabija thought, his heart swelling with arrogance. "Can she face an army that springs forth from a single drop of my blood? What does she know of my power?" he mused, laughing boisterously. "Today, I will end this goddess and reclaim heaven for myself."

The Manifestation of Mother Kali

Foiling Raktabija's attacks, Mother Durga observed that with every drop of his blood that fell to the ground, a new Raktabija was born. In an instant, the battlefield was filled with countless Raktabijas, each more terrifying and powerful than the last. Despair spread among the gods, and they understood that it was impossible to defeat this demon. Mother Durga also found the situation extremely dire. Then, she gathered her wrath and assumed a terrifying form. A brilliant light emanated from her forehead, and from that light, Mother Kali manifested.

Mother Kali's form was fearsome. Her eyes were red with anger, her tongue protruded, and a garland of skulls adorned her neck. She held a sword and a skull-cup in her hands. Her form was such that even Time itself feared her. Mother Durga commanded her, "Kali! Drink the blood of this Raktabija and destroy his very origin. Do not let even a single drop fall to the earth." Mother Kali, her cry of "Jai Maa" echoing through the sky, lunged at Raktabija.

The Annihilation of Raktabija

Mother Kali attacked Raktabija. As Mother Durga struck Raktabija with her weapons and his blood fell to the earth, Mother Kali, with her vast tongue, drank the blood. Thus, the new Raktabijas, born from Raktabija's blood, were destroyed before they could even emerge. Raktabija was stunned. His strength waned, and finally, Mother Kali severed his head from his body with her sword. She caught his falling head in her skull-cup and drank his last drop of blood. Thus, Raktabija was annihilated.

Mother Kali, who had quenched her thirst with the blood of the demons, danced for a while on the battlefield in that terrifying form. The gods praised her, and the sky resounded with their acclamations. Mother Durga, with her grace, pacified Mother Kali and reabsorbed her into herself. The demon army, with the end of Raktabija, fled. The gods breathed a sigh of relief. But two great demons still remained – Shumbha and Nishumbha.