The story of Navaratri, the nine days of war between asuras and the Devi is explained in sequence as seen in Devi Mahatmyam. The Story of all the Asuras mentioned in earlier verses, Dhumralochana, Chanda Munda and Raktabeeja and their destruction by Chandika Devi followed by the main content of this verse, Shumbha and Nishumbha Vad is recounted. Being a long episode, the symbolism behind this apparently simple story will be seen in the next one 7B. About Argala Stotram: Dedicated to the Mother Goddess Durga, Argala Stotram is a powerful Chant. It praises the Devi Who defeats and destroys all the Asuras and Who as the Protector, takes care of All Creation. Asuras are not just external forces, they are also representative of our own internal negative tendencies, which need to be defeated if we are to experience the beauty of our inner god. It is also a stotram which appeals to the Universal Mother to sustain and bestow us with all Her bounty; to grant us good health and form, wealth and success; and to guide us spiritually. It is a powerful stotram which can rid us of all negative influences from the outside worlds as well as rid us of the negative tendencies within us, while enhancing our virtues. It can also make us strong and fearless. This can be chanted by all, as it is a prayer to the Mother Goddess. 0:00 Introduction 0:Verse 7 1:46 Shumbha & Nishumbha 2:01 the Boon 2:29 Parvati Devi 3:47 Chanda sees Parvati Devi 4:24 Sugreeva meets Devi 5:29 Dhumralochana 6:00 Chanda & Munda 7:42 Shumbha’s army 8:27 Matrkas arrive 8:58 Shiva as doot 9:40 Raktabeeja 10:24 Shumbha Nishumbha 11:50 Victory The link to the complete chant is given here: https://youtu.be/tvp31sOnz8g The chant in script with meanings can be found here: https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/argala-stotram-the-chant/ The written text with detailed meanings are given here: https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/argala-stotram-meanings-in-detail/ The podcast link to the complete chant is given here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/dncCwJ4BfNb Reference links: The reference for detailed meaning has been taken from the discourse by this swamiji on the Pithrukam Channel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZEjEHGtvcc ( meaning in Malayalam) Pahadi painting of Kali decimating chanda-munda army - https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/RP-T-1993-318, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116751872 Bow string Sound Effect by https://pixabay.com/users/samuelfrancisjohnson-1207793/?utm_source=linkhttps://pixabay.com/users/samuelfrancisjohnson-1207793/?utm_source=link https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_208.html https://devimahatmya.com/understanding-the-devi-mahatmyas-esoteric-hidden-meaning-knowing-chanda-and-munda/#:~:text=chanda%20denotes%20'passionate%20pursuit'%20while,denotes%20sensitive%20'introverted%20withdrawal