Devi, The Mother Poem by Prathibha Nandakumar

(When no one could kill the Daruka demon, the gods requested the Devi to protect the world. After slaying the demon, the Devi could not calm down and the gods prayed to Lord Shiva to pacify her. He took the form of an infant and cried. The Devi could not ignore the infat's cry and picked up the child to put to her breasts and the infant sucked out her anger as well. That is how she came to be called Kshetrapala Samarchita.
- Commentary to Sri Lalitha Sahasranama
(The thousand names of the Devi)


Putani, the demon, once tried to feed baby Krishna with
poison-smeared breasts. He, the Lord he is, sucked out her life
and she died attaining Nirvana.

But this is not similar

Just when the Devi is surging forward
flashing her sword and her armed ten arms
the infant cries halting her in her path. Isnt
to suckle an infant the main purpose of the breasts.?

Never mind if it sucks out her anger as well
They know for sure it is her weakness
The Devi cannot be angry for long
There is always a way to pacify her
They know the godlike infant with its cute mouth
keeps her calm.

When in need they also know to get her to
become a demon -slaying-angry-woman.


Translated from Kannada by the poet.