CHANDI CHARITRA, title of two compositions by Guru Gobind Singh in his Dasam Granth, the Book of the Tenth Master, describing in Braj verse the exploits of goddess Chandi or Durga. One of these compositions is known as Chandi Charitra Ukti Bilas whereas the second has no qualifying extension to its title except in the manuscript of the Dasam Granth preserved in the toshakhana at Takht Sri Harimandar Sahib at Patna, which is designated Chandi Charitra Trambi Mahatam. The former work is divided into eight cantos, the last one being incomplete, and comprises 233 couplets and quatrains, employing seven different metres, with Savaiyya and Dohara predominating. The latter, also of eight cantos, contains 262 couplets and quatrains, mostly employing Bhujangprayat and Rasaval measures.
CHANDI DJ VAR (the Ballad of goddess Chandi) or, to give it its exact title, Var Sri Bhagauti Ji Ki, by Guru Gobind Singh and included in the Dasam Granth, is the story of the titan tic contest between Chandi and other gods on the one hand and the demons on the other. The poem all egorizes the eternal conflict between good and evil. The source of the legend is "Devi mahatmya," a section of the Markandeyapurana, and the narrative follows, in the main, the classical detail though the dominant interest lies in the character of Chandi which, through the creative genius of the poet. attains reality and firmness belying its mythical origin.
DAS, BHATT. See BHATT BANI DAS GRANTHI, a pothi, i.e. a small book, containing selected barns or texts from the Dasam Granth. Das, meaning `ten`, here stands for `tenth`, or the Tenth Master`s granth or book to distinguish it from the older Adi Granth, i.e. the first or primary granth ; granth i, a small book (the suffix "I" is generally added to a word in Punjabi to indicate its diminutive form; an exception is the word granthi when it stands for a gurdwara officiant), Das Granthi thus being a small anthology comprising selections from the Dasam Granth of Guru Gobind Singh. Anthologies styled Das Granthi" evidently began to be compiled with a view to making the writings of Guru Gobind Singh which constitute a voluminous granth accessible to beginners and lay readers.
Explore the fascinating tales of Mahishasura in Hindu mythology, vanquished by Skanda and Durga. Discover the demon's role in epic battles and divine victories.
Discover the tale of Raktavija's defeat by Durga, where every blood drop spawned a demon. Learn how Chandi triumphed in this mythological saga.
