Durga

Mahishasurmardini

The Mahishasura Mardini Stotra is a Sanskrit stotra[hymn] comprising 21 verses, telling the story of the goddess Durga, a principal aspect of the supreme goddess Mahadevi, and her act of slaying the asura[demon] Mahishasura.
This is the moment when Devi Durga has cut down the buffalo form and from it emerges the human form of Mahishasura.

- This hymn is mentioned in the 53rd chapter of the 1st portion of the text Shivarahasya Purana. The hymn is based on the text Devi Mahatmya, referencing a number of legends of the goddess Durga such as slaying Mahishasura, Raktabija, as well as Chanda and Munda, as well as generally praising her attributes. The Devi Mahatmya or Devi Mahatmyam (lit. 'Glory of the Goddess') is a Hindu philosophical text describing the Goddess, known as Adi Parashakti or Durga, as the supreme divine ultimate reality and creator of the universe. It is part of the Mārkandeya Purāna.