The Slaying of Mahishasura

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.5.18.1)

महिष उवाच । तस्यास्तु भगिनी कन्या नाम्ना चेन्दुमती शुभा । विवाहयोग्या सञ्जाता सुरूपावरजा यदा

mahiṣa uvāca | tasyāstu bhaginī kanyā nāmnā cendumatī śubhā | vivāhayogyā sañjātā surūpāvarajā yadā

Mahisha said: "Now, when her younger sister — a maiden of beautiful form, named the auspicious Chandumati — had become of an age fit for marriage..."

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.5.18.2)

तस्या विवाहः संवृत्तः सञ्जातश्च स्वयंवरः । राजानो बहुदेशीयाः सङ्गतास्तत्र मण्डपे

tasyā vivāhaḥ saṁvṛttaḥ sañjātaśca svayaṁvaraḥ | rājāno bahudeśīyāḥ saṅgatāstatra maṇḍape

"...her marriage was arranged, and a svayamvara took place; kings from many lands assembled there in the pavilion."

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.5.18.3)

तया वृतो नृपः कश्चिद्बलवान् रूपसंयुतः । कुलशीलसमायुक्तः सर्वलक्षणसंयुतः

tayā vṛto nṛpaḥ kaścidbalavān rūpasaṁyutaḥ | kulaśīlasamāyuktaḥ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutaḥ

"She chose a certain king, powerful and handsome, of good lineage and character, endowed with every auspicious mark."

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.5.18.4)

तदा कामातुरा जाता विटं वीक्ष्य नृपं तु सा । चकमे दैवयोगात्तु शठं चातुर्यभूषितम्

tadā kāmāturā jātā viṭaṁ vīkṣya nṛpaṁ tu sā | cakame daivayogāttu śaṭhaṁ cāturyabhūṣitam

"Then, overcome with desire on seeing that dashing king, she loved him — by the working of fate — a deceitful man, adorned with cleverness."

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.5.18.5)

पितरं प्राह तन्वङ्गी विवाहं कुरु मे पितः । इच्छा मेऽद्य समुद्भूता दृष्ट्वा मद्राधिपं त्विह

pitaraṁ prāha tanvaṅgī vivāhaṁ kuru me pitaḥ | icchā me'dya samudbhūtā dṛṣṭvā madrādhipaṁ tviha

"The slender girl said to her father, 'Arrange my marriage, father! My desire has arisen this very day, seeing the lord of Madra here.'"

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.5.18.6)

चन्द्रसेनोऽपि तच्छ्रुत्वा पुत्र्या यद्भाषितं रहः । प्रसन्नेन च मनसा तत्कार्ये तत्परोऽभवत्

candraseno'pi tacchrutvā putryā yadbhāṣitaṁ rahaḥ | prasannena ca manasā tatkārye tatparo'bhavat

"Chandrasena too, hearing what his daughter had said in private, became, with a pleased heart, intent upon accomplishing that matter."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.5.18.7)

तमाहूय नृपं गेहे विवाहविधिना ददौ । कन्यां मन्दोदरीं तस्मै पारिबर्हं तथा बहु

tamāhūya nṛpaṁ gehe vivāhavidhinā dadau | kanyāṁ mandodarīṁ tasmai pāribarhaṁ tathā bahu

"Summoning that king to his house, he gave him, according to the marriage rite, his daughter Mandodari — along with a rich dowry."

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.5.18.8)

चारुदेष्णोऽपि तां प्राप्य सुन्दरीं मुदितोऽभवत् । जगाम स्वगृहं तुष्टो राजापि सहितः स्त्रिया

cārudeṣṇo'pi tāṁ prāpya sundarīṁ mudito'bhavat | jagāma svagṛhaṁ tuṣṭo rājāpi sahitaḥ striyā

"Charudeshna too, having obtained that beautiful woman, was overjoyed; the king, well pleased, went to his own home together with his wife."

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.5.18.9)

रेमे नृपतिशार्दूलः कामिन्या बहुवासरान् । कदाचिद्दासपत्न्या स रममाणो रहः किल

reme nṛpatiśārdūlaḥ kāminyā bahuvāsarān | kadāciddāsapatnyā sa ramamāṇo rahaḥ kila

"That tiger among kings sported with his beloved for many days; but once, he was found secretly sporting with a servant's wife."

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.5.18.10)

सैरन्ध्र्या कथितं तस्यै तया दृष्टः पतिस्तथा । उपालम्भं ददौ तस्मै स्मितपूर्वं रुषान्विता

sairandhryā kathitaṁ tasyai tayā dṛṣṭaḥ patistathā | upālambhaṁ dadau tasmai smitapūrvaṁ ruṣānvitā

"This was told to her by a maidservant, who had herself seen her husband thus; she, though inwardly enraged, first smiled and then reproached him."

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.5.18.11)

कदाचिदपि सामान्यां रहो रूपवतीं नृपः । क्रीडयँल्लालयन्दृष्टः खेदं प्राप तदैव सा

kadācidapi sāmānyāṁ raho rūpavatīṁ nṛpaḥ | krīḍaya~llālayandṛṣṭaḥ khedaṁ prāpa tadaiva sā

"Yet again, the king was seen secretly playing with and caressing a beautiful courtesan; and she then fell into deep anguish."

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.5.18.12)

न ज्ञातोऽयं शठः पूर्वं यदा दृष्टः स्वयंवरे । किं कृतं तु मया मोहाद्वञ्चिताहं नृपेण ह

na jñāto'yaṁ śaṭhaḥ pūrvaṁ yadā dṛṣṭaḥ svayaṁvare | kiṁ kṛtaṁ tu mayā mohādvañcitāhaṁ nṛpeṇa ha

"'I did not recognize, when I first saw him at the svayamvara, that he was this deceitful. What have I done, in my delusion? I have been betrayed by this king!'"

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.5.18.13)

किं करोम्यद्य सन्तापं निर्लज्जे निर्घृणे शठे । का प्रीतिरीदृशे पत्यौ धिगद्य मम जीवितम्

kiṁ karomyadya santāpaṁ nirlajje nirghṛṇe śaṭhe | kā prītirīdṛśe patyau dhigadya mama jīvitam

"'What am I to do now, tormented as I am? For a shameless, merciless, deceitful husband such as this, what love can there be? Shame upon my life today!'"

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.5.18.14)

अद्यप्रभृति संसारे सुखं त्यक्तं मया खलु । पतिसम्भोगजं सर्वं सन्तोषोऽद्य मया कृतः

adyaprabhṛti saṁsāre sukhaṁ tyaktaṁ mayā khalu | patisambhogajaṁ sarvaṁ santoṣo'dya mayā kṛtaḥ

"'From this day forward, I have indeed renounced worldly happiness; all the joy that comes from union with a husband — today I have resigned myself to its loss.'"

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.5.18.15)

अकर्तव्यं कृतं कार्यं तज्जातं दुःखदं मम । देहत्यागः क्रियते चेद्धत्यातीव दुरत्यया

akartavyaṁ kṛtaṁ kāryaṁ tajjātaṁ duḥkhadaṁ mama | dehatyāgaḥ kriyate ceddhatyātīva duratyayā

"'A deed not meant to be done was done, and it has become a source of sorrow for me. Yet if I were to abandon my body, that would be a most grievous, insurmountable sin.'"

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.5.18.16)

पितृगेहं व्रजाम्याशु तत्रापि न सुखं भवेत् । हास्ययोग्या सखीनां तु भवेयं नात्र संशयः

pitṛgehaṁ vrajāmyāśu tatrāpi na sukhaṁ bhavet | hāsyayogyā sakhīnāṁ tu bhaveyaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

"'If I go quickly to my father's house, even there there would be no happiness — I would surely become an object of mockery among my friends.'"

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.5.18.17)

तस्मादत्रैव संवासो वैराग्ययुतया मया । कर्तव्यः कालयोगेन त्यक्त्वा कामसुखं पुनः

tasmādatraiva saṁvāso vairāgyayutayā mayā | kartavyaḥ kālayogena tyaktvā kāmasukhaṁ punaḥ

"'Therefore I, with detachment, must go on living right here, letting time pass, having once more given up all desire for sensual happiness.'"

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.5.18.18)

महिष उवाच । इति सञ्चिन्त्य सा नारी दुःखशोकपरायणा । स्थिता पतिगृहं त्यक्त्वा सुखं संसारजं ततः

mahiṣa uvāca | iti sañcintya sā nārī duḥkhaśokaparāyaṇā | sthitā patigṛhaṁ tyaktvā sukhaṁ saṁsārajaṁ tataḥ

Mahisha said: "Having thus reflected, that woman, given over to sorrow and grief, remained thereafter in her husband's house, having given up all worldly happiness."

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.5.18.19)

तस्मात्त्वमपि कल्याणि मामनादृत्य भूपतिम् । अन्यं कापुरुषं मन्दं कामार्ता संश्रयिष्यसि

tasmāttvamapi kalyāṇi māmanādṛtya bhūpatim | anyaṁ kāpuruṣaṁ mandaṁ kāmārtā saṁśrayiṣyasi

"Therefore you too, O auspicious one, having spurned me, a king, will one day, tormented by desire, take shelter with some other wretched, worthless man."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.5.18.20)

वचनं कुरु मे तथ्यं नारीणां परमं हितम् । अकृत्वा परमं शोकं लप्स्यसे नात्र संशयः

vacanaṁ kuru me tathyaṁ nārīṇāṁ paramaṁ hitam | akṛtvā paramaṁ śokaṁ lapsyase nātra saṁśayaḥ

"Heed my true word, the highest good for women. If you do not, you shall obtain the deepest sorrow — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.5.18.21)

देव्युवाच । मन्दात्मन् गच्छ पातालं युद्धं वा कुरु साम्प्रतम् । हत्वा त्वामसुरान्सर्वान्गमिष्यामि यथासुखम्

devyuvāca | mandātman gaccha pātālaṁ yuddhaṁ vā kuru sāmpratam | hatvā tvāmasurānsarvāngamiṣyāmi yathāsukham

The Goddess said: "O dull-witted one, go down to Patala, or fight here and now. Having slain you and all the asuras, I shall depart at my ease."

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.5.18.22)

यदा यदा हि साधूनां दुःखं भवति दानव । तदा तेषां च रक्षार्थं देहं सन्धारयाम्यहम्

yadā yadā hi sādhūnāṁ duḥkhaṁ bhavati dānava | tadā teṣāṁ ca rakṣārthaṁ dehaṁ sandhārayāmyaham

"Whenever, O danava, sorrow befalls the virtuous, then, for their protection, I take up a body."

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.5.18.23)

अरूपायाश्च मे रूपमजन्मायाश्च जन्म च । सुराणां रक्षणार्थाय विद्धि दैत्य विनिश्चितम्

arūpāyāśca me rūpamajanmāyāśca janma ca | surāṇāṁ rakṣaṇārthāya viddhi daitya viniścitam

"Though I am without form, I take on form; though unborn, I take birth — know this for certain, O daitya, that it is for the protection of the gods."

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.5.18.24)

सत्यं ब्रवीमि जानीहि प्रार्थिताहं सुरैः किल । त्वद्वधार्थं हयारे त्वां हत्वा स्थास्यामि निश्चला

satyaṁ bravīmi jānīhi prārthitāhaṁ suraiḥ kila | tvadvadhārthaṁ hayāre tvāṁ hatvā sthāsyāmi niścalā

"I speak the truth — know that I have indeed been entreated by the gods, for the purpose of your destruction, O foe of horses. Having slain you, I shall remain unmoving."

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.5.18.25)

तस्माद्युध्यस्व वा गच्छ पातालमसुरालयम् । सर्वथा त्वां हनिष्यामि सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीम्यहम्

tasmādyudhyasva vā gaccha pātālamasurālayam | sarvathā tvāṁ haniṣyāmi satyametad bravīmyaham

"Therefore, either fight, or go to Patala, the abode of the asuras. In every case I shall slay you — this is the truth I speak."

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.5.18.26)

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्तः स तया देव्या धनुरादाय दानवः । युद्धकामः स्थितस्तत्र सङ्ग्रामाङ्गणभूमिषु

vyāsa uvāca | ityuktaḥ sa tayā devyā dhanurādāya dānavaḥ | yuddhakāmaḥ sthitastatra saṅgrāmāṅgaṇabhūmiṣu

Vyasa said: Thus addressed by the Goddess, the danava, taking up his bow, stood there in the arena of battle, eager for war.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.5.18.27)

मुमोच तरसा बाणान्कर्णाकृष्टाञ्छिलाशितान् । देवी चिच्छेद तान्बाणैः क्रोधान्मुक्तैरयोमुखैः

mumoca tarasā bāṇānkarṇākṛṣṭāñchilāśitān | devī ciccheda tānbāṇaiḥ krodhānmuktairayomukhaiḥ

He swiftly loosed arrows, sharpened on stone, drawn back to his ear; the Goddess, in fury, cut them down with her own iron-tipped arrows.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.5.18.28)

तयोः परस्परं युद्धं सम्बभूव भयप्रदम् । देवानां दानवानाञ्च परस्परजयैषिणाम्

tayoḥ parasparaṁ yuddhaṁ sambabhūva bhayapradam | devānāṁ dānavānāñca parasparajayaiṣiṇām

A terrible battle broke out between the two of them, dreadful to the gods and the danavas alike, each eager for the other's victory.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.5.18.29)

मध्ये दुर्धर आगत्य मुमोच च शिलीमुखान् । देवीं प्रति विषासक्तान्कोपयन्नतिदारुणान्

madhye durdhara āgatya mumoca ca śilīmukhān | devīṁ prati viṣāsaktānkopayannatidāruṇān

In the midst of it, Durdhara came forward and loosed arrows smeared with poison at the Goddess, exceedingly terrible, provoking her further.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.5.18.30)

ततो भगवती क्रुद्धा तं जघान शितैः शरैः । दुर्धरस्तु पपातोर्व्यां गतासुर्गिरिशृङ्गवत्

tato bhagavatī kruddhā taṁ jaghāna śitaiḥ śaraiḥ | durdharastu papātorvyāṁ gatāsurgiriśṛṅgavat

Then the Goddess, enraged, struck him with sharp arrows; and Durdhara fell to the earth, lifeless, like a mountain peak.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.5.18.31)

तं तथा निहतं दृष्ट्वा त्रिनेत्रः परमास्त्रवित् । आगत्य सप्तभिर्बाणैर्जघान परमेश्वरीम्

taṁ tathā nihataṁ dṛṣṭvā trinetraḥ paramāstravit | āgatya saptabhirbāṇairjaghāna parameśvarīm

Seeing him thus slain, Trinetra, greatly skilled in weapons, came forward and struck the Supreme Goddess with seven arrows.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.5.18.32)

अनागतांस्तु चिच्छेद देवी तान्विशिखैः शरान् । त्रिशूलेन त्रिनेत्रं तु जघान जगदम्बिका

anāgatāṁstu ciccheda devī tānviśikhaiḥ śarān | triśūlena trinetraṁ tu jaghāna jagadambikā

The Goddess cut down those arrows with her own shafts before they could reach her; and the Mother of the world struck Trinetra with her trident.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.5.18.33)

अन्धकस्त्वाजगामाशु हतं दृष्ट्वा त्रिलोचनम् । गदया लोहमय्याऽऽशु सिंहं विव्याध मस्तके

andhakastvājagāmāśu hataṁ dṛṣṭvā trilocanam | gadayā lohamayyā''śu siṁhaṁ vivyādha mastake

Andhaka then swiftly came forward, seeing Trilochana slain, and struck the lion swiftly on the head with an iron mace.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.5.18.34)

सिंहस्तु नखघातेन तं हत्वा बलवत्तरम् । चखाद तरसा मांसमन्धकस्य रुषान्वितः

siṁhastu nakhaghātena taṁ hatvā balavattaram | cakhāda tarasā māṁsamandhakasya ruṣānvitaḥ

The lion, more powerful still, struck him down with the blow of its claws, and, enraged, swiftly devoured the flesh of Andhaka.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.5.18.35)

तान् रणे निहतान्वीक्ष्य दानवो विस्मयं गतः । चिक्षेप तरसा बाणानतितीक्ष्णाञ्छिलाशितान्

tān raṇe nihatānvīkṣya dānavo vismayaṁ gataḥ | cikṣepa tarasā bāṇānatitīkṣṇāñchilāśitān

Seeing those slain in battle, that danava, filled with astonishment, swiftly hurled exceedingly sharp arrows, honed on stone.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.5.18.36)

द्विधा चक्रे शरान्देवी तानप्राप्ताञ्छिलीमुखैः । गदया ताडयामास दैत्यं वक्षसि चाम्बिका

dvidhā cakre śarāndevī tānaprāptāñchilīmukhaiḥ | gadayā tāḍayāmāsa daityaṁ vakṣasi cāmbikā

The Goddess split those arrows in two with her own shafts before they could reach her; and Ambika struck the daitya in the chest with her mace.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.5.18.37)

स गदाभिहतो मूर्च्छामवापामरबाधकः । विषह्य पीडां पापात्मा पुनरागत्य सत्वरः

sa gadābhihato mūrcchāmavāpāmarabādhakaḥ | viṣahya pīḍāṁ pāpātmā punarāgatya satvaraḥ

Struck by the mace, that tormentor of the immortals fell into a swoon; but enduring the pain, that sinful one swiftly returned once more,

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.5.18.38)

जघान गदया सिंहं मूर्ध्नि क्रोधसमन्वितः । सिंहोऽपि नखघातेन तं ददार महासुरम्

jaghāna gadayā siṁhaṁ mūrdhni krodhasamanvitaḥ | siṁho'pi nakhaghātena taṁ dadāra mahāsuram

and, filled with fury, struck the lion on the head with his mace. The lion, in turn, tore into that great asura with the blow of its claws.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.5.18.39)

विहाय पौरुषं रूपं सोऽपि सिंहो बभूव ह । नखैर्विदारयामास देवीसिंहं मदोत्कटम्

vihāya pauruṣaṁ rūpaṁ so'pi siṁho babhūva ha | nakhairvidārayāmāsa devīsiṁhaṁ madotkaṭam

Abandoning his human form, he too became a lion, and with his claws tore at the Goddess's own lion, maddened with fury.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.5.18.40)

तञ्च केसरिणं वीक्ष्य देवी क्रुद्धा ह्ययोमुखैः । शरैरवाकिरत्तीक्ष्णैः क्रूरैराशीविषैरिव

tañca kesariṇaṁ vīkṣya devī kruddhā hyayomukhaiḥ | śarairavākirattīkṣṇaiḥ krūrairāśīviṣairiva

Seeing that lion, the Goddess, enraged, showered him with sharp, cruel, iron-tipped arrows, like venomous serpents.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.5.18.41)

त्यक्त्वा स हरिरूपं तु गजो भूत्वा मदस्रवः । शैलशृङ्गं करे कृत्वा चिक्षेप चण्डिकां प्रति

tyaktvā sa harirūpaṁ tu gajo bhūtvā madasravaḥ | śailaśṛṅgaṁ kare kṛtvā cikṣepa caṇḍikāṁ prati

Abandoning his lion form, he became an elephant streaming with rut-fluid, and, seizing a mountain peak in his trunk, hurled it at Chandika.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.5.18.42)

आगच्छन्तं गिरेः शृङ्गं देवी बाणैः शिलाशितैः । चकार तिलशः खण्डाञ्जहास जगदम्बिका

āgacchantaṁ gireḥ śṛṅgaṁ devī bāṇaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ | cakāra tilaśaḥ khaṇḍāñjahāsa jagadambikā

As that mountain-peak came hurtling toward her, the Goddess, with arrows sharpened on stone, shattered it into fragments as fine as sesame seeds, and the Mother of the world laughed.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.5.18.43)

उत्पत्य च तदा सिंहस्तस्य मूर्ध्नि व्यवस्थितः । नखैर्विदारयामास महिषं गजरूपिणम्

utpatya ca tadā siṁhastasya mūrdhni vyavasthitaḥ | nakhairvidārayāmāsa mahiṣaṁ gajarūpiṇam

Then her lion leapt up and settled upon his head, and with its claws tore at Mahisha in his elephant form.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.5.18.44)

विहाय गजरूपं च बभूवाष्टापदी तथा । हन्तुकामो हरिं कोपाद्दारुणो बलवत्तरः

vihāya gajarūpaṁ ca babhūvāṣṭāpadī tathā | hantukāmo hariṁ kopāddāruṇo balavattaraḥ

Abandoning his elephant form, he then became an eight-legged sharabha, terrible and yet more powerful, desiring in his rage to slay the lion.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.5.18.45)

तं वीक्ष्य शरभं देवी खड्गेन सा रुषान्विता । उत्तमाङ्गे जघानाशु सोऽपि तां प्राहरत्तदा

taṁ vīkṣya śarabhaṁ devī khaḍgena sā ruṣānvitā | uttamāṅge jaghānāśu so'pi tāṁ prāharattadā

Seeing him as that sharabha, the Goddess, in fury, swiftly struck him upon the head with her sword; and he too struck at her in turn.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.5.18.46)

तयोः परस्परं युद्धं बभूवातिभयप्रदम् । माहिषं रूपमास्थाय शृङ्गाभ्यां प्राहरत्तदा

tayoḥ parasparaṁ yuddhaṁ babhūvātibhayapradam | māhiṣaṁ rūpamāsthāya śṛṅgābhyāṁ prāharattadā

A most terrible battle then took place between the two of them; assuming once more his buffalo form, he struck at her with his horns.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.5.18.47)

पुच्छप्रभ्रमणेनाशु शृङ्गाघातैर्महासुरः । ताडयामास तन्वङ्गीं घोररूपो भयानकः

pucchaprabhramaṇenāśu śṛṅgāghātairmahāsuraḥ | tāḍayāmāsa tanvaṅgīṁ ghorarūpo bhayānakaḥ

Whirling his tail swiftly, and with blows of his horns, that great asura, terrible and fearsome in form, struck at the slender Goddess.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.5.18.48)

पुच्छेन पर्वताञ्छृङ्गे गृहीत्वा भ्रामयन्बलात् । प्रेषयामास पापात्मा प्रहसन्परया मुदा

pucchena parvatāñchṛṅge gṛhītvā bhrāmayanbalāt | preṣayāmāsa pāpātmā prahasanparayā mudā

Seizing mountains upon his horns with his tail, and whirling them about with force, that sinful one hurled them at her, laughing with the greatest delight.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.5.18.49)

तामुवाच बलोन्मत्तस्तिष्ठ देवि रणाङ्गणे । अद्याहं त्वां हनिष्यामि रूपयौवनभूषिताम्

tāmuvāca balonmattastiṣṭha devi raṇāṅgaṇe | adyāhaṁ tvāṁ haniṣyāmi rūpayauvanabhūṣitām

Maddened with his own strength, he said to her: "Stand your ground, O Goddess, on this field of battle! This very day I shall slay you, adorned as you are with beauty and youth."

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.5.18.50)

मूर्खासि मदमत्ताद्य यन्मया सह सङ्गरम् । करोषि मोहितातीव मृषा बलवती खरा

mūrkhāsi madamattādya yanmayā saha saṅgaram | karoṣi mohitātīva mṛṣā balavatī kharā

"You are a fool, drunk with your own pride, that you now wage war with me, utterly deluded, falsely believing yourself powerful and fierce."

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.5.18.51)

हत्वा त्वां निहनिष्यामि देवान्कपटपण्डितान् । ये नारीं पुरतः कृत्वा जेतुमिच्छन्ति मां शठाः

hatvā tvāṁ nihaniṣyāmi devānkapaṭapaṇḍitān | ye nārīṁ purataḥ kṛtvā jetumicchanti māṁ śaṭhāḥ

"Having slain you, I shall then slay those cunning, deceitful gods, who, putting a woman forward before them, wish to conquer me by such trickery."

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.5.18.52)

देव्युवाच । मा गर्वं कुरु मन्दात्मंस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठ रणाङ्गणे । करिष्यामि निरातङ्कान्हत्वा त्वां सुरसत्तमान्

devyuvāca | mā garvaṁ kuru mandātmaṁstiṣṭha tiṣṭha raṇāṅgaṇe | kariṣyāmi nirātaṅkānhatvā tvāṁ surasattamān

The Goddess said: "Do not boast, O dull-witted one! Stand, stand upon this field of battle. Having slain you, I shall free the best of the gods from all their terror."

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.5.18.53)

पीत्वाद्य माधवीं मिष्टां शातयामि रणेऽधम । देवानां दुःखदं पापं मुनीनां भयकारकम्

pītvādya mādhavīṁ miṣṭāṁ śātayāmi raṇe'dhama | devānāṁ duḥkhadaṁ pāpaṁ munīnāṁ bhayakārakam

"This day, having drunk sweet mead, I shall cut you down in battle, O vile one — you, the sinful giver of sorrow to the gods, the cause of fear to the sages."

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.5.18.54)

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा चषकं हैमं गहीत्वा सुरया युतम् । पपौ पुनः पुनः क्रोधाद्धन्तुकामा महासुरम्

vyāsa uvāca | ityuktvā caṣakaṁ haimaṁ gahītvā surayā yutam | papau punaḥ punaḥ krodhāddhantukāmā mahāsuram

Vyasa said: So saying, taking up a golden goblet filled with wine, she drank again and again in her fury, resolved to slay the great asura.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.5.18.55)

पीत्वा द्राक्षासवं मिष्टं शूलमादाय सत्वरा । दुद्राव दानवं देवी हर्षयन्देवतागणान्

pītvā drākṣāsavaṁ miṣṭaṁ śūlamādāya satvarā | dudrāva dānavaṁ devī harṣayandevatāgaṇān

Having drunk the sweet wine of grapes, and swiftly seizing her trident, the Goddess rushed upon the danava, filling the host of the gods with joy.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.5.18.56)

देवास्तां तुष्टुवुः प्रेष्णा चक्रुः कुसुमवर्षणम् । जय जीवेति ते प्रोचुर्दुन्दुभीनाञ्च निःस्वनैः

devāstāṁ tuṣṭuvuḥ preṣṇā cakruḥ kusumavarṣaṇam | jaya jīveti te procurdundubhīnāñca niḥsvanaiḥ

The gods praised her with affection and rained down flowers; they cried out "Victory! Long life!" amid the resounding of drums.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.5.18.57)

ऋषयः सिद्धगन्धर्वाः पिशाचोरगचारणाः । किन्नराः प्रेक्ष्य सङ्ग्रामं मुदिता गगने स्थिताः

ṛṣayaḥ siddhagandharvāḥ piśācoragacāraṇāḥ | kinnarāḥ prekṣya saṅgrāmaṁ muditā gagane sthitāḥ

The sages, siddhas, gandharvas, pishachas, nagas, charanas, and kinnaras, watching the battle, stood rejoicing in the sky.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.5.18.58)

सोऽपि नानाविधान्देहान्कृत्वा कृत्वा पुनः पुनः । मायामयाञ्जघानाजौ देवीं कपटपण्डितः

so'pi nānāvidhāndehānkṛtvā kṛtvā punaḥ punaḥ | māyāmayāñjaghānājau devīṁ kapaṭapaṇḍitaḥ

He too, again and again assuming various illusory bodies, that master of deceit, sought to strike down the Goddess in battle.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.5.18.59)

चण्डिकापि च तं पापं त्रिशूलेन बलाद्धृदि । ताडयामास तीक्ष्णेन क्रोधादरुणलोचना

caṇḍikāpi ca taṁ pāpaṁ triśūlena balāddhṛdi | tāḍayāmāsa tīkṣṇena krodhādaruṇalocanā

But Chandika, her eyes red with fury, forcefully struck that sinful one in the heart with her sharp trident.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.5.18.60)

ताडितोऽसौ पपातोर्व्यां मूर्च्छामाप मुहूर्तकम् । पुनरुत्थाय चामुण्डां पद्भ्यां वेगादताडयत्

tāḍito'sau papātorvyāṁ mūrcchāmāpa muhūrtakam | punarutthāya cāmuṇḍāṁ padbhyāṁ vegādatāḍayat

Struck down, he fell to the earth and lay in a swoon for a moment; then, rising again, he struck at Chamunda swiftly with his hooves.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.5.18.61)

विनिहत्य पदाघातैर्जहास च मुहुर्मुहुः । रुराव दारुणं शब्दं देवानां भयकारकम्

vinihatya padāghātairjahāsa ca muhurmuhuḥ | rurāva dāruṇaṁ śabdaṁ devānāṁ bhayakārakam

Having struck her with blows of his hooves, he laughed again and again, and bellowed a terrible roar that struck fear into the gods.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.5.18.62)

ततो देवी सहस्रारं सुनाभं चक्रमुत्तमम् । करे कृत्वा जगादोच्चैः संस्थितं महिषासुरम्

tato devī sahasrāraṁ sunābhaṁ cakramuttamam | kare kṛtvā jagādoccaiḥ saṁsthitaṁ mahiṣāsuram

Then the Goddess, taking up in her hand a supreme discus, thousand-spoked and fair-naved, cried loudly to Mahishasura, who stood before her:

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.5.18.63)

पश्य चक्रं मदान्धाद्य तव कण्ठनिकृन्तनम् । क्षणमात्रं स्थिरो भूत्वा यमलोकं व्रजाधुना

paśya cakraṁ madāndhādya tava kaṇṭhanikṛntanam | kṣaṇamātraṁ sthiro bhūtvā yamalokaṁ vrajādhunā

"Behold this discus, O one blinded by pride — this very day it shall sever your neck! Stand firm but a moment, and now go to the realm of Yama!"

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.5.18.64)

इत्युक्त्वा दारुणं चक्रं मुमोच जगदम्बिका । शिरश्छिन्नं रथाङ्गेन दानवस्य तदा रणे

ityuktvā dāruṇaṁ cakraṁ mumoca jagadambikā | śiraśchinnaṁ rathāṅgena dānavasya tadā raṇe

So saying, the Mother of the world hurled that terrible discus; and with that wheel, the danava's head was severed there on the battlefield.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.5.18.65)

सुस्राव रुधिरं चोष्णं कण्ठनालाद् गिरेर्यथा । गैरिकाद्यरुणं प्रौढं प्रवाहमिव नैर्झरम्

susrāva rudhiraṁ coṣṇaṁ kaṇṭhanālād gireryathā | gairikādyaruṇaṁ prauḍhaṁ pravāhamiva nairjharam

Hot blood streamed forth from his severed neck, like a mighty mountain torrent, red as ochre, cascading like a waterfall.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.5.18.66)

कबन्धस्तस्य दैत्यस्य भ्रमन्वै पतितः क्षितौ । जयशब्दश्च देवानां बभूव सुखवर्धनः

kabandhastasya daityasya bhramanvai patitaḥ kṣitau | jayaśabdaśca devānāṁ babhūva sukhavardhanaḥ

The headless trunk of that daitya reeled and fell to the ground; and the gods' cry of "Victory!" arose, swelling their joy.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.5.18.67)

सिंहस्त्वतिबलस्तत्र पलायनपरानथ । दानवान्भक्षयामास क्षुधार्त इव सङ्गरे

siṁhastvatibalastatra palāyanaparānatha | dānavānbhakṣayāmāsa kṣudhārta iva saṅgare

The exceedingly powerful lion then devoured the danavas who turned to flee, as though tormented by hunger, there on the battlefield.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.5.18.68)

मृते च महिषे क्रूरे दानवा भयपीडिताः । मृतशेषाश्च ये केचित्पातालं ते ययुर्नृप

mṛte ca mahiṣe krūre dānavā bhayapīḍitāḥ | mṛtaśeṣāśca ye kecitpātālaṁ te yayurnṛpa

With that cruel Mahisha slain, the danavas, stricken with fear, and whatever few remained alive, fled down, O king, to Patala.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.5.18.69)

आनन्दं परमं जग्मुर्देवास्तस्मिन्निपातिते । मुनयो मानवाश्चैव ये चान्ये साधवः क्षितौ

ānandaṁ paramaṁ jagmurdevāstasminnipātite | munayo mānavāścaiva ye cānye sādhavaḥ kṣitau

The gods attained supreme joy at his fall; so too did the sages and men, and whatever other righteous beings there were upon the earth.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.5.18.70)

चण्डिकापि रणं त्यक्त्वा शुभे देशेऽथ संस्थिता । देवास्तत्राययुः शीघ्रं स्तोतुकामाः सुखप्रदाम्

caṇḍikāpi raṇaṁ tyaktvā śubhe deśe'tha saṁsthitā | devāstatrāyayuḥ śīghraṁ stotukāmāḥ sukhapradām

Chandika too, leaving the battlefield, took her place in an auspicious spot; and the gods swiftly came there, eager to praise her who bestows all happiness.