Mandalam Musings Day 25 - Mahishi and Mahisham Creating Havoc in the World -

 

Mandalam Musings Day 25

Mahishi and Mahisham Creating Havoc in the World-

Dharma Sastha had an immediate action to complete, that is, to restore Dharma at that time. The Sage-couple Athri and Anasooya wanted Lord Vishnu to be born as their son and the Lord fulfilled their wish by incarnating as Dattathreya in Anasooya’s womb. Sage Dattathreya married a Rishika by the name Lila and they lived happily for a long time. After a while, Dattathreya wanted to renunciate the worldly life to pursue spirituality, but Lila was not ready yet. She wanted to enjoy the carnal life some more time and an argument ensued between the couple. Dattatreya cursed Lila to be born as a she-buffalo (Mahishi) and in retaliation, Lila cursed him to be born as a buffalo (Mahisham). They were both formidable in their power to curse or bless anyone.

After taking birth in the world, Mahishi (Lila) started a tough penance to achieve immortality so that she can rule the three worlds without the fear of death. Lord Brahma was pleased with her austerity and appeared before her and gave the boon of her choice. Brahma is known to be soft on his devotees and he is easily pleased. He bestows boons without much due diligence, so it seems. She demanded that she should not face death at the hands of anyone other than someone born out of the union of Vishnu and Siva, two male Gods! That was a strange boon, but Brahma gave it anyway. She knew that such a person would never be born, and she would be invincible.

Due to the curse he got, Dattatreya was also incarnated in the world, like a buffalo, joining Mahishi as her consort, by the name Mahisham. They became an intimidating force and got engrossed in the might of their power and invincibility. They went to heaven and overthrew Indra off his royal throne. Devas were distraught and Mahishi- Mahisham couple ruled the three worlds as they please. Although they had a lineage of the sage Athri, they became Asuras. In scriptures, we see Devas and Asuras in the same family, showing that the two categories are really based on the characteristic dispositions of the people, and not their family background or creed.

After creating havoc everywhere, they moved to an earthly forest and established their abode to continue their terror even to other wild beasts, for enjoyment. They terrorized everyone and sages could not pursue their meditation even in their abodes in the deep forests. Although Mahisham was not too keen on doing the destructive activities, Mahishi wanted to make a mark in the three worlds with her full might. After a while, Mahisham – the reincarnated Dattathreya- left his body and Mahishi continued her wicked activities and disturbed peace everywhere. As Mahishi has taken her residence in a forest, in the earth, the Devas returned to heaven, thinking that their trouble is over for the time being. But Mahishi had other plans.

Devas had sought refuge with Lord Vishnu moaning about how Mahishi’s reign is disturbing the peace in the created worlds. As the sustainer of the universe, Vishnu agreed to help the Devas and that is why He appeared as Mohini in front of Lord Siva. Dharma Sastha was born and Siva, Vishnu, and the Devas waited for an opportune moment to annihilate Mahishi for good. It would be Dharma Shastha’s duty to kill Mahishi to restore peace in the three worlds.