Chanda and Munda Sent Against the Goddess

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.5.25.1)

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा विररामासौ वचनं धूम्रलोचनः । प्रत्युवाच तदा काली प्रहस्य ललितं वचः

vyāsa uvāca | ityuktvā virarāmāsau vacanaṁ dhūmralocanaḥ | pratyuvāca tadā kālī prahasya lalitaṁ vacaḥ

Vyasa said: Having spoken thus, Dhumralochana fell silent; then Kali replied, laughing, in playful words.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.5.25.2)

विदूषकोऽसि जाल्म त्वं शैलूष इव भाषसे । वृथा मनोरथांश्चित्ते करोषि मधुरं वदन्

vidūṣako'si jālma tvaṁ śailūṣa iva bhāṣase | vṛthā manorathāṁścitte karoṣi madhuraṁ vadan

"You are a buffoon, wretch, speaking like an actor on a stage. In vain do you cherish sweet fancies in your heart, mouthing honeyed words."

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.5.25.3)

बलवान्बलसंयुक्तः प्रेषितोऽसि दुरात्मना । कुरु युद्धं वृथा वादं मुञ्च मूढमतेऽधुना

balavānbalasaṁyuktaḥ preṣito'si durātmanā | kuru yuddhaṁ vṛthā vādaṁ muñca mūḍhamate'dhunā

"You have been sent here, strong and accompanied by an army, by that evil-minded one. Fight now — abandon this useless talk, O fool!"

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.5.25.4)

हत्वा शुम्भं निशुम्भञ्च त्वदन्यान्वा बलाधिकान् । देवी क्रुद्धा शराघातैर्व्रजिष्यति निजालयम्

hatvā śumbhaṁ niśumbhañca tvadanyānvā balādhikān | devī kruddhā śarāghātairvrajiṣyati nijālayam

"Having slain Shumbha and Nishumbha, or you and other mightier ones, the Goddess, once her anger is spent through the striking of her arrows, will return to her own abode."

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.5.25.5)

क्वासौ मन्दमतिः शुम्भः क्व वा विश्वविमोहिनी । अयुक्तः खलु संसारे विवाहविधिरेतयोः

kvāsau mandamatiḥ śumbhaḥ kva vā viśvavimohinī | ayuktaḥ khalu saṁsāre vivāhavidhiretayoḥ

"Where is that dull-witted Shumbha, and where is she who bewilders the whole universe? A marriage between the two of them is utterly unfitting in this world."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.5.25.6)

सिंही किं त्वतिकामार्ता जम्बुकं कुरुते पतिम् । करिणी गर्दभं वापि गवयं सुरभिः किमु

siṁhī kiṁ tvatikāmārtā jambukaṁ kurute patim | kariṇī gardabhaṁ vāpi gavayaṁ surabhiḥ kimu

"Does a lioness, however overcome by passion, ever take a jackal for her mate? Does a she-elephant take a donkey, or a fine cow a wild ox?"

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.5.25.7)

गच्छ शुम्भं निशुम्भं च वद सत्यं वचो मम । कुरु युद्धं न चेद्याहि पातालं तरसाधुना

gaccha śumbhaṁ niśumbhaṁ ca vada satyaṁ vaco mama | kuru yuddhaṁ na cedyāhi pātālaṁ tarasādhunā

"Go, and tell Shumbha and Nishumbha these true words of mine: let them fight, or else let them flee at once to the netherworld."

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.5.25.8)

व्यास उवाच । कालिकायावचः श्रुत्वा स दैत्यो धूम्रलोचनः । तामुवाच महाभाग क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः

vyāsa uvāca | kālikāyāvacaḥ śrutvā sa daityo dhūmralocanaḥ | tāmuvāca mahābhāga krodhasaṁraktalocanaḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing Kalika's words, that demon Dhumralochana, his eyes red with fury, O most fortunate one, spoke to her thus.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.5.25.9)

दुर्दर्शे त्वां निहत्याजौ सिंहञ्च मदगर्वितम् । गृहीत्वैनां गमिष्यामि राजानं प्रत्यहं किल

durdarśe tvāṁ nihatyājau siṁhañca madagarvitam | gṛhītvaināṁ gamiṣyāmi rājānaṁ pratyahaṁ kila

"O you of ugly appearance! Having slain you in battle, along with your arrogant lion, I shall seize you and carry you before my king this very day."

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.5.25.10)

रसभङ्गभयात्कालि बिभेमि त्विह साम्प्रतम् । नोचेत्त्वां निशितैर्बाणैर्हन्म्यद्य कलहप्रिये

rasabhaṅgabhayātkāli bibhemi tviha sāmpratam | nocettvāṁ niśitairbāṇairhanmyadya kalahapriye

"O Kali, right now I am restrained only by the fear of disgrace — otherwise, O lover of quarrel, I would slay you this instant with sharp arrows."

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.5.25.11)

कालिकोवाच । किं विकत्थसि मन्दात्मन्नायं धर्मो धनुष्मताम् । स्वशक्त्या मुञ्च विशिखान्गन्तासि यमसंसदि

kālikovāca | kiṁ vikatthasi mandātmannāyaṁ dharmo dhanuṣmatām | svaśaktyā muñca viśikhāngantāsi yamasaṁsadi

Kalika said: "Why do you boast, O dull one? This is not the code of warriors. Loose your arrows with all your strength — you are about to go before the court of Yama."

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.5.25.12)

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं दैत्यः सङ्गृह्य कार्मुकं दृढम् । कालिकां तां शरासारैर्ववर्षातिशिलाशितैः

vyāsa uvāca | tacchrutvā vacanaṁ daityaḥ saṅgṛhya kārmukaṁ dṛḍham | kālikāṁ tāṁ śarāsārairvavarṣātiśilāśitaiḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing this, the demon seized his mighty bow and rained upon Kalika a shower of arrows, whetted keen upon stone.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.5.25.13)

देवास्तु प्रेक्षकास्तत्र विमानवरसंस्थिताः । तां स्तुवन्तो जयेत्यूचुर्देवीं शक्रपुरोगमाः

devāstu prekṣakāstatra vimānavarasaṁsthitāḥ | tāṁ stuvanto jayetyūcurdevīṁ śakrapurogamāḥ

The gods, seated in their fine celestial cars, watched as onlookers; led by Indra, they praised the Goddess and cried out, "Victory!"

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.5.25.14)

तयोः परस्परं युद्धं प्रवृत्तं चातिदारुणम् । बाणखड्गगदाशक्तिमुसलादिभिरुत्कटम्

tayoḥ parasparaṁ yuddhaṁ pravṛttaṁ cātidāruṇam | bāṇakhaḍgagadāśaktimusalādibhirutkaṭam

A most terrible battle broke out between the two of them, fierce with arrows, swords, maces, spears, clubs, and other weapons.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.5.25.15)

कालिका बाणपातैस्तु हत्वा पूर्वं खरानथ । बभञ्ज तद्रथं व्यूढं जहास च मुहुर्मुहुः

kālikā bāṇapātaistu hatvā pūrvaṁ kharānatha | babhañja tadrathaṁ vyūḍhaṁ jahāsa ca muhurmuhuḥ

Kalika, with a hail of arrows, first killed the donkeys yoking his chariot, then smashed the great chariot itself, and laughed again and again.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.5.25.16)

स चान्यं रथमारूढः कोपेन प्रज्वलन्निव । बाणवृष्टिं चकारोग्रां कालिकोपरि भारत

sa cānyaṁ rathamārūḍhaḥ kopena prajvalanniva | bāṇavṛṣṭiṁ cakārogrāṁ kālikopari bhārata

He then mounted another chariot and, blazing as if with rage, O Bharata, poured a fierce shower of arrows down upon Kalika.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.5.25.17)

सापि चिच्छेद तरसा तस्य बाणानसङ्गतान् । मुमोचान्यानुग्रवेगान्दानवोपरि कालिका

sāpi ciccheda tarasā tasya bāṇānasaṅgatān | mumocānyānugravegāndānavopari kālikā

She too swiftly cut down his onrushing arrows, and Kalika in turn loosed other arrows of terrible speed upon the demon.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.5.25.18)

तैर्बाणैर्निहतास्तस्य पार्ष्णिग्राहा सहस्रशः । बभञ्ज च रथं वेगात्सूतं हत्वा खरानपि

tairbāṇairnihatāstasya pārṣṇigrāhā sahasraśaḥ | babhañja ca rathaṁ vegātsūtaṁ hatvā kharānapi

By those arrows his rear-guard warriors fell by the thousand; and she swiftly smashed his chariot too, killing his charioteer and his donkeys.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.5.25.19)

चिच्छेद तद्धनुः सद्यो बाणैरुरगसन्निभैः । मुदं चक्रे सुराणां सा शङ्खनादं तथाकरोत्

ciccheda taddhanuḥ sadyo bāṇairuragasannibhaiḥ | mudaṁ cakre surāṇāṁ sā śaṅkhanādaṁ tathākarot

At once she cut his bow to pieces with arrows like serpents, gladdened the gods, and blew her conch.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.5.25.20)

विरथः परिघं गृह्य सर्वलोहमयं दृढम् । आजगाम रथोपस्थं कुपितो धूम्रलोचनः

virathaḥ parighaṁ gṛhya sarvalohamayaṁ dṛḍham | ājagāma rathopasthaṁ kupito dhūmralocanaḥ

Now without a chariot, Dhumralochana, enraged, seized a mighty mace made wholly of iron and advanced upon her chariot.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.5.25.21)

वाचा निर्भर्त्सयन्कालीं करालः कालसन्निभः । अद्यैव त्वां हनिष्यामि कुरूपे पिङ्गलोचने

vācā nirbhartsayankālīṁ karālaḥ kālasannibhaḥ | adyaiva tvāṁ haniṣyāmi kurūpe piṅgalocane

Fearsome and dark as death, hurling abuse at Kali with his words: "This very day I shall kill you, O ugly, tawny-eyed one!"

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.5.25.22)

इत्युक्त्वा सहसाऽऽगत्य परिघं क्षिपते यदा । हुङ्कारेणैव तं भस्म चकार तरसाम्बिका

ityuktvā sahasā''gatya parighaṁ kṣipate yadā | huṅkāreṇaiva taṁ bhasma cakāra tarasāmbikā

So saying, as he rushed forward suddenly to hurl his mace, Ambika, with a mere roar, reduced him instantly to ashes.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.5.25.23)

दृष्ट्वा भस्मीकृतं दैत्यं सैनिका भयविह्वलाः । चक्रुः पलायनं सद्यो हा तातेत्यब्रुवन्पथि

dṛṣṭvā bhasmīkṛtaṁ daityaṁ sainikā bhayavihvalāḥ | cakruḥ palāyanaṁ sadyo hā tātetyabruvanpathi

Seeing the demon turned to ash, his soldiers, overwhelmed with fear, fled at once, crying "Alas, father!" as they ran.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.5.25.24)

देवास्तं निहतं दृष्ट्वा दानवं धूम्रलोचनम् । मुमुचुः पुष्पवृष्टिं ते मुदिता गगने स्थिताः

devāstaṁ nihataṁ dṛṣṭvā dānavaṁ dhūmralocanam | mumucuḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiṁ te muditā gagane sthitāḥ

Seeing that demon Dhumralochana slain, the gods, standing in the sky, rejoiced and rained down flowers.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.5.25.25)

रणभूमिस्तदा राजन् दारुणा समपद्यत । निहतैर्दानवैरश्वैः खरैश्च वारणैस्तथा

raṇabhūmistadā rājan dāruṇā samapadyata | nihatairdānavairaśvaiḥ kharaiśca vāraṇaistathā

The battlefield then became a dreadful sight, O King, strewn with slain demons, horses, donkeys, and elephants.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.5.25.26)

गृध्राः काका वटाः श्येना वरफा जम्बुकास्तथा । ननृतुश्चुक्रुशुः प्रेतान्पतितान् रणभूमिषु

gṛdhrāḥ kākā vaṭāḥ śyenā varaphā jambukāstathā | nanṛtuścukruśuḥ pretānpatitān raṇabhūmiṣu

Vultures, crows, herons, hawks, kites, and jackals danced and screeched over the corpses fallen on the field of battle.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.5.25.27)

अम्बिका तद्रणस्थानं त्यक्त्वा दूरं स्थलान्तरे । गत्वा चकार चाप्युग्रं शङ्खनादं भयप्रदम्

ambikā tadraṇasthānaṁ tyaktvā dūraṁ sthalāntare | gatvā cakāra cāpyugraṁ śaṅkhanādaṁ bhayapradam

Then Ambika left that battlefield, went to another spot at a distance, and there again blew her conch, terrible and fear-inspiring.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.5.25.28)

तं श्रुत्वा दरशब्दं तु शुम्भः सद्मनि संस्थितः । दृष्ट्वाथ दानवान्भग्नानागतान् रुधिरोक्षितान्

taṁ śrutvā daraśabdaṁ tu śumbhaḥ sadmani saṁsthitaḥ | dṛṣṭvātha dānavānbhagnānāgatān rudhirokṣitān

Hearing that sound of the conch, Shumbha, seated in his palace, saw his demons come back routed and drenched in blood —

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.5.25.29)

छिन्नपादकराक्षांश्च मञ्चकारोपितानपि । भग्नपृष्ठकटिग्रीवान्क्रन्दमानाननेकशः

chinnapādakarākṣāṁśca mañcakāropitānapi | bhagnapṛṣṭhakaṭigrīvānkrandamānānanekaśaḥ

some with their feet, hands, or eyes severed, some carried on litters, others with broken backs, waists, or necks, wailing in great numbers.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.5.25.30)

वीक्ष्य शुम्भो निशुम्भश्च क्व गतो धूम्रलोचनः । कथं भग्नाः समायाता नानीता किं वरानना

vīkṣya śumbho niśumbhaśca kva gato dhūmralocanaḥ | kathaṁ bhagnāḥ samāyātā nānītā kiṁ varānanā

Seeing this, Shumbha and Nishumbha asked: "Where has Dhumralochana gone? Why have you come back routed? Was that fair-faced woman not brought here?"

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.5.25.31)

सैन्यं कुत्र गतं मन्दाः कथयन्तु यथोचितम् । कस्यायं शङ्खनादोऽद्य श्रूयते भयवर्धनः

sainyaṁ kutra gataṁ mandāḥ kathayantu yathocitam | kasyāyaṁ śaṅkhanādo'dya śrūyate bhayavardhanaḥ

"Where has the army gone, you fools? Tell us truly as it happened. Whose conch is this that is now heard, ever swelling our dread?"

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.5.25.32)

गणा ऊचुः । बलञ्च पातितं सर्वं निहतो धूम्रलोचनः । कृतं कालिकया कर्म रणभूमावमानुषम्

gaṇā ūcuḥ | balañca pātitaṁ sarvaṁ nihato dhūmralocanaḥ | kṛtaṁ kālikayā karma raṇabhūmāvamānuṣam

The attendants said: "The entire army has been struck down, and Dhumralochana is slain. It is Kalika who has wrought this superhuman deed upon the battlefield."

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.5.25.33)

शङ्खनादोऽम्बिकायास्तु गगनं व्याप्य राजते । हर्षदः सुरसङ्घानां दानवानाञ्च शोककृत्

śaṅkhanādo'mbikāyāstu gaganaṁ vyāpya rājate | harṣadaḥ surasaṅghānāṁ dānavānāñca śokakṛt

"It is Ambika's own conch that fills the sky and resounds — a sound that gladdens the hosts of the gods and brings grief to the demons."

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.5.25.34)

यदा निपातिताः सर्वे तेन केसरिणा विभो । रथा भग्ना हयाश्चैव बाणपातैर्विनाशिताः

yadā nipātitāḥ sarve tena kesariṇā vibho | rathā bhagnā hayāścaiva bāṇapātairvināśitāḥ

"O lord, when that lion of hers struck everyone down, our chariots were smashed and our horses too were destroyed under a hail of arrows."

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.5.25.35)

गगनस्थाः सुराश्चक्रुः पुष्पवृष्टिं मुदान्विताः । दृष्ट्वा भग्नं बलं सर्वं पातितं धूम्रलोचनम्

gaganasthāḥ surāścakruḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiṁ mudānvitāḥ | dṛṣṭvā bhagnaṁ balaṁ sarvaṁ pātitaṁ dhūmralocanam

"Seeing our whole army routed and Dhumralochana felled, the gods standing in the sky, filled with joy, rained down flowers."

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.5.25.36)

निश्चयस्तु कृतोऽस्माभिर्जयो नैव भवेदिति । विचारं कुरु राजेन्द्र मन्त्रिभिर्मन्त्रवित्तमैः

niścayastu kṛto'smābhirjayo naiva bhavediti | vicāraṁ kuru rājendra mantribhirmantravittamaiḥ

"We have concluded among ourselves that victory here is simply not possible. O lord of kings, take counsel now with ministers well-versed in policy."

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.5.25.37)

विस्मयोऽयं महाराज यदेका जगदम्बिका । भवद्भिः सह युद्धाय संस्थिता सैन्यवर्जिता

vismayo'yaṁ mahārāja yadekā jagadambikā | bhavadbhiḥ saha yuddhāya saṁsthitā sainyavarjitā

"This is a wonder indeed, great king, that she alone, the Mother of the Universe, stands ready for battle against you, though without any army."

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.5.25.38)

निर्भयैकाकिनी बाला सिंहारूढा मदोत्कटा । चित्रमेतन्महाराज भासतेऽद्भुतमञ्जसा

nirbhayaikākinī bālā siṁhārūḍhā madotkaṭā | citrametanmahārāja bhāsate'dbhutamañjasā

"Fearless and alone, that young woman, mounted on her fierce lion — this, great king, appears indeed a truly astonishing marvel."

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.5.25.39)

सन्धिर्वा विग्रहो वाद्य स्थानं निर्याणमेव च । मन्त्रयित्वा महाराज कुरु कार्यं यथारुचि

sandhirvā vigraho vādya sthānaṁ niryāṇameva ca | mantrayitvā mahārāja kuru kāryaṁ yathāruci

"Whether peace, or war, or simply to remain, or to march forth — great king, decide, after due counsel, and act as you see fit."

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.5.25.40)

तत्सन्निधौ बलं नास्ति तथापि शत्रुतापन । पार्ष्णिग्राहा सुराः सर्वे भविष्यन्ति किलापदि

tatsannidhau balaṁ nāsti tathāpi śatrutāpana | pārṣṇigrāhā surāḥ sarve bhaviṣyanti kilāpadi

"O scorcher of foes, near her there stands no army, yet all the gods will surely become her rear-guard the moment danger threatens her."

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.5.25.41)

समये तत्समीपस्थौ ज्ञातौ च हरिशङ्करौ । लोकपालाः समीपेऽद्य वर्तन्ते गगने स्थिताः

samaye tatsamīpasthau jñātau ca hariśaṅkarau | lokapālāḥ samīpe'dya vartante gagane sthitāḥ

"Even Hari and Shankara are known to stand near her in time of need, and the guardians of the world are even now present nearby, in the sky."

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.5.25.42)

रक्षोगणाश्च गन्धर्वाः किन्नरा मानुषास्तथा । तत्सहायाश्च मन्तव्याः समये सुरतापन

rakṣogaṇāśca gandharvāḥ kinnarā mānuṣāstathā | tatsahāyāśca mantavyāḥ samaye suratāpana

"O scorcher of the gods, know also that hosts of rakshasas, gandharvas, kinnaras, and men should be reckoned as her helpers whenever the time demands."

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.5.25.43)

अस्माकं मतिमानेन ज्ञायते सर्वथेदृशम् । अम्बिकायाः सहायाशा तत्कार्याशा न काचन

asmākaṁ matimānena jñāyate sarvathedṛśam | ambikāyāḥ sahāyāśā tatkāryāśā na kācana

"With such understanding as we possess, this much is known for certain: Ambika has no need at all of any help to accomplish her purpose."

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.5.25.44)

एका नाशयितुं शक्ता जगत्सर्वं चराचरम् । का कथा दानवानां तु सर्वेषामिति निश्चयः

ekā nāśayituṁ śaktā jagatsarvaṁ carācaram | kā kathā dānavānāṁ tu sarveṣāmiti niścayaḥ

"She alone is capable of destroying this entire moving and unmoving universe — what then to speak of all the demons together? This is our firm conclusion."

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.5.25.45)

इति ज्ञात्वा महाभाग यथारुचि तथा कुरु । हितं सत्यं मितं वाक्यं वक्तव्यमनुयायिभिः

iti jñātvā mahābhāga yathāruci tathā kuru | hitaṁ satyaṁ mitaṁ vākyaṁ vaktavyamanuyāyibhiḥ

"Knowing this, O most fortunate one, act as you see fit. It is only proper for followers to speak words that are beneficial, true, and measured."

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.5.25.46)

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां शुम्भः परबलार्दनः । कनीयांसं समानीय पप्रच्छ रहसि स्थितः

vyāsa uvāca | tacchrutvā vacanaṁ teṣāṁ śumbhaḥ parabalārdanaḥ | kanīyāṁsaṁ samānīya papraccha rahasi sthitaḥ

Vyasa said: Having heard their words, Shumbha, the crusher of enemy armies, summoned his younger brother and, drawing him aside in private, questioned him.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.5.25.47)

भ्रातः कालिकयाद्यैव निहतो धूम्रलोचनः । बलञ्च शातितं सर्वं गणा भग्नाः समागताः

bhrātaḥ kālikayādyaiva nihato dhūmralocanaḥ | balañca śātitaṁ sarvaṁ gaṇā bhagnāḥ samāgatāḥ

"Brother, this very day Dhumralochana has been slain by Kalika, our entire army has been cut to pieces, and our attendants have returned utterly routed."

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.5.25.48)

अम्बिका शङ्खनादं वै करोति मदगर्विता । ज्ञानिनां चैव दुर्ज्ञेया गतिः कालस्य सर्वथा

ambikā śaṅkhanādaṁ vai karoti madagarvitā | jñānināṁ caiva durjñeyā gatiḥ kālasya sarvathā

"Ambika, proud and exultant, keeps sounding her conch. Truly, even for the wise, the working of time is in every way hard to fathom."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.5.25.49)

तृणं वज्रायते नूनं वज्रं चैव तृणायते । बलवान्बलहीनः स्याद्दैवस्य गतिरीदृशी

tṛṇaṁ vajrāyate nūnaṁ vajraṁ caiva tṛṇāyate | balavānbalahīnaḥ syāddaivasya gatirīdṛśī

"A blade of grass indeed becomes a thunderbolt, and a thunderbolt becomes but a blade of grass; the strong become weak: such is the way fate moves."

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.5.25.50)

पृच्छामि त्वां महाभाग किं कर्तव्यमितः परम् । अभोग्या चाम्बिका नूनं कारणादत्र चागता

pṛcchāmi tvāṁ mahābhāga kiṁ kartavyamitaḥ param | abhogyā cāmbikā nūnaṁ kāraṇādatra cāgatā

"I ask you, O most fortunate one, what is to be done now? Surely Ambika is not meant to be enjoyed — she has come here for some other reason."

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.5.25.51)

युक्तं पलायनं वीर युद्धं वा वद सत्वरम् । लघुं ज्येष्ठं विजानामि त्वामहं कार्यसङ्कटे

yuktaṁ palāyanaṁ vīra yuddhaṁ vā vada satvaram | laghuṁ jyeṣṭhaṁ vijānāmi tvāmahaṁ kāryasaṅkaṭe

"Tell me quickly, O hero, whether flight or battle is now proper. In this crisis I regard you as my elder, not my junior."

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.5.25.52)

निशुम्भ उवाच । न वा पलायनं युक्तं न दुर्गग्रहणं तथा । युद्धमेव परं श्रेयः सर्वथैवानयानघ

niśumbha uvāca | na vā palāyanaṁ yuktaṁ na durgagrahaṇaṁ tathā | yuddhameva paraṁ śreyaḥ sarvathaivānayānagha

Nishumbha said: "Neither flight nor taking refuge in a fortress is proper. Battle alone, O sinless one, is the highest good in this matter, in every way."

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.5.25.53)

ससैन्योऽहं गमिष्यामि रणे तु प्रवराश्रितः । हत्वा तामागमिष्यामि तरसा त्वबलामिमाम्

sasainyo'haṁ gamiṣyāmi raṇe tu pravarāśritaḥ | hatvā tāmāgamiṣyāmi tarasā tvabalāmimām

"I myself shall go with my army, relying on my prowess in battle. I shall swiftly slay this powerless woman and return."

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.5.25.54)

अथवा बलवद्दैवादन्यथा चेद्भविष्यति । मृते मयि त्वया कार्यं विमृश्य च पुनः पुनः

athavā balavaddaivādanyathā cedbhaviṣyati | mṛte mayi tvayā kāryaṁ vimṛśya ca punaḥ punaḥ

"But if, through the overpowering force of fate, things should turn out otherwise, then should I die, you must act only after considering the matter again and again."

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.5.25.55)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शुम्भः प्रोवाच चानुजम् । तिष्ठ त्वं चण्डमुण्डौ द्वौ गच्छेतां बलसंयुतौ

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā śumbhaḥ provāca cānujam | tiṣṭha tvaṁ caṇḍamuṇḍau dvau gacchetāṁ balasaṁyutau

Hearing his words, Shumbha said to his younger brother: "You remain here — let Chanda and Munda both go, together with the army."

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.5.25.56)

शशकग्रहणायात्र न युक्तं गजमोचनम् । चण्डमुण्डौ महावीरौ तां हन्तुं सर्वथा क्षमौ

śaśakagrahaṇāyātra na yuktaṁ gajamocanam | caṇḍamuṇḍau mahāvīrau tāṁ hantuṁ sarvathā kṣamau

"It is not fitting to loose an elephant merely to catch a hare. Chanda and Munda, those two great heroes, are wholly capable of killing her."

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.5.25.57)

इत्युक्त्वा भ्रातरं शुम्भः सम्भाष्य च महाबलौ । उवाच वचनं राजा चण्डमुण्डौ पुरःस्थितौ

ityuktvā bhrātaraṁ śumbhaḥ sambhāṣya ca mahābalau | uvāca vacanaṁ rājā caṇḍamuṇḍau puraḥsthitau

Having said this to his brother, King Shumbha then addressed those two mighty ones, Chanda and Munda, who stood before him.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.5.25.58)

गच्छतं चण्डमुण्डौ द्वौ स्वसैन्यपरिवारितौ । हन्तुं तामबलां शीघ्रं निर्लज्जां मदगर्विताम्

gacchataṁ caṇḍamuṇḍau dvau svasainyaparivāritau | hantuṁ tāmabalāṁ śīghraṁ nirlajjāṁ madagarvitām

"Go, both of you, Chanda and Munda, surrounded by your own troops, and swiftly slay that shameless, arrogant woman."

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.5.25.59)

गृहीत्वाथ निहत्याजौ कालिकां पिङ्गलोचनाम् । आगम्यतां महाभागौ कृत्वा कार्यं महत्तरम्

gṛhītvātha nihatyājau kālikāṁ piṅgalocanām | āgamyatāṁ mahābhāgau kṛtvā kāryaṁ mahattaram

"Having captured, or else slain in battle, that tawny-eyed Kalika, return, O most fortunate ones, having accomplished this great task."

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.5.25.60)

सा नायाति गृहीतापि गर्विता चाम्बिका यदि । तदा बाणैर्महातीक्ष्णैर्हन्तव्याहवमण्डिता

sā nāyāti gṛhītāpi garvitā cāmbikā yadi | tadā bāṇairmahātīkṣṇairhantavyāhavamaṇḍitā

"And if that proud Ambika, though captured, still will not come, then, adorned for battle, she must be slain outright with extremely sharp arrows."