Description of Hari's Slaying of Madhu and Kaitabha

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.1.9.1)

सूत उवाच । यदा विनिर्गता निद्रा देहात्तस्य जगद्गुरोः । नेत्रास्यनासिकाबाहुहृदयेभ्यस्तथोरसः ॥ 9.1 ॥

sūta uvāca yadā vinirgatā nidrā dehāttasya jagadguroḥ netrāsyanāsikābāhuhṛdayebhyastathorasaḥ

Suta said: When sleep departed from the body of the world's teacher — from his eyes, mouth, nose, arms, heart, and chest —

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.1.9.2)

निःसृत्य गगने तस्थौ तामसी शक्तिरुत्तमा । उदतिष्ठज्जगन्नाथो जृम्भमाणः पुनः पुनः ॥ 9.2 ॥

niḥsṛtya gagane tasthau tāmasī śaktiruttamā udatiṣṭhajjagannātho jṛmbhamāṇaḥ punaḥ punaḥ

— having emerged, the supreme tamasic Shakti stood in the sky; the lord of the world arose, yawning again and again.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.1.9.3)

तदापश्यत् स्थितं तत्र भयत्रस्तं प्रजापतिम् । उवाच च महातेजा मेघगम्भीरया गिरा ॥ 9.3 ॥

tadāpaśyat sthitaṁ tatra bhayatrastaṁ prajāpatim uvāca ca mahātejā meghagambhīrayā girā

Then he saw Prajapati standing there, terrified with fear; and the greatly splendid one spoke, with a voice deep as thunder-clouds:

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.1.9.4)

विष्णुरुवाच । किमागतोऽसि भगवंस्तपस्त्यक्त्वात्र पद्मज । कस्माच्चिन्तातुरोऽसि त्वं भयाकुलितमानसः ॥ 9.4 ॥

viṣṇuruvāca kimāgato'si bhagavaṁstapastyaktvātra padmaja kasmāccintāturo'si tvaṁ bhayākulitamānasaḥ

Vishnu said: Why have you come here, O lord, having left your austerity, O lotus-born one? Why are you so troubled, your mind agitated with fear?

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.1.9.5)

ब्रह्मोवाच । त्वत्कर्णमलजौ देव दैत्यौ च मधुकैटभौ । हन्तुं मां समुपायातौ घोररूपौ महाबलौ ॥ 9.5 ॥

brahmovāca tvatkarṇamalajau deva daityau ca madhukaiṭabhau hantuṁ māṁ samupāyātau ghorarūpau mahābalau

Brahma said: The two daityas born of your ear-wax, O god — Madhu and Kaitabha — terrible in form and greatly powerful, have come here to kill me.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.1.9.6)

भयात्तयोः समायातस्त्वत्समीपं जगत्पते । त्राहि मां वासुदेवाद्य भयत्रस्तं विचेतनम् ॥ 9.6 ॥

bhayāttayoḥ samāyātastvatsamīpaṁ jagatpate trāhi māṁ vāsudevādya bhayatrastaṁ vicetanam

Out of fear of them I have come to your side, O lord of the world; save me, O Vasudeva, today — terrified with fear and bewildered.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.1.9.7)

विष्णुरुवाच । तिष्ठाद्य निर्भयो जातस्तौ हनिष्याम्यहं किल । युद्धायाजग्मतुर्मूढौ मत्समीपं गतायुषौ ॥ 9.7 ॥

viṣṇuruvāca tiṣṭhādya nirbhayo jātastau haniṣyāmyahaṁ kila yuddhāyājagmaturmūḍhau matsamīpaṁ gatāyuṣau

Vishnu said: Stay now, freed from fear; I shall indeed slay them. Those two fools have come here for battle, right to my presence, their lives already spent.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.1.9.8)

सूत उवाच । एवं वदति देवेशे दानवौ तौ महाबलौ । विचिन्वानावजं चोभौ सम्प्राप्तौ मदगर्वितौ ॥ 9.8 ॥

sūta uvāca evaṁ vadati deveśe dānavau tau mahābalau vicinvānāvajaṁ cobhau samprāptau madagarvitau

Suta said: Even as the Lord of gods spoke thus, the two mighty danavas, searching for Brahma, both arrived, arrogant with pride.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.1.9.9)

निराधारौ जले तत्र संस्थितौ विगतज्वरौ । तावूचतुर्मदोन्मत्तौ ब्रह्माणं मुनिसत्तमाः ॥ 9.9 ॥

nirādhārau jale tatra saṁsthitau vigatajvarau tāvūcaturmadonmattau brahmāṇaṁ munisattamāḥ

O best of sages, standing unsupported there in the water, free of any fever of fear, those two, maddened with pride, spoke to Brahma:

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.1.9.10)

पलायित्वा समायातः सन्निधावस्य किं ततः । युद्धं कुरु हनिष्यावः पश्यतोऽस्यैव सन्निधौ ॥ 9.10 ॥

palāyitvā samāyātaḥ sannidhāvasya kiṁ tataḥ yuddhaṁ kuru haniṣyāvaḥ paśyato'syaiva sannidhau

'Having fled, you have come into this one's presence — what of it? Give battle; we shall slay you right in his very presence, before his own eyes.'

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.1.9.11)

पश्चादेनं हनिष्यावः सर्पभोगोपरिस्थितम् । त्वमद्य कुरु सङ्ग्रामं दासोऽस्मीति च वा वद ॥ 9.11 ॥

paścādenaṁ haniṣyāvaḥ sarpabhogoparisthitam tvamadya kuru saṅgrāmaṁ dāso'smīti ca vā vada

'Afterward we shall slay this one too, seated upon the coils of the serpent. Either give battle now, or say, I am your slave.'

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.1.9.12)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं विष्णुस्तावुवाच जनार्दनः । कुरुतं समरं कामं मया दानवपुङ्गवौ ॥ 9.12 ॥

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ viṣṇustāvuvāca janārdanaḥ kurutaṁ samaraṁ kāmaṁ mayā dānavapuṅgavau

Suta said: Hearing these words, Vishnu, Janardana, said to them: 'Wage battle, then, as you wish, with me, O foremost of danavas.'

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.1.9.13)

हरिष्यामि मदं चाहं युवयोर्मत्तयोः किल । आगच्छतं महाभागौ श्रद्धा चेद्वां महाबलौ ॥ 9.13 ॥

hariṣyāmi madaṁ cāhaṁ yuvayormattayoḥ kila āgacchataṁ mahābhāgau śraddhā cedvāṁ mahābalau

'And I shall indeed take away the pride of you two, so intoxicated with it. Come, O greatly fortunate, mighty ones, if you have the confidence.'

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.1.9.14)

सूत उवाच । श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं चोभौ क्रोधव्याकुललोचनौ । निराधारौ जलस्थौ च युद्धोद्युक्तौ बभूवतुः ॥ 9.14 ॥

sūta uvāca śrutvā tadvacanaṁ cobhau krodhavyākulalocanau nirādhārau jalasthau ca yuddhodyuktau babhūvatuḥ

Suta said: Hearing those words, both of them, their eyes wild with rage, standing unsupported in the water, made themselves ready for battle.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.1.9.15)

मधुश्च कुपितस्तत्र हरिणा सह संयुगम् । कर्तुं प्रचलितस्तूर्णं कैटभस्तु तथा स्थितः ॥ 9.15 ॥

madhuśca kupitastatra hariṇā saha saṁyugam kartuṁ pracalitastūrṇaṁ kaiṭabhastu tathā sthitaḥ

Madhu, enraged, at once moved swiftly to engage Hari in combat; and Kaitabha stood by likewise waiting his turn.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.1.9.16)

बाहुयुद्धं तयोरासीन्मल्लयोरिव मत्तयोः । श्रान्ते मधौ कैटभस्तु सङ्ग्राममकरोत्तदा ॥ 9.16 ॥

bāhuyuddhaṁ tayorāsīnmallayoriva mattayoḥ śrānte madhau kaiṭabhastu saṅgrāmamakarottadā

A hand-to-hand fight ensued between them, like two intoxicated wrestlers; when Madhu grew weary, Kaitabha then took up the battle.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.1.9.17)

पुनर्मधुः कैटभश्च युयुधाते पुनः पुनः । बाहुयुद्धेन रागान्धौ विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना ॥ 9.17 ॥

punarmadhuḥ kaiṭabhaśca yuyudhāte punaḥ punaḥ bāhuyuddhena rāgāndhau viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā

Again and again, Madhu and Kaitabha, blinded by passion, fought hand-to-hand, again and again, with the all-powerful Vishnu.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.1.9.18)

प्रेक्षकस्तु तदा ब्रह्मा देवी चैवान्तरिक्षगा । न मम्लतुस्तदा तौ तु विष्णुस्तु ग्लानिमाप्तवान् ॥ 9.18 ॥

prekṣakastu tadā brahmā devī caivāntarikṣagā na mamlatustadā tau tu viṣṇustu glānimāptavān

Brahma was then a mere onlooker, and so too the Devi, moving through the sky; those two demons did not tire, while Vishnu grew weary.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.1.9.19)

पञ्चवर्षसहस्राणि यदा जातानि युद्।ह्ध्यता । हरिणा चिन्तितं तत्र कारणं मरणे तयोः ॥ 9.19 ॥

pañcavarṣasahasrāṇi yadā jātāni yud|hdhyatā hariṇā cintitaṁ tatra kāraṇaṁ maraṇe tayoḥ

When five thousand years had passed in fighting, Hari then pondered there the true cause behind their continued survival.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.1.9.20)

पञ्चवर्षसहस्राणि मया युद्धं कृतं किल । न श्रान्तौ दानवौ घोरौ श्रान्तोऽहं चैतदद्भुतम् ॥ 9.20 ॥

pañcavarṣasahasrāṇi mayā yuddhaṁ kṛtaṁ kila na śrāntau dānavau ghorau śrānto'haṁ caitadadbhutam

'For five thousand years indeed I have fought; yet these two terrible danavas are not weary, while I am weary — this is astonishing.'

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.1.9.21)

क्व गतं मे बलं शौर्यं कस्माच्चेमावनामयौ । किमत्र कारणं चिन्त्यं विचार्य मनसा त्विह ॥ 9.21 ॥

kva gataṁ me balaṁ śauryaṁ kasmāccemāvanāmayau kimatra kāraṇaṁ cintyaṁ vicārya manasā tviha

'Where has my strength and valor gone? Why are these two unyielding? What is the cause here? I must reflect upon it in my mind.'

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.1.9.22)

इति चिन्तापरं दृष्ट्वा हरिं हर्षपरावुभौ । ऊचतुस्तौ मदोन्मत्तौ मेघमम्भीरनिःस्वनौ ॥ 9.22 ॥

iti cintāparaṁ dṛṣṭvā hariṁ harṣaparāvubhau ūcatustau madonmattau meghamambhīraniḥsvanau

Seeing Hari absorbed in this thought, the two of them, overjoyed and maddened with pride, spoke, their voices deep as thunder-clouds:

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.1.9.23)

तव नोचेद्बलं विष्णो यदि श्रान्तोऽसि युद्धतः । ब्रूहि दासोऽस्मि वां नूनं कृत्वा शिरसि चाञ्जलिम् ॥ 9.23 ॥

tava nocedbalaṁ viṣṇo yadi śrānto'si yuddhataḥ brūhi dāso'smi vāṁ nūnaṁ kṛtvā śirasi cāñjalim

'If you have no strength left, O Vishnu, if you are weary from battle, then say, with joined palms upon your head, I am surely your slave.'

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.1.9.24)

न चेद्युद्धं कुरुष्वाद्य समर्थोऽसि महामते । हत्वा त्वां निहनिष्यावः पुरुषं च चतुर्मुखम् ॥ 9.24 ॥

na cedyuddhaṁ kuruṣvādya samartho'si mahāmate hatvā tvāṁ nihaniṣyāvaḥ puruṣaṁ ca caturmukham

'Otherwise, if you are able, give battle now, O great-minded one; having killed you, we shall then kill that four-faced being too.'

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.1.9.25)

सूत उवाच । श्रुत्वा तद्भाषितं विष्णुस्तयोस्तस्मिन्महोदधौ । उवाच वचनं श्लक्ष्णं सामपूर्वं महामनाः ॥ 9.25 ॥

sūta uvāca śrutvā tadbhāṣitaṁ viṣṇustayostasminmahodadhau uvāca vacanaṁ ślakṣṇaṁ sāmapūrvaṁ mahāmanāḥ

Suta said: Hearing their speech, Vishnu, great-minded, spoke gentle, conciliatory words to them there in that great ocean:

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.1.9.26)

हरिरुवाच । श्रान्ते भीते त्यक्तशस्त्रे पतिते बालके तथा । प्रहरन्ति न वीरास्ते धर्म एष सनातनः ॥ 9.26 ॥

hariruvāca śrānte bhīte tyaktaśastre patite bālake tathā praharanti na vīrāste dharma eṣa sanātanaḥ

Hari said: Heroes do not strike one who is weary, or afraid, or who has cast down his weapon, or fallen, or is a child — this is the eternal law of dharma.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.1.9.27)

पञ्चवर्षसहस्राणि कृतं युद्धं मया त्विह । एकोऽहं भ्रातरौ वां च बलिनौ सदृशौ तथा ॥ 9.27 ॥

pañcavarṣasahasrāṇi kṛtaṁ yuddhaṁ mayā tviha eko'haṁ bhrātarau vāṁ ca balinau sadṛśau tathā

For five thousand years I have fought here, alone, against you two brothers, equally matched in strength.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.1.9.28)

कृतं विश्रमणं मध्ये युवाभ्यां च पुनः पुनः । तथा विश्रमणं कृत्वा युध्येऽहं नात्र संशयः ॥ 9.28 ॥

kṛtaṁ viśramaṇaṁ madhye yuvābhyāṁ ca punaḥ punaḥ tathā viśramaṇaṁ kṛtvā yudhye'haṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

You two have rested in turn, again and again, during this time; let me too, likewise, take rest — then I shall fight, without doubt.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.1.9.29)

तिष्ठतं हि युवां तावद्बलवन्तौ मदोत्कटौ । विश्रम्याहं करिष्यामि युद्धं वा न्यायमार्गतः ॥ 9.29 ॥

tiṣṭhataṁ hi yuvāṁ tāvadbalavantau madotkaṭau viśramyāhaṁ kariṣyāmi yuddhaṁ vā nyāyamārgataḥ

'Wait, then, you two, mighty and flushed with pride; having rested, I shall resume the fight, by the fair and proper way.'

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.1.9.30)

सूत उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य विश्रब्धौ दानवोत्तमौ । संस्थितौ दूरतस्तत्र सङ्ग्रामे कृतनिश्चयौ ॥ 9.30 ॥

sūta uvāca iti śrutvā vacastasya viśrabdhau dānavottamau saṁsthitau dūratastatra saṅgrāme kṛtaniścayau

Suta said: Hearing these words of his, the two foremost danavas, trusting him, stood apart at a distance there, resolved to continue the battle.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.1.9.31)

अतिदूरे च तौ दृष्ट्वा वासुदेवश्चतुर्भुजः । दध्यौ च मनसा तत्र कारणं मरणे तयोः ॥ 9.31 ॥

atidūre ca tau dṛṣṭvā vāsudevaścaturbhujaḥ dadhyau ca manasā tatra kāraṇaṁ maraṇe tayoḥ

Seeing them at that distance, the four-armed Vasudeva then pondered, in his mind, the cause governing their death.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.1.9.32)

चिन्तनाज्ज्ञानमुत्पन्नं देवीदत्तवरावुभौ । कामं वाञ्छितमरणौ न मम्लतुरतस्त्विमौ ॥ 9.32 ॥

cintanājjñānamutpannaṁ devīdattavarāvubhau kāmaṁ vāñchitamaraṇau na mamlaturatastvimau

Through reflection, understanding arose: both of them had received a boon from the Devi — death only at their own will and desire — and this was why they did not tire.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.1.9.33)

वृथा मया कृतं युद्धं श्रमोऽयं मे वृथा गतः । करोमि च कथं युद्धमेवं ज्ञात्वा विनिश्चयम् ॥ 9.33 ॥

vṛthā mayā kṛtaṁ yuddhaṁ śramo'yaṁ me vṛthā gataḥ karomi ca kathaṁ yuddhamevaṁ jñātvā viniścayam

'In vain have I waged this battle; this effort of mine has gone for nothing. How, then, shall I fight, knowing this to be so?' — thus he came to a firm resolve.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.1.9.34)

अकृते च तथा युद्धे कथमेतौ गमिष्यतः । विनाशं दुःखदौ नित्यं दानवौ वरदर्पितौ ॥ 9.34 ॥

akṛte ca tathā yuddhe kathametau gamiṣyataḥ vināśaṁ duḥkhadau nityaṁ dānavau varadarpitau

'And if I do not fight, how then shall these two — perpetual sources of sorrow, danavas puffed up by their boon — meet destruction?'

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.1.9.35)

भगवत्या वरो दत्तस्तया सोऽपि च दुर्घटः । मरणं चेच्छया कामं दुःखितोऽपि न वाञ्छति ॥ 9.35 ॥

bhagavatyā varo dattastayā so'pi ca durghaṭaḥ maraṇaṁ cecchayā kāmaṁ duḥkhito'pi na vāñchati

'The Bhagavati granted them this boon, and it is indeed a difficult one — for death is only at their own will, and even one in distress does not readily wish for death.'

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.1.9.36)

रोगग्रस्तोऽपि दीनोऽपि न मुमूर्षति कश्चन । कथं चेमौ मदोन्मत्तौ मर्तुकामौ भविष्यतः ॥ 9.36 ॥

rogagrasto'pi dīno'pi na mumūrṣati kaścana kathaṁ cemau madonmattau martukāmau bhaviṣyataḥ

'Even one seized by disease, even one wretched, does not wish to die; how, then, will these two, so maddened with pride, ever become willing to die?'

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.1.9.37)

नन्वद्य शरणं यामि विद्यां शक्तिं सुकामदाम् । विना तया न सिध्यन्ति कामाः सम्यक्प्रसन्नया ॥ 9.37 ॥

nanvadya śaraṇaṁ yāmi vidyāṁ śaktiṁ sukāmadām vinā tayā na sidhyanti kāmāḥ samyakprasannayā

'Surely, then, I shall now go for refuge to that Vidya, that Shakti, giver of good desires; without her, rightly propitiated, my wishes cannot succeed.'

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.1.9.38)

एवं सञ्चिन्त्यमानस्तु गगने संस्थितां शिवाम् । अपश्यद्भगवान्विष्णुर्योगनिद्रां मनोहराम् ॥ 9.38 ॥

evaṁ sañcintyamānastu gagane saṁsthitāṁ śivām apaśyadbhagavānviṣṇuryoganidrāṁ manoharām

Thus reflecting, the Lord Vishnu beheld the auspicious, enchanting Yoganidra, standing there in the sky.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.1.9.39)

कृताज्जलिरमेयात्मा तां च तुष्टाव योगवित् । विनाशार्थं तयोस्तत्र वरदां भुवनेश्वरीम् ॥ 9.39 ॥

kṛtājjalirameyātmā tāṁ ca tuṣṭāva yogavit vināśārthaṁ tayostatra varadāṁ bhuvaneśvarīm

With joined palms, that being of immeasurable self, versed in yoga, praised her — the boon-granting mistress of the universe — there, for the sake of their destruction.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.1.9.40)

विष्णुरुवाच । नमो देवि महामाये सृष्टिसंहारकारिणि । अनादिनिधने चण्डि भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदे शिवे ॥ 9.40 ॥

viṣṇuruvāca namo devi mahāmāye sṛṣṭisaṁhārakāriṇi anādinidhane caṇḍi bhuktimuktiprade śive

Vishnu said: Salutations, O Devi Mahamaya, agent of creation and dissolution; O Chandi without beginning or end, giver of enjoyment and liberation, auspicious one.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.1.9.41)

न ते रूपं विजानामि सगुणं निर्गुणं तथा । चरित्राणि कुतो देवि सङ्ख्यातीतानि यानि ते ॥ 9.41 ॥

na te rūpaṁ vijānāmi saguṇaṁ nirguṇaṁ tathā caritrāṇi kuto devi saṅkhyātītāni yāni te

I do not truly know your form — whether qualified or unqualified; how, then, O Devi, could I know your deeds, which are beyond all counting?

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.1.9.42)

अनुभूतो मया तेऽद्य प्रभावश्चातिदुर्घटः । यदहं निद्रया लीनः सञ्जातोऽस्मि विचेतनः ॥ 9.42 ॥

anubhūto mayā te'dya prabhāvaścātidurghaṭaḥ yadahaṁ nidrayā līnaḥ sañjāto'smi vicetanaḥ

I have myself today experienced your power, so hard to fathom, in that I became absorbed in sleep and rendered unconscious.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.1.9.43)

ब्रह्मणा चातियत्नेन बोधितोऽपि पुनः पुनः । न प्रबुद्धः सर्वथाहं सङ्कोचितषडिन्द्रियः ॥ 9.43 ॥

brahmaṇā cātiyatnena bodhito'pi punaḥ punaḥ na prabuddhaḥ sarvathāhaṁ saṅkocitaṣaḍindriyaḥ

Though roused by Brahma with the greatest effort, again and again, I did not awaken at all, my six senses drawn inward.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.1.9.44)

अचेतनत्वं सम्प्राप्तः प्रभावात्तव चाम्बिके । त्वया मुक्तः प्रबुद्धोऽहं युद्धं च बहुधा कृतम् ॥ 9.44 ॥

acetanatvaṁ samprāptaḥ prabhāvāttava cāmbike tvayā muktaḥ prabuddho'haṁ yuddhaṁ ca bahudhā kṛtam

I attained that state of unconsciousness through your power alone, O mother; freed by you, I awoke, and have fought this battle at great length.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.1.9.45)

श्रान्तोऽहं न च तौ श्रान्तौ त्वया दत्तवरौ वरौ । ब्रह्माणं हन्तुमायातौ दानवौ मदगर्वितौ ॥ 9.45 ॥

śrānto'haṁ na ca tau śrāntau tvayā dattavarau varau brahmāṇaṁ hantumāyātau dānavau madagarvitau

I have grown weary, but those two have not, granted their boon by you; those danavas, arrogant with pride, came to slay Brahma.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.1.9.46)

आहूतौ च मया कामं द्वन्द्वयुद्धाय मानदे । कृतं युद्धं महाघोरं मया ताभ्यां महार्णवे ॥ 9.46 ॥

āhūtau ca mayā kāmaṁ dvandvayuddhāya mānade kṛtaṁ yuddhaṁ mahāghoraṁ mayā tābhyāṁ mahārṇave

I duly challenged them to single combat, O giver of honor; a most terrible battle has been fought by me with them in this great ocean.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.1.9.47)

मरणे वरदानं ते ततो ज्ञातं महाद्भुतम् । ज्ञात्वाहं शरणं प्राप्तस्त्वामद्य शरणप्रदाम् ॥ 9.47 ॥

maraṇe varadānaṁ te tato jñātaṁ mahādbhutam jñātvāhaṁ śaraṇaṁ prāptastvāmadya śaraṇapradām

Then I learned of the most wondrous boon you granted them regarding their death; knowing this, I have today come for refuge to you, the giver of refuge.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.1.9.48)

साहाय्यं कुरु मे मातः खिन्नोऽहं युद्धकर्मणा । दृप्तौ तौ वरदानेन तव देवार्तिनाशने ॥ 9.48 ॥

sāhāyyaṁ kuru me mātaḥ khinno'haṁ yuddhakarmaṇā dṛptau tau varadānena tava devārtināśane

Give me your help, O mother; I am exhausted by this work of battle. Those two are arrogant because of your boon — O destroyer of the gods' distress,

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.1.9.49)

हन्तुं मामुद्यतौ पापौ किं करोमि क्व यामि च । इत्युक्ता सा तदा देवी स्मितपूर्वमुवाच ह ॥ 9.49 ॥

hantuṁ māmudyatau pāpau kiṁ karomi kva yāmi ca ityuktā sā tadā devī smitapūrvamuvāca ha

those two sinful ones are intent on killing me — what shall I do, and where shall I go? Thus addressed, that Devi then spoke, smiling:

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.1.9.50)

प्रणमन्तं जगन्नाथं वासुदेवं सनातनम् । देवदेव हरे विष्णो कुरु युद्धं पुनः स्वयम् ॥ 9.50 ॥

praṇamantaṁ jagannāthaṁ vāsudevaṁ sanātanam devadeva hare viṣṇo kuru yuddhaṁ punaḥ svayam

— to the lord of the world, the eternal Vasudeva, who bowed to her: 'O god of gods, Hari, Vishnu, resume the battle yourself once more.'

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.1.9.51)

वञ्चयित्वा त्विमौ शूरौ हन्तव्यौ च विमोहितौ । मोहयिष्याम्यहं नूनं दानवौ वक्रया दृशा ॥ 9.51 ॥

vañcayitvā tvimau śūrau hantavyau ca vimohitau mohayiṣyāmyahaṁ nūnaṁ dānavau vakrayā dṛśā

'These two heroes are to be deceived and slain while thus deluded; I shall surely delude the two danavas with a sidelong glance.'

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.1.9.52)

जहि नारायणाशु त्वं मम मायाविमोहितौ । सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं विष्णुस्तस्याः प्रीतिरसान्वितम् ॥ 9.52 ॥

jahi nārāyaṇāśu tvaṁ mama māyāvimohitau sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ viṣṇustasyāḥ prītirasānvitam

'Slay them quickly, O Narayana, once they are deluded by my Maya.' Suta said: Hearing her words, filled with the flavor of delight,

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.1.9.53)

सङ्ग्रामस्थलमासाद्य तस्थौ तत्र महार्णवे । तदायातौ च तौ वीरौ युद्धकामौ महाबलौ ॥ 9.53 ॥

saṅgrāmasthalamāsādya tasthau tatra mahārṇave tadāyātau ca tau vīrau yuddhakāmau mahābalau

Vishnu returned to the battlefield and stood there in that great ocean; then those two heroes, mighty and eager for battle, arrived.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.1.9.54)

वीक्ष्य विष्णुं स्थितं तत्र हर्षयुक्तौ बभूवतुः । तिष्ठ तिष्ठ महाकाम कुरु युद्धं चतुर्भुज ॥ 9.54 ॥

vīkṣya viṣṇuṁ sthitaṁ tatra harṣayuktau babhūvatuḥ tiṣṭha tiṣṭha mahākāma kuru yuddhaṁ caturbhuja

Seeing Vishnu standing there, they became filled with delight: 'Stand, stand, O greatly desirous one! Give battle, O four-armed one!'

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.1.9.55)

दैवाधीनौ विदित्वाद्य नूनं जयपराजयौ । सबलो जयमाप्नोति दैवाज्जयति दुर्बलः ॥ 9.55 ॥

daivādhīnau viditvādya nūnaṁ jayaparājayau sabalo jayamāpnoti daivājjayati durbalaḥ

'Knowing today that victory and defeat surely depend on fate — the strong attain victory, but by fate even the weak may triumph.'

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.1.9.56)

सर्वथैव न कर्तव्यौ हर्षशोकौ महात्मना । पुरा वै बहवो दैत्या जिता दानववैरिणा ॥ 9.56 ॥

sarvathaiva na kartavyau harṣaśokau mahātmanā purā vai bahavo daityā jitā dānavavairiṇā

'A great soul should never, under any circumstance, give way to joy or sorrow; long ago, many daityas were indeed conquered by you, the enemy of the danavas —'

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.1.9.57)

अधुना चावयोः सार्धं युध्यमानः पराजितः । सूत उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तौ महाबाहू युद्धाय समुपस्थितौ ॥ 9.57 ॥

adhunā cāvayoḥ sārdhaṁ yudhyamānaḥ parājitaḥ sūta uvāca ityuktvā tau mahābāhū yuddhāya samupasthitau

'— but now, fighting with the two of us, you have been defeated.' Suta said: Having said this, those two mighty-armed ones made ready for battle.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.1.9.58)

वीक्ष्य विष्णुर्जघानाशु मुष्टिनाद्भुतकर्मणा । तावप्यतिबलोन्मत्तौ जध्नतुर्मुष्टिना हरिम् ॥ 9.58 ॥

vīkṣya viṣṇurjaghānāśu muṣṭinādbhutakarmaṇā tāvapyatibalonmattau jadhnaturmuṣṭinā harim

Seeing this, Vishnu, of wondrous deeds, at once struck with his fist; and those two, maddened with excessive strength, struck Hari back with their fists.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.1.9.59)

एवं परस्परं जातं युद्धं परमदारुणम् । युध्यमानौ महावीर्यौ दृष्ट्वा नारायणस्तदा ॥ 9.59 ॥

evaṁ parasparaṁ jātaṁ yuddhaṁ paramadāruṇam yudhyamānau mahāvīryau dṛṣṭvā nārāyaṇastadā

Thus a most fierce battle raged between them; seeing the two of them fighting, so mighty in valor, Narayana then—

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.1.9.60)

अपश्यत्सम्मुखं देव्याः कृत्वा दीनां दृशं हरिः । सूत उवाच । तं वीक्ष्य तादृशं विष्णुं करुणारससंयुतम् ॥ 9.60 ॥

apaśyatsammukhaṁ devyāḥ kṛtvā dīnāṁ dṛśaṁ hariḥ sūta uvāca taṁ vīkṣya tādṛśaṁ viṣṇuṁ karuṇārasasaṁyutam

— Hari, putting on a pitiful look, gazed toward the Devi, standing before him. Suta said: Seeing Vishnu thus, filled with the flavor of compassion,

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.1.9.61)

जहासातीव ताम्राक्षी वीक्षमाणा तदासुरौ । तौ जघान कटाक्षैश्च कामबाणैरिवापरैः ॥ 9.61 ॥

jahāsātīva tāmrākṣī vīkṣamāṇā tadāsurau tau jaghāna kaṭākṣaiśca kāmabāṇairivāparaiḥ

the copper-eyed goddess laughed exceedingly, gazing then upon the two asuras; she struck them with sidelong glances, like so many arrows of desire.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.1.9.62)

मन्दस्मितयुतैः कामं प्रेमभावयुतैरनु । दृष्ट्वा मुमुहतुः पापौ देव्या वक्रविलोकनम् ॥ 9.62 ॥

mandasmitayutaiḥ kāmaṁ premabhāvayutairanu dṛṣṭvā mumuhatuḥ pāpau devyā vakravilokanam

— glances joined with a gentle smile, and, following that, with looks full of loving feeling; seeing the Devi's sidelong gaze, the two sinful ones were utterly bewildered.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.1.9.63)

विशेषमिति मन्वानौ कामबाणातिपीडितौ । वीक्षमाणौ स्थितौ तत्र तां देवीं विशदप्रभाम् ॥ 9.63 ॥

viśeṣamiti manvānau kāmabāṇātipīḍitau vīkṣamāṇau sthitau tatra tāṁ devīṁ viśadaprabhām

Thinking this to be something extraordinary, tormented by the arrows of desire, the two of them stood there gazing at that Devi of radiant splendor.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.1.9.64)

हरिणापि च तद्दृष्टं देव्यास्तत्र चिकीर्षितम् । मोहितौ तौ परिज्ञाय भगवान्कार्यवित्तमः ॥ 9.64 ॥

hariṇāpi ca taddṛṣṭaṁ devyāstatra cikīrṣitam mohitau tau parijñāya bhagavānkāryavittamaḥ

Hari, too, perceived there the Devi's intent; recognizing that the two were now bewildered, the Lord, most skilled in seizing the right moment,

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.1.9.65)

उवाच तौ हसन् श्लक्ष्णं मेघगम्भीरया गिरा । वरं वरयतां वीरौ युवयोर्योऽभिवाच्छितः ॥ 9.65 ॥

uvāca tau hasan ślakṣṇaṁ meghagambhīrayā girā varaṁ varayatāṁ vīrau yuvayoryo'bhivācchitaḥ

— spoke to them, smiling gently, in a voice deep as thunder-clouds: 'Choose a boon, O heroes, whatever you both truly desire.'

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.1.9.66)

ददामि परमप्रीतो युद्धेन युवयोः किल । दानवा बहवो दृष्टा युध्यमाना मया पुरा ॥ 9.66 ॥

dadāmi paramaprīto yuddhena yuvayoḥ kila dānavā bahavo dṛṣṭā yudhyamānā mayā purā

'I shall grant it, greatly pleased indeed by your battle; I have seen many danavas fighting before.'

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.1.9.67)

युवयोः सदृशः कोऽपि न दृष्टो न च वै श्रुतः । तस्मात्तुष्टोऽस्मि कामं वै निस्तुलेन बलेन च ॥ 9.67 ॥

yuvayoḥ sadṛśaḥ ko'pi na dṛṣṭo na ca vai śrutaḥ tasmāttuṣṭo'smi kāmaṁ vai nistulena balena ca

'None equal to you two have I ever seen, nor even heard of; therefore I am truly pleased, by your incomparable strength.'

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.1.9.68)

भ्रात्रोश्च वाञ्छितं कामं प्रयच्छामि महाबलौ । सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं विष्णोः साभिमानौ स्मरातुरौ ॥ 9.68 ॥

bhrātrośca vāñchitaṁ kāmaṁ prayacchāmi mahābalau sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ viṣṇoḥ sābhimānau smarāturau

'I grant to you two brothers your desired wish, O mighty ones.' Suta said: Hearing these words of Vishnu, the two of them, filled with pride and tormented by desire,

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.1.9.69)

वीक्षमाणौ महामायां जगदानन्दकारिणीम् । तमूचतुश्च कामार्तौ विष्णुं कमललोचनौ ॥ 9.69 ॥

vīkṣamāṇau mahāmāyāṁ jagadānandakāriṇīm tamūcatuśca kāmārtau viṣṇuṁ kamalalocanau

gazing upon Mahamaya, the bringer of joy to the world, said, afflicted with desire, to the lotus-eyed Vishnu:

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.1.9.70)

हरे न याचकावावां त्वं किं दातुमिहेच्छसि । ददाव तुल्यं देवेश दातारौ नौ न याचकौ ॥ 9.70 ॥

hare na yācakāvāvāṁ tvaṁ kiṁ dātumihecchasi dadāva tulyaṁ deveśa dātārau nau na yācakau

'O Hari, we two are not beggars — what do you wish to give here? O lord of gods, we two, alike, are givers, not beggars.'

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.1.9.71)

प्रार्थय त्वं हृषीकेश मनोऽभिलषितं वरम् । तुष्टौ स्वस्तव युद्धेन वासुदेवाद्भुतेन च ॥ 9.71 ॥

prārthaya tvaṁ hṛṣīkeśa mano'bhilaṣitaṁ varam tuṣṭau svastava yuddhena vāsudevādbhutena ca

'Ask, O Hrishikesha, for the boon your mind desires; we two are well pleased with your wondrous battle, O Vasudeva.'

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.1.9.72)

तयोस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच जनार्दनः । भवेतामद्य मे तुष्टौ मम वध्यावुभावपि ॥ 9.72 ॥

tayostadvacanaṁ śrutvā pratyuvāca janārdanaḥ bhavetāmadya me tuṣṭau mama vadhyāvubhāvapi

Hearing these words of theirs, Janardana replied: 'If you are indeed pleased with me today, then let both of you be slain by me.'

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.1.9.73)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं विष्णोर्दानवौ चातिविस्मितौ । वञ्चिताविति मन्वानौ तस्थतुः शोकसंयुतौ ॥ 9.73 ॥

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ viṣṇordānavau cātivismitau vañcitāviti manvānau tasthatuḥ śokasaṁyutau

Suta said: Hearing these words of Vishnu, the two danavas, utterly astonished, thinking themselves deceived, stood there filled with grief.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.1.9.74)

विचार्य मनसा तौ तु दानवौ विष्णुमूचतुः । प्रेक्ष्य सर्वं जलमयं भूमिं स्थलविवर्जिताम् ॥ 9.74 ॥

vicārya manasā tau tu dānavau viṣṇumūcatuḥ prekṣya sarvaṁ jalamayaṁ bhūmiṁ sthalavivarjitām

Having reflected in their minds, the two danavas then said to Vishnu, beholding everything as filled with water, the earth entirely devoid of dry land:

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.1.9.75)

हरे योऽयं वरो दत्तस्त्वया पूर्वं जनार्दन । सत्यवागसि देवेश देहि तं वाञ्छितं वरम् ॥ 9.75 ॥

hare yo'yaṁ varo dattastvayā pūrvaṁ janārdana satyavāgasi deveśa dehi taṁ vāñchitaṁ varam

'O Hari, this very boon that you offered before, O Janardana — you are true to your word, O lord of gods; grant us then that desired boon.'

Verse 76 (devibhagavatam.1.9.76)

निर्जले विपुले देशे हनस्व मधुसूदन । वध्यावावां तु भवतः सत्यवाग्भव माधव ॥ 9.76 ॥

nirjale vipule deśe hanasva madhusūdana vadhyāvāvāṁ tu bhavataḥ satyavāgbhava mādhava

'Slay us, O Madhusudana, only in a vast place free of water; let us two be slain by you — be true to your word, O Madhava.'

Verse 77 (devibhagavatam.1.9.77)

स्मृत्वा चक्रं तदा विष्णुस्तावुवाच हसन्हरिः । हन्म्यद्य वां महाभागौ निर्जले विपुले स्थले ॥ 9.77 ॥

smṛtvā cakraṁ tadā viṣṇustāvuvāca hasanhariḥ hanmyadya vāṁ mahābhāgau nirjale vipule sthale

Remembering his discus, Vishnu, Hari, then said to them, smiling: 'I shall indeed slay you both today, O greatly fortunate ones, in a vast place free of water.'

Verse 78 (devibhagavatam.1.9.78)

इत्युक्त्या देवदेवेश ऊरू कृत्वातिविस्तरौ । दर्शयामास तौ तत्र निर्जलं च जलोपरि ॥ 9.78 ॥

ityuktyā devadeveśa ūrū kṛtvātivistarau darśayāmāsa tau tatra nirjalaṁ ca jalopari

So saying, the god of gods made his two thighs immensely broad, and showed them there, dry and free of water, right above the water surface.

Verse 79 (devibhagavatam.1.9.79)

नास्त्यत्र दानवौ वारि शिरसी मुञ्चतामिह । सत्यवागहमद्यैव भविष्यामि च वां तथा ॥ 9.79 ॥

nāstyatra dānavau vāri śirasī muñcatāmiha satyavāgahamadyaiva bhaviṣyāmi ca vāṁ tathā

'There is no water here, O danavas — set your two heads down here; I shall today indeed be true to my word to you both.'

Verse 80 (devibhagavatam.1.9.80)

तदाकर्ण्य वचस्तथ्यं विचिन्त्य मनसा च तौ । वर्धयामासतुर्देहं योजनानां सहस्रकम् ॥ 9.80 ॥

tadākarṇya vacastathyaṁ vicintya manasā ca tau vardhayāmāsaturdehaṁ yojanānāṁ sahasrakam

Hearing that truthful speech, and reflecting in their minds, the two of them enlarged their bodies to a thousand yojanas.

Verse 81 (devibhagavatam.1.9.81)

भगवान्द्विगुणं चक्रे जघनं विस्मितौ तदा । शीर्षे सन्दधतां तत्र जघने परमाद्भुते ॥ 9.81 ॥

bhagavāndviguṇaṁ cakre jaghanaṁ vismitau tadā śīrṣe sandadhatāṁ tatra jaghane paramādbhute

The Lord then doubled the size of his thighs; astonished, the two of them then set their heads there upon those most wondrous thighs.

Verse 82 (devibhagavatam.1.9.82)

रथाङ्गेन तदा छिन्ने विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना । जघनोपरि वेगेन प्रकृष्टे शिरसी तयोः ॥ 9.82 ॥

rathāṅgena tadā chinne viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā jaghanopari vegena prakṛṣṭe śirasī tayoḥ

Then, with his discus, the all-powerful Vishnu swiftly severed the two heads of theirs, drawn up there upon his thighs.

Verse 83 (devibhagavatam.1.9.83)

गतप्राणौ तदा जातौ दानवौ मधुकैटभौ । सागरः सकलो व्याप्तस्तदा वै मेदसा तयोः ॥ 9.83 ॥

gataprāṇau tadā jātau dānavau madhukaiṭabhau sāgaraḥ sakalo vyāptastadā vai medasā tayoḥ

The two danavas, Madhu and Kaitabha, then became lifeless; the entire ocean was then pervaded by the fat of the two of them.

Verse 84 (devibhagavatam.1.9.84)

मेदिनीति ततो जातं नाम पृथ्व्याः समन्ततः । अभक्ष्या मृत्तिका तेन कारणेन मुनीश्वराः ॥ 9.84 ॥

medinīti tato jātaṁ nāma pṛthvyāḥ samantataḥ abhakṣyā mṛttikā tena kāraṇena munīśvarāḥ

From this, the name 'Medini' arose everywhere for the earth; and for this reason, O lords of sages, its clay is not to be eaten.

Verse 85 (devibhagavatam.1.9.85)

इति वः कथितं सर्वं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि सुनिश्चितम् । महाविद्या महामाया सेवनीया सदा बुधैः ॥ 9.85 ॥

iti vaḥ kathitaṁ sarvaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi suniścitam mahāvidyā mahāmāyā sevanīyā sadā budhaiḥ

Thus has everything been told to you, all that I was asked, with full certainty: the great Wisdom, Mahamaya, is ever to be served by the wise.

Verse 86 (devibhagavatam.1.9.86)

आराध्या परमा शक्तिः सर्वैरपि सुरासुरैः । नातः परतरं किञ्चिदधिकं भुवनत्रये ॥ 9.86 ॥

ārādhyā paramā śaktiḥ sarvairapi surāsuraiḥ nātaḥ parataraṁ kiñcidadhikaṁ bhuvanatraye

That supreme Shakti is to be worshipped by all, gods and demons alike; there is nothing whatsoever greater than her in the three worlds.

Verse 87 (devibhagavatam.1.9.87)

सत्यं सत्यं पुनः सत्यं वेदशास्त्रार्थनिर्णयः । पूजनीया परा शक्तिर्निर्गुणा सगुणाथवा ॥ 9.87 ॥

satyaṁ satyaṁ punaḥ satyaṁ vedaśāstrārthanirṇayaḥ pūjanīyā parā śaktirnirguṇā saguṇāthavā

Truth, truth, truth again — this is the settled conclusion of the meaning of the Vedas and shastras: the supreme Shakti alone is to be worshipped, whether without qualities or with them.