The Goddess Tells Sugriva Her Vow

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.5.23.1)

व्यास उवाच । एवं स्तुता तदा देवी दैवतैः शत्रुतापितैः । स्वशरीरात्परं रूपं प्रादुर्भूतं चकार ह

vyāsa uvāca | evaṁ stutā tadā devī daivataiḥ śatrutāpitaiḥ | svaśarīrātparaṁ rūpaṁ prādurbhūtaṁ cakāra ha

Vyasa said: Thus praised then by the gods, tormented by their enemy, the Goddess brought forth from her own body another, supreme form.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.5.23.2)

पार्वत्यास्तु शरीराद्वै निःसृता चाम्बिका यदा । कौशिकीति समस्तेषु ततो लोकेषु पठ्यते

pārvatyāstu śarīrādvai niḥsṛtā cāmbikā yadā | kauśikīti samasteṣu tato lokeṣu paṭhyate

When Ambika thus emerged from the body of Parvati, she is, from that time, known in all the worlds by the name Kaushiki.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.5.23.3)

निःसृतायां तु तस्यां सा पार्वती तनुव्यत्ययात् । कृष्णरूपाथ सञ्जाता कालिका सा प्रकीर्तिता

niḥsṛtāyāṁ tu tasyāṁ sā pārvatī tanuvyatyayāt | kṛṣṇarūpātha sañjātā kālikā sā prakīrtitā

When she had thus emerged, Parvati herself, through the transformation of her body, became dark of form, and is renowned as Kalika.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.5.23.4)

मषीवर्णा महाघोरा दैत्यानां भयवर्धिनी । कालरात्रीति सा प्रोक्ता सर्वकामफलप्रदा

maṣīvarṇā mahāghorā daityānāṁ bhayavardhinī | kālarātrīti sā proktā sarvakāmaphalapradā

Of the color of ink, most terrible, the increaser of fear among the daityas — she is called Kalaratri, the giver of the fruit of every desire.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.5.23.5)

अम्बिकायाः परं रूपं विरराज मनोहरम् । सर्वभूषणसंयुक्तं लावण्यगुणसंयुतम्

ambikāyāḥ paraṁ rūpaṁ virarāja manoharam | sarvabhūṣaṇasaṁyuktaṁ lāvaṇyaguṇasaṁyutam

That supreme, charming form of Ambika shone forth, joined with every ornament, endowed with the quality of loveliness.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.5.23.6)

ततोऽम्बिका तदा देवानित्युवाच ह सस्मिता । तिष्ठन्तु निर्भया यूयं हनिष्यामि रिपूनिह

tato'mbikā tadā devānityuvāca ha sasmitā | tiṣṭhantu nirbhayā yūyaṁ haniṣyāmi ripūniha

Then Ambika, smiling, said to the gods: "Remain without fear; I shall slay your enemies here."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.5.23.7)

कार्यं वः सर्वथा कार्यं विहरिष्याम्यहं रणे । निशुम्भादीन्वधिष्यामि युष्माकं सुखहेतवे

kāryaṁ vaḥ sarvathā kāryaṁ vihariṣyāmyahaṁ raṇe | niśumbhādīnvadhiṣyāmi yuṣmākaṁ sukhahetave

"Your task shall in every way be accomplished; I shall sport in battle. I shall slay Nishumbha and the rest, for the sake of your happiness."

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.5.23.8)

इत्युक्त्वा सा तदा देवी सिंहारूढा मदोत्कटा । कालिकां पार्श्वतः कृत्वा जगाम नगरे रिपोः

ityuktvā sā tadā devī siṁhārūḍhā madotkaṭā | kālikāṁ pārśvataḥ kṛtvā jagāma nagare ripoḥ

So saying, that Goddess, mounted upon her lion, fierce with pride, taking Kalika by her side, went to the city of her enemy.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.5.23.9)

सा गत्वोपवने तस्थावम्बिका कालिकान्विता । जगावथ कलं तत्र जगन्मोहनमोहनम्

sā gatvopavane tasthāvambikā kālikānvitā | jagāvatha kalaṁ tatra jaganmohanamohanam

Having gone there, Ambika, together with Kalika, took her stand in a grove nearby, and there sang a sweet melody that bewitched even that which bewitches the world.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.5.23.10)

श्रुत्वा तन्मधुरं गानं मोहमीयुः खगा मृगाः । मुदञ्च परमां प्रापुरमरा गगने स्थिताः

śrutvā tanmadhuraṁ gānaṁ mohamīyuḥ khagā mṛgāḥ | mudañca paramāṁ prāpuramarā gagane sthitāḥ

Hearing that sweet song, the birds and deer fell into a trance; and the immortals standing in the sky attained the greatest joy.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.5.23.11)

तस्मिन्नवसरे तत्र दानवौ शुम्भसेवकौ । चण्डमुण्डाभिधौ घोरौ रममाणौ यदृच्छया

tasminnavasare tatra dānavau śumbhasevakau | caṇḍamuṇḍābhidhau ghorau ramamāṇau yadṛcchayā

At that moment, two danavas, servants of Shumbha, the terrible ones named Chanda and Munda, who happened by chance to be roaming about there for pleasure,

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.5.23.12)

आगतौ ददृशाते तु तां तदा दिव्यरूपिणीम् । अम्बिकां गानसंयुक्तां कालिकां पुरतः स्थिताम्

āgatau dadṛśāte tu tāṁ tadā divyarūpiṇīm | ambikāṁ gānasaṁyuktāṁ kālikāṁ purataḥ sthitām

came upon and beheld that divine-formed Ambika, engaged in song, with Kalika standing before her.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.5.23.13)

दृष्ट्वा तां दिव्यरूपाञ्च दानवौ विस्मयान्वितौ । जग्मतुस्तरसा पार्श्वं शुम्भस्य नृपसत्तम

dṛṣṭvā tāṁ divyarūpāñca dānavau vismayānvitau | jagmatustarasā pārśvaṁ śumbhasya nṛpasattama

Seeing her of that divine form, the two danavas, filled with wonder, went swiftly to the side of Shumbha, O best of kings.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.5.23.14)

तौ गत्वा तं समासीनं दैत्यानामधिपं गृहे । ऊचतुर्मधुरां वाणीं प्रणम्य शिरसा नृपम्

tau gatvā taṁ samāsīnaṁ daityānāmadhipaṁ gṛhe | ūcaturmadhurāṁ vāṇīṁ praṇamya śirasā nṛpam

Going to him as he sat in his palace, the lord of the daityas, they bowed their heads to the king and spoke sweet words:

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.5.23.15)

राजन् हिमालयात्कामं कामिनी काममोहिनी । सम्प्राप्ता सिंहमारूढा सर्वलक्षणसंयुता

rājan himālayātkāmaṁ kāminī kāmamohinī | samprāptā siṁhamārūḍhā sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutā

"O king, a desirable woman, bewitching to desire, has indeed arrived from the Himalaya, mounted upon a lion, endowed with every auspicious mark."

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.5.23.16)

नेदृशी देवलोकेऽस्ति न गन्धर्वपुरे तथा । न दृष्टा न श्रुता क्वापि पृथिव्यां प्रमदोत्तमा

nedṛśī devaloke'sti na gandharvapure tathā | na dṛṣṭā na śrutā kvāpi pṛthivyāṁ pramadottamā

"No such woman exists in the world of the gods, nor likewise in the city of the gandharvas; nowhere upon this earth has such a supreme beauty ever been seen or heard of."

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.5.23.17)

गानञ्च तादृशं राजन् करोति जनरञ्जनम् । मृगास्तिष्ठन्ति तत्पार्श्वे मथुरस्वरमोहिताः

gānañca tādṛśaṁ rājan karoti janarañjanam | mṛgāstiṣṭhanti tatpārśve mathurasvaramohitāḥ

"And she sings such a song, O king, that delights all people; the very deer stand beside her, bewitched by her sweet voice."

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.5.23.18)

ज्ञायतां कस्य पुत्रीयं किमर्थमिह चागता । गृह्यतां राजशार्दूल तव योग्यास्ति कामिनी

jñāyatāṁ kasya putrīyaṁ kimarthamiha cāgatā | gṛhyatāṁ rājaśārdūla tava yogyāsti kāminī

"Let it be found out whose daughter she is, and for what reason she has come here. Take her, O tiger among kings — this desirable woman is fit for you."

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.5.23.19)

ज्ञात्वाऽऽनय गृहे भार्यां कुरु कल्याणलोचनाम् । निश्चितं नास्ति संसारे नारी त्वेवंविधा किल

jñātvā''naya gṛhe bhāryāṁ kuru kalyāṇalocanām | niścitaṁ nāsti saṁsāre nārī tvevaṁvidhā kila

"Find out about her, and bring her home; make her your wife, that auspicious-eyed one. It is certain — there is no other woman in this world quite like her."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.5.23.20)

देवानां सर्वरत्नानि गृहीतानि त्वया नृप । कस्मान्नेमां वरारोहां प्रगह्णासि नृपोत्तम

devānāṁ sarvaratnāni gṛhītāni tvayā nṛpa | kasmānnemāṁ varārohāṁ pragahṇāsi nṛpottama

"You have already taken all the jewels of the gods, O king; why then, O best of kings, do you not take hold of this lovely woman too?"

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.5.23.21)

इन्द्रस्यैरावतः श्रीमान्पारिजाततरुस्तथा । गृहीतोऽश्वः सप्तमुखस्त्वया नृप बलात्किल

indrasyairāvataḥ śrīmānpārijātatarustathā | gṛhīto'śvaḥ saptamukhastvayā nṛpa balātkila

"Indra's splendid Airavata, and likewise the Parijata tree, and the seven-headed horse — all have indeed been taken by you by force, O king."

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.5.23.22)

विमानं वैधसं दिव्यं मरालध्वजसंयुतम् । त्वयात्तं रत्नभूतं तद्बलेन नृप चाद्भुतम्

vimānaṁ vaidhasaṁ divyaṁ marāladhvajasaṁyutam | tvayāttaṁ ratnabhūtaṁ tadbalena nṛpa cādbhutam

"That divine chariot of Brahma, bearing the emblem of the swan, that wondrous jewel of a vehicle, has been taken by you, O king, by that same power."

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.5.23.23)

कुबेरस्य निधिः पद्मस्त्वया राजन् समाहृतः । छत्रं जलपतेः शुभ्रं गृहीतं तत्त्वया बलात्

kuberasya nidhiḥ padmastvayā rājan samāhṛtaḥ | chatraṁ jalapateḥ śubhraṁ gṛhītaṁ tattvayā balāt

"Kubera's treasure, the Padma, has been seized by you, O king; the bright white umbrella of the lord of the waters has likewise been taken by you by force."

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.5.23.24)

पाशश्चापि निशुम्भेन भ्रात्रा तव नृपोत्तम । गृहीतोऽस्ति हठात्कामं वरुणस्य जितस्य च

pāśaścāpi niśumbhena bhrātrā tava nṛpottama | gṛhīto'sti haṭhātkāmaṁ varuṇasya jitasya ca

"The noose too, O best of kings, has been seized by your brother Nishumbha, forcibly, indeed, from Varuna once he was conquered."

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.5.23.25)

अम्लानपङ्कजां तुभ्यं मालां जलनिधिर्ददौ । भयात्तव महाराज रत्नानि विविधानि च

amlānapaṅkajāṁ tubhyaṁ mālāṁ jalanidhirdadau | bhayāttava mahārāja ratnāni vividhāni ca

"The ocean gave to you the garland of unfading lotuses, and various other jewels as well, O great king, out of fear of you."

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.5.23.26)

मृत्योः शक्तिर्यमस्यापि दण्डः परमदारुणः । त्वया जित्वा हृतः कामं किमन्यद्वर्ण्यते नृप

mṛtyoḥ śaktiryamasyāpi daṇḍaḥ paramadāruṇaḥ | tvayā jitvā hṛtaḥ kāmaṁ kimanyadvarṇyate nṛpa

"Death's own spear, and Yama's most terrible staff — these too have been seized by you, having conquered them. What else, O king, need be described?"

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.5.23.27)

कामधेनुर्गहीताद्य वर्तते सागरोद्भवा । मेनकाद्या वशे राजंस्तव तिष्ठन्ति चाप्सराः

kāmadhenurgahītādya vartate sāgarodbhavā | menakādyā vaśe rājaṁstava tiṣṭhanti cāpsarāḥ

"The wish-granting cow, born of the ocean, now remains in your possession; and Menaka and the other apsaras, O king, remain under your control."

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.5.23.28)

एवं सर्वाणि रत्नानि त्वयात्तानि बलादपि । कस्मान्न गृह्यते कान्तारत्नमेषा वराङ्गना

evaṁ sarvāṇi ratnāni tvayāttāni balādapi | kasmānna gṛhyate kāntāratnameṣā varāṅganā

"Thus have all these jewels been taken by you, even by force — why then is this jewel among women not to be taken as well?"

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.5.23.29)

सर्वाणि ते गृहस्थानि रत्नानि विशदान्यथ । अनया सम्भविष्यन्ति रत्नभूतानि भूपते

sarvāṇi te gṛhasthāni ratnāni viśadānyatha | anayā sambhaviṣyanti ratnabhūtāni bhūpate

"All these bright jewels are already kept in your household, O lord of the earth; and with her too, they will become complete, as it were, the crown jewel among them."

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.5.23.30)

त्रिषु लोकेषु दैत्येन्द्र नेदृशी वर्तते प्रिया । तस्मात्तामानयाशु त्वं कुरु भार्यां मनोहराम्

triṣu lokeṣu daityendra nedṛśī vartate priyā | tasmāttāmānayāśu tvaṁ kuru bhāryāṁ manoharām

"In the three worlds, O lord of the daityas, no such beloved exists; therefore, bring her here at once, and make that charming one your wife."

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.5.23.31)

व्यास उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा तयोर्वाक्यं मधुरं मधुराक्षरम् । प्रसन्नवदनः प्राह सुग्रीवं सनिधौ स्थितम्

vyāsa uvāca | iti śrutvā tayorvākyaṁ madhuraṁ madhurākṣaram | prasannavadanaḥ prāha sugrīvaṁ sanidhau sthitam

Vyasa said: Hearing their words, sweet with sweet syllables, he, his face gladdened, said to Sugriva, who stood nearby:

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.5.23.32)

गच्छ सुग्रीव दूतत्वं कुरु कार्यं विचक्षण । वक्तव्यञ्च तथा तत्र यथाभ्येति कृशोदरी

gaccha sugrīva dūtatvaṁ kuru kāryaṁ vicakṣaṇa | vaktavyañca tathā tatra yathābhyeti kṛśodarī

"Go, Sugriva, undertake the duty of a messenger, O clever one, and accomplish this task; speak there in such a way that this slender-waisted one may come to me."

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.5.23.33)

उपायौ द्वौ प्रयोक्तव्यौ कान्तासु सुविचक्षणैः । सामदाने इति प्राहुः शृङ्गाररसकोविदाः

upāyau dvau prayoktavyau kāntāsu suvicakṣaṇaiḥ | sāmadāne iti prāhuḥ śṛṅgārarasakovidāḥ

"Those skilled in the art of erotic persuasion say that only two means are to be employed toward women, by clever men: conciliation and gifts."

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.5.23.34)

भेदे प्रयुज्यमानेऽपि रसाभासस्तु जायते । निग्रहे रसभङ्गः स्यात्तस्मात्तौ दूषितौ बुधैः

bhede prayujyamāne'pi rasābhāsastu jāyate | nigrahe rasabhaṅgaḥ syāttasmāttau dūṣitau budhaiḥ

"Even when division is employed, only a semblance of true sentiment arises; and in coercion, the very mood is broken — therefore both of these have been condemned by the wise."

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.5.23.35)

सामदानमुखैर्वाक्यैः श्लक्ष्णैर्नर्मयुतैस्तथा । का न याति वशे दूत कामिनी कामपीडिता

sāmadānamukhairvākyaiḥ ślakṣṇairnarmayutaistathā | kā na yāti vaśe dūta kāminī kāmapīḍitā

"By words that begin with conciliation and gifts, gentle and full of playful wit — what desirable woman, tormented by desire, would not come under one's sway, O messenger?"

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.5.23.36)

व्यास उवाच । सुग्रीवस्तु वचः श्रुत्वा शुम्भोक्तं सुप्रियं पटु । जगाम तरसा तत्र यत्रास्ते जगदम्बिका

vyāsa uvāca | sugrīvastu vacaḥ śrutvā śumbhoktaṁ supriyaṁ paṭu | jagāma tarasā tatra yatrāste jagadambikā

Vyasa said: Sugriva, hearing those clever and most pleasant words spoken by Shumbha, went swiftly there, to where the Mother of the world stood.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.5.23.37)

सोऽपश्यत्सुमुखीं कान्तां सिंहस्योपरिसंस्थिताम् । प्रणम्य मधुरं वाक्यमुवाच जगदम्बिकाम्

so'paśyatsumukhīṁ kāntāṁ siṁhasyoparisaṁsthitām | praṇamya madhuraṁ vākyamuvāca jagadambikām

He beheld that fair-faced, lovely woman seated upon her lion; and, bowing, he spoke sweet words to the Mother of the world.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.5.23.38)

दूत उवाच । वरोरु त्रिदशारातिः शुम्भः सर्वाङ्गसुन्दरः । त्रैलोक्याधिपतिः शूरः सर्वजिद्राजते नृपः

dūta uvāca | varoru tridaśārātiḥ śumbhaḥ sarvāṅgasundaraḥ | trailokyādhipatiḥ śūraḥ sarvajidrājate nṛpaḥ

The messenger said: "O lovely-thighed one, Shumbha, the enemy of the gods, beautiful in every limb, lord of the three worlds, a hero, conqueror of all, reigns as king."

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.5.23.39)

तेनाहं प्रेषितः कामं त्वत्सकाशं महात्मना । त्वद्रूपश्रवणासक्तचित्तेनातिविदूयता

tenāhaṁ preṣitaḥ kāmaṁ tvatsakāśaṁ mahātmanā | tvadrūpaśravaṇāsaktacittenātividūyatā

"I have indeed been sent by that great-souled one to your presence — his mind attached to hearing of your beauty, and greatly tormented by longing."

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.5.23.40)

वचनं तस्य तन्वङ्गि शृणु प्रेमपुरःसरम् । प्रणिपत्य यथा प्राह दैत्यानामधिपस्त्वयि

vacanaṁ tasya tanvaṅgi śṛṇu premapuraḥsaram | praṇipatya yathā prāha daityānāmadhipastvayi

"Hear his words, O slender one, prefaced with love, just as the lord of the daityas, bowing, spoke them concerning you:"

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.5.23.41)

देवा मया जिताः सर्वे त्रैलोक्याधिपतिस्त्वहम् । यज्ञभागानहं कान्ते गह्णामीह स्थितः सदा

devā mayā jitāḥ sarve trailokyādhipatistvaham | yajñabhāgānahaṁ kānte gahṇāmīha sthitaḥ sadā

"'All the gods have been conquered by me; I am the lord of the three worlds. I, O beloved, ever receive here the sacrificial shares of the gods, established as I am.'"

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.5.23.42)

हृतसारा कृता नूनं द्यौर्मया रत्नवर्जिता । यानि रत्नानि देवानां तानि चाहृतवानहम्

hṛtasārā kṛtā nūnaṁ dyaurmayā ratnavarjitā | yāni ratnāni devānāṁ tāni cāhṛtavānaham

"'Heaven has surely been stripped of its essence by me, and left devoid of jewels; whatever jewels the gods possessed, those I have taken.'"

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.5.23.43)

भोक्ताहं सर्वरत्नानां त्रिषु लोकेषु भामिनि । वशानुगाः सुराः सर्वे मम दैत्याश्च मानवाः

bhoktāhaṁ sarvaratnānāṁ triṣu lokeṣu bhāmini | vaśānugāḥ surāḥ sarve mama daityāśca mānavāḥ

"'I am the enjoyer of every jewel in these three worlds, O lovely one; all the gods are subject to my will, as are the daityas and men.'"

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.5.23.44)

त्वद्गुणैः कर्णमागत्य प्रविश्य हृदयान्तरम् । त्वदधीनः कृतः कामं किङ्करोऽस्मि करोमि किम्

tvadguṇaiḥ karṇamāgatya praviśya hṛdayāntaram | tvadadhīnaḥ kṛtaḥ kāmaṁ kiṅkaro'smi karomi kim

"'Your virtues, having entered my ears and penetrated to the depths of my heart, have made me entirely subject to you; I am your servant — what shall I do?'"

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.5.23.45)

त्वमाज्ञापय रम्भोरु तत्करोमि वशानुगः । दासोऽहं तव चार्वङ्गि रक्ष मां कामबाणतः

tvamājñāpaya rambhoru tatkaromi vaśānugaḥ | dāso'haṁ tava cārvaṅgi rakṣa māṁ kāmabāṇataḥ

"'Command me, O plantain-thighed one, and I shall do it, obedient to your will. I am your servant, O lovely-limbed one; protect me from the arrows of desire.'"

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.5.23.46)

भज मां त्वं मरालाक्षि तवाधीनं स्मराकुलम् । त्रैलोक्यस्वामिनी भूत्वा भुङ्क्ष्व भोगाननुत्तमान्

bhaja māṁ tvaṁ marālākṣi tavādhīnaṁ smarākulam | trailokyasvāminī bhūtvā bhuṅkṣva bhogānanuttamān

"'Accept me, O swan-eyed one, tormented by love, subject entirely to you; become the mistress of the three worlds, and enjoy the highest pleasures.'"

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.5.23.47)

तव चाज्ञाकरः कान्ते भवामि मरणावधि । अवध्योऽस्मि वरारोहे सदेवासुरमानुषैः

tava cājñākaraḥ kānte bhavāmi maraṇāvadhi | avadhyo'smi varārohe sadevāsuramānuṣaiḥ

"'I shall be, O beloved, the executor of your commands until death itself; I am, O lovely one, unslayable by gods, asuras, and men alike.'"

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.5.23.48)

सदा सौभाग्यसंयुक्ता भविष्यसि वरानने । यत्र ते रमते चित्तं तत्र क्रीडस्व सुन्दरि

sadā saubhāgyasaṁyuktā bhaviṣyasi varānane | yatra te ramate cittaṁ tatra krīḍasva sundari

"'You shall ever be endowed with the greatest good fortune, O fair-faced one; sport wherever your heart delights, O beautiful one.'"

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.5.23.49)

इति तस्य वचश्चित्ते विमृश्य मदमन्थरे । वक्तव्यं यद्भवेत्प्रेम्णा तद् ब्रूहि मधुरं वचः

iti tasya vacaścitte vimṛśya madamanthare | vaktavyaṁ yadbhavetpremṇā tad brūhi madhuraṁ vacaḥ

"'Consider these his words in your heart, O intoxicating one, and whatever loving reply is fitting, speak that sweet word.'"

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.5.23.50)

शुम्भाय चञ्चलापाङ्गि तद्ब्रवीम्यहमाशु वै । व्यास उवाच । तद्दूतवचनं श्रुत्वा स्मितं कृत्वा सुपेशलम्

śumbhāya cañcalāpāṅgi tadbravīmyahamāśu vai | vyāsa uvāca | taddūtavacanaṁ śrutvā smitaṁ kṛtvā supeśalam

"'O restless-eyed one, I shall then convey it swiftly to Shumbha.'" Vyasa said: Hearing the messenger's words, and smiling most graciously,

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.5.23.51)

तं प्राह मधुरां वाचं देवी देवार्थसाधिका । देव्युवाच । जानाम्यहं निशुम्भं च शुम्भं चातिबलं नृपम्

taṁ prāha madhurāṁ vācaṁ devī devārthasādhikā | devyuvāca | jānāmyahaṁ niśumbhaṁ ca śumbhaṁ cātibalaṁ nṛpam

the Goddess, accomplisher of the purpose of the gods, spoke sweet words to him. The Goddess said: "I know of both Nishumbha and Shumbha, that exceedingly powerful king —"

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.5.23.52)

जेतारं सर्वदेवानां हन्तारञ्चैव विद्विषाम् । राशिं सर्वगुणानाञ्च भोक्तारं सर्वसम्पदाम्

jetāraṁ sarvadevānāṁ hantārañcaiva vidviṣām | rāśiṁ sarvaguṇānāñca bhoktāraṁ sarvasampadām

"— the conqueror of all the gods, and likewise the slayer of his foes; the very treasury of every virtue, the enjoyer of every kind of prosperity."

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.5.23.53)

दातारं चातिशूरं च सुन्दरं मन्मथाकृतिम् । द्वात्रिंशल्लक्षणैर्युक्तमवध्यं सुरमानुषैः

dātāraṁ cātiśūraṁ ca sundaraṁ manmathākṛtim | dvātriṁśallakṣaṇairyuktamavadhyaṁ suramānuṣaiḥ

"— a generous giver, exceedingly heroic, handsome, of the very form of Kama, endowed with the thirty-two auspicious marks, unslayable by gods and men."

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.5.23.54)

ज्ञात्वा समागतास्स्म्यत्र द्रष्टुकामा महासुरम् । रत्नं कनकमायाति स्वशोभाधिकवृद्धये

jñātvā samāgatāssmyatra draṣṭukāmā mahāsuram | ratnaṁ kanakamāyāti svaśobhādhikavṛddhaye

"Knowing all this, I have come here, desiring to see that great asura — for gold itself comes to a jewel, for the increase of its own beauty."

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.5.23.55)

तत्राहं स्वपतिं द्रष्टुं दूरादेवागतास्मि वै । दृष्टा मया सुराः सर्वे मानवा भुवि मानदाः

tatrāhaṁ svapatiṁ draṣṭuṁ dūrādevāgatāsmi vai | dṛṣṭā mayā surāḥ sarve mānavā bhuvi mānadāḥ

"For that reason I have come, indeed, from far away, to see him who is to be my husband. I have already seen all the gods, and men upon the earth who bestow honor,"

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.5.23.56)

गन्धर्वा राक्षसाश्चान्ये ये चातिप्रियदर्शनाः । सर्वे शुम्भभयाद्भीता वेपमाना विचेतसः

gandharvā rākṣasāścānye ye cātipriyadarśanāḥ | sarve śumbhabhayādbhītā vepamānā vicetasaḥ

"— the gandharvas, the rakshasas, and others too, most pleasing to behold — yet all of them, terrified by fear of Shumbha, trembling and bewildered."

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.5.23.57)

श्रुत्वा शुम्भगुणानत्र प्राप्तास्म्यद्य दिदृक्षया । गच्छ दूत महाभाग ब्रूहि शुम्भं महाबलम्

śrutvā śumbhaguṇānatra prāptāsmyadya didṛkṣayā | gaccha dūta mahābhāga brūhi śumbhaṁ mahābalam

"Having heard of Shumbha's virtues, I have come here today, desiring to see him. Go, O messenger, most fortunate one, and say this to the mighty Shumbha —"

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.5.23.58)

निर्जने श्लक्ष्णया वाचा वचनं वचनान्मम । त्वां ज्ञात्वा बलिनां श्रेष्ठं सुन्दराणां च सुन्दरम्

nirjane ślakṣṇayā vācā vacanaṁ vacanānmama | tvāṁ jñātvā balināṁ śreṣṭhaṁ sundarāṇāṁ ca sundaram

"— in private, in gentle words, this message from my own words: knowing you to be the foremost among the mighty, and the most handsome among the handsome,"

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.5.23.59)

दातारं गुणिनं शूरं सर्वविद्याविशारदम् । जेतारं सर्वदेवानां दक्षं चोग्रं कुलोत्तरम्

dātāraṁ guṇinaṁ śūraṁ sarvavidyāviśāradam | jetāraṁ sarvadevānāṁ dakṣaṁ cograṁ kulottaram

"— generous, virtuous, heroic, skilled in every branch of knowledge, conqueror of all the gods, capable, fierce, of the most exalted lineage,"

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.5.23.60)

भोक्तारं सर्वरत्नानां स्वाधीनं स्वबलोन्नतम् । पतिकामास्म्यहं सत्यं तव योग्या नराधिप

bhoktāraṁ sarvaratnānāṁ svādhīnaṁ svabalonnatam | patikāmāsmyahaṁ satyaṁ tava yogyā narādhipa

"— the enjoyer of every jewel, self-reliant, exalted by your own strength — I truly desire you as my husband, O lord of men; I am fit for you."

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.5.23.61)

स्वेच्छया नगरे तेऽत्र समायाता महामते । ममास्ति कारणं किञ्चिद्विवाहे राक्षसोत्तम

svecchayā nagare te'tra samāyātā mahāmate | mamāsti kāraṇaṁ kiñcidvivāhe rākṣasottama

"By my own will I have come here to your city, O wise one. There is, however, a certain condition of mine regarding this marriage, O foremost of rakshasas."

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.5.23.62)

बालभावाद्व्रतं किञ्चित्कृतं राजन्मया पुरा । क्रीडन्त्या च वयस्याभिः सहैकान्ते यदृच्छया

bālabhāvādvrataṁ kiñcitkṛtaṁ rājanmayā purā | krīḍantyā ca vayasyābhiḥ sahaikānte yadṛcchayā

"In my childhood, O king, I once made a certain vow, while playing at leisure alone with my companions —"

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.5.23.63)

स्वदेहबलदर्पेण सखीनां पुरतो रहः । मत्समानबलः शूरो रणे मां जेष्यति स्फुटम्

svadehabaladarpeṇa sakhīnāṁ purato rahaḥ | matsamānabalaḥ śūro raṇe māṁ jeṣyati sphuṭam

"— out of pride in the strength of my own body, before my friends, in private: 'Only a hero equal to me in strength shall clearly defeat me in battle —'"

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.5.23.64)

तं वरिष्याम्यहं कामं ज्ञात्वा तस्य बलाबलम् । जहसुर्वचनं श्रुत्वा सख्यो विस्मितमानसाः

taṁ variṣyāmyahaṁ kāmaṁ jñātvā tasya balābalam | jahasurvacanaṁ śrutvā sakhyo vismitamānasāḥ

"'— such a one alone shall I choose as husband, once I have thus learned his strength or weakness.' Hearing these words, my friends laughed, their minds filled with astonishment."

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.5.23.65)

किमेतया कृतं क्रूरं व्रतमद्भुतमाशु वै । तस्मात्त्वमपि राजेन्द्र ज्ञात्वा मे हीदृशं बलं

kimetayā kṛtaṁ krūraṁ vratamadbhutamāśu vai | tasmāttvamapi rājendra jñātvā me hīdṛśaṁ balaṁ

"'What a strange, wondrous vow this girl has so suddenly made!' Therefore, O lord of kings, you too, knowing my strength to be such as this,"

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.5.23.66)

जित्वा मां स्वबलेनात्र वाञ्छितं कुरु चात्मनः । त्वं वा तवानुजो भ्राता समेत्य समराङ्गणे । जित्वा मां समरेणात्र विवाहं कुरु सुन्दर

jitvā māṁ svabalenātra vāñchitaṁ kuru cātmanaḥ | tvaṁ vā tavānujo bhrātā sametya samarāṅgaṇe | jitvā māṁ samareṇātra vivāhaṁ kuru sundara

"— having conquered me here by your own strength, accomplish your own desire. Either you, or your younger brother, meeting me on the field of battle and conquering me there in combat — let him then, O handsome one, undertake marriage with me."