25 Prominent Asuras Slain by Goddess Durga

According to the Hindu scriptures, the mighty Goddess Durga fought and defeated countless Asuras, or demons, to protect humanity. Here, I am listing 25 prominent Asuras who were vanquished by the Supreme Mother, Goddess Durga. Various scriptures tell of different weapons she used to defeat each specific Asura, as you’ll come to discover while reading this article.

1. Mahishasura

In the ancient tales of Goddess Durga’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura, there are various versions of how she defeated him. In one version from the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, she thrust her sharp trident into Mahishasura’s chest, rendering him unconscious, and then used her Sudarshana chakra to sever his head.

In another account from the Skanda Purana, Durga used her trident to pierce Mahishasura and then planted her foot on his shoulders, ending his life. She followed this by using a sword to behead him, holding his severed head.

According to the Markandeya Purana, she employed a special weapon called a “vel,” similar to a spear, to defeat Mahishasura. Afterward, she used a sword to cut off his head.

Lastly, the Shiv Purana narrates a similar story where Goddess Durga used her spear to subdue Mahishasura and then her sword to behead him.

These variations in the stories highlight the diverse interpretations and retellings of this legendary tale of the Goddess’s victory over the demon.

2. Durgamasura

In a divine encounter, Goddess Durga confronted and vanquished Durgamasura using her formidable trident. With a powerful strike, the edge of her trident brought Durgama down, much like a felled tree.

Following her victory, Goddess Durga graciously recovered the four sacred Vedas and presented them to the gods. In gratitude, the celestial beings spoke, acknowledging her divine form with countless eyes and bestowed upon her the name “Shatakshi.” They recognized her ability to nurture the world, as vegetables sprouted from her very being, and thus, she became renowned as “Shakambhari.”

In recognition of her triumph over the Asura Durgama, even Lord Shiva himself received a new name, “Durga.” This story highlights the significance of Goddess Durga’s valor and her pivotal role in the divine order.

3. Chanda and Munda

In the accounts from the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, Goddess Durga used her axe to behead both Chanda and Munda. Upon hearing her words, Kalika forcefully beheaded them, and their blood was joyfully offered as sacrifices to the war-sacrifice.

In the Markandeya Purana‘s version, Durga wielded her formidable sword to behead both Chanda and Munda. Kali, with her fierce roar, swiftly dispatched Chanda by gripping his hair and using her sword. Munda’s defeat came swiftly as well when she struck him down with her sword in her furious onslaught.

These narratives showcase the goddess’s valor and her use of different weapons to defeat the formidable foes Chanda and Munda in various retellings of the mythological tale.

4. Dhumralochana

According to the Markandeya Purana‘s story, the demon Dhumralochana, sent by the leader of the demons, approached Goddess Durga with an army. When he charged towards her with the intent to forcefully take her, she displayed her divine power by reducing him to ashes with a simple and powerful utterance of the sound ‘hum.’ This demonstrates the immense potency and authority of Goddess Durga in her divine form.

5. Raktabeeja

In the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, the story of Goddess Durga’s battle against Raktabeeja is recounted. After the demons arising from his spilled blood were consumed, the true Raktabeeja remained. In this version, Goddess Durga used her axe to split Raktabeeja into pieces, ultimately ending his life. This decisive action led the other Asuras to flee in terror.

In the Markandeya Purana‘s version, the goddess is described as attacking Raktabeeja with a range of weapons, including her dart, thunderbolt, arrows, swords, and spears. Not only did she defeat him, but she also cut him into many pieces. As the battle raged on, she consumed the powerful demons emerging from the stream of blood from her mouth, and Raktabeeja fell to the ground defeated.

Both accounts emphasize the ferocity and determination of Goddess Durga in her battle against the formidable Raktabeeja, with slight variations in the details of the battle.

6. Shumbha

In different ancient texts, there are varying descriptions of how Maa Durga defeated the demon Shumbha. According to the Markandeya Purana, she used a dart to pierce his chest, causing him to fall lifeless, bringing peace to the universe.

The Srimad Devi Bhagavatam tells a different story, where Maa Durga beheaded Shumbha with her axe, cutting off his arms and legs as well, ultimately severing his neck, resulting in his demise.

According to the Shiv Mahapurana, Maa Durga used a trident to strike Shumbha after he created ten thousand hands to attack her. She skillfully split his discus and defeated him, ultimately ending his life.

These stories highlight the diverse and powerful ways in which Maa Durga triumphed over the demon Shumbha in different ancient scriptures.

7. Nishumbha

In the ancient texts, the valiant Goddess Durga faced the formidable demon Nishumbha in different ways. According to the Devi Bhagavatam, she used her mighty axe to sever Nishumbha’s head and then, with precision, her sharp arrows to cut off his arms and legs. Even without a head, Nishumbha continued to cause chaos until the Devi put an end to him.

In the Markandeya Purana, Durga hurled a dart that pierced Nishumbha’s heart. Astonishingly, another powerful demon emerged from his heart. Unfazed, the Devi swiftly beheaded this new threat with her sword.

In the Shiv Mahapurana, Durga employed her deadly serpentine arrows to bring Nishumbha down, as they were known to drink the blood of formidable Asuras. When Nishumbha’s younger brother, Shumbha, witnessed his fall, he grew furious and sought to confront Durga.

These captivating stories illustrate the Goddess’s unwavering courage and her unique ways of defeating evil forces in the ancient mythological narratives.

8. Dhumraksa

In a powerful moment, Maa Durga confronted the fierce demon Dhumraksa. With just the sound of her mighty roar, she engulfed him in flames, reducing him to ashes. From that day forward, she became known as Dhumavati, a goddess who, when appeased, obliterated the enemies of her devotees. After Dhumraksa’s demise, her lion devoured his entire army, leaving only those who managed to escape in fear.

9. Tamrasura

In one story, Maa Durga displayed her fierce might in different ways. When faced with the defiant Tamrasura, she swiftly beheaded him with her sharp axe. In another tale from the Markandeya Purana, she used her arsenal of weapons, including her club and arrows, to defeat various adversaries, like Uddhata, Baskala, Tamra, and Andhaka. Her power knew no bounds as she even took on Ugrasya, Ugravirya, and Mahahanu with her trident, and Bidala met a similar fate with her sword. Durdhara and Durmudha also met their end at the hands of her deadly arrows. These stories highlight the Devi’s relentless determination to protect and restore cosmic order.

10. Durmukha

In her divine wrath, Goddess Ambika used her mighty axe to sever the head of the demon Durmukha, who stood menacingly before her. As his head fell to the ground, Durmukha met his demise on the battlefield, and the Immortals rejoiced, proclaiming, “Victory to the Devi.”

In another account from the Markandeya Purana, the fierce Devi unleashed her formidable powers. She crushed Uddhata into dust with her club, dispatched Baskala with a dart, and eliminated Tamra and Andhaka with her arrows. With her trident, she brought an end to Ugrasya, Ugravirya, and Mahahanu. Bidala’s head was separated from his body by her swift sword, while both Durdhara and Durmudha met their fate at the hands of her deadly arrows, finding their way to the realm of Death.

11. Vaskala

In ancient legends, Maa Durga, the powerful goddess, faced formidable foes. In one tale from the Devi Bhagavatam, she battled Vaskala, who fell briefly but rose again, prompting her to pierce him with her trident, ending his threat.

According to the Markandeya Purana, her wrath knew no bounds. She pulverized Uddhata with her club, used a dart to vanquish Vaskala, and unleashed arrows to destroy Tamra and Andhaka. Her trident took the lives of Ugrasya, Ugravirya, and Mahahanu, while her sword severed Bidala’s head, and her arrows dispatched Durdhara and Durmudha to the realm of Death. These epic battles showcase the might of the three-eyed Supreme Isvari, Maa Durga.

12. Vidalaksha

In a fierce battle, Vidalaksha, a powerful demon, launched seven arrows towards the Divine Mother, Maa Durga. However, her divine prowess was unmatched. With utmost precision, she shattered each of those arrows into pieces with her own arrows.

Undeterred by the demon’s attack, Maa Durga then unleashed her own weaponry. She crafted three deadly arrows, sharpened on stone, and aimed them at Vidalaksha. These arrows found their mark, striking the demon with such force that he fell senseless on the battlefield.

Inevitably, as if destined by fate itself, Vidalaksha succumbed to his injuries and breathed his last. It was a testament to the indomitable power of Maa Durga, who vanquished the demon with her divine might.

13. Asiloma

When Vidalaksha met his demise at the hands of Maa Durga, his comrade Asiloma, filled with fury, stepped forward armed with bows and arrows, ready to continue the battle. However, the Divine Mother was unyielding in her resolve. With unmatched precision and strength, she skillfully evaded Asiloma’s attack and swiftly beheaded the demon using her razor-sharp axe.

The force of this blow was so immense that Asiloma’s head was severed, and his lifeless body was hurled to the ground. Witnessing this powerful display of the Goddess’s might, a wave of distress swept through the ranks of the demon’s army. In stark contrast, the Devas, the celestial beings, erupted in triumphant cries, hailing “Victory to the Devi” and offering reverent hymns in her honor.

14. Ciksura

In the accounts from both the Devi Bhagavatam and the Markandeya Purana, the fearsome demon Ciksura met his demise at the hands of Maa Durga. In the Devi Bhagavatam, she displayed her supreme prowess by swiftly ending his threat. When Ciksura pursued her with an axe, the Devi responded with five arrows. The first arrow shattered his axe, the second and third severed his arms, and the final arrows brought about the end of the cruel warrior, beheading him. This decisive victory sent his terror-stricken soldiers fleeing in all directions.

In the Markandeya Purana, a different but equally awe-inspiring version of the battle unfolds. Here, Ciksura, the formidable asura general, hurled a blazing pike at Devi Ambika. However, the Devi, often known as Bhandrakali, countered with her own pike. Her throw shattered Cikṣura’s weapon into a hundred fragments, ultimately defeating the great asura.

These tales highlight the invincible power and strength of Maa Durga in her relentless battles against the forces of darkness.

15. Durdhara

In the epic battle described in the Markandeya Purana, Maa Durga’s formidable might was on full display. Among the adversaries she confronted, Durdhara met his end at her hands. The Devi employed her normal arrows to dispatch him swiftly and decisively, ensuring his journey to the abode of Death. This account showcases the relentless power of the Supreme Isvari in her unwavering commitment to vanquishing the forces of darkness.

16. Camara

In the epic battle against the forces of darkness, Camara, the valiant general of Mahisasura, faced Maa Durga and her fierce lion vehicle. As Camara advanced, he hurled his spear at the Devi. However, the Devi was swift in her response. She assailed the spear with a powerful strike, rendering it devoid of its luster and causing it to fall to the ground.

The lion, Maa Durga’s faithful companion and powerful ally, sprang into action. It leaped into the sky and descended with remarkable force, using its paw to sever Camara’s head. This swift and formidable action by Maa Durga’s lion highlighted the indomitable strength and valor of the Goddess and her divine companions in the battle against evil, ultimately leading to Camara’s defeat.

17. Udgara

In an epic battle, Maa Durga defeated the demon, Udgara using the most unexpected weapons: stones, trees, and even her own teeth and fists. She was unstoppable in her rage, turning her enemies into dust with her mighty club and piercing them with deadly arrows. With her trident, she put an end to the formidable Ugrasya, Ugravirya, and Mahahanu. Her sword sliced through Bidala’s head, and her arrows swiftly brought down Durdhara and Durmudha, sending them to the realm of Death. Maa Durga’s power knew no bounds as she triumphed over her adversaries.

18. Karala

In the fierce battle, Maa Durga displayed her immense power. She defeated Udagra using unconventional weapons like stones and trees, and Karala felt the force of her fists and slaps. The Devi’s fury knew no bounds as she turned Uddhata into dust with her mighty club, eliminated Baskala with a dart, and rained arrows upon Tamra and Andhaka, obliterating them. The three-eyed Supreme Isvari wielded her trident to bring down Ugrasya, Ugravirya, and Mahahanu. With her sharp sword, she severed Bidala’s head from his body and sent both Durdhara and Durmudha to the realm of Death with her arrows. Maa Durga’s might was unmatched as she triumphed over her adversaries in a spectacular showdown.

19. Uddhata

In the midst of her battle, Maa Durga’s wrath knew no bounds. Uddhata faced her relentless fury, and with the force of her mighty club, she turned him into mere powder. This was just one of the many displays of her incredible power on that fateful day.

20. Ugrasya

As per the Markandeya purana, Maa Durga’s trident was an instrument of divine justice in the battle. Ugrasya, Ugravirya, and Mahahanu all met their end at the hands of the three-eyed Supreme Isvari and her powerful trident, marking the triumph of righteousness in that epic clash.

21. Ugravirya

Indeed, Maa Durga’s power was unmatched in that intense battle. Ugravirya met his fate when the three-eyed Supreme Isvari struck him down with her formidable trident, ensuring the victory of righteousness and divine justice prevailed.

22. Mahahanu

In her fierce determination, Maa Durga used her trident to bring an end to Mahahanu as well. With unerring precision, she defeated each adversary, making sure that righteousness prevailed in the epic battle.

23. Andhaka (not Shivansh)

Maa Durga’s arrows were not just ordinary; they were instruments of divine retribution. According to the Markandeya purana, Andhaka faced her relentless wrath, and with her powerful arrows, she brought an end to his existence, ensuring that justice prevailed in the epic battle.

24. Bidala

According to the Markandeya purana, Bidala, a demon, met his fate in a swift and decisive manner at the hands of Maa Durga. With her formidable sword, she severed his head from his body, marking the end of his threat in the epic battle. Justice prevailed as she continued her victorious path.