The Two Ego-Traps

Arrogance and self-doubt as the two ego-traps: Kaushiki's emergence, the vow, the generals sent by force, and Kali born from the brow.

Lessons in this chapter

• The Brothers Who Conquered the Three Worlds — Shumbha and Nishumbha as the two ego-traps. Thinking too much of yourself and too little; both are ego.
• The Goddess from Parvati's Sheath — Kaushiki emerges, luminous; the demons' envoys report a beauty beyond the worlds. The sacred that desire immediately wants to own.
• I Will Marry Only Who Defeats Me — The vow; the messengers' offer and threat. You cannot possess what you have not overcome in yourself.
• Chanda and Munda — The generals sent to seize her by force. When grasping turns to force.
• Kali Emerges from Her Brow — The fierce form born from Durga's anger; Chanda and Munda fall; she earns the name Chamunda. The controlled-fierce self summoned when calm method has failed.
• The Seven Mothers Take the Field — The Sapta-Matrikas, the Shaktis of the gods, join the battle. Every face of power arrayed at once.

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