Yudhishthira's Hymn to Durga

Verse 1 (4.8.1)

विराटनगरं रम्यं गच्छमानो युधिष्ठिरः । अस्तुवन्मनसा देवीं दुर्गां त्रिभुवनेश्वरीम् ॥

virāṭanagaraṃ ramyaṃ gacchamāno yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | astuvanmanasā devīṃ durgāṃ tribhuvaneśvarīm

As Yudhishthira was going to the lovely city of Virata, he praised in his mind the goddess Durga, mistress of the three worlds:

Note on the text: Removed the speaker heading "[वैशंपायन उवाच" (with the stray opening bracket) from the verse text and made Vaishampayana the speaker. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 1–2. Wikisource prints the whole adhyaya within square brackets, marking it as an addition.

Verse 2 (4.8.2)

यशोदागर्भसंभूतां नारायणवरप्रियाम् । नन्दगोपकुले जातां मङ्गल्यां कुलवर्धनीम् ॥

yaśodāgarbhasaṃbhūtāṃ nārāyaṇavarapriyām | nandagopakule jātāṃ maṅgalyāṃ kulavardhanīm

her who was born from the womb of Yashoda, dearly loved by Narayana, born in the family of Nandagopa, auspicious, the one who makes families prosper;

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 3–4.

Verse 3 (4.8.3)

कंसविद्रावणकरीमसुराणां क्षयंकरीम् । शिलातटविनिक्षिप्तामाकाशं प्रति गामिनीम् ॥

kaṃsavidrāvaṇakarīmasurāṇāṃ kṣayaṃkarīm | śilātaṭavinikṣiptāmākāśaṃ prati gāminīm

who put Kamsa to flight and destroyed the asuras; who, when she was dashed against a rock, rose up into the sky;

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 5–6.

Verse 4 (4.8.4)

वासुदेवस्य भगिनीं दिव्यमाल्यविभूषिताम् । दिव्याम्बरधरां देवीं खड्गखेटकधारिणीम् ॥

vāsudevasya bhaginīṃ divyamālyavibhūṣitām | divyāmbaradharāṃ devīṃ khaḍgakheṭakadhāriṇīm

the sister of Vasudeva, adorned with heavenly garlands, clad in heavenly garments, bearing sword and shield.

Note on the text: Corrected खङ्ग → खड्ग (misprint in Wikisource; ङ्ग for ड्ग; the CE appendix reads khaḍga-). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 7–8.

Verse 5 (4.8.5)

भारावतरणे पुण्ये ये स्मरन्ति सदा शिवाम् । तान्वै तारयते पापात्पङ्के गामिव दुर्बलाम् ॥

bhārāvataraṇe puṇye ye smaranti sadā śivām | tānvai tārayate pāpātpaṅke gāmiva durbalām

Those who, at the holy time when the earth's burden is lifted, always remember her, the auspicious one, she rescues from sin, as one pulls a weak cow out of the mire.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it is absent from Appendix I No. 4D, and the CE gives it only in the parallel hymns of Appendix I No. 4C (after 4.5.30), lines 8–9, and No. 4E, lines 8–9.

Verse 6 (4.8.6)

स्तोतुं प्रचक्रमे भूयो विविधैः स्तोत्रसंभवैः । आमन्त्र्य दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी राजा देवीं सहानुजः ॥

stotuṃ pracakrame bhūyo vividhaiḥ stotrasaṃbhavaiḥ | āmantrya darśanākāṅkṣī rājā devīṃ sahānujaḥ

Longing to see her, the king and his younger brothers called upon the goddess, and he began to praise her again with many hymns:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 9–10.

Verse 7 (4.8.7)

नमोऽस्तु वरदे कृष्णे कुमारि ब्रह्मचारिणि । बालार्कसदृशाकारे पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानने ॥

namo'stu varade kṛṣṇe kumāri brahmacāriṇi | bālārkasadṛśākāre pūrṇacandranibhānane

"Homage to you, giver of boons, dark one, maiden, chaste one, whose form is like the rising sun and whose face is like the full moon.

Note on the text: Corrected नमोस्तु → नमोऽस्तु (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 11–12.

Verse 8 (4.8.8)

चतुर्भुजे चतुर्वक्त्रे पीनश्रोणिपयोधरे । मयूरपिच्छवलये केयूराङ्गदधारिणि ॥

caturbhuje caturvaktre pīnaśroṇipayodhare | mayūrapicchavalaye keyūrāṅgadadhāriṇi

Four-armed and four-faced, full of hip and breast, wearing bracelets of peacock feathers, and armlets and bangles;

Note on the text: Corrected चतुर्वक्रे → चतुर्वक्त्रे (misprint in Wikisource; वक्र ("crooked") for वक्त्र ("face"); the CE appendix reads caturvaktre). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 13–14.

Verse 9 (4.8.9)

भासि देवि यथा पद्मा नारायणपरिग्रहः । स्वरूपं ब्रह्मचर्यं च विशदं तव खेचरि ॥

bhāsi devi yathā padmā nārāyaṇaparigrahaḥ | svarūpaṃ brahmacaryaṃ ca viśadaṃ tava khecari

you shine, goddess, like Padma (Lakshmi), the consort of Narayana. Your form and your chastity are spotless, you who move through the sky.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 15–16.

Verse 10 (4.8.10)

कृष्णच्छविसमा कृष्णा संकर्षणसमानना । बिभ्रती विपुलौ बाहू शक्रध्वजसमुच्छ्रयौ ॥

kṛṣṇacchavisamā kṛṣṇā saṃkarṣaṇasamānanā | bibhratī vipulau bāhū śakradhvajasamucchrayau

Dark as a dark rain cloud, you are Krishna, the dark one, with a face like Sankarshana's; you bear two mighty arms raised high like Indra's banner.

Note on the text: Corrected बाहु शक्र → बाहू शक्र (misprint in Wikisource; the dual needs a long ū; the CE appendix reads bāhū). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 17–18.

Verse 11 (4.8.11)

पात्री च पङ्कजी घण्टी स्त्री विशुद्धा च या भुवि । पाशं धनुर्महाचक्रं विविधान्यायुधानि च ॥

pātrī ca paṅkajī ghaṇṭī strī viśuddhā ca yā bhuvi | pāśaṃ dhanurmahācakraṃ vividhānyāyudhāni ca

You hold a bowl, a lotus and a bell — you, the one pure woman on earth — and a noose, a bow, a great discus and weapons of many kinds.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 19–20.

Verse 12 (4.8.12)

कुण्डलाभ्यां सुपूर्णाभ्यां कर्णाभ्यां च विभूषिता । चन्द्रविस्पर्धिना देवि मुखेन त्वं विराजसे ॥

kuṇḍalābhyāṃ supūrṇābhyāṃ karṇābhyāṃ ca vibhūṣitā | candravispardhinā devi mukhena tvaṃ virājase

Your ears adorned with full round earrings, goddess, you shine with a face that rivals the moon.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 21–22.

Verse 13 (4.8.13)

मुकुटेन विचित्रेण केशबन्धेन शोभिना । भुजङ्गाभोगवासेन श्रोणिसूत्रेण राजता ॥

mukuṭena vicitreṇa keśabandhena śobhinā | bhujaṅgābhogavāsena śroṇisūtreṇa rājatā

With your wondrous crown, your lovely braided hair, and the girdle at your hips that gleams like a serpent's coils,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 23–24.

Verse 14 (4.8.14)

विभ्राजसे चाऽऽबद्धेन भोगेनेवेह मन्दरः । ध्वजेन शिखिपिच्छानामुच्छ्रितेन विराजसे ॥

vibhrājase cā''baddhena bhogeneveha mandaraḥ | dhvajena śikhipicchānāmucchritena virājase

you shine as Mount Mandara shone with the serpent bound around it. You shine, too, with your tall banner of peacock feathers.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 25–26.

Verse 15 (4.8.15)

कौमारं व्रतमास्थाय त्रिदिवं पावितं त्वया । तेन त्वं स्तूयसे देवि त्रिदशैः पूज्यसेऽपि च ॥

kaumāraṃ vratamāsthāya tridivaṃ pāvitaṃ tvayā | tena tvaṃ stūyase devi tridaśaiḥ pūjyase'pi ca

By keeping the vow of maidenhood you have made heaven pure. For this, goddess, the gods praise you and worship you.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 27–28.

Verse 16 (4.8.16)

त्रैलोक्यरक्षणार्थाय महिषासुरनाशिनि । प्रसन्ना मे सुरश्रेष्ठे दयां कुरु शिवा भव ॥

trailokyarakṣaṇārthāya mahiṣāsuranāśini | prasannā me suraśreṣṭhe dayāṃ kuru śivā bhava

You who destroyed the demon Mahisha to protect the three worlds, best of the gods, be gracious to me; have mercy on me, be kind to me.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 29–30.

Verse 17 (4.8.17)

जया त्वं विजया चैव संग्रामे च जयप्रदा । ममापि विजयं देहि वरदा त्वं च सांप्रतम् ॥

jayā tvaṃ vijayā caiva saṃgrāme ca jayapradā | mamāpi vijayaṃ dehi varadā tvaṃ ca sāṃpratam

You are Jaya and Vijaya, Victory and Triumph, and you give victory in battle. Give victory to me as well; grant me your boons now.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 31–32.

Verse 18 (4.8.18)

विन्ध्ये चैव नगश्रेष्ठे तव स्थानं हि शाश्वतम् । कालि कालि महाकालि शीधुमांसपशुप्रिये ॥

vindhye caiva nagaśreṣṭhe tava sthānaṃ hi śāśvatam | kāli kāli mahākāli śīdhumāṃsapaśupriye

On the Vindhya, best of mountains, is your everlasting home. Kali, Kali, Mahakali, lover of wine, flesh and animal offerings!

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 33–34.

Verse 19 (4.8.19)

कृतानुयात्रा भूतैस्त्वं वरदा कामचारिणी । भारावतारे ये च त्वां संस्मरिष्यन्ति मानवाः ॥

kṛtānuyātrā bhūtaistvaṃ varadā kāmacāriṇī | bhārāvatāre ye ca tvāṃ saṃsmariṣyanti mānavāḥ

Hosts of spirits follow in your train; you grant boons and go where you will. Those men who remember you when the earth's burden is lifted,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 35–36.

Verse 20 (4.8.20)

प्रणमन्ति च ये त्वां हि प्रभाते तु नरा भुवि । न तेषां दुर्लभं किंचित्पुत्रतो धनतोऽपि वा ॥

praṇamanti ca ye tvāṃ hi prabhāte tu narā bhuvi | na teṣāṃ durlabhaṃ kiṃcitputrato dhanato'pi vā

and those on earth who bow to you at daybreak — for them nothing is hard to win, whether sons or wealth.

Note on the text: Corrected धनतोपि → धनतोऽपि (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 37–38.

Verse 21 (4.8.21)

दुर्गात्तारयसे दुर्गे तत्त्वं दुर्गा स्मृता जनैः । कान्तारेष्ववसन्नानां मग्नानां च महार्णवे । दस्युभिर्वा निरुद्धानां त्वं गतिः परमा नृणाम् ॥

durgāttārayase durge tattvaṃ durgā smṛtā janaiḥ | kāntāreṣvavasannānāṃ magnānāṃ ca mahārṇave | dasyubhirvā niruddhānāṃ tvaṃ gatiḥ paramā nṛṇām

You carry people across hardship (durga), O Durga, and so people call you Durga. For those who sink down in the wilderness, who are drowning in the great ocean, or who are held captive by robbers, you are the highest refuge.

Note on the text: Corrected मग्रानां → मग्नानां (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct ग्र for ग्न; "drowning", as the CE appendix reads magnānāṃ). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 39–41.

Verse 22 (4.8.22)

जलप्रतरणे चैव कान्तारेष्वटवीषु च । ये स्मरन्ति महादेवि न च सीदन्ति ते नराः ॥

jalaprataraṇe caiva kāntāreṣvaṭavīṣu ca | ye smaranti mahādevi na ca sīdanti te narāḥ

When crossing water, in wildernesses and in forests, those who remember you, great goddess, never come to grief.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 42–43.

Verse 23 (4.8.23)

त्वं कीर्तिः श्रीर्धृतिः सिद्धिर्ह्रीर्विद्या संततिर्मतिः । संध्या रात्रिः प्रभा निद्रा ज्योत्स्ना कांतिः क्षमा दया ॥

tvaṃ kīrtiḥ śrīrdhṛtiḥ siddhirhrīrvidyā saṃtatirmatiḥ | saṃdhyā rātriḥ prabhā nidrā jyotsnā kāṃtiḥ kṣamā dayā

You are fame, fortune, steadfastness, success, modesty, learning, offspring and understanding; you are twilight, night, radiance, sleep, moonlight, beauty, forbearance and compassion.

Note on the text: Spaced the run-together words कांतिः क्षमा दया (Wikisource prints कांतिःक्षमादया). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 44–45.

Verse 24 (4.8.24)

नृणां च बन्धनं मोहं पुत्रनाशं धनक्षयम् । व्याधिं मृत्युं भयं चैव पूजिता नाशयिष्यसि ॥

nṛṇāṃ ca bandhanaṃ mohaṃ putranāśaṃ dhanakṣayam | vyādhiṃ mṛtyuṃ bhayaṃ caiva pūjitā nāśayiṣyasi

Worshipped, you will destroy men's bondage, delusion, loss of sons and loss of wealth, sickness, death and fear.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 46–47.

Verse 25 (4.8.25)

सोऽहं राज्यात्परिभ्रष्टः शरणं त्वां प्रपन्नवान् । प्रणतश्च यथा मूर्ध्ना तव देवि सुरेश्वरि ॥

so'haṃ rājyātparibhraṣṭaḥ śaraṇaṃ tvāṃ prapannavān | praṇataśca yathā mūrdhnā tava devi sureśvari

I, fallen from my kingdom, have come to you for refuge, and I bow my head to you, goddess, sovereign of the gods.

Note on the text: Corrected सोहं → सोऽहं (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 48–49.

Verse 26 (4.8.26)

त्राहि मां पद्मपत्राक्षि सत्ये सत्या भवस्व नः । शरणं भव मे दुर्गे शरण्ये भक्तवत्सले ॥

trāhi māṃ padmapatrākṣi satye satyā bhavasva naḥ | śaraṇaṃ bhava me durge śaraṇye bhaktavatsale

Protect me, lotus-eyed one; you who are Truth, prove true to us. Be my refuge, Durga, you who shelter all and love your devotees."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 50–51.

Verse 27 (4.8.27)

एवं स्तुता हि सा देवी दर्शयामास पाण्डवम् । उपगम्य तु राजानमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

evaṃ stutā hi sā devī darśayāmāsa pāṇḍavam | upagamya tu rājānamidaṃ vacanamabravīt

Praised in this way, the goddess showed herself to the Pandava. Coming up to the king, she spoke these words:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 52–53.

Verse 28 (4.8.28)

शृणु राजन्महाबाहो मदीयं वचनं प्रभो । भविष्यत्यचिरादेव संग्रामे विजयस्तव ॥

śṛṇu rājanmahābāho madīyaṃ vacanaṃ prabho | bhaviṣyatyacirādeva saṃgrāme vijayastava

"Listen to my words, long-armed king, my lord: victory in battle will soon be yours.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 54–55.

Verse 29 (4.8.29)

मम प्रसादान्निर्जित्य हत्वा कौरववाहिनीम् । राज्यं निष्कण्टकं कृत्वा भोक्ष्यसे मेदिनीं पुनः ॥

mama prasādānnirjitya hatvā kauravavāhinīm | rājyaṃ niṣkaṇṭakaṃ kṛtvā bhokṣyase medinīṃ punaḥ

By my grace you will conquer and destroy the Kaurava host, rid your kingdom of its thorns, and enjoy the earth once more.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 56–57.

Verse 30 (4.8.30)

भ्रातृभिः सहितो राजन्प्रीतिं प्राप्स्यसि पुष्कलाम् । मत्प्रसादाच्च ते सौख्यमारोग्यं च भविष्यति ॥

bhrātṛbhiḥ sahito rājanprītiṃ prāpsyasi puṣkalām | matprasādācca te saukhyamārogyaṃ ca bhaviṣyati

Together with your brothers, king, you will find abundant joy, and by my grace you will have happiness and health.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 58–59.

Verse 31 (4.8.31)

ये च संकीर्तयिष्यन्ति लोके विगतकल्मषाः । तेषां तुष्टा प्रदास्यामि राज्यमायुर्वपुः सुतम् ॥

ye ca saṃkīrtayiṣyanti loke vigatakalmaṣāḥ | teṣāṃ tuṣṭā pradāsyāmi rājyamāyurvapuḥ sutam

And to those in the world who, cleansed of sin, sing my praise, I will be well pleased and grant kingship, long life, a fine body and sons.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 60–61.

Verse 32 (4.8.32)

प्रवासे नगरे वाऽपि संग्रामे शत्रुसंकटे । अटव्यां दुर्गकान्तारे सागरे गहने गिरौ ॥

pravāse nagare vā'pi saṃgrāme śatrusaṃkaṭe | aṭavyāṃ durgakāntāre sāgare gahane girau

Abroad or in the city, in battle or hard pressed by enemies, in the forest, in a trackless wilderness, on the sea, in dense thickets or on mountains —

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 62–63.

Verse 33 (4.8.33)

ये स्मरिष्यन्ति मां राजन्यथाऽहं भवता स्मृता । न तेषां दुर्लभं किंचिदस्मिँल्लोके भविष्यति ॥

ye smariṣyanti māṃ rājanyathā'haṃ bhavatā smṛtā | na teṣāṃ durlabhaṃ kiṃcidasmim̐lloke bhaviṣyati

those who remember me there, king, as you have remembered me, will find nothing in this world hard to win.

Note on the text: Corrected किंचितस्मिँल्लोके → किंचिदस्मिँल्लोके (misprint in Wikisource; त for द in sandhi; the CE appendix reads kiṃ cid asmiṃl loke). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 64–65.

Verse 34 (4.8.34)

इदं स्तोत्रवरं भक्त्या शृणुयाद्वा पठेत वा । तस्य सर्वाणि कार्याणि सिद्धिं यास्यन्ति पाण्डवाः ॥

idaṃ stotravaraṃ bhaktyā śṛṇuyādvā paṭheta vā | tasya sarvāṇi kāryāṇi siddhiṃ yāsyanti pāṇḍavāḥ

Whoever listens with devotion to this finest of hymns, or recites it, will see all his undertakings succeed, sons of Pandu.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 66–67.

Verse 35 (4.8.35)

मत्प्रसादाच्च वः सर्वान्विराटनगरे स्थितान् । न प्रज्ञास्यन्ति कुरवो नरा वा तन्निवासिनः ॥

matprasādācca vaḥ sarvānvirāṭanagare sthitān | na prajñāsyanti kuravo narā vā tannivāsinaḥ

And by my grace, while you all dwell in Virata's city, neither the Kurus nor the people who live there will recognise you."

Note on the text: Corrected कुरको → कुरवो (misprint in Wikisource; क for व; "the Kurus", as the CE appendix reads kuravo). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 68–69.

Verse 36 (4.8.36)

इत्युक्त्वा वरदा देवी युधिष्ठिरमरिंदमम् । रक्षां कृत्वा च पाण्डूनां तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥

ityuktvā varadā devī yudhiṣṭhiramariṃdamam | rakṣāṃ kṛtvā ca pāṇḍūnāṃ tatraivāntaradhīyata

Having said this to Yudhishthira, tamer of foes, the boon-giving goddess placed the Pandavas under her protection and vanished on the spot.

Note on the text: Removed the closing square bracket and the verse number printed inside the verse ending ("।।] 36 ॥"). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I No. 4D (after 4.5.31), lines 70–71. The page prints no speaker heading here; the narration returns to Vaishampayana.