Legendary Origin of Khudabadi Sonara Community

Author : Rtn. Gangaram Shamdas Purswani(P.H.F)

Hindu mythology tells an interesting tale of the fierce battle of Goddess Durga with Mahishasura, a demon who earned the favour of lord Shiva after long and hard penance. Lord Shiva, pleased with the devotion of the demon, blessed him with a boon that no man or god woud be able to kill him. Empowered with the Boon, Mahishasura started his reign of terror over the universe and people were killed mercilessly. He even attacked the abode of gods. The gods, utterly defeated, took refuge under Lord Brahma, who took them to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Having heard of the misdeeds of the demon, pure energy brazed forth from Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva- the Trinity, forming the pure energy of Godhead. As the gods witnessed this fiery crest of energy pervading all the directions and blazing forth like a mountain peak aflame with the sun, this matchless energy that sprang from the bodies of all the gods, its light illuminating the three Worlds, became concentrated in one spot and took form of the Goddess Durga.

Her face was from the light of Shiva. Her sixteen arms were from Lord Vishnu. Her feet were from Lord Brahma. Her tresses were formed from the light of Yama (God of Death), her two breasts were formed from the (light of) Somanath (Moon-god), her waist was formed from the light of Indra (the king of gods), her legs and thighs were formed from the light of Varun (god of oceans), her hips were formed from the light of Bhoodev (Earth), her toes were formed from the light of Surya(Sun god), her fingers of her hand were formed from the light of the Vasus (the children of goddess river Ganga), her nose was formed from the light of Kuber (the keeper of wealth for the gods), her teeth were formed from the light of Prajapati (the lord creatures), the Triad of her eyes was born from the light of Agni (Fire God), her eyebrows were formed from the two Sandhyas (Sun Rise and Sun Set) and her ears were formed from the light of Vayu (god of wind). Thus the body of Goddess Durga was formed from the energy of these gods, as well as from many other gods.

The gods then gifted Goddess Durga with theif weapons and other divine objects to help her in her battle with the demon Mahishasura. She got the Trisul from Shiva, the Chakra from Vishnu, the Sword from Brahma, the Vijara from Indra, the Mace from Kuber, the Lance fromYama, theAxe fromVishwakarma,

the Flaming Arrow from Agni, the Bow fromVayu, the Shining Arrow from Surya, Conch-Shell from Varun and the Lion (her vehicle) and jewels from Himavat. Goddess Durga was also given new clothing and a garland of immortal lotus to cover her head and breasts along with many other precious and magical gifts. Then Goddess Durga created her own Army to fight with demon Mahishasura. Bedecked in jewels and golden armor and equipped with the fearsome weaponry of gods, the beautiful and magnificent Goddess Durga with her created Army engaged in battle with the fierce and cruel Mahishasura. After nine days of fighting, much of Mahishasur’s army was decimated. Goddess Durga, after fierce battle, killed demon Mahishasur, with the help of her created Army, on tenth day. 

At the end of successful battle, the Goddess Durga (Shakti) complimented her Created Army for their Bravery and Sacrifice. Goddess Durga bestowed upon them with the knowledge and tools of Goldsmith and blessed that they would be genius in the Art of Gold and they would always be remembered as her sons. As such, the making of Gold Ornaments and Jewellery (Art of Gold) became the community occupation of the Army. The Army, a creation of Goddess Durga, itself came to be known as Sindhi Swarankar Commanity, popularly called as Khudabadi Sonara Community.

 R. V. Russell in his book “The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India”, published under the orders of the Central Provinces Administration, McMillan & Co. Ltd.,London, has written “The Sunars also have a story that they are the descendants of one of two Rajput brothers, who were saved as boys by a Saraswat Brahman from the wrath of Parasurama when he was destroying the Kshatriyas. The descendants of other brother were the Khatris. Owing to their association with the precious metal Gold and the fact that they generally live in towns and large villages and many of their members are well-to-do, the Sunar Community occupies a fairly high position, ranking equal with or above the cultivating castes. ” According to another myth mentioned by Rose, Horace Arthur -1990 in his Glossary of the Tribes and castes of the Punjab and North west Frontier provinces- Asian Educational Services, 300. ISBN 8120605055, has mentioned that during bad times, Parmar Community (Surya Vanshi Kshatriya) prayed to Hinglaj Mataji (another form of Goddess Durga) for help. She is said to have supplied them with knowledge and the tools of jewellers and this has become their community occupation since then. Traditionally, Parmaras pay visit once a year to Dhar, to invoke the blessings of their “Kul Devi” the Goddess Kalika. Historically,Ssindhi swarankar (Khudabadi sonara included) are the descendants of Luv (the son of Lord Rama) and are Surya Vanshi Kshutriya. Legendary, they are the creation of the Goddess Durga, therefore, oftenly called us “Mai Pota”, (Sons of Mata). The Goddess Durga conferred upon them the “Gold Smith”, as their Community Occupation, a trait still associated with Sindhi Swarankar Community (Khudubadi Sonara Included.

 At later stage, the Sindhi Swarankar (sonara) spilted into four communities known as “Badaria”, “Suvichar”, “Dhati,, and “Janjhogar” Sindhi Sonara. “Janjhogal” Sindhi Sonara later became known as Khudabadi  Sonara Community because they had later founded Khudabad city to live in. In due course of time, with their progressive and forward attitude and entrepreneurship, Khudabadi  Sonara Community earned numerous achievements in various fields of life and commanded standing ovation world vide.