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Author Insight
Mere Women is a Warrior
The mean thing couldn't escape. We tease, “Nia yeah, Nia yeah Nia; you can't catch us.” Being young we could run fast, off I went. I lead out in front and all of a sudden I tripped over my feet and fell in the dirt. My friend screamed by me. Alone with the monster, who was ready to pounce, I screamed and shouted. I twisted. I kicked the monster. It would not eat me. After a while I got tired and stopped to discover only dust flew around me. I cough then became quiet. I heard the crickets singing, I smelled sweet flowers, and the stars sparkled. I got up dusty and my knees leaked. I brushed them off. When I looked up, in a beautiful golden light stood a gorgeous lady dressed in yellow; she smiled at me. She was not my mother, not an angel, not a fairy. I stood, brushed myself off, and walked across to my friends…waiting. This was Durga, the Hindi Goddess that helps when you ask, and I asked. I met her again at the Asian Art Museum when I told stories in the Hindi gallery. She is now part of my book Damsels Overcome, she is part of all of us - and will come.
Book Excerpt
Damsels Overcome
The valley in the Himalayas shook with fire.
Rocks fell.
Wind roared.
Steam swooped from the earth.
BBOOOOMMMMmmmmmmmm!
I stood among the gods, Durga, a mere woman.
Their anger created me.
All the gods stared.
"I come, the one and only from space, time, and sound. I come from the Mother Earth forces, with the voice of Shakti and body of Devi. I stand before the gods, as Durga, mere woman."
The gods stepped back.
I petted my lion, my mount.
I saw their admiration for me and understood their dread.
* * *
"Have no fear of a mere woman; Durga comes as a foe to evil. My duty is to protect the pure, the innocent, laws, and scriptures. The buffalo demon torments men and gods. I come to rid the heaven and earth of Mahisha. He is to return the nethers below my feet. I am created to free the evil."
* * *
A horrid, evil buffalo demon came from the nethers and took over the underworld and Earth. The gods of the Earth walked with the humans, waiting for the demon to tire of his earthly pleasures. Instead, Mahisha, the horrid buffalo demon, pushed Indra, the Thousand-Eyed God, from the heavens. The horrid demon stole the heavenly palace with the poets, musicians, dancers, and songs. Indra's rage awoke the gods. The moment came to act.
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