Warrior Goddesses

THE BIRTH OF LAKSHMI (Hindu)

The lesser gods and the demons all wanted to gain immortality. To accomplish this, the greedy demons agreed to help the Gods in acquiring the elixir of immortality. They churned the Milky Ocean using Lord Vishnus serpent Mahashesha, who was coiled around Mount Meru. The Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the frothy milky ocean. She was so bright and so beautiful, sparkling and full of splendor that the Gods and the demons could not take their eyes off her radiant perfection. Finally, the ocean released the pot of elixir from the well churned ocean. Lord Vishnu knew that the demons should never be allowed to drink this potion or else they would create unending destruction in the world. He thought fast and transformed himself into a beautiful woman called "Mohini" or the one who charms and has great attracting powers. Mohini seduced the demons, giving the DURGA gods time to drink all of the elixir.

but they all knew she was their last hope. She came sitting on a tiger, and when she saw the situation in her beloved planet, she was filled with rage. She went on a demon-killing spree and became more and more intoxicated as she drank the deep-red wine of their blood. Finally. She faced the last and greatest demon, Durga. Its evil form was released by the goddess. And the goddess herself would be known as Durga, the slayer of demons. But a new problem presented itself. In her rage, Durga the warrior goddess vanished and in her place Kali the black queen of death and destruction appeared. Only her mate and consort Shiva could end her madness. As she danced her crazy dances, she stepped on Shiva's body and looked down. She found herself looking at the eyes of innocence, the eyes of boundless love. In that very instant, all the rage melted, the madness passed from her.

AND

THE

BUFFALO

DRAGON

(Hindu)
Once, the asuras beat the devas and took control of heaven, earth and the netherworld. The asuras were lead by the great warrior Mahish Asura, who could take any shape at will. His favorite form was that of a giant buffalo. The defeated gods, led by Brahma, went to Vishnu and Shiva to tell them of their woes. Vishnu and Shiva shone and let off bright rays in their anger upon hearing the gods' stories. The anger was contagious. The other gods also let off light. All the light and energy from them then gathered at one spot and changed into a wonderful female figure. She had the loveliest face in the world, but had ten arms- each with a weapon. She rode on a lion and wore robes red and gold. She was Durga, and she was Good personified. Durga fought with the buffalo demon, who she caught with a snake lasso and whose breast she peirced with a trident spear. Thus Durga destroyed the wicked asura. Thus the Powerful Good destroyed the Evil. And thus it will always happen.

THE WARRIOR QUEEN (Japanese)

Japan's Emperor Chuai died before his planned invasion of Korea. His widow, Jingo stepped in to make the dead king's dream a reality. It was clear that the gods favored this mission since her son, the future emperor Ojin, lay in her womb three full years before being born. During this time she was able to give her full attention to campaigning. She also possessed the Jewels of the Sea which helped make her seaborne attacks to the Korean warriors irresistible. Soon all Korea was conquered, its kings pledging loyalty to the emperors of Japan.

DURGA THE WARRIOR GODDESS (Hindu)

The gods have failed in protecting their creatures from the demons. Thinking they could do nothing else, they decided to summon the great warrior goddess, the unpredictable mother of life and death. Some gods said she was crazy,

Johanna Christine Lomuljo HS 25