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An Aithchoodi or Aithikudi is a complex, traditional Tamil poetic form consisting of 109 lines. Also known as Aitkudi or Aezhuthuchudi in Tamil, it is an alphabetic poem where each line begins with the consecutive letter of the Tamil script. Here is an English adaptation of the Aithchudi to celebrate the Durga story.
Ambika, the great goddess, was the answer to Devas’ call
Brahma’s lotus she sat on, Indra’s vajra she did wield!
Chandika spun Vishnu’s chakra, her tiger ready to maul
Durga, armed with Agni’s spear, entered the battlefield
Enraged, asuras charged with all their dark powers
Ferocious, cosmic forces clashed, both benign and ill!
Goddess wielded her gada as earth and sky cower.
Hail to mighty Devi– evil she had vowed to kill!
Invincible was she, this force driven by Devas divine
Joyous were they, vanquished, yet of victory hopeful
Kali’s fury unleashed, her eyes ablaze, ashine
Lightning-like, her arrows pierced the vile and deceitful
Mahishasura shape-shifted, Chanda -Munda couldn’t prevail
Nishachars and demons alike to her swift Khadga fell!
Overwhelming was Sharvshakti– She who cannot fail:
Parvati’s aspect Maa Kalika, sounded asuras’ death knell!
Quaking, decimated, the demons fled from her sight
Raktabija’s blood spawned rakshasas no more
Shumbha and Nishumbha trembled in fright
Trishul of Shiva she wielded to pierce the deffalos’ very core!
Ultimately, Katyayini slayed Mahishasur on the tenth day
Victorious Rannchandi restored peace to realms three!!!
Wielding Vishwakarma’s divine axe, she kept evil at bay
Xtraordinary courage against adversity is indeed Stree shakti!
Yield not to fear, all ye mortal souls – but draw strength from divine mangala Maa!
Zeal for justice and perseverance, is our eternal gift from Durgatinashini Durga!
Aparnaa Laxmi, ‘Hina’
P.S. “deffalo” is a portmanteau that combines ‘demonic’ and ‘buffalo’, to refer to Mahishasur.
