War in Ancient India c12.44

c12.44

Another instance of this rôle of a messenger is found in the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa,²³ where Śumbha and Niśumbha, the two great Asuras, completely defeated the gods. Though a legend, it gives us an idea prevalent in ancient times. There was only the goddess Durgā left unconquered. So Śumbha sent a messenger, Sugrīva by name, to the goddess with the message: "I want you here quickly. So do come without delay." The envoy reached her abode among the mountains and delivered the message as instructed. The Devī calmly received it and sent the reply that he who could conquer her in battle would be her husband, and hence Śumbha was welcome to fight with her. Enraged at the message, Śumbha sent able generals to drag her by the hair to his abode. They were all completely destroyed when Durgā sent the celestial messenger Śiva with the ultimatum for war. Thereupon Śumbha marched with his legions armed with 86 different weapons and eighty-four different clubs, all of whom she destroyed utterly.