Lily invokes the slayer of the buffalo-demon, Mahisasuramardani in this verse for the Durga Puja special feature, in Different Truths.

O Cosmic energy incarnate
Hail Shakti, Sati, Kali, Parvati
Hail Tara, Amba, Basanti, Annapurna
Multi-dimensional Goddess
Worshipped since the dawn of being
The Yajurveda knew you
O ye! Part of the two fold personalisation
Of the primeval substance Brahman
O divine mother!
Illuminating the world with holy light emanating from the trinity
Your body irradiating the luminous glow of numerous gods
The light from Shiva your face
Ten arms from Vishnu
Brahma’s light your feet
Yama made your hair
Breasts from moon god’s (Somnath) glow
Nose from Kuber, the protector of wealth
Varun, God of oceans formed your legs
The triad of your eyes from the fire, God Agni
O Ma! Sunrise and sunset gave you eyebrows
You bedazzle with divinity
I humbly meditate on your 108 names

O ye! Slayer of Mahishasur demon
Enchanting Durga, Jewel adorned
Fortified with sword and shield from Yama,
Armour and axe from Vishwakarma
Durga Ma, your lion from Himavat, the god of mountains,
How must you have terrified the demon!
With Vishnu’s disc and Shiva’s trident
A spear from Agni divine goddess
Noose and conch from Varuna
You have Indra’s thunderbolt and Vayu’s arrows
O embodiment of energy and power
O omnipotent one with garland of skulls
O serene Parvati consort of Shiva
High up in the snowy Kailash
I bow to thee I bow to thee
Jai Bhawani, ye symbol of life
Jai Durga!

©Lily Swarn

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Lily Swarn

Lily Swarn is a gold medallist and a double university colour holder from Panjab University. She has authored, A Trellis of Ecstasy (poetry), Lilies of the Valley (essays), The Gypsy Trail (novel). A multilingual poet, writer and columnist, her poems have been translated into 13 languages. A radio show host and Emcee, she received World Icon of Peace, Chandigarh Icon Award, Woman of Substance, World Icon of Literature and several other prestigious awards.

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